Chapter 71
A tightness pressed against my chest.
The Duke of Sertia.
Just hearing that name made my fingers clench unconsciously.
It had been quite some time since I’d sent Rachel away.
I had already informed the duke of the matter through a letter, but no reply ever came.
The silence only deepened my unease.
So perhaps… this might be for the best after all.
“…It’s something I would have had to face eventually.”
I steadied my slightly trembling voice and lifted my head.
“He’s someone I would have had to meet sooner or later. Then it’s better to take this opportunity to reassure him now.”
“Reassure him…”
Denok repeated the word quietly, his eyes fixed on me.
There was concern in his gaze — and cautious agreement.
I added softly,
“He needs to believe that I’m still under his will… and that I pose no threat to him. That way, maybe he’ll start to withdraw his suspicion, even just a little.”
“It could be dangerous.”
“Precisely why it has to be done at the banquet.”
I smiled faintly.
“To show him how well I’ve settled in as the Grand Duchess — enough that this place already looks like it belongs to me.”
Denok gazed at me in silence for a while, then slowly lowered his eyes.
After a moment, he nodded, as if he’d made up his mind.
“I’ll do everything I can to avoid arousing suspicion.”
Then, in his calm, steady voice, he added:
“So that to anyone watching… it truly looks like I’m a man who loves you.”
* * *
From that day on, the two were busier than ever.
Edith took full charge of preparing the banquet as the Grand Duchess — reviewing guest lists, writing invitations by hand, and sealing them herself with meticulous care.
The reception room in the annex was already filled with formal letters and bouquets sent from nobles, and even the invitations bound for the imperial palace were swiftly completed under her hand.
Meanwhile, Denok focused on preparing the technology demonstration with the members of the Marcana Guild.
He intended to make this banquet both a public debut for the guild and a showcase of their new magical technology.
He met with the guild members, sometimes even revising their designs himself.
The spells that passed through Denok’s hands became remarkably refined, and the mages around him began to look at him with trust and admiration.
Soon, news that a banquet would be held at the Duchy of Luciano spread through the capital like wildfire.
“Technology demonstration…?”
One noble set down his wine glass with a curious look.
“At Luciano? I thought their magic division was long past its glory days.”
“But didn’t he marry the Lady of House Sertia? Perhaps the Sertias are funding it.”
Another said this with a knowing smirk, raising an eyebrow.
The rumor quickly reached the ears of those who had once coveted Luciano’s technologies — some of whom had stolen artisans from his domain in the past to build their own fortunes.
Now, they too began plotting ways to seize those technicians again, by any means necessary.
“Hah, a magic guild, you say? What a laughable thing.”
“They’ll all move for a handful of gold coins anyway.”
“Tch. Don’t be so sure. The mages in that district are stubborn — better be well prepared if you plan to deal with them.”
But the most significant reaction came from within the imperial palace.
When the Emperor received the banquet invitation, he frowned for a brief moment — and then smiled.
He’d been uneasy ever since receiving the Duke’s letter.
This might be a good chance to gauge the situation before taking action.
“…Excellent. The envoys from the Kingdom of Elka are arriving soon, aren’t they? Send the princess with them.”
“With Her Highness, to Luciano?”
The chamberlain’s eyes widened, but the Emperor chuckled.
“Elka has long shown great interest in the Empire’s magical developments. It’ll be advantageous to show them we possess technologies worth coveting.”
Then, with a subtle smile, he added,
“And since the Elkan prince will be accompanying the delegation, it wouldn’t hurt to let him spend time with our princess. Elka has rich maritime resources, after all.”
The chamberlain bowed silently.
The banquet was no longer just a social gathering — it had become a stage entangling technology, power, and diplomacy.
* * *
Late at night, in the study of the main residence.
On the desk lay two stacks of papers — Edith’s banquet preparation checklist, and Denok’s circuit blueprints.
“The guild members?”
Edith poured him tea as she asked.
Denok nodded lightly.
“Yes, far more passionate than I expected. They’re determined to humble all those who looked down on them.”
He’d been spending a lot of time among them lately — enough that some of their rougher speech had rubbed off on him, though he didn’t seem to notice.
“The demonstration devices are nearly complete, and the magic stones’ reactions are stable. All that’s left is to make sure the audience is impressed.”
Edith smiled gently.
“I’ve nearly finished decorating the hall too. The invitations have gotten quite the positive response.”
On the parchment spread before her was a clean sketch of the venue — flowers and enchanted lights arranged in elegant harmony.
“At least my festival experience is finally paying off, isn’t it?”
When she said that with a playful smile, Denok’s gaze lingered on her lips for a moment.
After a quiet pause, he slowly rose and opened the drawer beside him.
“Denok?”
“There’s something I’ve prepared for you.”
Edith blinked, tilting her head in curiosity as he took out a small velvet box.
He opened it carefully.
“…This is…”
“A ring passed down through the ducal family.”
His voice was quiet.
“My mother wore it too — it’s the ring of one’s chosen partner.”
“What?”
Edith’s eyes trembled slightly.
Inside the box lay a delicate, finely crafted ring, its deep navy gemstone gleaming faintly.
When the soft moonlight brushed against it, something within the gem seemed to ripple.
In the hush that followed, Denok gently took Edith’s left hand.
“If you wear this ring…”
He lowered his gaze, lifting the ring with careful fingers.
His voice carried a warmth she hadn’t expected.
“…people will think we’re deeply in love.”
Though outsiders didn’t know the ring’s true power, those familiar with the ducal house knew it was a token only bestowed upon the one the Grand Duke truly loved.
As Denok slowly slid the ring onto her finger, a faint smile crossed his lips. It fit perfectly — almost as if it had been made for her.
“It suits you.”
He looked up.
Their breaths mingled in the narrow space between them.
His eyes shimmered darkly, like the deep sea.
Edith couldn’t look away.
Even though part of her mind whispered that she shouldn’t accept the ring —
It’s just a ring, she told herself. I’ll return it before I leave.
She swallowed down the strange, restless feeling stirring in her chest.
The ring shimmered softly — as if it had finally found its rightful owner, shining with quiet eternity.
* * *
At last, the day of the banquet arrived.
“Haha. Truly… it’s as magnificent as ever.”
Stepping down from his carriage, Duke Sertia let out a low chuckle as he gazed up at the Grand Duke’s estate.
