Chapter 13
Harvich sent a dress to Lincia.
The dress was made in the colours symbolising the Grand Duke’s household.
It was pure white, designed to be worn without a corset, and adorned here and there with ruby-like red jewels.
The soft fabric slid through her fingers.
Lincia looked at the lavish dress and the jewellery that came with it.
The shoes had low heels.
Only when the maids arrived to help her dress did Lincia realise there was a banquet today.
More than the inconvenience of learning so late about an important day, what unsettled her was the thought of standing beside Harvich in an official setting.
“I will help you prepare, my lady.”
The maids first assisted with her bath.
They dried her hair with soft towels and began to apply makeup.
“These cosmetics have been tested by Lord Oberk. They are gentle and toxin-free, safe even for pregnant women.”
“Was that His Highness’s order?”
“Yes, he commanded us to be mindful of everything you eat and wear.”
Lincia shut her eyes tightly.
She could not understand why a man who did not trust her would still take such care of her and the child.
Whenever Harvich showed her such consideration, she could not help but wonder if he might feel something for her.
Even though she knew he never would.
“They asked if he was the father of the child.”
Lincia bit down hard on her lip.
“The Grand Duke says he will come to escort you.”
“All right.”
Since there had been no wedding ceremony, this would be the first time Lincia appeared as Harvich’s partner.
At the academy, they had only ever met in private.
During reading circles, tea parties, or graduation events, Harvich and Lincia would meet alone in a cottage.
A prince treated as if he were dead and the heir of a poor domain would find no welcome at banquets.
She had often prayed those gathering days would never come, but after meeting Harvich, she always waited for them with impatient hope.
“Lincia.”
There was a time when they had been close enough to use each other’s names, but after graduating from the academy, that closeness was erased.
It hurt, but Lincia understood Harvich.
Memories of the past could not help him survive the present.
A knock sounded and the door opened.
Harvich stood there, dressed in the colours of the imperial family.
His attire was deep navy, with an amethyst brooch pinned to his chest.
In the empire, lovers often wore each other’s colours as a sign of affection.
As husband and wife, it was only natural that they would adorn themselves in each other’s hues.
Still, seeing him clothed in her colour made her flush with embarrassment.
It was the first time she had ever seen him wear anything other than white.
Harvich extended his arm to her.
“Take it.”
Lincia placed her hand on his arm.
To stand at his side as his official partner—it was a thought that made her heart race.
She knew this banquet could only bring trouble for him, and this was no time for such feelings.
Yet she could not stop the strange emotions welling inside her.
And part of that was Harvich’s fault.
He was unusually gentle tonight.
Normally he would not have spoken even a word of small talk, yet now he was quietly telling her little things.
“The banquet will last for ten days.”
Because the hall was in the outer palace, it was far from Lincia’s chambers.
The gardens prepared for the event were filled with the fragrance of flowers.
The sweet scent and soft atmosphere were enough to set her heart at ease.
“It could not be helped, as it was the imperial family’s decision.”
“Must we attend all ten days?”
“Not necessarily. But during that time, it would be best if you stayed in the outer palace.”
Harvich lowered his voice.
“All right.”
“In the outer palace, we will have to share a room.”
“What?”
“Even if it is inconvenient, there is no choice. I cannot leave my pregnant wife alone in a strange place.”
Lincia parted her lips, then bit them shut.
More than discomfort, the thought of spending a whole week together made her heart flutter.
Afraid he would notice her flushed face, she lowered her head.
Even feeling such emotions felt sinful, and she could not raise her gaze.
“Does it displease you?”
“No, I understand.”
Before long, they arrived at the outer palace.
The doors opened and the herald announced them.
“Her Grace the Grand Duchess and His Grace the Grand Duke are entering!”
***
Every banquet began with the hosting family’s dance.
To the music of a grand orchestra, Harvich and Lincia danced the opening steps.
She had worried, having so little experience at social events, but thankfully she did not make the mistake of stepping on his foot.
When her cheeks flushed with nervousness, Harvich gently brushed her forehead.
It was only to wipe away sweat, but in tonight’s tender atmosphere, it made her remember the boy he had been in their academy days.
After the reading of prayers for a safe childbirth and the emperor’s blessing, the true celebration began.
No banquet was complete without wine, and the guest of honour was expected to drink every toast.
But since the guest of honour tonight was pregnant, her husband drank in her stead.
“I do not care much for alcohol.”
Lincia watched Harvich drink, worry flickering in her eyes.
“Are you all right?”
She asked softly.
Harvich took her hand in his.
His fingers were large and rough, his grip firm against her palm.
“Yes, I am still fine.”
Yet even as he said it, he did not seem to notice he was holding her hand.
Lincia looked down at their joined hands.
She could not pull away as more congratulations came pouring in.
His red eyes, always so sharp, began to blur.
“Enough, it would be best if you rested now.”
“Yes. If that is my wife’s wish.”
He nodded.
Even knowing it was only drunken speech, Lincia’s heart plummeted.
Her chest ached as if it might burst, and she bit down hard on her lip.
Still clutching her hand, Harvich staggered from the hall.
Unable to hold himself upright, he leaned his full weight against her.
The scent of alcohol poured from his breath.
He could not even drink properly.
Lincia stopped awkwardly in the corridor of the outer palace.
Harvich’s hot breath brushed her nape.
As she stood frozen, unsure what to do, someone approached her side.
“Allow me to help you.”
Lincia lifted her head and saw a face she knew.
A retainer of the Grand Duke’s household.
Was his name Caden…?
He was the man who had once told her she would not be given a personal attendant.
Because her maid had been exposed as a spy for the imperial family.
“Ah…”
Though he shared none of Julius’s features, for some reason he reminded her of him.
“Please call Count Hugh Grentia.”
Her years in the Grand Duke’s house had been long enough that Lincia was no longer naive enough to entrust her husband to just anyone.
“Does that mean you do not trust me?”
“It would be easier to rely on Count Grentia for such matters. Besides, I heard he has recently recovered from illness…”
Lincia had heard whispers that Marquis Avalon had ended his long sickbed confinement just for this banquet.
Caden was certainly loyal to the Grand Duke’s household, yet every time she saw him, she felt a vague sense of unease.
