The Cold-Hearted Grand Duke Obsesses Over Me After My Death - Chapter 16

Episode 16. Knights’ Banquet

“Investigate the Grand Duchess!”

“Yes, understood, Your Highness.”

At that moment, Louid was walking toward the grand banquet hall, giving orders to Eddie. Whenever a banquet with the knights was held, he would attend only briefly before leaving early. It was his way of allowing the knights who had worked hard to freely eat, drink, and enjoy themselves.

“His Highness the Grand Duke is entering.”

As he arrived, the herald loudly announced toward the inside of the banquet hall. Louid gave a wry smile. The loud announcement of the Grand Duke’s arrival was a customary signal between the herald and the knights.

Entering through the banquet hall entrance, he strode toward the head seat. But soon his steps came to an abrupt halt.

Emilia looked at Louid as he walked in. As always, he was dressed in a black uniform with his hair perfectly slicked back. Even for a brief moment, she felt as though he was staring at her with frightening intensity. It seemed he had not expected her to attend the banquet.

‘It’s fine. Don’t be afraid.’

Swallowing once, Emilia lifted her chin proudly and looked at him with a determined expression. Louid, who had paused briefly, strode over and stopped by her side.

“Everyone, be seated.”

His heavy voice resounded through the banquet hall. As the knights sat with disciplined precision, she awkwardly followed and took her seat as well.

“You have all worked hard. Tonight, forget everything and enjoy yourselves in peace.”

“Yes!”

After offering the knights a brief encouragement while standing, Louid also sat down. The knights soon relaxed and began to eat.

“I came because I wanted to greet the knights. It’s my first time since the wedding.”

“……”

Emilia spoke toward Louid as if making an excuse, though he hadn’t asked. Without answering, he only gave a slight nod before turning his head away. His indifferent attitude hurt her once again.

“Your Highness, I am Alex, Commander of the Grand Duke’s Knights.”

Breaking the awkward atmosphere between the couple, a man seated at the table just below the head table spoke up. With brown hair and green eyes, he was the one who had guided her earlier.

“Ah, so you are the Commander. I heard you carried me to the annex when I collapsed in the lobby. I’m truly grateful.”

Emilia smiled brightly at Alex as she spoke.

At that moment, other knights turned their eyes toward the Grand Duke. Though Louid’s expression remained stoic, one eyebrow twitched slightly, something Emilia didn’t notice.

“Greetings, Your Highness. I am Aaron, Vice Commander.”

Another man rose and politely greeted her. Aaron, with brick-colored hair and light brown eyes, was a handsome knight who seemed about the same age as Alex.

“Nice to meet you, Aaron.”

After Aaron introduced himself, the knights seated around him began rising one by one to state their names. By the time the last knight was introduced, much time had already passed.

“You’ve all worked hard this past month. Please, eat.”

Spreading her hands over the table, Emilia encouraged them while trying to memorize their names and faces. She wanted to shake hands and chat with each of them, but Louid’s displeased expression had kept her from doing so.

“Yes!”

Their loud response rang through the hall, followed by a swell of lively conversation. Emilia looked on with a pleased expression.

“You should eat as well.”

Lost in watching the knights with fascination—this being her first time surrounded by so many people—she was startled by Louid’s voice.

“Yes, thank you.”

Emilia flinched slightly, glanced at Louid, then looked down at the plate in front of her.

According to Helen, this banquet was prepared for the knights who had suffered much, going without proper meals or sleep while hunting monsters.

On the banquet table were mountains of dishes—wine, fruit, and dozens of different foods. On her own plate lay a juicy steak and roasted vegetables.

Emilia picked up a roasted potato she had been eyeing for a while and brought it to her mouth with her fork.

“Wow…”

She let out a soft exclamation at the savory flavor of the potato, then dipped it into the steak sauce and tasted it again. It was exquisite.

Louid, without touching his food, quietly observed her.

Though she felt a little self-conscious eating alone, Emilia continued tasting the potato dish, mushroom soup, bread, and fruit. Among them, a large bread spread with an unknown sauce surprised her with its deliciousness.

The knights, sneaking glances at her while she ate, quickly devoured their own towering plates of food, while servants continually replenished the dishes.

“Your Highness, please enjoy more.”

Vice Commander Aaron approached and refilled her wine glass.

“Thank you, Aaron.”

Emilia accepted without refusal and raised the glass.

‘Delicious!’

Taking a sip, she tilted her head curiously.

‘How can it taste like this?’

Though it was her first time drinking alcohol, the sweet yet slightly bitter taste slid smoothly down her throat.

Louid was quietly astonished as he watched her. The only granddaughter of Duke Berthe, the most powerful man in the empire, was laughing and mingling freely with the knights.

‘Was she always like this? Or has she changed since her accident?’

He didn’t even realize that his eyes had remained fixed on Emilia the entire time, unconsciously observing her every move.

‘I feel dizzy. I’m seeing two of Louid’s face.”

She could no longer remember how many glasses of wine she had emptied.

She was already not in her right mind.

Beside her, Louid seemed to be watching her with disapproval, but she kept reaching for more wine.

“Attention, everyone.”

As the banquet reached its height, Alex, who was quite drunk, rose from his seat.

“I sincerely congratulate His Highness the Grand Duke and Her Highness the Grand Duchess on their marriage.”

“Congratulations.”

All the knights followed his words.

“Let us all raise a toast for His Highness the Grand Duke and Her Highness the Grand Duchess!”

“Cheers!”

As Alex raised his glass high, everyone in the banquet hall toasted and drank. Emilia, too, raised her glass and drank down yet another wine she had lost count of.

“His Highness the Grand Duke and Her Highness the Grand Duchess. Let us toast, wishing for an heir who resembles Her Highness the Grand Duchess!”

This time, Aaron stood and called out a toast. Emilia laughed joyfully and raised her glass.

“Only me? He should resemble His Highness the Grand Duke as well.”

Normally, she would never have dared to say such a thing, but the alcohol gave her courage.

“He must not inherit His Highness’s personality though.”

“Indeed, that wouldn’t do. The world needs only one man like His Highness the Grand Duke.”

The jokes from Alex and Aaron drew laughter throughout the hall—everyone except one, who had been sulking since earlier.

Tch.

Louid clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched Emilia chatting with the knights.

“What do monsters look like? I’ve only heard of them, never seen one myself.”

At some point, Emilia had risen from her seat and asked the knights.

“There are many types of monsters. Dragons, orcs, goblins… all terrifying and ferocious.”

At her question, Aaron kindly explained.

“You have fought all of them?”

“Of course. Sometimes different types appear all at once. Recently, we even discovered a red dragon’s lair and brought back much gold. Dragons love gold and hide plenty of it.”

“Wow… I want to see a dragon too.”

Emilia was more interested in the dragon than in the gold. She could hardly believe that a creature she had only read about in fairy tales truly existed.

“T-That would be too dangerous, Your Highness. Haha.”

Alex waved his hand awkwardly with a troubled expression.

“With all of you here, wouldn’t it be possible?”

Emilia looked around at the knights gathered for the banquet as she spoke.

“It’s better not to think that way.”

Breaking the silence, Louid spoke firmly.

“Is that so…”

Emilia answered with a disappointed voice.

It was a childish thought, but she truly wanted to see with her own eyes the monsters she had only read of in books.

‘It never occurred to me that monsters really exist…’

Chatting happily with the knights and drinking, she soon became completely drunk.

“Your Highness the Grand Duuuke. Hiccup!”

“……”

Louid said nothing while the knights cautiously glanced at him, aware that he looked displeased.

“Loy, Lay, Loo…”

Emilia’s tongue kept twisting.

“Louid.”

Louid spoke in a low voice.

“Oh, right. Louid!”

“Emilia, you should stop drinking now…”

“Louid…”

Leaning forward, Emilia muttered in a faint whisper that was barely audible.

“……”

Thud!

The Grand Duchess collapsed onto the dining table.