The Cold-Hearted Grand Duke Obsesses Over Me After My Death - Chapter 59

Episode 59. The Grand Duke’s Banquet

Presenting the invitation addressed to the Marquess of Carrion, Lina entered the ballroom and looked around the Grand Duke’s great hall.

Dozens of ornate chandeliers hung with candles illuminated the space, and countless luxurious round tables were arranged along both sides of the hall.

The white walls, trimmed with gold, were decorated with large flower baskets in every color, hanging all the way to the corners of the hall. The sweet scent of the flowers filled the air, rich and lingering.

On one side stood a long table lined with neat dishes and wine, and the soft music of the Grand Duke’s orchestra flowed throughout the room.

‘Hmm, not bad. Still, it’s not like the Grand Duchess prepared all this herself. She must’ve left it to the servants.’

Clusters of nobles picked up wine glasses from the trays carried by attendants. They exchanged cheerful greetings with acquaintances they hadn’t seen in a while.

Lina too picked up a glass of wine, smiling with her eyes as she waited for the Grand Duke to make his entrance.

At that moment, Emilia sat before a large dressing table, surrounded by maids who were helping her get ready.

They pinned up half of her wavy platinum blonde hair, letting the rest flow down to her waist, and adorned it with jeweled pins. Her snow-white face was delicately made up with care.

“Helen, is the food all ready? We can’t afford to run short….”

Even while being dressed, her mind was still on the banquet preparations.

Helen, assisting her from the side, answered brightly, “They said everything’s been perfectly prepared. You don’t have to worry, Your Highness.”

“Good.”

Once her preparations were complete, Emilia stood and turned around. She wore a light pink dress adorned with jewels, and a small diamond tiara rested on her head.

“Oh? Louid. When did you get here?”

Emilia’s blue eyes widened. Louid was standing at the doorway.

“Just now.”

He wore a white shirt with rich lace, a black tailcoat, and his dark hair was slicked back neatly.

“….”

Struck by how handsome he looked, Emilia was left speechless. For a while, the two simply stared at each other. Once again, she realized just how stunning he was.

It was almost time for the banquet to begin. Still standing by the door, Louid gazed at her intently before slowly stepping forward and offering his arm.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

Emilia linked her arm with his, and together they walked toward the grand ballroom.

***

“His Highness the Grand Duke and Her Highness the Grand Duchess are entering!”

At the attendant’s announcement, all eyes in the hall turned toward the red-carpeted entrance.

“Oh!”

“My, they look wonderful together. Such a beautiful couple.”

“Indeed.”

The nobles murmured in admiration at the sight of the stunning pair.

Standing beside a column, Lina watched the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess make their entrance arm in arm.

The Grand Duke, tall and handsome, exuded an overwhelming charisma that filled the room. He looked even more magnificent than on his wedding day. And beside him, the Grand Duchess was—annoyingly—radiantly beautiful. The soft pink dress she wore matched perfectly with her platinum blonde hair and light blue eyes.

Lina didn’t know how she had escaped that cabin, but there wasn’t a trace of her kidnapping left on her crystal-clear face.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess entered hand in hand and took their seats side by side at the head table.

Lina imagined herself walking in holding Louid’s hand instead. She would have suited him far better. It should have been her standing at his side now.

With the couple’s entrance marking the end of the arrivals, Louid rose from his seat to give his welcoming speech.

“Thank you all for attending tonight’s banquet at the castle. This is the first banquet prepared by the Grand Duchess, so please enjoy yourselves. I hope everyone has a delightful evening.”

When Louid’s brief speech of about five minutes ended, the nobles responded with enthusiastic applause. Smiling faintly, Louid raised his wine glass high and led the toast.

“To His Majesty the Emperor’s health and to the prosperity of the Richert Empire!”

Emilia also stood, raised her glass high, and shouted loudly, “To prosperity!”

The nobles clinked their wine glasses with those beside them and exchanged greetings, and Emilia too clinked glasses with Louid and smiled.

After the toast ended, the nobles gathered in small groups and began chatting again. The ballroom soon filled with cheerful noise.

The Grand Duke’s orchestra began to play again. It was time for the waltz. Everyone turned their attention to the stars of the night: the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess.

“Emilia, everyone’s watching us. We should dance,” Louid leaned toward her and whispered quietly in her ear.

“Yes.”

Rising from his seat, Louid extended his hand. Emilia took it just as she had practiced. He led her to the center of the hall.

Facing Louid, Emilia began the waltz with a nervous expression.

Boom, cha-cha!

At first it was difficult, but as she counted the beats in her head, her body began to move naturally. She danced perfectly to the end without a single mistake.

Wow—

When their dance ended, applause erupted from all around them. Louid, as if his duty were done, escorted her back to the head table and then walked off toward the nobles gathered nearby.

‘What? That’s it? Just one dance?’

Left alone, Emilia sat down and quietly sipped her wine.

“Your Highness the Grand Duchess, I’m Count Rave. May I have this dance?”

At that moment, a pleasant voice sounded above her head. Emilia raised her head and looked in the direction of the sound.

A well-mannered young nobleman with brown hair and a kind face was smiling warmly and offering his hand.

When she glanced toward Louid, he was standing on the other side of the hall, chatting with a group of male nobles. He didn’t seem interested in dancing again.

“Yes, of course.”

Without hesitation, Emilia stood and took Count Rave’s hand. The waltz was so enjoyable that she couldn’t stop after only one dance.

As they danced, the Count lifted his arm high. Emilia spun smoothly beneath it, keeping perfect rhythm. Thanks to her practice, her turns had grown much more graceful.

Her full skirt swirled around her legs like a whirlwind, and as she leaned back slightly, the Count’s hand supported her waist perfectly.

At that moment, Louid, who had been conversing with the other nobles, glanced absently toward the table where Emilia had been sitting.

“…?”

His eyebrow twitched. Emilia’s seat was empty. Louid’s red eyes began darting around the room, restless as if struck by an earthquake.

‘That man is Count Rave. I thought he was in the Eastern Continent. When did he return?’

Spotting Emilia dancing in the center of the hall, Louid’s eyes sharpened, glaring at the Count.

‘And that one is Viscount Kyren.’

Not long after finishing her dance with Count Rave, Emilia began another with a different man.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke, I’m Iliana of the House of Count Lobel.”

“….”

A young lady approached and greeted him, but Louid didn’t hear a word. His gaze remained fixed on the center of the hall.

“Your Highness the Grand Duke, I’m Evelyn of the House of Baron Bess.”

“….”

Introductions from noblewomen continued one after another, but Louid’s eyes never left Emilia.

Countess Bruce and Countess Muller, who had visited the Grand Duke’s castle previously, were also present at the banquet with their families.

After the waltz ended, Emilia greeted them warmly.

“Your Highness the Grand Duchess, have you been well?”

“Countess Bruce, thank you for coming all this way. And who is this beautiful young lady beside you?”

“This is my daughter, Lillian. She’s twenty-two this year.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Lillian.”

Lillian lifted her skirt slightly and bent her knees in a graceful curtsey.

“You have a truly lovely daughter.”

Emilia smiled and complimented the girl’s charming face.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

A broad smile spread across Countess Bruce’s face.

“Your Highness, it’s been a while. Have you been in good health?”

“Countess Muller, it’s good to see you.”

“This is my daughter, Rumia.”

“Greetings, Your Highness. I’m Rumia. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Rumia, too, lifted her skirt and bowed politely.

“Rumia, how old are you this year?”

“I’m twenty-one.”

Both young ladies were not only beautiful but also at the perfect age for marriage.

“Lady Lillian, what kind of man is your ideal type?”

“I like someone dependable and easygoing.”

“Is that so? I happen to know a man like that, strong and reliable. How fortunate.”

At that moment, Alex came to mind. There was no man more dependable than him.

“Truly?”

Lillian’s face flushed red.

With a knowing smile, Emilia turned to Rumia, who stood beside her.

“And you, Rumia? What kind of man do you like?”

“I like handsome men. Hohoho.”

“Do you? I know a man who’s very handsome. Exceptionally so.”

Thinking of Aaron, Emilia praised his looks without holding back.

“Really?”

“You’re quite beautiful yourself, so if the two of you stood together, you’d surely shine.”

At her words, Rumia’s cheeks turned as red as a tomato.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Lina Carrion, from the House of Marquess Carrion.”

While she was happily chatting with the two ladies, a new voice reached Emilia’s ears—a voice that sounded polite at first, but carried a sharp, cutting edge.