Chapter 30

Tension was palpable at the Duke of Hanover’s residence.

Perhaps it was because the woman who was supposed to be the bride was now attending as a guest, or maybe it was because the newly announced fiancé had yet to appear.

Jody, observing Rohana through the mirror, exaggeratedly fussed over her, worried that Rohana might be anxious or uncomfortable.

“My goodness! Lady Rohana, you look so beautiful!”

“Your compliments are excessive.”

Her straight collarbones were visible above the delicate navy-blue lace.

Jody held up earrings to match the dress and spoke again.

“By the way, where could the Duke of Delcliff be? He must have gone somewhere to investigate what happened that day, right?”

With a voice full of admiration, Rohana smiled faintly and declined the pearl earrings Jody suggested. She preferred something much more extravagant.

Then there was a knock at the door.

“Sir Heath… has arrived.”

A maid announced, looking flustered, and Rohana, having chosen a pair of long, white diamond earrings, went to greet him in the reception room.

“The Duke isn’t here yet, is he?”

Rohana gestured to Jody, remembering she had forgotten her gloves.

“I haven’t heard any news yet either. You know how he is. He’s probably investigating the appearance of the monster and its reasons by himself until his head bursts.”

Although his tone was businesslike, his voice was filled with deep trust.

What kind of relationship do they have? Rohana wondered.

“Investigating?”

“If it’s related to magic, we know it best.”

Nodding, Rohana took the lace gloves Jody brought and recalled the day she heard from Heath about Kaiden’s departure right after the city’s commotion.

The past few weeks felt longer than the 15 years she had spent as Bardi’s fiancée.

“May I openly monitor you from now on?” he had asked one morning, to which Rohana had momentarily given him a cold stare.

With pale blue hair, light gray eyes, and a flexible yet tall physique typical of the Kark tribe, Heath appeared significantly older than them.

Too many inexplicable things were happening. Too many unknown people.

“Of course”

As Rohana fastened the pearl button on her gloves, Heath quietly extended his arm.

“Was this also requested?”

Monitoring aside, escorting her to the imperial wedding?

“No, he didn’t mention it.”

Despite his playful smile, Heath’s words were cold and decisive, making Rohana chuckle.

“Indeed.”

As they moved, Gregory and Brandt awaited them in the reception room, both eyeing Heath with complex expressions.

Gregory’s face was openly displeased, not wanting his daughter escorted by an unknown man to the imperial wedding, while Brandt was his usual anxious self.

“Who are you?”

Gregory didn’t bother with formalities.

“Not an introduction as the duke’s escort knight.”

Rohana looked up at Heath. His face, surprisingly stoic, soon masked with a bright smile.

“Heath Noshua.”

“I’ve never heard that name.”

“No, you wouldn’t have.”

“I heard you don’t know where the Duke is.”

“He is merely working diligently for the Empire.”

His beaming face failed to hide the disgust he felt. Sensing the need to intervene, Rohana quickly spoke up.

“The Duke himself requested it.”

She lied coldly, staring at her father. A familiar voice interrupted from behind.

“Yes, I asked him…”

It had been a while since she’d seen those broad, straight shoulders. Kaiden, in a high-necked black formal attire adorned with intricate silver embroidery and the Delcliff family crest pin, appeared.

“You seem quite displeased.”

“How could I not be?”

Gregory’s words were met with an unconcealed sigh from Kaiden as he turned his gaze to Rohana.

“Lady Rohana.”

Kaiden bent his knee, giving a formal greeting.

“Duke.”

“Shall we go?”

Gregory, still visibly displeased, gestured for Brandt to follow and quickly headed towards the palace.

Heath, watching the two men and Rohana, smiled as he gently pulled her closer.

When Kaiden raised an eyebrow, Heath finally let her go with a smile.

The central corridor leading to the banquet hall was adorned with vibrant red tulips. Behind them, other nobles walked with their attendants, unable to take their eyes off Rohana and Kaiden.

“You must have been busy with the incident.”

“Yes.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Kaiden spoke.

“There is no need to worry. You will not be in danger anywhere.”

“No, that’s not it…”

Kaiden looked down at her, as if asking what she meant.

“It’s nothing.”

‘Where did you go? Did you find out anything? Actually, I saw something strange that day—a bird-like figure. Do you know what it was?’

“I…”

Though numerous questions swirled in her mind, she couldn’t voice them.

Kaiden gave her a questioning look.

“It’s really nothing.”

Rohana couldn’t afford to reveal everything to Kaiden. Even if she had no one else to confide in, she couldn’t place her trust entirely in him either.

Kaiden, reflecting on her words, furrowed his brow slightly.

“You seem different today.”

“Me?”

“Are you still not okay?”

Rohana pondered the implications behind his intense gaze before understanding and responding.

“Oh… you mean the Emperor’s wedding?”

Kaiden shrugged as if to say, 

“What else could it be?”

“Of course, I’m fine.”

She meant it.

“Good.”

Kaiden’s tone remained businesslike.

“And you, Duke? Are you okay?”

Having finally reunited with Bardi and fallen in love, could the second male lead who had spent ten years with Aurelia really be fine at her wedding?

Seizing the opportunity, Rohana asked nonchalantly.

“Me? What about me?”

Given his usually impassive expression, she couldn’t tell if he was feigning ignorance. She gazed up at him with wide eyes, but he only looked down at her, genuinely confused. Then, as if making a decision, Kaiden suddenly stopped walking.

“But before that…”

He smoothly removed his gloves, revealing his notably long and knobby fingers as he reached into his inner pocket. What he produced gleamed in the sunlight.

It sparkled brilliantly.

“This first.”

Rohana gasped involuntarily. She didn’t even have time to utter her usual polite expressions.

A diamond. The ring was beautiful, a white platinum band with a diamond securely set in a hexagonal prong.

“Now?”

“Since I was late, I have no choice but to give it to you like this.”

Kaiden smiled calmly, holding out his other hand to take Rohana’s.

The casual touch made her heart thud and tighten, just as it had before.

No matter how much she denied it, her body tensed up.

The diamond ring sparkled on her slender finger.

“Shall we?”

As he adjusted the shawl draped over her shoulders, Kaiden’s touch reminded Rohana of the gentle yet firm grip he had when they first met beneath the chandelier’s debris.

***

The wedding ceremony concluded with the Archbishop’s proclamation. The grand ice sculptures and the red tulips, painstakingly sourced during the early winter, were stunning.

Long gold decorations hung from the ceiling, shimmering like falling gold dust in the chandelier’s light, and the centerpieces on each table stood as tall as a person.

The reception continued in a dazzling display as if forgetting the night.

Eventually, it was time for the nobles to take turns greeting the Emperor and Empress on their dais.

Rohana felt every eye on her as they approached. Kaiden held her arm closer than before.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty, Your Highness.”

Kaiden spoke first, and Rohana repeated his words.

Aurelia looked truly beautiful. Her first updo hairstyle was adorned with a sparkling tiara, meticulously crafted from various gemstones.

But suddenly, Aurelia’s lovely smile froze awkwardly.

“Oh?”

Aurelia always moved unexpectedly. She suddenly grabbed Rohana’s left hand.

“Ah…”

Rohana looked down at her captured hand, awkwardly opening her mouth.

Aurelia glanced up at Kaiden, who was visibly uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong, Aurelia? I mean… Your Highness?”

A dubious tone.

“This…”

Aurelia bit her lip lightly before changing her expression again.

“Oh, nothing. Congratulations on your engagement. I’m really happy for you. The ring is so beautiful that I just…”

Rohana withdrew her hand and nodded. Despite knowing about the engagement, she had been startled by the ring. Maybe it was just her dramatic nature.

Kaiden quickly offered his arm to Rohana again, and they descended the stairs swiftly. Other nobles lined up behind them to greet the Emperor and Empress.