Chapter 37

After finally catching her breath, a few other maids from Nopthal entered with excited and busy expressions.

Despite Rohana’s heavy heart and her insistence that a celebratory feast was unnecessary, Kaiden merely pretended to listen and didn’t say much in response.

“Greetings, Your Grace. You must be tired from the long journey,” said a middle-aged woman with a warm and comforting appearance. The pin on her chest indicated that she was the head maid.

“I’m fine.”

“My name is Eloi. I am in charge of all the household affairs at Nopthal Castle.”

Though her hair was faded, it was elegantly styled, showing off her refined manners.

“If there’s anything you need in the future, please feel free to let me know.”

“I’ll be relying on you.”

“Well then, I apologize for the interruption, but I must make a brief request.”

Rohana was already aware that there would be a wedding celebration this evening. The Duke’s residence was already bustling with what seemed like all the nobles from the surrounding areas, and the indoor air was so warm that it made the cold early winter feel irrelevant.

She knew from yesterday’s conversation that the Hanover name was not well-received… It was strange.

One by one, the maids brought in various items, each more impressive than the last.

First, a maid pushed in a tall and long rack of dresses, followed by a procession of gowns that stretched as far as the eye could see.

With various jewels, accessories, and shoes being brought in, the spacious reception room started to feel small.

“Oh…”

“We weren’t sure of your preferences, so…”

Madam Eloi spoke as she unfolded the skirt of the first dress. It was a velvet purple gown with a bodice that looked as solid as armor, subtly glittering with jewels.

“Would you like to choose one?”

The parade of extravagant dresses continued, seemingly oblivious to Rohana’s heavy heart from the previous day’s events. The cool-toned faces of the maids were reflected in the richly colored silk.

***

With the high-pitched sound of a flute, a majestic brass band echoed throughout the hall. Unlike Ardgold, which developed music centered on string instruments, here, the symphony was grand, incorporating wind instruments as well.

The high stained glass in the grand banquet hall shimmered beautifully in the indoor light, showcasing a different kind of beauty from that seen during the day.

The newlyweds sat in chairs covered with plush and warm fur, overlooking the hall half a floor below.

Heath’s popularity was evident even here, as he mingled with noble ladies, draping his arms around them. Seeing this, Rohana strangely felt somewhat relieved.

Surrounded by the cold stares of the people, as if they were ready to draw their swords at any moment, Rohana made eye contact with Heath. To her surprise, he dropped his slightly cold demeanor and smiled brightly at her.

“What’s bothering you?”

Kaiden’s low voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

“No, the food is really delicious.”

Rohana glanced at the spread before her again. It was primarily a variety of meat dishes, with desserts piled high, featuring more cream and chocolate than fruit.

Seeing Kaiden’s skeptical gaze, Rohana forced a smile.

“Duke.”

“From now on, please call me Kaiden.”

He said this bluntly, turning his gaze back to the ballroom. Rohana stared at his profile for a moment.

“Kaiden.”

His dark eyes turned back to her.

“If you have any needs or matters to discuss in the future, feel free to come directly to me. You might not fully trust me, but…”

Her large, violet eyes met his directly.

“You’ll find that I’m more reasonable than you think.”

Rohana continued. She kept to herself the thought that if he had told her it was to repay a debt, she might have better understood their unfair contract.

“There was no need to explain less to me about what happened last time.”

Kaiden’s expression subtly hardened, then he lifted one corner of his mouth into a smile she had never seen before.

“Very well.”

He picked up a glass in front of him with his long, straight fingers.

“And I don’t doubt you.”

Tilting his glass slightly, Kaiden responded.

“I proposed this entire show because it was you.”

Their gazes tangled with complicated emotions. Was it just a clean gesture from someone repaying a debt? Rohana briefly smiled, pulling herself back from considering other intentions.

“Duke Delcliff.”

At that moment, Heath’s voice interrupted.

“This just arrived.”

“What is it?”

“They’re congratulating you again.”

As Kaiden didn’t take his eyes off Rohana, Heath carefully added.

“They’re asking you to accept these gifts.”

Two attendants stood below the platform, bowing, with gifts that seemed to reach up to the ceiling.

“These are from Empress Aurelia.”

At the sudden mention of the name, Kaiden’s face stiffened. Rohana also frowned at the excessive gesture. They had only seen her a few days ago, so why go through the trouble of sending gifts all the way here?

Was this some sort of playing the field in this world? Rohana thought as she coldly eyed the gifts.

They consisted of various household ornaments typically used when presenting valuable gifts in the capital, intricately woven lace, and other items whose contents were hidden.

“So what am I supposed to do with this?”

Heath smiled thinly, watching Kaiden’s unperturbed smile.

“To send them off, we’ll have to check the gifts.”

The two attendants who brought the gifts bowed their heads. Kaiden sighed softly, gave a curt nod, and dismissed them.

Rohana’s gaze wandered again when Kaiden stood and extended his hand.

“It’s time to leave.”

Though custom dictated that they stay until the end of the banquet, Kaiden seemed to disregard the formal etiquette of the capital.

“No, I’m not tired.”

Kaiden raised an eyebrow, insistently gesturing with his hand again. Rohana had no choice but to stand, and as she did, he leaned in and whispered something unexpected in her ear.

“Oh, tonight, you’ll be coming to my room.”

***

Whether it was his personality or a custom of Nopthal, unlike Bardi, Kaiden was extremely reserved when it came to physical contact.

Until now, the only physical contact had been holding hands or linking arms for escort purposes—nothing beyond that.

Even with the maids attending to them, was it really necessary for him to come all the way into the room?

Anyone could see that theirs was a marriage of convenience, and after yesterday’s fire incident, Rohana had become the target of everyone’s disdain.

It wasn’t exactly a favorable image for a popular lord to be seen entering the same room as his contract wife.

‘What could he be thinking?’

Rohana wondered as she looked around the inner chamber where Kaiden had unexpectedly brought her.

The room was more reflective of Kaiden’s character than she had expected. It was understated but elegant, not overly extravagant.

The long wooden table and the neatly arranged furniture were old but showed no signs of wear.

“You’ve had a long day.”

Kaiden sat down in the drawing room after removing his ceremonial jacket, once again dressed only in his shirt.

Rohana recalled the moment when he had effortlessly extinguished that intense heat. He seemed like a man made of ice.

“Yes…”

Rohana agreed as she sat across from him.

“With the recent fire incident… there are many things to be concerned about.”

Kaiden paused before speaking.

“Pardon…?”

“Stay here with me for a few days. There are many people coming and going, claiming to be guests… Even with the utmost precautions, I can’t help but feel uneasy. During the day, when I’m not around, Heath will be by your side.”

The shadows accentuated the sharpness of Kaiden’s deep-set eyes.

“Heath will be?”

“Yes.”

“If you’re suggesting I use the sleeping quarters here…”

“Don’t worry. There are multiple bedrooms here.”

“…Alright.”

Rohana took a moment before speaking again.

“Marrying into the Hanover family seems to be riskier than I anticipated.”

She wanted to ask outright if Kaiden Delcliff’s strategic marriage to the Hanover family was for political or economic gain, or if he was repaying a debt. But she held her tongue, unsure of what answer she might receive.

“Is that so?”

“The fire incident, the tense atmosphere… It might not be what His Majesty or the Empire wants, but marrying into Shatonwell might have been more advantageous for you.”

Despite her better judgment, she continued talking.

‘I want to know what you’re thinking.’

Kaiden, who had been staring directly into Rohana’s eyes, slowly began to speak.

“I don’t recall asking you for political advice.”

His eyes grew cold, and a sharp smile curved his lips. The sudden icy demeanor reminded Rohana of the face he wore in front of the Emperor.

“Yes.”

Feeling the tension, Rohana’s voice came out dry.

“In any case, if there’s anything you want from the Hanover family, please address it directly with me.”

She ultimately chose to speak indirectly again.

“As per the contract.”

Rohana’s eyes met the man’s dark gaze.

“My primary goal is independence, just as you don’t want a war, neither do I.”

In the original story, he sought the throne, but now he didn’t seem like that. Rohana studied the face of her contract husband, whose intentions she couldn’t decipher.

“You sound like someone who’s worried I won’t keep the contract.”

Rohana realized her mistake. Unintentionally, her emphasis on “just like you” might have come off as sarcastic.

“That’s not what I meant…”

“I didn’t know you, too, were concerned that I might commit treason.”

His cold voice cut her off.

“What? No, that’s not what I meant.”

“The contract is simple. You just have to do as I say until mid-summer, and then I’ll let you go as promised, with the funds you desire.”

Kaiden leaned closer, his expression relaxed as he looked at her.

“It’s also true that it’s for the peace of the Empire. If only I could trust the man you call your father.”

While his reasoning wasn’t entirely wrong, Rohana considered whether she should reveal some of the truth she knew.

Kaiden, observing her hesitation, suddenly stood up and strode over to the liquor table, pouring a drink into a crystal glass.

“Rest. Heath will be with you tomorrow during the day.”

Before Rohana could say anything more, the Duke disappeared into the adjoining bedroom, closing the door behind him, drink in hand.