133. The Grand Duke’s Plan
Meanwhile, the brother-in-law and sister-in-law were taking a walk in the garden.
“I still haven’t used the soap that Sister-in-law made as a wedding gift.”
Nikolai murmured regretfully.
Their honeymoon in the South instantly turned into a horror story, and initially, the royal wedding was delayed due to Oksana’s opposition.
The scene of bathing together in the tub, having intimate conversations, sadly ended on just their second meeting.
It felt like ages ago.
If he had known it would turn out like this, he should have savored that time more thoroughly.
“I only feel sorry towards Tia, Father-in-law, and Sister-in-law. I should have held the royal wedding right away, ignoring all opposition.”
“Thanks to Brother-in-law’s patience, Sister became part of the Grand Ducal family through proper legal procedures. I prefer it this way.”
Bianca smiled brightly.
“I want Sister to have a marriage blessed by everyone.”
“Of course she will. If anyone doesn’t, they’ll have to behead me first.”
“My, it’ll be a bloody wedding then.”
Despite his brutal statement, Bianca didn’t try to stop him like Katya would have, saying he shouldn’t think such bad thoughts.
She too believed that anyone who might curse her sister’s marriage didn’t deserve an invitation.
It was quite different from the known personalities of the Smirnov sisters in the South.
Nikolai nodded solemnly at his sister-in-law’s response.
They both burst into laughter at the same time.
“I’ve kept your soap exactly as I received it, still unopened. Though I wonder if the fragrance has all disappeared by now.”
“The fragrance wouldn’t have completely disappeared, just weakened.”
“……”
“I can make you another one for the royal wedding.”
Nikolai’s gloomy expression brightened instantly like clouds clearing from the sky.
“Sister-in-law, tell me anything you want.”
“I’m not giving it expecting something in return.”
“Can’t your Brother-in-law give you pocket money? Once you marry and go down South, I won’t be able to give you much anymore.”
“All I want is for Sister and Brother-in-law to live happily together for a long, long time. To have children and see grandchildren too.”
At those words, Nikolai gave a small silent smile.
Would such days ever be granted to him?
The future felt distant.
Until meeting Katya, he had never thought about having a family or children.
Many things changed after falling in love with her.
He naturally found himself imagining a daughter who looked like the rabbit of the South.
“If it’s alright with Your Highness, I’m fine living without children.”
To him, who struggled with prophecies and childhood memories, she suggested not having children until they were confident they could be good parents.
When his wife said that, his heart swelled with emotion.
Choosing a different path from others was not an easy choice.
It pained him most that his wife couldn’t enjoy ordinary happiness because she loved him.
Would he survive this political struggle?
He didn’t know.
The future was uncertain.
When he was alone, death held no fear.
But now he had a family.
It tormented him to think he had entangled his beloved wife in an uncertain future.
“Yes. That’s right.”
Nikolai answered with a faint smile.
May I be in Tia’s future.
May I survive and be able to protect her.
But if enemies realize his wife is his weakness and their blades turn toward her……
There was only one choice.
Is this what it means to love with one’s whole life?
Of course, his wife must never know that he would make such a choice in the worst situation.
“Luka seems bright, but his inner self is pitch black.”
Nikolai suddenly started listing the groom’s weaknesses.
“His sharp insight and logical eloquence are strengths, but those could be fatal flaws in marital arguments.”
“What?”
“Being handsome, well-mannered, and gentle, he’s always had many women following him. That might continue after marriage.”
Bianca became uncomfortable.
The Grand Duke was criticizing the groom when he should be giving blessings to his sister-in-law before her marriage.
She started wondering how to react to her brother-in-law.
“He seems kind on the surface and like he’d share everything once you get close, but he rarely reveals his true feelings. Even I, who’ve known him long, often can’t guess what he’s thinking.”
“……”
“He prioritizes others’ feelings over his own. Being considerate is good, but it can be more tiring than expected for family. As his spouse, you’ll have many frustrating moments since he never considers himself.”
Ah, the Grand Duke wasn’t just criticizing his friend.
Bianca finally understood.
What her brother-in-law was trying to say.
“Are you prepared to love these aspects too?”
“Yes.”
She nodded vigorously.
She felt like crying.
As if he was asking if she could love even his darkness.
Baptiski hadn’t told Bianca that Luka was slapped by Duke Oblonsky.
But she learned about it after accidentally overhearing her sister and father’s conversation in the corridor.
She never imagined he had such pain, as he always smiled brightly at her.
It was a mistake to think that even if they were their political opponents, they would at least treat their own family well.
Though she didn’t know everything about Luka’s family situation and past, she wanted to embrace all his wounds too.
If his heart was filled with darkness, they could practice brightening it together little by little.
Just as she learned from her loving parents, she would live with him while giving and receiving love.
“As a married couple, we might sometimes disagree and fight. But I’ll never forget that he’s the most precious person in my life and treat him accordingly.”
Nikolai slowly nodded at her confident answer.
“If he ever upsets you while living in the South, tell me anytime.”
“Brother-in-law?”
“It seems the eldest brother steps in when such things happen. You’re like my real sister, so I should act as your brother.”
“I already feel reassured.”
Bianca smiled and continued.
“He’s Brother-in-law’s longtime friend. Since you said I’m your sister, I’m curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“If we hadn’t met yet, would you have seriously introduced him to your sister to consider?”
At those words, Nikolai pretended to think deeply while stroking his chin.
Bianca waited anxiously for his lips to part.
She looked impatient, reacting to every second.
“Do you need to think that hard?”
Seeing his poor sister-in-law looking like a lost lamb about to cry, the Grand Duke smiled and decided to stop teasing.
“Though no man would be good enough for my sister, if you had to marry…… I would have considered him first.”
Bianca’s expression brightened at his sincere answer.
“Not just because he’s my friend, but because he’s truly a good man. So you two live happily too. That’s an order from your Grand Duke.”
“I shall obey.”
His sister-in-law answered playfully.
Nikolai briefly turned his head toward the second-floor window where his wife and Luka were.
He was an irreplaceable friend and loyal subject who spent his youth pledging allegiance to him.
Now he wanted to let him put down his heavy burden.
That was also why he was sending him to the South.
***
It was a peaceful afternoon.
Having finished their meeting early, Katya and Luka stood on the balcony smiling as they looked down at the brother-in-law and sister-in-law taking a walk.
“What are they talking about down there? Bianca keeps laughing?”
“Didn’t you decide what to discuss before meeting separately?”
“No. The Grand Duke didn’t know I wanted to talk with you. I didn’t tell him.”
At those words, Luka became more curious about what the Grand Duke was saying to the new bride.
He hoped he wasn’t criticizing him.
Well, the monarch he served wasn’t that kind of person.
Suddenly, he thought about how strange human affairs were.
He never dreamed that he and Nikolai would become in-laws.
Abruptly, a conversation they once had crossed his mind.
“You said you needed a woman who would endure by your side until everything ends. Why did you fall in love?”
“I know. I don’t know what I’m doing either.”
“……”
“But I always keep in mind not to be greedy. I’ll give her everything I can while I live and then let her go.”
“Will you still proceed with the plan even though you’re getting married? You should stop now……”
“If I was going to stop, I wouldn’t have started in the first place. That’s the reason I’m still alive until now.”
Did Katya know what Nikolai had planned?
How would she react when she found out?
Would she be able to endure it?
Perhaps the Grand Duke changed his plans after falling in love.
Or he might still be proceeding with them.
Now that she had become Nikolai’s family, she needed to know.
The new Grand Duchess of Hersen was stronger than expected.
“Before meeting Your Highness, His Highness seemed like someone just waiting to die. Like someone who yearned for death.”
He felt the Grand Duchess’s startled gaze turn toward him.
Luka continued speaking with his gaze fixed on Grand Duke in the distance.
“Originally, His Highness planned to die after everything was finished.”