Chapter 2 – Scheh’s Boutique (Part 3)

Impressed by Tartenon’s meticulous preparation, Reubellina was momentarily distracted from the fact that he was sitting right in front of her. She carefully read every word, but there was nothing missing. It was a perfect document containing all the conditions he had proposed.

‘He already had this prepared?’

She had expected to spend time refining the contract contents together. She had many things she wanted to say, but faced with the neatly written contract, there was no need to bring them up. His concise personality was evident even in the document.

After she finished reading the document, Tartenon took a pen from his robe. Reubellina took the pen, ready to sign her name where indicated.

Just before signing, her hand hesitated, and Tartenon’s shoulder twitched slightly, though Reubellina didn’t notice.

“Since this is a contract marriage, as the Grand Duke wished, I assume you’ll take care of convincing His Majesty and my father?”

“Of course.”

Relief flickered in his eyes, but Reubellina was unaware of this as she focused on the document.

As Tartenon granted her request, she placed the pen next to where her name was. With a graceful flourish, she signed the contract, then smiled brightly at Tartenon.

“So when will the wedding be? I’ll need to prepare to move North, and as a marriage between high-ranking nobles, there’s a lot to do… Roughly, next spring?”

“Next spring?”

“Yes.”

Reubellina prattled on about needing to get a new dress made and arranging furnishings to take to the North. Listening to her list of preparations, Tartenon tapped the table.

He interrupted her as she continued to rattle off the items she needed to prepare.

“Next month, in Speraum.”

“…Next month?”

Reubellina’s eyes widened in surprise, but Tartenon, seeing her reaction, did not retract his words. Instead, he looked at her with a small smile.

“Yes.”

“Next month?!”

“You should start preparing to depart for the North right away.”

“Is that even possible? Even if it’s a marriage of convenience, it’s still a wedding. To prepare, we’d need at least half a year…”

“I can make anything I want to happen. And even though this is such a rushed marriage, I’ll make it the most luxurious and noble one.”

Reubellina fell silent. For a moment, she had forgotten Tartenon’s position as Grand Duke of the North.

He was the ruler of the North, holding sway over the vast northern region. While the land was harsh, he commanded tremendous military might as the administrator of the North.

If the imperial family ruled over the Frynante Empire, then the one who controlled the North, Speraum, was Tartenon Speraum, who was sitting before her now. He was a person who governed a domain of a different caliber from other nobles’ territories.

Tartenon took the contract that Reubellina had signed. Placing it in the envelope, he pulled the seal from his pocket. The seal of the Grand Duke of Speraum glowed white as it was stamped on the envelope’s outer surface. It was the magic seal of which she had heard so much.

The magic seal, known only to the Grand Ducal and Imperial families, was a precious item used to safeguard important documents. If someone without the owner’s permission touched it, they would face grave consequences.

Tartenon placed the document back in his robe and leaned towards Reubellina. His large upper body moved towards her, and his blue eyes fixed on hers, mere inches away.

The suddenly diminished distance made it difficult for Reubellina to breathe properly. It was because his eyes, brimming with blue flames, were focused solely on her. Her fingertips tingled with tension.

Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, Reubellina carefully clenched her fist. It was then that Tartenon’s lips parted.

“I can make anything I set my mind to happen.”

“I-I see.”

Her voice cracked due to the tension. Reubellina’s faltering movements did not deter Tartenon.

“Even if that means turning my back on the imperial family.”

Reubellina swallowed hard. It took her a moment to comprehend the meaning behind his words.

‘Is he now mentioning rebellion?’

She was bold in character, but not as much as Tartenon. She suddenly understood why people at the imperial court feared the Grand Duke.

Unveiling his raw intentions, he was like a silver wolf that could not be tamed. Anyone who gazed into his shimmering blue eyes could feel the emotions swirling within.

Reubellina tried not to show her bewilderment. After all, the current imperial family meant nothing to her.

The 10 years of betrayal had made her heart numb. She desperately wanted to exact revenge somehow.

“But the wedding date will need to be approved by my father.”

As a mere Duke’s daughter, Reubellina could do nothing without the permission of the Duke. The marriage with Tartenon was no exception. While he casually said he would obtain her father’s permission, she couldn’t help but worry.

‘Father dotes on me so much.’

The Duke of Asillious cherished her to the point of being overprotective at times. Reubellina, having lost her mother when she was a child, knew her father tried his best to fill that void. He would grant her almost any wish she asked for as long as it wasn’t too much.

Aware of her father’s efforts, Reubellina also tried not to hurt him. To avoid hearing that it was because she lacked a mother, she diligently learned etiquette and read extensively. She had wished to learn swordsmanship as well but was dissuaded due to the dangers.

“I thought I told you not to worry.”

“But once my father hears the news, he’ll come. You can discuss it with him when he arrives.”

Amused by Reubellina’s reluctance to take the lead, Tartenon chuckled. The blade-like gaze that had constricted her earlier had now softened, shifting the atmosphere.

“It sounds like you’re urging me to meet him right away.”

“The sooner the matter is resolved, the better.”

“You’re like a lover hurrying to get your parents’ permission because you need to get married quickly.”

“…Pardon?”

Reubellina’s face flushed instantly. She was unable to properly respond to Tartenon’s casual mention of a lover, but the reddening of her ear tips gave away her embarrassment.

Tartenon noticed her ears but did not comment, instead lifting the corners of his mouth in a charming smile. Reubellina blushed further as a lovely smile crossed his face. The soft laugh was directed at her, and she felt like someone special.

“Reubellina!”

‘I knew it.’

True to her prediction, the door to the reception room opened, and the Duke of Asillious emerged, brushing aside the protesting servants. Tartenon calmly lifted the teacup in front of him and took a sip.

Watching this for a moment, Reubellina rose from her seat.

“You’ve arrived, Father.”

“Yes, I’m here! What is the meaning of this? Your Grace, why are you here?”

The question was brief. The Duke sat down in the chair the servant had offered, directing his inquiry to Tartenon.

However, Tartenon merely swallowed the tea in his mouth, not responding to the Duke’s question. Reubellina watched the tense exchange between the two with an anxious heart.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“What?”

“Why are you looking at me with such unease?”

“Hmph! Your Grace, do not play tricks on my daughter.”

The Duke was blunt. It was a moment that clearly revealed the source of Reubellina’s personality.

Despite his position as the chancellor, the Duke’s temperament remained unchanged. If something or someone did not meet his standards, he would not hesitate to unleash scathing criticism and relentlessly hound them until the matter was resolved.

Tartenon was well aware of the Duke’s character. As the chancellor, if he were to cut the budget sent to the North, the people of the North would be in a difficult position. However, Tartenon had a useful card to play.

“Reubellina.”

At his melodious voice, she turned her head to him. Trying to keep her focus with the Duke present, Reubellina was unaware that Tartenon knew the power of his own appearance on her.

“I have something to discuss with your father privately, so could you step out for a moment?”

“Very well, daughter. I too have matters to discuss with His Grace in private.”

Observing the two, Reubellina let out a light sigh and exited the reception room. Judging by the lack of any indication that she should wait, it seemed the confrontation between them would last for quite some time.

Even after Reubellina left, Tartenon and the Duke remained silent. Without her presence, the tense atmosphere thickened. 

The butler, who had brought the tea for the Duke, calmly placed the teacup on the table. The fragrant aroma of the tea permeated the room, as if melting away the icy air. It was then that the Duke spoke.