Chapter 7 – Wedding Ceremony (Part 5)

Having shed the cumbersome veil, Reubellina walked forward confidently. Though Tartenon’s sudden kiss had flustered her, she reminded herself that they were now husband and wife and needed to show some affection in front of the estate residents.

“Wow!”

Though her ears turned red, Reubellina smiled calmly. The cheers of the domain residents were not unpleasant.

A wedding celebrated by so many people was quite to her liking. However, she took note of the empty seats that should have been occupied by northern nobles.

As her gaze fell on the empty seats, she noticed Sandy, who had come out to observe the wedding, quickly jotting something down on a piece of paper. It seemed she was noting the names of the absent nobles, understanding Reubellina’s intentions.

‘As expected, she’s competent.’

Continuing to smile, Reubellina heard Tartenon ask,

“What makes you so happy?”

“Because of the marriage?”

Though she said it casually, Tartenon looked at her with genuinely happy eyes. Reubellina felt the grip on her hand tighten as Tartenon escorted her. Feeling his fingers subtly scratching her palm, her mouth went dry.

As her throat bobbed while swallowing, Tartenon’s blue eyes flickered. Unaware of this, Reubellina climbed back onto the carriage. The carriage was loaded with gold coins she had requested.

“Sir Heather.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

Heather and Bruelin came running as if they had been waiting. Having coordinated beforehand made it easier. Reubellina signaled them to take the boxes from the carriage. Heather and Bruelin each took a box from the carriage.

With a heavy thud, the boxes were revealed, drawing the attention of the domain residents.

“What’s that?”

Someone asked out of curiosity, but no one could answer. Until the boxes were opened, only Reubellina, Tartenon, and the two knights who received the orders knew the contents.

As the curious domain residents murmured, Bruelin began opening the boxes one by one. Each box contained a large amount of gold coins and numerous pouches filled with something.

“Is that all money? I can’t believe the gold coins scattered earlier weren’t everything…!”

“It’s truly astonishing. That much money coming into the North.”

“But what are those pouches? Are those also gold coins?”

The residents, who checked the contents, tilted their heads in confusion. Their curiosity was resolved when Bruelin spoke up.

“His Highness has prepared gifts for the residents, so all residents who have come to celebrate today’s wedding, please line up here!”

As soon as Bruelin finished speaking, the domain residents rushed forward. The knights, already prepared, prevented them from approaching Reubellina and Tartenon. The two on the carriage leisurely left the square, with the cheers of blessings for Reubellina and Tartenon echoing behind them.

“Long live His Grace the Grand Duke!”

“Long live Her Grace!”

For the nobles, Sandy stepped forward to hand out pouches. They were not money pouches. Instead, they contained opals, mid-range gemstones with some value.

“What is this?”

“It’s a gift from Her Grace.”

Reubellina knew well how effective material gifts could be. Giving a gift and then another just when they had forgotten the first would ensure they remained under her control.

Sandy handed the pouches to each noble one by one with a respectful bow. While most nobles opened their pouches with joy, the Marquis of Istorium looked at his pouch with a peculiar gaze.

The wedding was a success. For a moment, they had captured the hearts of the domain residents and nobles.

***

The wedding banquet was in full swing. The banquet, arranged by Reubellina, who was skilled in organizing capital city balls, was elegant and sophisticated.

“These flowers are so beautiful.”

Freesias and baby’s breath, imported from the capital, decorated various spots. Since flowers were rare in the cold north, the noblewomen were busy praising them. Of course, such decorations were possible because Reubellina owned a trading company.

Reubellina had spent busy hours in the capital preparing for this banquet. Hearing the chatter of the noblewomen, she smiled brightly.

“You seem quite pleased.”

“Well, it’s the result of my efforts.”

Reubellina and Tartenon sat in the seat of honor at the top of the banquet hall. Tartenon, wearing the crown symbolizing the Grand Duke, looked quite dignified. His cloak, adorned with white lion fur, added to his majesty. Reubellina, who had changed into a dress for the banquet, also stood out.

Her light purple dress was intricately decorated with gold, and the diamonds embedded here and there sparkled brightly. In short, it was a dress that cost a fortune. The northern noblewomen, recognizing the value of her dress, looked at her with envious eyes.

After a round of greetings from the nobles, someone approached the resting couple.

“Congratulations, Lady Asillious. Or should I say Your Grace now?”

“Oh, Brua.”

Although she had sent an invitation, she hadn’t expected her to actually come. Reubellina gladly stood up for Brua, who had appeared in the banquet hall. Recognizing her face, Tartenon also showed a friendly gaze.

“Thank you for coming all this way. Let me introduce you to the northern noblewomen.”

“Is it alright for me to take up your precious time?”

“What are you talking about? You’re my personal designer.”

Reubellina’s rather loud voice drew the attention of the noblewomen. Brua, who ran the Scheh’s Boutique in the capital, was famous among the northern noblewomen and noble daughters. Some even visited the capital just to buy her designs.

As Reubellina and Brua descended from the seat of honor, the noblewomen, who had been eyeing them like a pack of wolves, began to approach one by one.

“Hello, Your Grace. I introduced myself earlier, but I am Airne from the Marquis of Istorium.”

“We’ve already met, so no need for introductions, Marchioness. This is Brua, who made this beautiful dress. She runs the famous Scheh’s Boutique in the capital.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Brua.”

Brua didn’t miss the opportunity to introduce herself to the northern noblewomen, who could potentially become her clients. After the introduction, as Reubellina returned to the seat of honor, the noblewomen, who had been waiting, flocked around Brua.

Seeing this, Reubellina smiled gently.

“It seems to be going well.”

Noticing the smiles on the faces of the noblewomen surrounding Brua, Tartenon whispered to Reubellina, who had returned to her seat.

“How could it not?”

Once someone wore a dress by Brua, it was hard to wear anything else. Brua was that excellent of a designer. Reubellina planned to make Brua’s dresses available in the north exclusively through the Musen Trading Company. And since she had introduced her, it would naturally influence the noblewomen she introduced.

In a place where designers were scarce, the arrival of the most famous designer from the capital would turn the noblewomen’s heads. As for their daughters, there was no need to worry. Reubellina smiled elegantly.

‘The noblewomen are settled.’

Now, the remaining task was dealing with the male nobles. Reubellina had secured a list of the northern nobles who had missed today’s wedding and banquet while changing her dress. Her capable maid, Sandy, had written it all down, and she just needed to read it.

“The Marquis of Istorium seems quite favorable.”

“Not necessarily.”

Reubellina’s gaze shifted to Tartenon, who contradicted her statement.

“Why?”

“While he’s a staunch ally of the Duchy of Speraum, his loyalty to me is uncertain.”

“Ah.”

She could guess the situation. It was likely that woman, Viverna, had meddled in between.

Reubellina placed her hand on Tartenon’s, which was resting on the armrest. His warm hand touched her palm. Feeling her touch, Tartenon’s eyes flickered.

“Still, since he attended the wedding, there might be room for improvement, right?”

“If you think so, then perhaps.”

But she could sense Tartenon’s skepticism without hearing his words. Reubellina decided she needed to find out why the Marquis of Istorium, once known as a loyal subject of Speraum, had turned away.

As she scanned the banquet hall, she felt a gaze on her cheek. Tartenon’s eyes were still fixed on her.

She could also hear the whispers of the nobles, who were talking about Tartenon’s constant gaze on her.

“He seems completely captivated by Her Grace.”

“That’s why he caused such a commotion in the capital.”

“I was curious about it too. Do you know the details?”

“Of course. The second prince…”

Although she was eavesdropping, it was all useless chatter. Reubellina picked up a fan from the table next to her chair.

It was the wedding of a Grand Duke, the Conqueror of the region. Starting with today’s banquet, luxurious feasts were scheduled to continue for a week.

Of course, during that time, Tartenon and Reubellina couldn’t leave the banquet hall as hosts. They had to make an appearance at the beginning of each banquet. Even a newlywed couple couldn’t escape the strict etiquette. If they didn’t show up, they could be criticized for inviting guests and then being rude.

‘I should reap what I’ve sown.’

With that conscientious thought, Reubellina praised herself.