Chapter 7 – Wedding Ceremony (Part 6)

Unlike other nobles who sowed little and reaped much, she planned to carefully examine the gifts she received and reciprocate appropriately. Including the cost of the opals she had given to the nobles today.

“Will the gifts start coming in tomorrow?”

Tartenon, who had noticed why she picked up the fan, chuckled. Seeing his laugh directly, Reubellina’s hand trembled slightly. Strangely, the hair on the back of her neck stood up, and her fingertips trembled with tension.

Tartenon’s laugh had a peculiar power. It made her face flush and her heart race. Although she knew what it meant, Reubellina tried to deny it. She and Tartenon were supposed to be in a contractual relationship for three years.

Since they met out of necessity, it would be difficult to grow closer even if they tried.

Reubellina had built a wall around her heart first. If she didn’t, she feared she would fall endlessly for Tartenon, just like she had with Inferno.

“Yes.”

At Tartenon’s slightly low voice, Reubellina swallowed dryly. She felt thirsty for no reason. She picked up a glass of wine next to her and emptied it in one go.

“That’s quite…”

It felt like her throat was burning.

“I was going to tell you it’s strong, but you’ve already swallowed it.”

Not wanting to show the ridiculous sight of spitting out wine, Reubellina swallowed it with a calm face. Her throat burned, but she controlled her expression and forced a smile.

“Yes, it is.”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Her face felt hot. Reubellina fanned herself. The cool breeze made her overheated face feel slightly cooler.

“Are you really alright?”

“Yes.”

The atmosphere of the banquet was gradually reaching its peak. Some nobles, after taking a hint, seemed to have left, while others, heavily drunk on wine, were loudly enjoying the grandeur of the banquet.

Feeling slightly dizzy from the wine, Reubellina asked Tartenon,

“When can we go in?”

Her rather loud voice echoed in the banquet hall. Since her voice coincided with the moment the music changed to another tune, it was clearly heard by the nobles.

Tartenon’s eyes widened and then softly curved into a smile. The gentle change made the noble ladies and aristocratic young women clutch their chests.

It was a sight they had never seen before. Many young women of the North had aimed for him, but none had captured his heart.

“If you wish, anytime.”

Tartenon took Reubellina’s hand and placed his lips on the back of it. It was a usual gesture, but today it felt as if his lips lingered a little longer on the back of her hand. Reubellina, overwhelmed by the wine, did not notice the situation around her.

With an innocent blink, she did not notice the curious gazes of the nobles watching the two. It seemed she wasn’t fully aware of the implications of her own words.

Before Reubellina could open her mouth, Tartenon stood up first. Consequently, Reubellina also stood up.

“We shall take our leave.”

At the somewhat urgent tone in Tartenon’s voice, the nobles bowed their heads in surprise. The two descended from the high seat and left the banquet hall where the reception was taking place.

The nobles, who had been bowing until the couple completely left the hall, started chattering as soon as they disappeared from sight.

“Did you see that?”

“Yes, I did.”

“So, I wasn’t the only one.”

The noblewomen blushed, saying that things had been unusual since the final kiss at the wedding. Since it was the first time a grand duke and his wife openly displayed affection, the elder nobles cleared their throats awkwardly.

However, it was a blessing that the grand duke and his wife were on good terms. It meant that an heir would come sooner.

Tartenon’s biggest problem was the lack of an heir to succeed him. As long as Viverna remained unmarried, if something happened to him, the grand duchy would pass to Viverna.

“This is actually good.”

“Indeed. Now the Grand Duke will have an heir.”

“If that happens, then Viverna…”

They held back their words, but everyone knew what would follow.

The Marquis of Istorium also desperately hoped for Tartenon to have a child. That way, the North could stand more firmly.

To the hesitant nobles who couldn’t speak properly, the Marquis of Istorium said:

“What does it matter? The legitimate heir is the current Grand Duke, so if he has a child, it is something to celebrate.”

“Isn’t that so?”

“Of course.”

The former Grand Duke had a gentle and soft charisma. Istorium did not have good feelings towards Viverna, who had driven such a man to his death by forcing him into hunting grounds. He had deliberately fallen for Viverna’s schemes a few times, but deep down, he had sympathy for Tartenon.

The iron-blooded Grand Duke, Tartenon Speraum, who lost both parents at a young age but seized the position of Grand Duke.

The Marquis of Istorium knew well how difficult it had been for him to rise as the ruler of the North. The calloused hands from never letting go of his sword, the hardened skin from practicing swordsmanship, and the deep scars on his back from saving his subordinates during expeditions.

Knowing all these efforts, the Marquis of Istorium could not ignore Tartenon.

Though he offered subtle assistance, Tartenon refused his help due to the misunderstanding that he was on Viverna’s side. But the Marquis did not clear up the misunderstanding, knowing that it would help Tartenon grow stronger.

As predicted, Tartenon became the ruler of the north, but his heart remained cold. When Tartenon announced he was bringing a Grand Duchess from the capital, the Marquis had scoffed. He assumed Tartenon had chosen someone randomly to avoid the imperial princess.

However, his prediction was completely off. A beautiful wedding took place, and a lovely couple was born. Whether this would be beneficial or detrimental to the North was yet to be seen, but the Marquis of Istorium decided to be satisfied with this. Because a smile had returned to Tartenon’s face.

Raising his wine glass slightly in the direction Tartenon had exited, he then drank it all.

***

Tartenon followed Reubellina, who was staggering along the corridor. She walked fairly straight in the corridors where people were around, but once they reached the third floor where there were no outsiders, she swayed back and forth.

Reubellina, who had been holding Tartenon’s hand, shook it off as if it were bothersome and wandered around. Tartenon chuckled and slowly followed her.

At that moment, Heather approached him cautiously.

“They say someone from the royal palace has set foot in the North.”

“Who came?”

“The second prince.”

“Ha!”

He had been curious about who they would send. He thought they would send the princess to cause trouble, but it was Inferno. The audacity was beyond words. A chill passed through Tartenon’s eyes.

“Did he go to the banquet hall?”

“No. He is still staying at Viverna’s mansion.”

“He’ll arrive in a day or two.”

“Yes.”

“Keep an eye on him. Report any developments.”

“Understood.”

As Heather moved away, Tartenon’s gaze returned to Reubellina. She was so drunk that she hadn’t noticed Heather’s presence.

‘Drunk from just one glass of wine?’

Though it was quite strong, he hadn’t expected her to lose her senses like this.

“Oh my! Look at this beautiful curtain.”

“That’s the one you hung up, Lina.”

“I knew it. Who else would have such excellent taste?”

“Yes, so let’s go now.”

Tartenon responded to Reubellina, who was stroking the curtain. But she did not let go of the curtain, insisting it was beautiful and that she wanted it in her room. Tartenon spoke again.

“There’s an even prettier curtain in your bedroom.”

“In my bedroom?”

Reubellina, with bleary eyes, shook her head. After blinking several times, she looked at Tartenon and suddenly widened her eyes.

“Amazing.”

“What?”

Reubellina’s delicate hand touched his cheek.

“How can you be so handsome?”

Her drowsy voice was filled with sleep, but Tartenon couldn’t move after hearing her words. Reubellina kneaded his face like dough, her white hands squeezing his cheeks.

Tartenon was startled by the sudden heat in a secret place. As Reubellina caressed his face and drew closer, Tartenon tried to step back.

“Shh!”

He couldn’t resist Reubellina, who glared at him, asking where he was going. When her body completely pressed against his torso, Tartenon, overwhelmed by the soft sensation, raised his hands.

“What are you doing?”

Reubellina, who somehow noticed his actions, squinted her eyes. She asked if he was surrendering to her, and Tartenon couldn’t say a word.

‘Yes, I have lost to you.’

Swallowing the words he couldn’t utter, Tartenon didn’t take his eyes off Reubellina. As she rubbed her face against his torso, he recalled the moment he first met her.