Chapter 8 – The Northern Banquet (Part 3)

If this weren’t a contract marriage, his behavior would make sense. But now, Tartenon’s words made him seem like someone who genuinely cared for her.

Reubellina’s confusion was short-lived as they arrived at the grand doors of the banquet hall. She tightened her grip on Tartenon’s hand, and he, sensing her anxiety, reassured her by holding her hand firmly.

“What’s wrong?” 

“I was just thinking about how to handle the people beyond these doors.”

“Do as you wish.”

“Are you saying I can do as I please?”

“There’s nothing in the North that can oppose your will.”

“Alright!”

Reubellina replied energetically.

“Sandy.”

Sandy approached, holding a fan. Reubellina took the fan and opened it with a flourish, creating a rustling sound. The fan, which could hide her expressions, was her best weapon.

“Let’s go.”

At her command, the waiting servant announced loudly, 

“Presenting His Grace, the Grand Duke Tartenon, and Her Grace, the Grand Duchess Reubellina!”

As the grand doors opened, a brilliant light flooded in. Reubellina accepted the light without blinking, standing with the most elegant and aristocratic posture. The eyes of everyone in the banquet hall turned towards her and Tartenon.

***

The northern air was colder than the capital’s. Inferno, who was sensitive to the cold, had been displeased throughout the journey. He disliked having to come all the way to the North to congratulate a wedding, and he especially disliked having to bow to a mere Grand Duke.

If it weren’t for the emperor’s command to show that the relationship between the royal family and the North was not strained, Inferno wouldn’t have even considered coming here from the capital.

‘If it weren’t for my brother!’

If it weren’t for the Crown Prince Montereno’s threats, Inferno wouldn’t have come to the North. His sister had been begging to go in his place.

And to think he had to come to congratulate Reubellina, who had broken off their engagement to marry another man. What was there to celebrate about a woman who had left him?

Inferno didn’t hide his complaints as he cursed Reubellina. Although he had entered the Speraum territory, he deliberately visited Viverna’s villa, who was known to be hostile to Tartenon, instead of going to the main castle.

‘I couldn’t refuse the invitation.’

Inferno rationalized his actions and didn’t bother to hide his displeasure.

Bellaruse, walking alongside him towards the banquet hall, felt the same. Dressed in a lavish gown, she tried to maintain an elegant demeanor.

She didn’t want to lose to Reubellina. Although she realized that Inferno, whom she had chosen over Tartenon, was a rotten rope, he was still a prince.

‘A Grand Duchess is no match for a Princess.’

Bellarusee had scoured all the dress shops in the capital to find a gown more beautiful than Reubellina’s, but she couldn’t find anything as exquisite as those from the Scheh Boutique. Even with money, Brua, the designer, had refused to sell her a dress, declaring she wouldn’t sell to someone who had committed infidelity. Other boutiques also hesitated to offer their best dresses to Bellaruse.

The social atmosphere was tense. After Reubellina left for the North, Bellaruse tried to dominate the social scene, but the envious glances following her were hard to endure. Inferno’s remarks, comparing her to Reubellina and questioning why she couldn’t endure the same, only worsened her mood.

In this state, she had arrived in the North, prepared herself, and now stood in front of the banquet hall. Bellaruse gripped Inferno’s hand, trying to suppress her grimace. She already sensed that he wasn’t the same as before.

‘This won’t do.’

She had pushed Reubellina aside and claimed Inferno. If she were to be abandoned now, her reputation in society would plummet, and she wouldn’t be able to marry another noble. No nobleman would want to marry a lady who had been deeply involved with a prince.

She would likely end up as the second wife of an older nobleman. Determined, Bellaruse decided to use this banquet to her advantage.

‘Inferno doesn’t like haughty women like Reubellina, so I should emphasize my vulnerability.’

Bellaruse’s lips curved into a smooth smile, creating a gentle expression. She felt Inferno’s gaze momentarily fixate on her.

“Your Highness.”

“Bellaruse.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

Her pink hair swayed gently as she smiled, her eyes narrowing. Her innocent face naturally evoked a protective instinct. It was a charm unique to Bellaruse that Reubellina lacked.

Sometimes, Bellaruse’s demeanor mysteriously aroused him, making it impossible for him to let her go.

Inferno caressed Bellaruse’s shoulder, his hand moving sensually over her exposed skin. Despite recognizing the lustful look on his face, Bellaruse smiled.

“When we return to the capital, we should be together.”

Bellaruse’s eyes widened. It was the first time Inferno had spoken of a future with her. Tears welled up in her eyes and fell to the ground.

“Your Highness!”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Bellaruse hugged him. The servant waiting at the entrance struggled to keep a neutral expression as he watched the two engage in public displays of affection.

‘The love of the century, indeed.’

Of course, he was free to think what he wanted.

When the two finally separated, the servant announced their entrance to the banquet hall. As the doors opened and Bellaruse and Inferno entered, they were greeted with bows from the northern nobles, which only inflated their egos.

“Rise, all of you.”

Inferno, reveling in the deference shown to him as royalty, swept through the banquet hall. The northern nobles showered him with flattery, which he accepted without hesitation. Bellaruse did the same.

Enjoying herself beside Inferno, Bellaruse spoke up.

“Thank you for such a warm welcome.”

At that moment, the banquet hall fell into a hush.

***

As Reubellina entered the banquet hall, she noticed the cold atmosphere and scanned her surroundings. Spotting Inferno and Bellaruse, the northern nobles quickly bowed.

“We greet the ruler of the North and Her Grace.”

Their noble greeting was directed at Reubellina and Tartenon.

‘Still, some are missing.’

Not all the northern nobles had attended the banquet. Reubellina, who had reviewed the guest list and portraits, noticed this but did not show it on her face. She smiled gracefully and moved further into the hall.

Only after Tartenon told everyone to relax did the northern nobles straighten up. However, their disapproving gazes remained fixed on Bellaruse. Realizing the strange atmosphere, Reubellina stood closer to Tartenon.

“Hm. Isn’t something odd?”

“It’s to be expected. The northern nobles have ears.”

The looks directed at Inferno and Bellaruse were not favorable. Especially towards Bellaruse, the negative stares were evident. Tartenon whispered to Reubellina.

“Oh my, so they’ve heard everything?”

“More accurately, I made sure they heard everything.”

Reubellina’s golden eyes turned towards Tartenon.

“I did.”

His low whisper made Reubellina grip his hand tightly. 

As they ascended the platform and took their seats, the music filling the hall ceased. The eyes of the nobles, who had been chatting with wine glasses in hand, all turned towards them.

‘Oh? Is this it?’

“Those who brought gifts, please step forward!”

Paddington’s loud announcement prompted the nobles to move. The first to step forward was the Marquis of Istorium.

“Congratulations on your marriage, Your Grace.”

What he brought was a very large box adorned with elaborate decorations. Paddington, who was standing nearby, handed Tartenon a piece of paper describing the contents of the box. After Tartenon checked it and handed it to Reubellina, the Marquis of Istorium bowed and withdrew.

The Marquis came down, and then the next nobleman stepped forward. Like the Marquis of Istorium, the nobleman who came out with a large box bowed so low that his head almost touched the ground.

One nobleman came out, followed by another, and another. All of them said the same things: congratulations on your marriage and something about the ruler of the North.

‘Is this the gift-giving ceremony?’

It was quite interesting at first. The boxes with colorful patterns were fun to look at, but that was it. She had seen enough boxes to be bored, and Paddington had already checked what was inside.

Reubellina, who was still looking through the documents handed to her by Paddington, glanced at the papers with a bored look.

The gifts from the northern nobles were nothing special to her. Having grown up seeing all the best and most precious things in the capital, there was nothing that could surprise her. So, Reubellina was getting more and more bored.

At that moment, Reubellina’s eyes, which were looking around, caught sight of Inferno and Bellaruse. They looked visibly flustered.

‘Oh, didn’t they bring a gift?’

Things seemed to be getting a bit more interesting. Reubellina’s curious eyes turned toward Bellaruse.

Noticing her gaze, Bellaruse frowned angrily. Reubellina chuckled as if finding it amusing. The situation here was different from the capital. This was the North.