88. Engagement Ceremony (1)

The day of Grand Duke Vellaus’s engagement ceremony had arrived.

The ceremony was held at Grand Duke Vellaus’s mansion in the capital. The Empress Dowager, who rarely left the palace, had practically moved into the Grand Duke’s mansion for several days to oversee the preparations.

Larael finished getting ready and waited for Edward to arrive. Just as she had waited for her father to return from outings when she was a child, she looked out the window, waiting for the carriage carrying Edward to appear. Larael, who had been staring out the window without moving, suddenly brightened. She jumped up and called for Sasha.

“Sasha, check if anything looks out of place.”

“Your Highness, you look perfect.”

Sasha glanced over her quickly and replied absentmindedly, making Larael wrinkle her nose a little.

“Your Highness, His Majesty has arrived!”

Kara came running, breathless, to announce Edward’s arrival. Larael, who already knew from watching through the window, nodded calmly, but her heart began to beat faster and faster.

“Let’s go down.”

Larael gracefully descended the stairs. Edward, having arrived at Abella Palace, entered to escort Larael. She stopped mid-step and stood, gazing endlessly at Edward as he entered the entrance hall.

Edward, walking in with the light behind him, stopped and beamed at Larael as he saw her coming down. The light pouring in behind him made it look as if he was surrounded by a halo.

“Edward…”

Larael murmured his name. Edward strode towards her, his cape fluttering elegantly over his shoulders. When he reached her, he took Larael’s hand and kissed the back of it. From the moment he entered until he stood before her, Larael felt as if she were in a dream. Only when his lips touched her hand did she come back to her senses, and together they left Abella Palace and boarded the carriage.

Once inside, Edward gently cupped Larael’s delicately made-up, rosy cheek and gave her a light kiss on her red lips.

“Today… I suppose nothing more is allowed, right?”

Edward asked, his eyes deep, as if seeking Larael’s permission. Larael kissed him lightly on the cheek, her face full of regret but firmly shook her head.

As Herwen’s mansion came into view, Larael unconsciously clenched her fists. Of course, Edward noticed the change in her demeanor. In the carriage, he never took his eyes off Larael for even a moment. He reached out and gently stroked her hair. Larael turned to look at him and smiled, but then quickly turned her gaze out the window, her smile fading.

The carriage gradually slowed as it entered the Grand Duke’s mansion. The carriages of nobles who had already arrived were neatly lined up. When their carriage stopped and the door opened, Edward got out first and escorted Larael.

A red carpet for the guests stretched from the carriage to the inside of the mansion. Standing at the front with Edward’s hand in hers, Larael looked up at the mansion and bit her lip.

“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Highness the Empress Consort have arrived!”

The herald’s voice announcing the Emperor’s entrance rang through the hall.

The music that had quietly filled the banquet hall stopped, and all eyes turned to the entrance. As Edward entered holding Larael’s hand, everyone in the hall bowed in respect to the Emperor.

Once Edward and Larael entered the hall, the music resumed.

They were a stunningly well-matched pair. No one present could deny it.

While everyone hesitated to approach them first, the Marquis and Marchioness of Argen came forward, bowed again, and greeted them. Larael, who had been nervous, finally smiled when she saw Beatrice.

As Edward greeted the Argen couple, he glanced at Beatrice’s noticeably rounded belly. Larael, standing beside him, did not miss that moment.

“The physician says I’ve entered a stable period now. I’ll be able to visit Your Highness more often.”

“That’s wonderful. Beatrice is always welcome.”

Larael chatted and laughed with Beatrice, but she couldn’t get Edward’s expression—when he looked at Beatrice’s belly—out of her mind.

‘Is Edward also waiting for a child?’

The thought of children brought a sharp pain to her chest. Larael clenched her teeth and took a deep breath, making sure not to show her true feelings, and smiled even more brightly as she talked with Beatrice.

“Larael, would you mind staying with the Marchioness for a while?”

Edward bent his head and whispered softly in Larael’s ear. She turned to look at him. Nobles were gathering around Edward, eager to be seen by him. Larael nodded, understanding the situation. Beatrice, also noticing, took Larael by the arm.

“Your Highness, shall we go over and greet the other noble ladies?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Beatrice led Larael to a group of noblewomen she was acquainted with.

“How shameless. She acts as if she’s already the Empress.”

“If it were me, I wouldn’t have dared to show my face to the Grand Duke after everything.”

Beatrice rolled her eyes toward the source of the voices. Larael also turned her head naturally. The women, even when their eyes met Larael’s, showed no intention of avoiding her gaze; instead, they raised their chins and glanced at her sideways. Larael, having expected this, just gave a helpless smile.

“Your Highness, just a moment.”

Beatrice, fuming, slightly lifted her dress as if to approach them, but Larael grabbed her arm firmly.

“Let’s just go.”

“But…”

When Beatrice looked at Larael as if pleading, Larael frowned slightly and shook her head. Beatrice sighed deeply but, respecting Larael’s wishes, ignored the women and started walking again. The Marchioness of Rad blocked their path and greeted them.

“Greetings to Her Highness the Empress Consort.”

With a face full of satisfaction, the Marchioness of Rad quickly looked over Larael’s and Beatrice’s dresses. She was clearly pleased to be wearing the same design as them. Larael immediately recognized the dress as one of Genderi’s.

“Marchioness, the dress suits you very well.”

“It’s all thanks to Your Highness. You wouldn’t believe how much people have been pestering me to introduce them to you. If you don’t mind, would you care to join us for a chat?”

The Marchioness gestured with her fan at a group of noblewomen. As she did, those ladies all bowed to Larael. Larael nodded politely, though her expression was troubled.

“I appreciate it, but I’ve already promised to greet some ladies with the Marchioness of Argen…”

The Marchioness of Rad glanced at Beatrice and nodded lightly.

“Your Highness, please make time for us as well. We’ll be waiting.”

She laughed loudly and left. Beatrice, clearly annoyed, clicked her tongue and shook her head.

“She’s such a bat. She used to act like she’d give the Empress Dowager her heart and soul, but after the Assefena incident, she completely cut ties with her.”

Larael nodded. She knew all too well about her.

After the Marchioness left and Larael was about to move again, the announcement of the Empress Dowager’s entrance was heard. Larael craned her neck to see where Edward was. If she didn’t return to his side and greet the Empress Dowager, she would surely cause trouble. Edward, surrounded by people, was watching the Empress Dowager’s entrance with cold eyes.

“Since the Empress Dowager has arrived, let’s go back to His Majesty’s side.”