Ten days after the wedding, a dinner party was held at the Archild ducal residence.

While ostensibly to express gratitude for attending the wedding, the true purpose was to solidify relationships with the nobility.

In the early evening as the sun was setting, major nobles who wielded significant influence in the nation took their seats at the long dining table decorated with white tablecloths and fresh flowers.

Footmen who had been waiting brought welcome tea to those who were seated.

As they enjoyed their tea while waiting, the dining room doors opened, and Medric and Eve appeared.

Everyone stood and bowed, and Medric spoke:

“Despite greeting everyone at the wedding, I felt we hadn’t had enough time together, so I arranged this gathering. Please enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”

As they began eating the sumptuous food, greetings were exchanged.

Eve carefully observed the faces of the invited guests, wondering if there might be someone she knew.

‘Oh.’

Among them, she spotted a notable figure.

Honey-colored hair, blue eyes. Large, doe-like eyes.

Even at a glance, it was Duke Marvel, who reminded her of Clareta’s lineage.

“The fresh flowers in the reception hall were quite meticulously arranged, but today’s flowers seem even more vibrant.”

As Duke Marvel opened the conversation, the nobles seated nearby began to speak one by one.

“Among them, the calla lilies are particularly striking. It seems the Duke of Archild gave them to the Duchess as a gift.”

“I heard he said next time he would give her a garden instead of a bouquet.”

Eve almost spat out the water she was drinking.

She stared with round eyes at the person who had just spoken.

She was even more surprised to find it was the Viscountess Charlemagne, who was usually slow to hear news.

‘How many people know about this?’

Eve’s hands, holding her fork and knife, tensed subtly.

“Is that true, Duchess?”

Finding it difficult to ask the Duke of Archild directly, Countess Abraham turned to Eve.

Everyone’s attention focused on her.

Eve calmly placed her fork and knife on the table and picked up her napkin, gently dabbing the corners of her mouth.

Her movements were so relaxed and elegant that no one would have thought she was flustered by the question.

“How could I hide it? The Duke cherishes me so much that I couldn’t conceal it even if I tried.”

Eve covered her mouth with her fingertips and smiled radiantly.

At her words and demeanor, the nobles seated around the table each let out exclamations of admiration.

“So the Duke of Archild truly is devoted to his wife.”

“I’m envious…”

“It seems one must be of the Duchess’s caliber to receive such abundant love from a husband.”

Ladies from all around expressed their envy. Those who didn’t want to show their jealousy picked up their wine glasses to hide their expressions.

Noting the reactions of these noble ladies, Eve glanced at Medric.

Medric didn’t seem to mind this flow of conversation. He was drinking his wine with a satisfied smile.

“Especially since calla lilies have so many meanings. Love for a thousand years, passion, joy…”

“Perhaps it expresses the Duke’s feelings that cannot be defined by just one meaning?”

“It’s truly romantic.”

‘Do these people have no shame?’

The noble ladies spoke freely about embarrassing topics, seemingly unconcerned about whether the subjects of their conversation were present.

Eve endured her cringing feelings and responded appropriately with a smiling face.

Lady Anna caught Eve’s eye and gave her an encouraging smile.

“Duchess, please tell us a little about how you met the Duke of Archild.”

“Yes, even those who aren’t here are dying to know.”

“I’m curious too. Would you mind sharing briefly how the two of you met?”

Once one person took the lead in asking, everyone added their own requests.

The situation from the last celebration banquet, when she was surrounded by young ladies, was repeating itself.

Regardless of age or position, their interests remained the same.

It was a question she had struggled to answer even to the young ladies.

Feeling cold sweat running down her back, Eve quickly gathered her thoughts and spoke:

“I was about to die when the Duke saved me.”

She recycled the same story Medric had told Glishakov earlier.

Eve secretly admired her own quick thinking and ability to respond.

Even Medric, who had been quiet, let out a surprised exclamation at Eve’s brazen words and attitude.

“What.”

“Yes?”

And when Eve calmly responded, Medric eventually supported her statement.

“That’s right. I did that.”

“Oh my.”

“How romantic.”

“You two must have been destined to meet.”

Once again, the noble ladies responded with excessive enthusiasm.

Eve met every comment with a smile. The results of her efforts with Lady Anna to maintain a dignified composure regardless of what was said were evident here.

Overall, the dinner in the formal dining room proceeded positively.

As almost all the prepared food had been presented on the table and disappeared into everyone’s mouths, Eve slowly released her tension.

Soon, this long wedding and celebration would be over.

‘Just a little longer.’

She had smiled so much that she felt her mouth corners might start twitching.

“I’ve been wondering about something. May I ask a question?”

A stiff voice that didn’t match the cheerful atmosphere was heard.

‘That person is definitely…’

Eve tried to recall the familiar man’s face.

“Why did you reject the marriage proposal with Princess Juliana?”

Everyone inhaled sharply.

There’s always someone who has to pour cold water on a pleasant atmosphere.

Someone who can’t stand seeing others happy because it twists their insides.

‘Ah, now I remember.’

Eve belatedly realized that the man with navy blue hair wearing a navy suit was Kuzan Maltein, the only son of the Maltein ducal family.

The Maltein ducal family had been overshadowed by the Archild family when Medric took the leadership position. The gap between the two families had been widening ever since.

“Lord Kuzan. On such a joyous day, how could you be so rude?”

Duke Marvel stood up from his seat to reprimand Kuzan.

Only Medric, Eve, and Duke Marvel had the standing to directly scold Kuzan at this gathering.

Despite Kuzan’s words being clearly disrespectful, no one else dared to speak up.

“Duke Marvel, aren’t you being too rude to me?”

“What?”

“How is this rude? I’m merely bringing up a topic everyone must be curious about. If the Duke of Archild has nothing to hide, he can answer this question himself. It doesn’t seem appropriate for Duke Marvel to step in.”

Kuzan said with a smirk, raising one corner of his mouth.

Given the formal setting, Duke Marvel couldn’t raise his voice. He had to contain his anger despite Kuzan’s disrespectful behavior. The veins on Duke Marvel’s arms bulged with tension.

“I am here as the Duke of Maltein. Please show me the respect I deserve.”

Eve shook her head as what had seemed like a peaceful evening erupted into commotion.

Medric, who had been observing the situation, slowly turned to Kuzan and asked:

“Is there any reason I should explain why I rejected a marriage proposal from the royal family?”

“There’s no particular reason, but isn’t everyone curious? I’m merely asking out of curiosity on behalf of many others, so please don’t be too angry.”

Medric tilted his head and replied with a contained smile:

“You seem to change your position whenever it suits you. One moment you demand respect as the Duke of Maltein, and the next you ask for leniency as a curious young lamb?”

At Medric’s words, Kuzan’s crooked smile disappeared, and his lips pressed tightly together.

“The Duke of Maltein must be worried. While losing everything to Archild, his only heir turns out like this.”

Unable to tolerate this direct mockery of the Maltein family, Kuzan slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

“You are insulting both me and the Maltein family with those words.”

“Correct. You heard me right.”

Eve, who had been silently watching the situation, felt a refreshing sense of satisfaction.

She took a sip of lemonade and watched this intense confrontation with great interest.

When Kuzan pressed his arms against the table, the trembling vibration could be felt all the way to where Eve was sitting.

“I will report the humiliation I received today directly to my father. Would that be acceptable to you?”

As Kuzan spoke each word distinctly through gritted teeth, Medric delivered another devastating blow:

“Please do convey it. While you’re at it, perhaps think about why I invited you here in the first place.”

Finally unable to contain himself, Kuzan stormed out of his seat.

Eve was inwardly impressed by Medric’s effective handling of the situation. From their first meeting, Medric had always dealt firmly with those in positions of power.

‘He did the same with Count Renox.’

The dining room fell silent after the brief commotion.

“I’ve prepared dessert. I hope everyone will enjoy it.”

As Medric addressed the distinguished guests as if nothing had happened, everyone resumed their meal with relieved expressions.

“Even though the Maltein family is one of the great houses of Ptotr, he seems quite unremarkable,” Eve said in a low voice that only Medric could hear.

“Don’t underestimate the entire Maltein family just because their heir is lacking. The Duke of Maltein knows how to use magical power and leads quite a formidable house.”

Eve nodded slightly.

“Then, between the Duke of Maltein and you, who is stronger?”

“You call that a question?”

Medric looked at Eve with a furrowed brow.

His face seemed to say, “What kind of ridiculous question is that?” Even for someone like Medric, being compared to the Duke of Maltein appeared to wound his pride. Eve let out a small laugh at his reaction.

Under Medric and Eve’s leadership, the celebratory banquet concluded successfully.