Chapter 12

“We’ll be heading out for a while.”

“Go ahead and sleep first.”

Since they’d come to the capital, Marquis Dalton and his wife planned to meet acquaintances at various gatherings.

They warned the evening might run long and told them to sleep first before boarding their carriage.

Celiana waved goodbye, then glanced at Robert.

‘Maybe now is the right time?’

As dusk fell, Celiana resolved to speak up.

The servants had been dismissed for family time.

It was just Robert and Celiana, a perfect opportunity.

Gulp.

Celiana, having made up her mind, slowly parted her lips.

“Um, Robert.”

But—

“You don’t need to worry.”

Before she could get to the point, Robert answered first.

“What?”

“I know you’re bothered by what Mother said. Let me apologize for her.”

‘Wait, this wasn’t it.’

After a day of worrying and preparing, the conversation was going in a completely different direction.

“No, that’s not it……”

“I’m fine, Celiana.”

With this answer, it felt like a long line was drawn between them.

A line she couldn’t cross right now.

Robert misunderstood, thinking Celiana was uncomfortable with Everuze’s words.

He still thought she was afraid of intimacy.

‘That’s not true.’

Celiana’s true feelings stayed in her mouth.

Robert spoke out of concern, but Celiana couldn’t feel happy about it.

Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to say, ‘I’m fine, I want to be close to you now.’

So, she failed again today.

***

After a few days, Marquis Dalton and his wife returned to their provincial estate.

They left with hopes of seeing grandchildren next time.

But Robert just replied coldly,

“I’ll take care of it, Mother.”

‘You’re not taking care of it!’

But Celiana couldn’t blame him either.

‘Why can’t I say anything?’

She hadn’t said a word for days.

Every time Everuze brought up children, Robert would block the topic.

So Celiana changed her strategy.

Though she usually kept her distance at night, she decided to get a little closer.

Maybe if their bodies touched, Robert would understand her feelings.

She started two days ago, and Robert seemed more aware of her presence in bed.

Tonight, she would sleep right next to him. Maybe even hold his hand first. Celiana was determined.

If their bodies touched, maybe she’d remember that night and gain courage.

‘Tonight is the decisive night.’

Celiana’s eyes sparkled.

Tonight was also the long-awaited banquet at Ephelmar.

After enjoying the banquet at the Ephelmar ducal residence, both she and Robert would be tipsy.

She’d lean on Robert in the carriage, snuggle close in bed……

Just imagining the rest made her blush.

Tonight, the chances were high.

‘I have to stay focused.’

Celiana stood before the mirror and made up her mind.

Not long ago, she had met that old woman, and now, dressed beautifully in the gown she had prepared for this day, Celiana slowly left the dressing room.

On the first floor of the mansion, Robert, wearing the formal suit she had chosen for him, was waiting to escort her.

“Wow, Robert. You look amazing.”

As Celiana’s lips parted, a spontaneous exclamation escaped.

Blue really did suit Robert—more than she had imagined.

“Shall we go, Celiana?”

Robert, his face lit with genuine joy, reached out his hand to her.

Seeing his large hand, Celiana couldn’t help but recall something a bit risqué.

‘With this hand, he touched my left side…’

The thrill of that moment was still vivid.

“Celiana?”

Lost in thought, she heard Robert call her.

“Oh, let’s go, Robert.”

Finally taking his hand, Celiana scolded herself.

‘It’s because I keep imagining things like this.’

She’d often fantasized about Robert troubling her while dressed in formal attire.

But now, it was time to make those fantasies reality.

‘You can do it, Celiana.’

Feeling the warmth and firmness of his hand, anticipation grew in Celiana’s heart.

Tonight, she would finally meet the Duchess of Ephelmar, and spend the night with Robert.

***

“The Marquis Dalton and his wife are arriving.”

At the door, Ephelmar’s chief attendant announced Celiana and Robert’s arrival.

The grand doors opened, revealing a dazzling banquet hall.

This single banquet seemed to showcase the full grandeur of the Ephelmar Duchy.

Hundreds of crystal pieces adorned each chandelier, and all the decorations were elegant and expensive.

And the guests?

All the notable figures currently making headlines in the Empire were present.

Gulp.

As Celiana walked into the hall, swallowing nervously, Robert noticed immediately.

“Nervous, Celiana?”

Celiana was still quite young to attend such a banquet as the lady of a noble house.

In fact, most women her age—even if married—were still gaining experience in less responsible positions.

Robert felt sorry for Celiana, knowing she had to bear this burden because she married him.

“Ah, no. I’m fine.”

But Robert couldn’t ignore the tremor in her short reply. Yet, it was a challenge Celiana had to overcome herself.

He reminded himself that saying things like ‘Tell me if it’s hard’ or ‘I’m here for you’ would not help, so he rationally suppressed those words.

But the truth was different.

Just as Robert sensed, Celiana was indeed nervous.

‘Finally, I’m at Ephelmar.’

But it wasn’t the burden or tension of the banquet.

Celiana was standing where she had always wanted to be: before the Duchess of Ephelmar.

She glanced at her arm, hooked around Robert’s. Her long silk gloves hid her scars.

The very person who started the trend of long gloves covering the wrist was the current Duchess of Ephelmar.

If not for the Duchess, Celiana would have constantly worried about hiding the marks of her bindings.

‘First, I need to greet her.’

Her goal today was to make her acquaintance.

She hoped to be invited to a tea party, and perhaps, if things went well, to meet privately.

Then, she could subtly reveal her preferences, testing the Duchess’s reaction in passing conversation.

With firm resolve, Celiana toured the banquet hall with Robert, greeting various nobles.

Many wanted to speak to Robert, who managed the Empire’s financial flows.

Each time, Robert paid attention to Celiana, making sure she wasn’t left out of conversations.

Celiana appreciated this, but soon signaled to Robert that she’d step away.

“Robert, I’ll go over there for a bit.”

There was always a men’s world at these events.

Robert excused himself to those seeking his attention, then asked Celiana,

“Will you be alright?”

He looked concerned, but Celiana nodded.

“Of course, take your time and enjoy your conversation.”

Celiana bowed to the men speaking with Robert and quietly left.

She looked around the hall. Unlike Robert’s worries, the banquet itself wasn’t intimidating.

She had plenty of experience at tea parties, and as a ‘Dalton,’ no one treated her carelessly.

As Celiana wandered halfway around the hall—

“Hello. We haven’t met before, have we?”

Her sought-after counterpart appeared first: Erta Ephelmar.

For the first time, Celiana saw the Duchess of Ephelmar she’d only heard about—a central figure in Imperial society, called its flower, with striking red hair that drew every eye.

Her confident smile and open, active attitude made anyone like her.

‘I didn’t expect to meet her so soon. And she approached me first.’

Celiana, delighted, bent her knees and lowered herself in greeting.

“Madame, it’s an honor. I am Celiana Dalton.”

“Oh my. Marchioness Dalton! It’s a pleasure.”

Erta said she’d heard much about her from the previous Marchioness Dalton, welcoming her warmly.

“There aren’t many of our age who become ladies of the house so young, right? That’s why I was so curious.”

Since Erta already seemed fond of Celiana, their first meeting went well.

She couldn’t bring up her preferences immediately, but as they grew closer, maybe she’d be able to discuss private matters.

With a fluttering heart, Celiana began to speak slowly.

“Duchess Ephelmar, you have truly been a role model for me.”

“Me? I’m glad to hear that.”

They exchanged a few formal remarks.

But Celiana wanted to become closer to Erta.

If she seized this opportunity, she could be invited to her tea party and become friends.

Then—

Celiana thought of the perfect topic.

The reason she’d looked forward to this banquet more than anyone.

It was because she’d seen the play sponsored by Ephelmar.

“Oh, right. I really enjoyed the play. It was fascinating.”

There was only one play associated with Ephelmar.

“Really?”

The moment Celiana mentioned the play, Erta’s eyes sparkled.

Erta sipped her champagne and asked,

“I’m curious. Which scene impressed you the most?”

Outwardly, it was a normal conversation about the play.

But Celiana sensed there was a right answer—the very scene that made her heart race.

‘What if I’m wrong?’

She couldn’t deny her worries; maybe she was mistaken, maybe she’d be branded as strange.

But after so many tangled moments with Robert lately, she couldn’t let this rare chance to share her secret desires slip away.

“I…,”

Celiana slowly parted her lips.

“When Marianne, who ran away, was caught by Leon, and Leon became obsessed with her.”

In the play, Leon, afraid Marianne might escape again, imprisons her.

Not satisfied, he cuffs her wrists, and even during intimacy, never lets her go—showing his obsessive side.

That was the scene she found most memorable.

“Oh my, really?”

But Erta’s expression didn’t change much. She didn’t look surprised or particularly pleased.

She simply widened her eyes in mild astonishment, making Celiana anxious that she’d made a mistake.

Then, at that moment—

“Marianne, bound so she couldn’t move at all, right?”

Erta repeated, gently grasping Celiana’s wrist. It was completely unexpected.

“M-Madame?”

Celiana stammered. But Erta didn’t let go; instead, she pressed her thumb firmly against the artery on the wrist.

The pressure made Celiana flinch, recalling the night before when she’d bound one wrist with rope and spent a blissful night with Robert—on that very spot.

Celiana couldn’t hide the sharp pain on her face.

“Ugh…”

“I knew it. Am I right?”

Celiana’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘No way. Really?’

Her heart pounded.

If Erta Ephelmar truly shared her preferences—

She wouldn’t be alone anymore.

Joy and anticipation mixed, leaving Celiana speechless, as Erta smiled knowingly and led her away.