Chapter 114

Evelyn woke up first, feeling a pressure weighing down on her body, and saw that Dyffrin’s hand was pressing on her.

Despite the bright morning sunlight, he hadn’t woken up. Dyffrin, who always woke up early.

Evelyn ran her hand through Dyffrin’s hair. The soft strands slipped through her fingers.

‘It’s no wonder he can’t wake up after overexerting himself like that yesterday.’

He always maintained a straight posture like a priest who knew nothing of l＊st, with an ascetic face, but inside, he seemed to be filled with darkness.

Evelyn never imagined Dyffrin could be this passionate.

Whenever they made love, he was as hot as fire. Sometimes it was almost frightening.

But now, with his eyes closed, he looked as cold and beautiful as a masterfully crafted ice sculpture.

At that moment, Dyffrin’s eyes slowly opened.

“Evelyn…”

“Are you awake?”

As Dyffrin sat up, the blanket that covered his body slid down. Evelyn quickly covered her face at the sight of his smooth and firm upper body.

“Suddenly shy?”

Dyffrin murmured.

“It’s different seeing it in such bright light.”

“It’s the same body.”

“No, it’s different.”

Feeling embarrassed but not wanting to lose, Evelyn looked directly at Dyffrin.

Dyffrin, having just woken up, looked languid.

Even in his slightly disheveled state, Dyffrin was incredibly attractive, and Evelyn found herself momentarily captivated.

“You’re staring too openly.”

“So what, you’re my husband.”

At Evelyn’s brazen answer, Dyffrin’s lips curled up slightly. Then, as if embarrassed by his softening expression, he covered his lower face with his hand.

‘Hmm…’

Evelyn felt a bit triumphant. It felt like winning a fight.

Come to think of it, Dyffrin was always weak to compliments. She used to tease him by giving insincere compliments.

She wanted to see that reaction again after a long time.

“Did you know, Dyffrin? I’m always proud that you’re my husband. Handsome, capable, and rich.”

Dyffrin would know this was an exaggerated compliment meant to tease him.

But it didn’t matter. Like someone reacting to an allergy, he would instinctively dislike it.

Evelyn waited for Dyffrin’s reaction like a mischievous child. But for some reason, he remained expressionless.

Huh…? This wasn’t the reaction she wanted.

Flustered, Evelyn added more.

“That’s not all. You’re even romantic. Picking a wildflower.”

“…”

“You’re the best man… Ugh, Dyffrin!”

Dyffrin pushed Evelyn down and climbed on top of her. Startled, Evelyn frowned.

“What are you doing!”

“Weren’t you seducing me?”

“No!”

Dyffrin smiled, lifting the corners of his mouth.

“That’s what I thought.”

“Get off me. I don’t have the energy for this right now.”

“That’s a shame.”

Despite his words, Dyffrin obediently got off her.

“Why have you changed so much?”

“You wanted me to change.”

“That’s true, but I don’t like it when you’re so flawless.”

Evelyn spoke honestly.

“In the past, when I complimented you, you’d frown and get serious.”

She mimicked Dyffrin’s face, forcing her eyebrows up with her fingers.

“I was just uncomfortable with someone praising me.”

“Seems like that’s not the case now.”

“Your compliments seem fine.”

Dyffrin replied indifferently.

Regretting her playful act, Evelyn got out of bed first.

* * *

The long-awaited wedding day dawned.

The area in front of the venue was bustling, as if all the nobles of the empire had gathered.

Oakley exclaimed that it seemed more crowded than the New Year’s celebration at the royal palace.

Indeed, there were many guests at the wedding. The shiny marble floor lost its luster, crowded with people.

People admired the luxurious venue. The delicate and diverse flowers, rare even in the capital, made it look like a garden, and the expensive decorations reminded them of an art gallery.

No one pointed out that this wedding didn’t align with the themes of contribution and equality. They just reaffirmed that the Liwonoc family had become even more prosperous.

No one thought it was peculiar to have a second wedding with the same person. The young ladies attending the wedding just envied Evelyn for capturing Dyffrin’s heart.

When the giant silver bell at the venue rang, people took their seats. The wedding was starting.

As the band began to play, Evelyn and Dyffrin appeared with elegant music.

Everyone marveled at the beautiful bride and groom.

Dunswell officiated the wedding. With a warm speech, he blessed the couple’s future.

Finally, as they shared a romantic kiss under the falling pink petals, people stood up and clapped.

Oakley was the first to stand.

“Congratulations!”

Rykal, who had been watching from the front row, also smiled contentedly.

Karina, who had been invited as a guest, clapped with a proud expression.

Merrilyn and Dr. Altron did the same. Merrilyn discreetly wiped away tears, and Dr. Altron chuckled.

Isaac, sitting in a special seat, wore a complex expression before he started clapping. Beside him was the excited Earl Aldres.

“They make a perfect couple!”

Amid the congratulations, the grand wedding came to an end.

But Evelyn couldn’t rest and had to go straight to the duchy. The reception was to be held there.

Though it was tiring, it was a courtesy to the subjects welcoming their new lord.

Fortunately, the reception at the duchy was much more comfortable. Without the uncomfortable clothes and shoes, it felt like being at home.

It was strange. She had spent much more time in the capital, yet this place felt more familiar.

Perhaps it was because she now thought of this place as her nest.

At that moment, Dunswell approached Evelyn, sipping champagne.

“Dear, how do you find the reception I prepared?”

“It’s perfect.”

Dunswell had taken care of the reception preparations. Amelia had always done such things before, but Dunswell had prepared the reception impeccably.

“Actually, Isaac returned early from the academy to help with the preparations.”

“That’s kind of him.”

Hearing his name, Isaac, who was adding cherry preserves sent by Oakley to sparkling water, approached the two.

“That’s right. I helped prepare this reception. Father’s aesthetic sense is a bit lacking.”

“What, you rascal?”

Their relationship seemed much better than before. Isaac used to feel uncomfortable even though Dunswell was his father.

“Thank you. I really like the pink tablecloths.”

“That was the maids’ work.”

“Father!”

Evelyn laughed out loud.

Then she patted Isaac’s head as he fumed.

“It doesn’t matter who prepared the tablecloths. What matters is that Isaac came to the wedding.”

At her affectionate voice, Isaac’s face turned red.

“I couldn’t attend the first wedding. So I really wanted to come this time.”

“I’m glad you came too, Isaac.”

Blushing and fidgeting with his fingers, Isaac eventually used the excuse of being thirsty to leave first.

“In front of you, even Isaac becomes a gentle lamb.”

“He’s a good kid.”

Dunswell looked rather bitter.

“I heard about how Isaac used to behave at the academy. There was a lot I didn’t know.”

Ah… Evelyn opened her mouth slightly.

“I can somewhat understand why Amelia resented me. I thought I was doing my best, but I missed something important.”

“Father…”

“So I’m thinking of helping with the construction and management of the almshouse for a while. Dyffrin will manage the duchy well.”

Evelyn was so surprised she nearly dropped her glass.

The former Duke Liwonoc becoming the manager of an almshouse.

It was undoubtedly a good thing, but working in such a poor environment meant giving up many of the privileges of the upper class. It wasn’t an easy decision.

Feeling Dunswell’s regret in his difficult choice made her heart ache.

But it was a decision Dunswell had made after much thought. Evelyn felt it was right to encourage him rather than worry.

“You’ll do well, Father.”

Dunswell smiled kindly.

“I always think this, but Evelyn, you are my blessing.”

“You flatter me.”

“No praise is too much for you.”

Not wanting to argue about this, Evelyn just smiled pleasantly.

“By the way, where did you say you were going for your honeymoon?”

“To Maluid Island.”

Dyffrin had wanted to go somewhere better, but he no longer insisted unilaterally.

Seeing how much Evelyn wanted to travel to Maluid Island, he accepted it quite readily.

So Evelyn was excited.

Not all her memories of Maluid Island were good, but it was where she reunited with Dyffrin, and she often thought of its warm residents.

There was no need to rent a hotel; they could stay at the villa Dyffrin had bought.

Evelyn eagerly awaited the end of the reception so they could depart for the island.

There, she would finally be able to relieve the fatigue of this long wedding.