Chapter 108

“Should Lady Meia Hatzbellua, the hero, truly become the Grand Duchess!”

“She’s no longer just a noble lady. She is now the Grand Duchess.”

“The Florence Duchy has a bright future ahead.”

“She is a gracious person… I felt uneasy when the gifts we sent to Duke Hatzbellua’s estate in the Carpen Empire kept being returned. Thanks to Lady Meia, my wife and daughter were saved. Now that she is becoming the Grand Duchess, I feel relieved that we can repay her kindness.”

Some were even moved to tears upon hearing that Meia was becoming the Grand Duchess.

“If it weren’t for Lady Meia, my nephew would have faced a great tragedy.”

Meia had once boarded a cruise ship headed for the Mage Tower. Not only that, but she had also eradicated the pirates who attacked the ship and saved the passengers.

“I was so grateful that I sent gifts to the Hatzbellua family in the Carpen Empire, but they were always returned.”

“It was the same for me.”

Many nobles had been aboard that cruise ship. Anyone who read the newspapers knew that Meia had saved the lives of their acquaintances and families.

A noblewoman from a foreign empire. Exceptional magical skills.

Leaving aside her reputation as the flower of high society, there was no reason for anyone to oppose a benefactor like her becoming the Grand Duchess of Florence.

Of course, there were those who disapproved, but the overwhelming majority welcomed her.

“But she has a history of breaking off an engagement.”

“It is thanks to that broken engagement that so many lives were saved. If, by any chance, she hadn’t broken it off, she wouldn’t have boarded the cruise ship to the Mage Tower, and many—including my nephew—would have lost their lives.”

“Losing only lives would have been fortunate! She protected the honor of noblewomen and young ladies.”

Everyone knew that pirates assaulted women. Women who were violated lost their honor and endured immense pain—worse than death. The one who saved them was none other than Meia.

“That’s right. This is fate. Fate! What’s a broken engagement compared to that?”

“The broken engagement seems like a divine revelation. A call to venture into the wider world and save people.”

“Then does that make our Grand Duchess a saint, chosen by the divine?”

“The title of ‘hero’ suits her, but ‘saint’ fits just as well.”

“She is indeed a saint.”

“Let us welcome Meia, the hero and saint chosen by the divine, as our Grand Duchess.”

As they conversed, the vassals joyfully concluded that Meia was not only a hero but also a saint.

The venue for the coming-of-age and engagement ceremonies was the grand hall of the Florence Duchy.

Only those with invitations were allowed to attend.

Originally, His Majesty Sirius III, Emperor of the Sirius Empire, was scheduled to attend, but due to a conflict with the Holy Kingdom, he sent only gifts. Theodore was relieved that the mischievous Sirius III wouldn’t be present.

“Viscount Roxy Adain and Lady Adain are entering.”

One by one, nobles entered the hall.

The attendees continued to converse about Meia.

“The Florence Duchy can finally rest easy.”

“I was surprised by the news of the engagement, but it’s certainly a cause for celebration.”

Venable confirmed that all the guests had entered and left to report to Theodore and Meia.

The guests exchanged greetings and enjoyed a brief moment of leisure.

The doors opened, and an attendant announced loudly:

“His Grace Grand Duke Theodore Florence and Lady Meia Hatzbellua are entering.”

Since they were not yet married, Meia could not use the Florence family name.

As the two walked in step by step, the crowd fell silent, watching them intently.

Theodore carefully escorted Meia.

Her fair skin, lustrous silver hair, and sapphire-blue eyes seemed to encapsulate the sea. Her elegant smile captivated everyone.

Her dress, which flared beautifully with each step, accentuated her alluring presence. Even those accustomed to seeing countless beauties couldn’t deny that Meia was extraordinary. No, she exuded a nobility that defied comparison.

At the gathering to celebrate Theodore’s birthday and coming-of-age, all eyes were on Meia.

Such was her overwhelming beauty.

Meia Hatzbellua. A central figure in the Carpen Empire’s high society, known as the graceful flower of the social scene. On the day of Theodore’s birthday and coming-of-age ceremony, people eagerly anticipated seeing the woman who had saved many lives aboard a cruise ship and earned the titles of both hero and saint.

As she walked in, escorted by Theodore, the attendees gazed at her in awe.

“She’s unbelievably beautiful!”

“That dress suits Lady Meia perfectly.”

“Look at her jewelry. Could they be gifts from His Grace?”

“Even as a woman, I find myself enchanted.”

“His Grace must have saved the world in a past life.”

With each step Meia took alongside Theodore, the crowd couldn’t tear their eyes away from her. She glanced at the onlookers, curling her lips into a graceful smile.

Those who met her sapphire gaze couldn’t hold it for long, their faces flushing red.

“Did she just look at me?”

“No, she looked at me!”

“She saw me.”

“Even as a woman, my heart is racing from her smile.”

Seeing everyone blush as they looked at Meia, Theodore felt an inexplicable irritation. He wanted to chase away anyone staring at her beauty.

Still, he tried to understand their reactions, knowing how stunning she was. Yet, the thought of others witnessing her smile made him deeply uncomfortable.

He couldn’t fathom why even the women were blushing at the sight of Meia.

Lowering his voice so only Meia could hear, Theodore whispered:

“Please don’t smile at them too much.”

Meia glanced up at him and chuckled softly. She could easily guess his feelings.

“Theo, are you jealous?”

Theodore tightened his grip on her hand.

“Yes, I am. I wish you’d smile only for me.”

His dark eyes deepened as he looked at her. There was a hint of unease in his gaze.

They say a jealous man is a weak creature, consumed by obsession. Yet, his jealousy oddly pleased her, making her want to pamper and adore him even more.

‘This must be why jealous men are so endearing.’

Meia wanted to see more of Theodore’s jealous side, but she didn’t want to make him uneasy.

“Theo, I’ll be moving to the Grand Duchess’s chambers today.”

“Today?”

“I mentioned it before, didn’t I? That I’d move after the engagement ceremony.”

Theodore’s expression gradually softened.

“When people move houses, they hold a housewarming party. Since I’m moving rooms, should I hold a ‘room-warming’ party?”

The uneasy emotions that had been evident in Theodore’s dark eyes vanished in an instant.

“If I’m the only one invited, I’ll gladly attend your room-warming.”

Theodore’s cheeks turned red. He felt embarrassed even as he spoke the words himself.

Seeing this, Meia pressed her lips together tightly to suppress the laughter threatening to escape.

If she didn’t hold back, her lips might curve uncontrollably.

“I’ll invite only you, Theo.”

Upon hearing her response, Theodore’s expression resembled that of a black Labrador happily running to its owner after fetching a ball.

The people held their breath as they watched Meia and Theodore walk to the front of the Grand Duke’s seat.

“Oh my, look at His Grace!”

“He looks so happy.”

“What could he be talking about with Lady Meia? Oh my, is His Grace blushing?”

“His face is turning so red.”

“He seems to be enjoying himself, hohoho.”

One noblewoman unfolded her fan to cover her mouth and whispered to the person beside her.

“Really? I don’t think so.”

“What?”

“His Grace’s face says it all. Look closely.”

Those who understood what the noblewoman meant stared intently at Theodore.

His dark eyes were fixed solely on Meia.

“His gaze is overflowing with sweetness, like a waterfall of honey.”

“Yes, it’s like the eyes of someone looking at sugar-soaked peach jam.”

The noblewoman smiled brightly as she explained.

“His Grace’s face practically says, ‘I wish I were the only one who could see Lady Meia’s beauty.’”

After the previous Grand Duke and Duchess passed away, people had worried about their successor, Theodore.

Fortunately, he grew up well and even found an excellent Grand Duchess.

It was unprecedented for the vassals of the Florence family to unanimously support a Grand Duchess.

Of course, even if the vassals opposed it, Theodore would have pushed forward regardless. However, that would have created more work for him.

Yet, when the vassals learned that Meia Hatzbellua was to become the Grand Duchess, no one opposed the decision. In fact, a subtle competition among noblewomen to secure a place by Meia’s side had already begun.

“She’s likely to become the most beloved Grand Duchess in the history of the Florence family.”

“I think so too.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing her influence in the Sirius Empire’s high society.”

“Since even Madame Domason has said so, we’re equally excited.”

The noblewomen shared pleasant laughter as they sincerely congratulated the soon-to-be Grand Duke and Duchess.

Before long, Theodore and Meia reached the front of the Grand Duke’s seat and turned to face the crowd.

Theodore raised a glass prepared by Venable and addressed the people.

“Not long ago, there were some disgraceful incidents.”

Theodore’s words echoed clearly through the banquet hall.

The attendees were well aware of the issues, ranging from slave trading and pirates to embezzlement within the Grand Duke’s estate.

“Filthy fertilizer can sometimes become excellent nourishment for growing flowers and trees.”

Everyone understood that he meant to use those disgraceful incidents as stepping stones for progress.

“No matter how dirty the fertilizer, I won’t hesitate to handle it myself. I’ll use it wisely to nurture beautiful flowers and grow tall trees.”

It was clear that he intended to personally deal with any future troubles.

Theodore raised his glass high. The attendees followed suit, lifting their glasses.

He shouted to the crowd:

“To the glory of the Florence family!”

The people cheered.

The young Theodore, who once cried over the loss of his parents, was no longer there.

In his place stood a man who perfectly fit the role of Grand Duke. The people felt certain that Theodore and Meia would reign flawlessly over the Florence Duchy, and they rejoiced.