Chapter 164

The coming-of-age ceremony for the Carpen Empire, which had been thrown into disarray because of Prince Demian, was finally rescheduled, and Meia officially became an adult. However, even as time passed, Meia and Theodore were unable to marry.

“No! Grand Duke! What will you do if the engagement is annulled?”

“I heard from Butler Venable! Lord David originally intended to annul Lady Meia’s engagement with the Crown Prince of Carpen and bring in a live-in son-in-law to the House of Hatzbellua!”

“Ahem! You wouldn’t believe how hard our daughter has been working to become the Grand Duchess’s lady-in-waiting!”

“You must go to the House of Hatzbellua immediately and finalize a wedding date with the Grand Duchess.”

“If not, you should cause an incident first.”

“Even so, would they easily break off the engagement if they didn’t underestimate our Grand Duke Florence?”

“Ah, you don’t know what you’re saying.”

“His Grace would never force a woman who dislikes him into marriage.”

“There’s no choice but to persuade Duke Hatzbellua somehow.”

“Our daughter is so determined that she refuses to eat with me unless Lady Meia becomes the Grand Duchess.”

“Well, my daughter is the same…”

“Are you perhaps aiming for the lady-in-waiting position?”

“Of course.”

“Who becomes a lady-in-waiting will be the Grand Duchess’s decision.”

Theodore sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead. More than anyone, he had dreamed of a wedding with her.

But arranging a wedding date was not so easy.

The reason was that Meia had become far too busy.

Meia was in an extremely foul mood. Saying she was displeased didn’t even begin to describe it.

Prince Demian had disappeared, and the Carpen Empire had nearly earned the disgraceful reputation of being an empire of dark magicians. Fortunately, Sword Master Duke Rockbellion and His Majesty Sirius III of the Sirius Empire publicly declared that it was all Demian’s doing alone.

David, who had reclaimed the title of Duke Hatzbellua, was now impossibly busy. He barely slept as he worked to resolve all the problems Luman had caused. Meanwhile, Violet, who was supposed to manage the household, was pregnant and needed rest, so Meia had to take on all the responsibilities.

Despite expecting to marry quickly after her coming-of-age ceremony, the months dragged on—one, two, three. Even after Meryl gave birth and was exiled, the wedding couldn’t proceed immediately.

Theodore, also busy as Grand Duke Florence, managed to visit the Hatzbellua estate once a week or every two weeks via teleportation. Because both were so busy, their time together was limited to meals or tea. Under David’s watchful eye, they couldn’t even share intimate moments. Whenever this happened, Theodore would gently stroke Meia’s hair and smile at her.

Watching Theodore leave for Florence each time brought tears to her eyes. But for her pregnant mother and unborn sibling, she had to suppress her feelings.

Even when she missed him terribly and felt frustration boiling over, she always had to smile.

“Young Lady…”

“Hmm?”

“Are you looking at His Grace’s portrait again?”

“Quini sent it to me.”

Meia had been overjoyed to receive Quini’s gift.

She lovingly stroked the frame, her smile filled with affection.

<Mei, I think even this longing and heartache I feel now are part of love. This brief pain will someday become a fleeting memory in the grand life we’ll share. We’ll look back and say, ‘Ah, that’s how it was.’>

Theodore had spoken more maturely than Meia. Quini’s letter detailed how much he missed her and how deeply he suffered from their separation.

He was being considerate. If he had pushed for the marriage contract between their families, the wedding would have happened already. But for her parents, who had returned alive, and her unborn sibling, Theodore chose to wait.

And today, watching the unusually affectionate David and Violet made her miss him so much she could hardly bear it.

“Father.”

“Yes, Mei?”

“I need to visit the Mage Tower for a moment.”

“The Mage Tower?”

“Yes.”

Meia carefully cut her steak into bite-sized pieces and ate.

“I’ve finished today’s urgent matters, so I’ll be back soon. And haven’t all the issues caused by Uncle been resolved now?”

“Of course.”

“In that case, how about selecting a few retainers to help manage the household?”

“Why?”

“I need to prepare for my wedding.”

Meia could no longer wait for that endless waiting.

“If you’re preparing for the wedding, you could wait until Violet gives birth and recovers.”

“In that case, could you at least set a wedding date?”

“Setting the wedding date is a matter to be decided between me and your future husband as heads of our families.”

“Understood.”

Meia put down her knife and fork and dabbed her lips with a napkin.

***

This time, Theodore visited the Hatzbellua estate to finalize the wedding date with David.

David wanted to delay the date as much as possible, while Theodore preferred it to be within a month. Their opinions clashed, and Violet had to step in to mediate.

“You must be anxious as your mother’s due date approaches.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure she will… but I can’t help worrying.”

Once the wedding date was set, preparations began in earnest.

As she prepared, Meia learned about the history of the House of Florence, the culture and knowledge of the Sirius Empire, and the mindset required of a Grand Duchess.

She also had to decide on the guest list for the wedding, choose her main ceremony and ball gowns, and discuss their designs.

The selection of ladies-in-waiting was postponed until after the wedding.

Additionally, she needed to tour the territories governed by the Florence estate.

In short, she would be impossibly busy until the wedding ceremony concluded.

Still, she felt happy. Even if it was exhausting, she would rather be busy and able to start and end her days with him. The busyness itself felt like a blessing.

For nobles, marriage was typically a means of maintaining their family’s status. It was a social contract, often devoid of love, used to secure political power or social standing.

When she thought about marrying Patzraelli, her thoughts were consumed by political issues—conflicts with the noble faction, the selection of concubines, and strategies for removing threats once he became Emperor.

But now, things were different.

Meeting Theodore had changed Meia.

Of course, her duties as Grand Duchess of Florence would be numerous. There would undoubtedly be challenges, but with him by her side, she felt she could overcome anything.

“What are you thinking about, Mei?”

Theodore teased her, lightly kissing her lower lip.

“Do you remember when I said I didn’t understand love?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“I think I know what love is now.”

Meia caressed Theodore’s cheek, her lips curving into a soft smile. Her expression made his heart stop.

“What do you think love is, Theo?”

“Of course…”

Theodore whispered in a low voice, guiding her hand to touch his lips. As her fingers brushed against him, his heart raced even faster.

A tingling sensation spread through his body, and he felt a warmth rising.

“It’s you, Meia Hatzbellua.”

Hearing his heartfelt words, Meia’s cheeks and ears flushed red.

“I think of only you, Mei.”

His deep confession made her heart pound so hard it felt difficult to breathe.

Theodore brushed her lips with his thumb and murmured softly.

“From the moment I first saw your confident and graceful demeanor, I couldn’t look away.”

Theodore placed his hand on her shoulder, stroking her neck and shoulder as he continued.

“I have fallen for you at first sight.”

Meia met his dark eyes.

“Though it wasn’t love at first sight for me… I now know my feelings for you are the same as yours for me.”

“That’s the best confession I could ever hear.”

Meia leaned into Theodore’s embrace, her body relaxed.

Theodore gently kissed her eyes and forehead, holding her close and burying his face in her shoulder. He nuzzled against her, inhaled deeply, and exhaled a contented sigh.

“I love you deeply, Mei.”

The warmth of her touch was more comforting than any fur coat, her scent more fragrant than any perfume, her gaze more fulfilling than any attention, and her confession sweeter than any words.

“Ask me what I think love is, Theo.”

“What do you think love is?”

“Being together.”

“Being together?”

“If you don’t love someone, there’s no need to be together.”

Sharing daily life with someone you love is a joy.

“I realized this while we were apart.”

Being together is something only love makes possible.

And that’s why being apart from Theodore had been so painful.

Smiling happily, Meia wrapped her arms around Theodore’s neck.

“Let’s stay together forever.”

“Ah…”

Theodore suddenly placed his hand over his heart.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m so happy it’s making me lovesick.”

Meia burst into laughter, her voice ringing out joyfully. Theodore gazed at her as though she were the most precious thing in the world.

『The Grand Duke Only Seeks the Lady』Main Story Complete