Chapter 7 (Part 1)

The long-awaited day of the banquet had dawned.  

Strictly speaking, today wasn’t the day of the banquet. The banquet was scheduled for the night before the end of the four-day vassal meeting, so there were still three days left.  

However, Sellakia’s mind was not at ease. There was a huge wave to overcome before the banquet.  

It was the task of greeting the Duke’s vassals.  

“The vassals have already arrived?”  

“The first carriage just passed the citadel, so it will soon reach the main gate.”  

“Nancy, we need to hurry.”  

“Yes, Madam. We just need to choose the jewelry now!”  

“……Alright.”  

Sellakia deliberately avoided looking in the mirror. She felt unfamiliar with her appearance in the voluptuous dress and the necklace that weighed heavily on her neck.  

She wanted to throw it off immediately, but it was the first meeting with the vassals. The lady of the house appearing too plain could be seen as a fault.

For today, Sellakia decided to endure Nancy’s taste.  

“……Nancy. Still, I don’t think the diamond tiara is right.”  

“Of course, right? It’s better to save this for the banquet day. Then I’ll put on the coral branch-shaped pin.”  

Without even looking, Nancy reached out and picked up a platinum coral branch-shaped hairpin from the pile of hair ornaments. The pin was placed on the hair that had been styled by brushing, twisting, and braiding hundreds of times. It was the final touch to the long journey that had started at dawn.  

As she descended to the first floor, dragging the long, splendid dress, she saw Tenus already in place. It was in front of the staircase in the hall where the mansion’s main gate was visible. Sellakia sent Roberta and Nancy to where the servants were lined up and stood next to Tenus.  

“Hmm.”  

Feeling relieved by the still firmly closed door, Sellakia looked Tenus up and down. Tenus raised an eyebrow, seemingly aware of her gaze.  

“Why?”  

“Your attire is different from usual. It’s interesting.”  

Indeed, Tenus was as dressed up as Sellakia.  

The gold embroidery on the uniform, buttoned up to the neck, was truly splendid. His silver hair was neatly combed back, revealing a clean forehead, which accentuated his handsome features. The detailed embroidery of the uniform was almost overshadowed by his striking appearance.  

He probably hadn’t applied any powder like Sellakia, yet his skin was astonishingly smooth and clear. His sharp nose and strong jawline added to his masculine charm. And even the way his half-visible red lips moved when they opened…  

“Do you have more to say?”  

Ah. Her half-dazed mind returned at the low voice.  

She thought she had grown accustomed to Tenus’s beauty after spending time together, but it seemed she hadn’t reached that level yet.  

Sellakia, worried that her dazed state might be noticed, busily looked around.  

“I don’t see Aldrich.”  

“Aldrich won’t be seen for a while. Just as you wished.”  

“Why? Don’t tell me you really sent him somewhere?”  

“It’s a usual thing. When the vassal meeting is held, he stays in his room.”

“……I’m envious.”  

Tenus’s leisurely tone suddenly became firm.  

“You can’t.”  

“Who said anything?”  

Sellakia pouted. Tenus didn’t even pretend to look at her.  

Throughout the conversation, he stubbornly stared ahead. It was a posture that seemed determined not to look at Sellakia. It was entirely different from Sellakia, who kept stealing glances at Tenus.  

Sellakia noticed his attitude and felt a bit deflated. 

Was my appearance so unappealing that he didn’t want to give me even a glance?

The meager confidence built up by Roberta and Nancy’s compliments quickly crumbled.  

The dress, which already felt suffocating, became even more unbearable. With tension added, her breathing seemed to falter.  

Sellakia closed her eyes and frantically searched her mind. She needed something else to focus on besides the statue-like man next to her. Perhaps the portraits, names, and characteristics of the vassals she had studied for days…  

While she was busily rummaging through her mind, a large hand suddenly touched her back.  

Feeling the warmth spreading across her back, Sellakia opened her eyes wide and turned to look beside her. With his gaze fixed on the servant opening the main gate, Tenus spoke.  

“There’s no need to be nervous. You’ve never been intimidated in front of Aldrich, have you?”  

“…….”  

“Just do as you always do.”  

Sellakia momentarily forgot her tension and let out a weak laugh.  

Do as I always do.

Did this man know what that meant to someone struggling to live differently than before?  

Sellakia stared blankly at Tenus before looking at the figures entering the mansion one by one.

* * *

On the day Sellakia returned to the mansion in Tenus’s arms, she had been treated as an unwelcome guest in the hall where she now stood.  

But now, only fifteen days later, she stood in the same space, welcoming guests as the mistress. Nothing seemed to have changed, yet everything was different from before.  

“Baron Colby and his family have arrived.”  

At the servant’s loud voice, Sellakia brushed off her sudden emotions.  

“I greet the master of Seidon. I trust you won’t cancel this vassal meeting like last month, Young Master.”  

An elderly man shook hands with Tenus without hesitation. Tenus responded quite amicably to his words.  

“You know there were unavoidable circumstances then.”  

“Yes, I know. I know well the circumstances that led you to abandon your loyal vassals.”  

Baron Colby’s gaze shifted from Tenus to Sellakia. His sparkling eyes buried in wrinkles were quite burdensome.  

Sellakia responded with a smile, but she wasn’t sure if she was genuinely smiling.  

After staring at Sellakia for a while, Baron Colby suddenly burst into laughter. Sellakia, who was bracing herself for a sharp remark, was a bit bewildered.  

“Hahaha. I apologize. I must have finally gone senile. Seeing you in person makes me so happy I can’t contain my laughter. Do you know how disappointed I was not to meet you last month?”  

Baron Colby spoke as if he were a devotee welcoming the incarnation of a deity he had only served in faith.  

Was he being sarcastic? Is this the social etiquette I have only learned from books?

Sellakia was confused. The face, with wrinkles as deep as the Willem Canal, didn’t seem to be feigning innocence, making it even more confusing.  

“I never thought I’d serve a new Duchess in my lifetime. It’s an honor, Madam.”  

Baron Colby bowed politely and soon left with his family, laughing heartily. The sound of their laughter faded into the distance.  

“Why… are they laughing?”  

It was hard to understand. Sellakia asked Tenus, seeking an answer.  

“Is he naturally a man who laughs a lot?”  

“He’s quite skilled at being sly.”  

“Wasn’t it just an exchange of greetings? Is there some hidden implication I failed to notice?”

“Don’t worry about it. He’s just having fun teasing me.”  

Tenus replied, rubbing his neck. She wanted to ask more, but the next vassal immediately greeted them.  

“I greet the Duke and Duchess.”  

“Though late, congratulations on your marriage. We will serve the new master of Seidon without any shortcomings.”  

“I greet the Duchess. The Duke has finally found his match. You look picture-perfect together.”  

The subsequent arrivals were not much different from Baron Colby. Contrary to expectations, the vassals’ attitudes were surprisingly friendly.  

Among them, the one who welcomed Sellakia the most was Viscount Damanian.

“Duchess, it’s an immense honor to meet you. My, my. No wonder the Empire’s social scene has been quiet lately. With someone as beautiful as you nestled in Seidon’s territory. Oh my. Look at this luscious hair. I was beginning to wonder if the Duke had invented a fictional character to avoid marriage…”  

Viscountess Damanian spoke so rapidly it was dizzying. Tenus skillfully cut in at an appropriate moment.  

“……Viscountess Damanian, we don’t have much time, so let’s continue this conversation later.”  

“Oh. Shall we? I haven’t finished my greetings, but there are others waiting, so let’s stop here. Duke, Duchess, during this vassal meeting, you must have tea time with me. There are so many stories I want to hear and share. It would be lovely to have a cozy couple’s gathering with my husband. Hohoho.”  

Viscountess Damanian’s mouth, which hadn’t paused, was covered by her fan. Then her husband, standing next to her, parted his lips. He seemed about to launch into a speech himself.  

“I hope you stay comfortably during the vassal meeting. We’ll consider having tea time when the day is suitable.”  

“How kind! I’m always welcome. Even gloomy weather has its charm, doesn’t it? Tea time in the glass garden, listening to the rain, would be enchanting with the Duchess.”  

Viscountess Damanian burst into a fresh laugh, linked arms with her husband, and moved to the prepared vassals’ quarters.  

It felt like a typhoon had passed through. Handling just Viscountess Damanian was as exhausting as dealing with all the other vassals combined.  

“Truly… what a talkative person.”  

“……What? Choosing a day suitable for tea time?”  

Tenus, also looking quite drained, rubbed his temples.  

“Is she an ally or an enemy, Sellakia Seidon?”  

“…….”  

In retrospect, the words she had thrown out to get through the situation were a blunder. Sellakia, showing a reluctant expression, asked hopefully.  

“Won’t she take it as a mere courtesy?”  

“I recommend not encountering her during the vassal meeting.”  

Tenus’s answer was merciless. It seemed she would have to stay in her room like Aldrich until the banquet.