Epilogue – Dazzlingly Beautiful (Part 2)

As Kiern climbed into the carriage, he said,  

“Your expression looks strange.”  

“This is just my natural face.”  

“No, it’s not.”  

“Yes, it is.”  

When Eddie responded with a grin, Kiern let out a low sigh. He couldn’t refute the face that was itching to tease him.  

He, too, knew full well that when it came to Elizabeth, he acted foolishly, abandoning all composure. And he also knew that his subordinate was well aware of this.  

“…Then let’s take our time and go over things carefully. I have a feeling this will be a long conversation.”  

This meant he intended to thoroughly grill the Treasury officials until Elizabeth’s gathering was over. The fact that he would be at the palace while she was at the gathering alone would be enough to pressure them.  

“Of course, sir.”  

Still grinning, Eddie knocked firmly on the carriage wall. Soon, the carriage carrying Kiern moved briskly toward the Royal Palace.  

***

Elizabeth Lua arrived at the royal palace annex and was dazzled by the grandeur of the garden. Along the path to the reception room, colorful winter flowers caught her eye. The flowers, buried deep in the white snow, shivered in the wind, their gestures appearing endearing.

As someone who loved taking walks, she felt regretful that she could only catch a glimpse of such a rare scene on her way. While the Agaphel garden was vast and elegantly simple, the garden of the palace annex was so opulent that it could overwhelm anyone. It was a strategy designed to make the Queen’s guests feel the authority of the royal family and instinctively bow their heads in reverence. However, Elizabeth, accustomed to the grandeur of the enormous Agaphel garden, found it somewhat familiar.

When she arrived at the reception room, the Queen and her close noblewomen were seated in a row. A vacant seat to the right of the Queen indicated that it was likely meant for her. It was a gesture of respect for the future Duchess.

Seeing this, Elizabeth felt a strange sensation. A seat that would have been unthinkable for her just a few years ago was now so easily granted to her.

“Welcome.”

As Elizabeth stood there in a daze, Queen Dina, sitting in the center, smiled warmly and gestured to her right.

Snapping out of it, Elizabeth quickly stepped forward, bowed, and introduced herself.

“It is an infinite honor to the Kingdom of Yelhen. Thank you for inviting me, Your Majesty. My name is Elizabeth Lua.”

“Finally, we meet. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment for over a month. Now I see why the Duke kept you hidden—you’re so beautiful.”

Though it sounded like a welcoming remark, it was actually a subtle expression of displeasure toward Duke Agaphel for repeatedly declining her invitations. Elizabeth responded with practiced courtesy.

“I, too, have been looking forward to meeting you, Your Majesty. I will make sure to visit more often in the future.”

“That’s delightful news.”

The Queen smiled faintly, fanning herself lightly. Elizabeth had subtly expressed her intention to maintain amicable relations between the Agaphel family and the royal family, which pleased the Queen.

Before Elizabeth Lua entered Agaphel Castle, the royal family had considered the Agaphel family to be troublesome grandees. With wealth, honor, and power surpassing even the royal family, it was only natural. Specifically, it was Kiern Agaphel who was distrusted. No one could predict when that “mad dog” might threaten the royal family. Despite his seemingly indifferent demeanor, everything he touched succeeded, which only fueled their unease.

Then came Elizabeth Lua, the future Duchess, who appeared out of nowhere and was like an unknown apple to the royal family. Whether it was poisonous or sweet could only be determined by tasting it. Fortunately, Elizabeth expressed goodwill toward the royal family, and the Queen intended to maintain good relations with her—as long as the rumors about her being deeply loved by the Duke were true. The Queen planned to test Elizabeth’s capabilities during this meeting.

After a lively exchange of pleasantries, the Queen brought up the main topic.

“I heard there’s a child. The Duke’s son, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I also heard that he’s about the same age as my granddaughter.”

The Queen was referring to the daughter of the Crown Prince’s third wife. As she said, the late-born Princess Lariena was only about two years younger than Eden.

When Elizabeth silently confirmed this, the Queen continued.

“It might be good to have the two children meet someday. They’re at an age where they need friends their own age.”

“He’s quite shy.”

“All the more reason for them to meet often. Spending time together will help them bond, don’t you think?”

“Eden is not yet familiar with the etiquette of Yelhen, so I’m concerned he might inadvertently act rudely toward Princess Lariena.”

“Etiquette is something our Lariena still has much to learn as well.”

At the Queen’s subtly insistent words, Elizabeth smiled faintly. It seemed the Queen was determined to have her way. Suddenly, she recalled Eddie’s advice.

‘The royal family will likely try to bind the Agaphel family through marriage to establish control. Since the Crown Prince’s youngest daughter and Young Master Eden are of similar age, they might bring up this topic. Under no circumstances should you agree to anything related to this. If you find it difficult to respond, use the Duke as an excuse.’

It was unfolding just as Eddie had predicted. As a seasoned secretary, he had prepared solutions for any troublesome situations she might face. Admiring Eddie’s foresight, Elizabeth replied calmly.

“Actually, Eden only recently began manifesting sword energy.”

“Oh my, already?”

“Yes, but he’s not yet accustomed to controlling it. He often ends up destroying buildings, causing quite a bit of trouble for the staff.”

“…”

“I’m worried he might accidentally harm the Princess. Still, as you said, Your Majesty, Eden would benefit from having a friend his age. How about this? If the Duke accompanies us, he could easily restrain Eden in case of an emergency.”

Elizabeth smiled innocently as she made the suggestion, causing the Queen’s expression to turn awkward.

“The Duke, you say?”

The Queen disliked Kiern Agaphel. She detested his arrogance, his audacity to hold his head high even before her, and his sharp tongue, which spared no one despite his handsome face. Especially during Princess Lariena’s birthday banquet last year, when she accidentally spilled ice cream on his shoes, his icy demeanor had been chilling. Even now, Lariena would burst into tears at the memory of that day. To the royal family, Kiern Agaphel was an untouchable, aloof figure who might bite without warning.

The Queen, imagining Lariena bursting into tears at the sight of the Duke, coughed lightly and subtly declined.

“Must it be that way? I believe your presence alone would keep your son in check.”

But Elizabeth had no intention of letting the matter rest. The reason she had brought up the Duke was to make the Queen withdraw her own suggestion. Elizabeth sighed regretfully and said,

“I’m sorry. As an ordinary person, I find it difficult to control Eden when he gets out of hand. Could it be that you’re uncomfortable with him?”

‘Are you afraid of my husband?’ Her innocent question made the Queen’s face flush red. Elizabeth’s skillful deflection was anything but ordinary.

‘Strange. Rumor had it she was frail.’

The Queen studied Elizabeth, who was handling the social exchange with surprising adeptness. Contrary to the accounts of young ladies who had met Elizabeth Lua in the past, the woman before her seemed anything but frail. Yet, she wasn’t as arrogant as the Duke, leaving the Queen at a loss for words.

“Of course not. Let’s revisit this topic at a later time.”

In the end, the Queen had no choice but to back down. Insisting further would have cost her too much. Elizabeth sighed in relief internally as the Queen relented. Though she maintained a composed expression, Elizabeth found such social exchanges challenging. Still, she resolved to face similar situations more confidently in the future.

Just as the conversation returned to lighthearted topics and the atmosphere relaxed, an unexpected visitor arrived.

“It seems the meeting isn’t over yet.”

“Kiern?”

Elizabeth recognized Kiern and looked at him in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to be at the royal palace when he should have been working at the castle.

Kiern glanced around, assessing the atmosphere. Judging by the lack of disdain in the others’ eyes, it seemed Elizabeth had managed well. He walked toward the table with an elegant stride, neither too fast nor too slow, and greeted the Queen.

“It is an infinite honor to the Kingdom of Yelhen. Kiern Agaphel greets Her Majesty, the Queen.”

Then, he turned to Elizabeth with a smile. The Queen’s face twisted at the sight of his expression, though he didn’t seem to notice.

‘So the Duke can smile like that?’

The Queen’s face twisted as she looked at Kiern’s smiling expression. She had never seen the Duke smile so purely and without ulterior motives in her life.  

Who would have thought he could look at someone with such warmth?  

The Queen found herself staring at Elizabeth, who had seemingly melted this cold-hearted man. The woman standing before her suddenly seemed extraordinary.  

Meanwhile, Elizabeth lowered her voice as she addressed Kiern, who had appeared so unexpectedly.  

“What brings you here?”