Chapter 20

“Grand Duchess, you didn’t finish your meal. Shall I prepare some dessert?”  

“I don’t feel like it.”  

In truth, she was hungry. But thinking about Kallieon’s stern expression made her feel like something was stuck in her throat. 

Surely he didn’t hate me…?

Pouting in frustration, she suddenly saw flower petals cascading down.  

The petals fell like rain as someone moved swiftly, creating a gust of wind. Asterope was so startled by the breathtakingly beautiful scene in front of her that she gaped in awe. Suddenly, someone grabbed her hand, spinning her around.  

There was only one person who could wield such soft yet strong power.  

“Rope.”  

Kallieon, his eyes filled with tender affection, pulled Asterope into his arms with one arm. Asterope lowered her gaze. Her expression, full of disappointment, made Kallieon’s heart race with urgency.  

“You were startled earlier, weren’t you? The meeting’s topic was too grim…”  

“It’s fine.”  

“Thanks to the sandwiches you brought, the meeting ended quickly and smoothly. Especially Chester—he ate more than four of them right on the spot.”  

“That’s good. As long as someone enjoyed them.”  

Asterope mumbled in a small voice, avoiding eye contact with Kallieon. Her tone, which didn’t sound happy at all, made Kallieon feel as if his heart was burning. He quickly grabbed her small hand and kissed her fingers.  

“Aren’t you going to ask me if I thought they were delicious?”  

“…”  

In truth, it was the question she most wanted to ask. But Asterope couldn’t bring herself to say it. If he said they weren’t good or that he didn’t eat them, she felt as though she wouldn’t be able to control her emotions.  

Asterope raised her gaze and met Kallieon’s eyes. Kallieon, who was lovingly gazing at her, urged her with his eyes to ask. Gently stroking Asterope’s cheek, Kallieon spoke sweetly.  

“They were the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten in my life.”  

Asterope quickly softened her once sharp gaze. Her mood lightened in an instant. However, she pushed him away as if she didn’t believe his words.  

“Liar.”  

Kallieon held her tighter as she tried to escape his embrace. He didn’t let her go. She pounded on his firm arms with her fists but soon gave up. Then, she gently rubbed the spot she had hit.  

“Did I scare you when I shouted?”  

Asterope nodded. At that, Kallieon kissed her cheek and continued speaking.  

“I didn’t realize it was you, Rope. If I had known, I wouldn’t have reacted that way.”  

“…I was scared.”  

“I’m sorry.”  

As Asterope accepted Kallieon’s heartfelt apology, a thought crossed her mind. 

How many people, apart from his liege, had ever seen him bow his head? 

Perhaps none. But Asterope was always an exception to such calculations.  

Kallieon viewed her through a different lens than others. Precious. Lovable. That sentiment was so overwhelming that she couldn’t help but love him in return. Asterope relaxed her expression and leaned fully into his embrace. Only then did Kallieon exhale in relief, planting countless kisses on her hair.  

“You have no idea how startled I was earlier. I couldn’t even focus on the meeting, worried you might have been hurt. If it hadn’t been an important meeting, I would’ve thrown everything aside and run straight to you.”  

Hearing the distress in Kallieon’s voice, Asterope clicked her tongue in mock annoyance but wriggled further into his arms.  

“Did everything get resolved? Tama told me. He mentioned that a magical artifact was discovered.”  

“Yes. Did you also hear that Sodel’s ore was found inside?”  

“Yes. Tama was worried about me. I told him everything that had happened between the Crown Prince Villish and me.”  

“What if old Tama misunderstood? Why make such a risky choice?”  

No one knew better than Kallieon that Tama wasn’t the type to misunderstand. Still, Kallieon wished Asterope would act with a bit more caution. While her honesty was admirable, there could be retainers or nobles who might exploit such openness. Asterope blinked her large eyes and continued speaking.  

“I thought about it for a moment, but I decided it would be fine with Tama.”  

“He is trustworthy, but… Rope, you’ve grown too close to old Tama.”  

“What are you thinking about!”  

At Kallieon’s teasing remark, Asterope narrowed her eyes as if to say he was being mischievous. Kallieon laughed and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. Asterope gently stroked the firm arms that were holding her before turning her head toward Kallieon. He bent his large frame and captured her lips. As his soft approach deepened, Asterope held onto his shoulders.  

The maids naturally lowered their heads even further. The knights busied themselves with feigned distractions. Ever since the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess had grown closer, the two seemed to seize every opportunity to kiss and embrace each other. They didn’t care about the place or the time.  

It was the people around them who still hadn’t adapted to this change. The two, on the other hand, acted as if this was how they had always been. Like lovers newly struck by love, they seemed oblivious to how excessive they might appear.  

Chester, who was standing at a distance from them, tapped the grass with a twig as he spoke.  

“Every time they make eye contact, they start rubbing lips. I mean, really, could it be that good?”

“I think it’s more dangerous now that the Grand Duchess is acting like this.”

“Well, good for them. We get to enjoy some nice food.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course not.”

Chester waved the twig to chase away some flying insects and continued.  

“Still, let’s not look at it too negatively. After Old Man Tama spoke with the Grand Duchess, he began investigating the spies among the attendant

“Do you think the Grand Duchess told him something?”  

“How would I know? All we can do is wait and see.”  

“…”  

“Still, I think it’s better than before. At least the Grand Duke seems happy now.” 

Sommer let out a long sigh at Chester’s words. Chester had once disliked Asterope more than anyone else in the knightly order. And yet, now he was trying to convince Sommer otherwise. Sommer’s gaze lingered on the Grand Duke for a long time.  

After finishing his long kiss, Kallieon held Asterope’s hand and began strolling through the garden. Sommer and Chester started walking slowly as well. As the distance between them narrowed, they could hear the sweet conversation between Kallieon and Asterope.  

“Even your lips seem to bloom with flowers. They’re so sweet that once I touch them, I can’t pull away.”  

“P-please stop. Everyone can hear you.”  

“Let them hear. Those guys should be thinking about getting married by now.”  

Kallieon glanced back at Sommer and Chester, who were trudging along behind them. Chester, who had been poking at a flowering tree with a twig, let out a loud yelp.  

“How are we supposed to get married if we don’t get the chance to meet a fine young lady! And you hate social parties!”  

Kallieon, as if he couldn’t even hear Chester’s squawking, kept his attention solely on Asterope.  

“Have you chosen the curtain color for the banquet hall?”  

“I was planning to decide tomorrow. Tama has been so busy today, and with all the commotion caused by the magic tools… It didn’t feel like the right time to talk about such things.”  

“That’s your job, Rope. Let’s decorate it beautifully and hold a banquet. Invite your brothers as well.”

Asterope widened her eyes. She hadn’t even mentioned her brothers, yet he brought them up first, leaving her with only one possible explanation. She thought of the unfinished letter she had written and parted her lips.  

“You read the letter I left unfinished, didn’t you?”  

“Yes. If it upset you, I’m sorry. I just wanted to see your handwriting.”  

“I’m not upset.”  

Asterope spoke calmly and then stopped walking. Kallieon also halted, following her lead. She looked up at him and continued.  

“I’m not renovating the banquet hall to invite my brothers. It’s a space that needs fixing anyway, and I wanted to do something I’m good at.”  

“I see.”  

“People often treat social gatherings as frivolous and unnecessary, but that’s not entirely true. A lot of deals are made there, and you can hear news that doesn’t reach elsewhere. Especially when social activity increases, there are more marriages, and with more marriages, bonds grow stronger.”  

“Serpiewood is terrible at those things. It’s because of my ignorance.”  

“You’ve done well with the formalities.”  

Kallieon shook his head, as if the mere thought of it was dreadful.  

“I was always just waiting for them to end. It was torture. During events at the Imperial Palace, I even tried to run away and got caught.”  

Asterope tilted her head, puzzled, and met Kallieon’s gaze.  

“With noble young ladies lining up to dance with a handsome man, why would you run away?”  

“Handsome? Me?”  

Kallieon laughed as if he found the idea absurd. At his reaction, Asterope opened her eyes wide in surprise. Anyone could see that he was a handsome man—so much so that he seemed almost divine, with a physique and appearance that looked as though they belonged to a god rather than a mortal.  

“The young ladies were afraid of me. It only changed after I got married. Thanks to my beautiful Rope, a few people now muster the courage to speak to me.”

“……”  

“Even at social parties, all I’d hear was talk about the Northern subjugation or preparing for maritime wars. How boring is that? Especially when the very same gentlemen who talk big are the first to run when war actually begins.”  

Kallieon shook his head again, as if even the memory of it was unbearable. Asterope felt sorry for him, seeing how little he understood the pleasures of social gatherings. She gently stroked his cheek and said,  

“When the banquet hall is renovated, let’s dance together.”  

“You and me?”  

“Yes. Let’s welcome everyone with a dance, right in front of them all, dressed in splendid attire.”  

“I’m not good at dancing.”  

“I’ll teach you. Let’s create an unforgettable, beautiful banquet for Serpiewood.”