Previously
Evgenia praises Euclid to Melissa, who reacts with confusion. During dinner, Euclid appears in a light-colored suit that matches Evgenia's previous dress, causing her to admire him intensely.
I pretended not to hear the Duke's muttered complaint and took a small sip from my glass.
Then, as if eager to fill the silence left by the Duke’s sullen mood, Sionel made a suggestion to Euclid.
Are these people for real?
It seemed they had given up on convincing me and decided to target Euclid instead, judging him an easier mark.
And in fact, I could sense Euclid growing flustered under the weight of their persuasion, unsure how to reply.
Of course, since this was a marriage between the only two ducal houses in the empire, paying respects to the sovereign wouldn't be improper.
Given that the Duchy of Rodion rarely involved itself in central politics or even visited the capital, the Basilians’ suggestion might well have been meant to help strengthen his ties with the imperial family.
Yet for some reason, the thought of stepping foot in the Imperial Palace rubbed me the wrong way, and I broke in rashly.
At my sharp response, the Duke let out a sigh.
He cut himself off abruptly, seeming to realize too late that he had nearly brought up how the imperial family had long viewed me as a prospective crown princess and encouraged the bond between me and the Crown Prince.
The Duke’s embarrassment was plain to see; even to him, letting such a slip pass before his future son-in-law had to sting.
Yet Euclid, appearing entirely unbothered—or completely oblivious—simply offered a faint smile, as if the conversation didn't concern him in the least.
Instead, Euclid offered an apology to the Duke.
With Euclid speaking so firmly, no one in the Basilian family could press the matter further.
The Duke in particular looked too flustered by his earlier misstep to keep going. All he could do was nod awkwardly while Sionel quickly changed the subject.
At Euclid’s calm reply, both the Duke and Sionel froze for a moment before blurting out in unison,
Watching the Duke nod as if the thought had only just struck him, I pursed my lips slightly.
( ‘Are you looking down on him because he's poor, or what?’ )
Despite Euclid being the head of one of only two ducal houses in the empire, they seemed to have forgotten that it was perfectly natural for him to keep a residence in the capital.
Euclid, however, remained unfazed. He simply smiled gently, as he always did.
The Duke carried on with the conversation.
Wait, what?
We were clearly talking about the Rodion estate, so why bring up the imperial family all of a sudden?
I tilted my head in confusion, only to realize the Duke and Euclid had already moved on.
The Duke then offered some wine, noting proudly that it was made from the very first harvest of grapes from his estate that year.
Euclid drank with effortless grace, not making a single sound, the very picture of noble dignity.
Captivated by the sight, I caught Melissa murmuring softly beside me.
At her words, Sionel started.
I frowned faintly as Sionel and Melissa launched into a serious debate over where I would stay after marriage, as if I had already resolved to return to the capital.
‘Who said I was ever coming back to the capital in the first place?’
They were arguing over something I had no intention of doing, which left me thoroughly baffled.
Naturally, I couldn't avoid the capital forever…
But I certainly had no plans to leave the northern territory of Rodion anytime soon.
I had no desire to ever cross paths with the Crown Prince again, and my resolve to gradually distance myself from the Basilian household remained unchanged.
Even so, seeing Melissa and Sionel casually assume I would be making frequent visits to the capital left me at a loss.
Sensing an ominous edge to my silence, the Duke ventured cautiously,
For someone who had winced earlier at the mere mention of the Emperor, the Duke seemed strangely determined to bring up the Crown Prince.
His motive wasn't hard to guess. I had already told him that I wanted to leave the capital and marry quickly so I could forget all about the Crown Prince.
Recalling that, Sionel chimed in with a trace of tension.
The moment I gave that casual reply, I froze under the weight of the piercing glares directed my way.
The Duke, Sionel, and even Melissa stared at me with looks of utter betrayal, as though the sky had just fallen.
But why did even Euclid look surprised?
Was he shocked that I had referred to the territory of Rodion as my home?
For some reason, a pang of sadness and bitter disappointment washed over me, but I couldn't bring myself to blame my favorite character.
Euclid was no fool, so there was no way he hadn't heard of my past reputation.
( ‘He probably thinks I'm just a wicked woman obsessed with the Crown Prince.’ )
And he must assume this marriage was forced upon me.
It was fine. All I had to do was show him, little by little, that I had changed.
Perhaps because I had eased my mind, the sting faded.
Instead, as I looked back at Euclid, his wide eyes caught my attention. That he, who always seemed so composed, could wear such an expression brought a smile to my face for some reason.
( ‘You're so adorable!’ )
While my heart fluttered and squeezed in adoration, Euclid flinched and turned his head away.
Tsk. I clicked my tongue in disappointment, feeling my family's scorching gazes still pinned on me.
Letting out a quiet sigh, I looked around at them and said, “I imagine there will be times when I stay in the capital.”
Though frankly, unless it was for a truly special occasion, I had no real intention of doing so.
While leaving a small window open, I firmly shut down what wasn't going to happen. The faces of the Basilians looked as though they had briefly experienced heaven and hell in turn.
Euclid cast another curious glance my way, but…
I found his eyes on me rather delightful.
Knowing that meeting his gaze would only make him look away, I pretended not to notice and began to eat.
Euclid nodded awkwardly as Duke Basilian, slightly tipsy from a single glass of wine during dinner, patted his shoulder with warm affection.
I had always found it rather strange that the master of the empire's most renowned wine-producing region didn't actually hold his liquor well…
Naturally, the gazes of the Duke's children, watching their father carry on so freely, were far from fond.
With a suppressed sigh, I forced out a reply, my lips twisting slightly in exasperation. Seeing that, Euclid's face grew warm.