Translator: Nox

Chapter 37

Chapter 37.

“Were you concerned?”

Agatha quietly looked up at Enoch.

Should she say yes? Or should she say no,

Agatha hadn't decided yet. Their atmosphere lately had been so good it could put newlyweds to shame, but that was all.

They shared the same bedroom, matched their schedules for meals, shared fabric, and a subtle tension flowed between them, but that was truly all.

Besides, now was not the time to discuss such things. Her rational mind was aware of the attention pouring in from all sides, though they pretended otherwise.

The Emperor and Empress, the Crown Prince, of course, but also key ministers from each department and nobles.

Though it seemed they were enjoying the ball outside the stairs, gazes were fixed upon them.

Agatha smiled as if drawn.

“I told you. I came because the person who said they would be away for a moment hadn't returned.”

“……”

“Now that the matter is resolved, I will take my leave.”

Agatha passed Enoch and descended the stairs gracefully. Despite her usual composed exterior, her heart was anything but calm.

It was a relief, at least, to know he had no feelings for his former fiancée.

But perhaps she had been shocked by their relationship, which she had contemplated during the process.

It was inexplicable.

When they first started, she had been content even if it was just her own happiness, and she had felt happy enjoying their sweet life together.

Just as she had arrived, Agatha repelled the approaching nobles with a single look.

As she approached the couch, her attendants, including Lady Iris, who had looked a little flustered, greeted her with smiles.

“Welcome back, Mrs. Agatha.”

“I’m back. Has anything happened while I was gone?”

“Of course not. As always, this place has been peaceful.”

Her attendants, understanding the unspoken warning in the conversation, naturally engaged in conversation with the nobles, diverting attention from Agatha.

The surroundings were tidied, and her heated mind had long since cooled.

Unlike a moment ago, Agatha did not look at Enoch.

The gazes that had been focused on his consistent, unchanging demeanor scattered, but some remained.

The Nobilis relatives and a few unfamiliar stares.

Agatha, who had been silent, spoke.

“Rumors will spread, won't they?”

Lady Iris, who was nearby, fanned herself, giving a faint nod.

“Still, since the young lady from that side stepped forward, it’s not strange for you to have stepped forward. Of course, as it concerns Agatha Nobilis, there will be considerable interest.”

“That’s within expectations.”

“Indeed. And don’t worry, Madame Challet and I will manage it well.”

Marchioness Iris Domunia and the mentioned Madame Challet smiled softly.

The social circles would be abuzz with this rare gossip, but if there was no further reaction, it would soon die down.

A moment later, a servant approached the curtain and quietly called Agatha.

“Marchioness Aratus. Marquis Aratus is looking for you.”

“For what reason?”

“He seems to have had a bit too much to drink. He wishes to return home early and is asking for the Marchioness’s intentions.”

Agatha’s gaze finally turned towards the imperial stairs. Enoch, who was near the dais, was bowing to His Majesty and rising from his seat.

“Prepare the carriage. We will return together.”

“Yes, Marchioness.”

Agatha offered a apologetic smile to those seated around her and rose from her seat.

“I must leave for today. I will see you at the Imperial Ball tomorrow.”

“It’s a shame, but we must let you go. We will be eagerly awaiting tomorrow.”

“Farewell, Mrs. Agatha.”

From Marchioness Iris Domunia, Duchess Kate Eblain, Marchioness Vanessa Beatrice, Countess Celia Camelon, to Madame Challet.

After exchanging brief greetings with their attendants as well, Agatha exited the Asagrat Hall.

Upon receiving the contact, First Commander Sir Leon Takran and the Aratus Knights were waiting at the hall entrance.

“You have arrived, Madam.”

“And him?”

“His Lordship has already boarded the carriage. We will escort you to the carriage.”

The carriage was waiting at the palace entrance below the stairs. Escorted by Sir Leon, she descended, and the coachman opened the carriage door.

Enoch could be seen sitting inside the carriage, illuminated by faint lanterns and moonlight. As she sat opposite him, Leon closed the door.

Click-

“We will depart.”

The moment the footsteps disappeared, Enoch spoke.

“Are you angry because of Countess Liras?”

“No.”

It was a little unpleasant, but not because of that young lady.

Agatha’s inability to compose herself stemmed from something more fundamental.

She was his wife and was living happily, but…

‘Is this really all there is?’

Her feelings were turbulent, as if she wished for something more.

As Agatha lowered her gaze, a low voice echoed within the carriage.

“I wish you wouldn’t avoid my gaze.”

“Yes…?”

When she lifted her head, she saw the man who had been staring at her since she boarded the carriage.

“Then I will assume it wasn't because of Countess Liras. It seems to have influenced your mood somewhat, but let’s set that aside for now.”

He was still an astute man.

“What are you angry about? I’m confused because there aren’t many obvious reasons.”

“…What do you think it is?”

After a moment of silence, the man added.

“Are you disappointed that I might have a past?”

This time, it was Agatha’s turn to be speechless.

If one looked at it that way, she had six former husbands.

Given the nature of the noble world, where engagements and marriages were arranged at a young age, even if Enoch had a past, it was nothing compared to hers.

Did she perhaps look jealous?

Agatha’s ears turned slightly red.

“That’s absolutely not it. It’s just that, while dealing with Countess Liras, I started to think about something…”

“It seems to be something related to me.”

“……”

He was still an astute man. As Agatha was about to avert her gaze, a hand silently reached out and gently cupped her cheek.

“Don’t avoid my gaze.”

Enoch’s dark figure was reflected in her blinking amethyst eyes. He lowered his head close and asked.

“Tell me, Agatha. If it’s not the former fiancée, nor my past, then what is it that has unsettled your heart?”

The scent of rich wine and his large frame, now mere inches away, seemed to swallow the lantern and moonlight.

Agatha opened her mouth before she knew it.

“You have always respected me perfectly as your wife. You protect me abundantly from danger.”

After a moment, her red lips, which had swallowed dryly, opened again.

“What if I want more than that?”

As the man, who had paused, opened his mouth.

Agatha’s wish was spoken first.

“I want you to like me.”

“……!”

“Like I like you.”

Enoch’s eyes trembled violently for a moment. Seeing him say nothing, Agatha’s hopeful expression contorted painfully.

“It’s just… that’s all.”

The carriage stopped. Agatha opened the door herself and stepped out. Butler Allen, Vice Commander Leon, the knights, and the servants who were approaching her all looked bewildered.

“Madam?”

“I need to wash.”

Agatha did not look back. So she did not see. The man left alone in the carriage, his face grim, was pressing his forehead.

“I want you to like me.”

“I wish for Lord Enoch to like me.”

The moment the confession she had just heard overlapped with a deeply buried memory,

His face also contorted painfully.

That night, Enoch did not seek out Agatha. It was the first time they had slept in separate rooms since their honeymoon.

After the Marquis and Marchioness Aratus had departed.

The Asagrat Hall, where the Imperial Ball was held, was heated by the hushed voices of excited nobles.

“As expected of Agatha Nobilis. She crushes any foolish attempts in one go.”

“Perhaps she thought it would work when the Marquis was alone, but who was beside him? Well, perhaps that’s why Countess Liras acted that way?”

“But it’s unexpected. I thought you would leave something like that to your husband’s hands, but for you to act directly.”

Just as the murmurs were about to take a slightly negative turn, a soft voice intervened.

“Since the young lady, not the Count, stepped forward from that side, wouldn’t you think Mrs. Agatha would naturally have to respond?”

“Oh, Marchioness Domunia.”

It was Marchioness Iris Domunia, Agatha’s closest confidante and friend.

“I believe if the Count had stepped forward from that side, Mrs. Agatha would have simply observed.”

“Indeed. The Count did use a rather petty tactic.”

“His Majesty also said something about Count Liras, didn’t he?”

“Yes, yes. Honestly, why did Count Liras do that?”

Led by Iris Domunia, Agatha’s faction, spread throughout the hall, began to shift the atmosphere.

Of course, a few astute individuals, knowing that Agatha Nobilis had acted uncharacteristically, played along.

On the surface, rumors spread that Agatha Nobilis had reprimanded House Liras for attempting something shameless.

Secretly, news circulated that the relationship between Agatha Nobilis and Enoch Aratus seemed unusual, and those sensitive to such news reacted.

These were the relatives of the Aratus family.