16 - The Duke's Bride is a Warrior from Hell
“Alicia.”
Reikart got out of the carriage first and prepared to escort her.
As expected, Alicia headed to the Great Hall with an unwavering expression.
The distance from the carriage to the hall was quite far, more than expected.
There was no conversation between them until they entered the hall.
Alicia followed Reikart, who held her hand and silently guided her in the right direction.
Unlike what she had heard in the explanation, the Great Hall was much larger.
Their seats were set apart, facing the head table at the top of the platform.
However, the space was so vast, and the tables placed everywhere were large and ornate, making it difficult to recognize the designated seats.
Reikart moved a step faster.
Alicia followed him without showing it.
As the two sat down, a voice rang out from outside.
“The Duchess of Lirin, Princess Louise of Lirin, the Duke of Lirin, the First Princess of Lirin, and the Second Princess of Lirin!”
Alicia had been preparing to rise since she heard the sound from outside.
The chief steward in the Great Hall raised his voice.
“Just stand there.”
Reikart whispered before she could rise, then approached the Lirin ducal family who had entered.
Alicia stood up from her seat as instructed and watched.
Reikart approached the princess and paid his respects, then briefly glanced at the duke and princesses before returning.
“You may sit down now.”
The hierarchy of the imperial family was difficult to understand.
“The Countess of Bennett, Princess Henrietta of Anri, the Count of Bennett, Lady Bennett, and the Young Lord of Bennett!”
As he had said to sit down, Reikart did not rise again.
The Lirin ducal couple also did not rise.
Only the Lirin princesses rose from their seats and paid their respects.
The nobles showed their dignity by being more courteous to each other than their respective ranks.
On the other hand, the imperial family seemed to act strictly according to hierarchy.
“The Countess of Tole, Princess Henrietta of Tole, the Count of Tole, and Lady Tole!”
Reikart did not move even after that.
“The Marquis and Marchioness of Lennox!”
Only the young lords and princesses rose and paid their respects to those who entered.
“The Count and Countess of Istevna!”
A beautiful tablecloth covered the large table.
The light from the huge chandelier fell upon the table, which was decorated with simple and elegant candlesticks, flowers, and ornaments.
Amidst all the beautiful things, Alicia felt like a mere creature breathing alone.
There were many people in the hall, but only the voices of the servants echoed.
Even the people who entered and moved around acted like decorations.
“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress!”
The hall, which had been silent and devoid of presence, stirred for a moment.
Reikart rose and looked at Alicia.
Alicia was already rising as soon as he moved.
Those who had been suppressing even their breathing rose in unison and shouted towards the Emperor and Empress, who were entering the head table.
“We greet His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress, the most honorable ones.”
The voices of countless people echoed simultaneously, striking the space.
The Emperor and Empress made eye contact with everyone in the hall and greeted them silently.
The Emperor watched the Empress sit before taking his own seat.
“Be seated.”
The words the Emperor offered with a smile were kind and gentle.
“……”
Only then did Alicia realize that those words, though in the form of a command, were gentle.
If the person next to her said it, it would become stiff military language, but originally, it was a kind expression used by the imperial family.
Along with that, she realized something else.
All the direct descendants of the imperial family had dazzling, light blonde hair.
Their eyes were transparent sky blue, the color of a bright sea.
Their skin was bright and full of life.
The Emperor, said to be the reincarnation of an angel, had dazzling Platinum Blonde hair and sky-blue eyes.
Princess Louise, who shared the same mother as the Emperor, had lemon-colored blonde hair and sea-blue eyes.
The other siblings all had light blonde hair and clear blue or light green eyes.
With them all gathered together, only Reikart, with his slightly darker skin, ash-blonde hair, and golden eyes, stood out.
That was also true of his appearance.
The other siblings had delicate and refined features.
On the other hand, perhaps because of his cold expression, Reikart's face was distinctly cool and strong.
He was also the tallest in the entire imperial family.
Even his voice was noticeably lower than the Emperor's, which was distinguished by its refinement and elegant beauty.
If the Emperor's voice was like the sound of striking a silver bowl, Reikart's was like striking thick iron.
“Everyone must have suffered from early morning preparations. I fell asleep early last night and woke up at midnight to prepare. These days, the dryness of my skin is different every day.”
Laughter spread through the hall at the Emperor's jest.
Alicia, who had been spreading laughter like the others, paused.
Only Reikart remained with a stiff face, as if he had no sense.
“Today is a truly joyous day. Our youngest is finally meeting his partner, betrothed. Congratulations, my brother.”
The Emperor was not bothered by Reikart's lack of a smile.
He scattered a bright smile from the high head table and offered his congratulations to his brother.
The Emperor's words were filled with familiarity and affection.
Reikart rose to receive the Emperor's congratulations, but his face remained expressionless.
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
His reply was typical and dry.
The Emperor did not mind at all.
“Welcome to the imperial family, Count Echeveria. I will soon bestow upon the Count's betrothed something more splendid and grand than any medal she has received. The Grand Duchess Tessen deserves such a thing.”
Alicia also rose.
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
Alicia and Reikart were betrothed, but not yet married.
Nevertheless, the Emperor acted as if they were already married.
Everyone in the imperial family seated in the hall showed the same attitude.
It was a good day.
Everyone was in a friendly atmosphere, so they could not spoil the mood by nitpicking over trivial matters.
The Emperor was leading this atmosphere.
The Emperor intentionally led the conversation with the implication that the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were already married.
Alicia realized that the Emperor at the head table was of a rather cunning nature.
The Emperor gestured for Reikart to come to the center of the hall.
“Reikart.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Reikart turned towards the head table in the center of the hall and looked at Alicia.
Alicia, who had been standing, also moved forward, following him.
“Congratulations on promising a lifelong partner. This is my gift to celebrate your betrothal. I hope that the two of you will become a true family as soon as possible.”
As the Emperor finished speaking, the chief steward opened the jewelry box that had been prepared.
The jewelry box was almost the size of a baggage cart.
Inside the opened jewelry box were a bridal veil large enough to cover the entire body and filled with jewels.
There was also a box containing the certificate and seal proving the title of Count Echeveria.
In addition, there was also the certificate and seal for the title of Baron Leville.
Leville was a land that included one of the most prominent granaries in the imperial territory.
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
Reikart and Alicia paid their respects at the same time.
The Emperor gestured to proceed with the final ceremony of the conferment, the final procedure of the betrothal.
Reikart, who had paid his respects, rose and looked at Alicia.
“I eagerly await the day I can invite you to Tessen.”
Reikart, who had asked for Alicia's hand, knelt on one knee and offered the words of betrothal.
It was a set procedure, a formal statement.
Alicia also had a pre-arranged response.
‘I will await the day you invite me to Tessen.’
She was told that she could add or subtract light words before and after.
“Please, do invite me to Tessen.”
Alicia replied politely with a shy smile.
It was the same as the promised words, yet different.
Reikart rose without showing any reaction to the slightly changed words.
It was not a rejection, and the words were not entirely wrong, so it would be fine.
“Grand Duke.”
The Emperor's voice suddenly descended from the head table.
“Yes.”
Reikart felt a sense of foreboding, but he could not turn around and leave as he usually did.
The imperial family was gathered.
The betrothal ceremony was in progress.
“Since your new family is earnestly requesting it, invite the Countess to Tessen.”
The Emperor said with a smiling face.
The Emperor's words were polite, and his voice was elegant.
His tone was also gentle, but the Emperor's words were an imperial command.
Alicia felt that the two brothers were similar, even though their appearances were different.
Discontent was clearly visible on Reikart's face.
He alternated between looking at the sparkling purple eyes and the insidiously shining sky-blue eyes at the head table before opening his mouth.
“Will my betrothed come to Tessen?”
He had put a lot of thought into those words.
It was a request that allowed for a sufficiently polite answer.
Alicia, with her shining eyes, bowed to the Grand Duke.
Alicia, who had bowed gracefully, replied.
“Yes!”
The Emperor and Empress praised the beautiful Grand Duke and Grand Duchess as if they had planned it in advance.
They did not forget to ask them to get along well together in Tessen.
The other members of the imperial family also congratulated the two with smiles.
They were concerned about going to distant Tessen, but conveyed words of blessing, saying that she would not be lonely as she would be with her betrothed.
It was the moment when Alicia Lane's trip to Tessen was decided.
#5. The Grand Duke's Day
The mansion's garden was vast and secluded.
Towering trees that had guarded the garden for a long time, and the long shadows of the trees.
A high wall with tree shadows stretching down.
Silence settled in the garden after a bout of commotion.
It was late afternoon, long past noon, though it was not yet evening.
A face lying in the shade of a tree was looking up at the winter sunlight.
The face looking up at the sunlight was flushed, perhaps because it had just finished a run.
The subtle heat that had spread across the clean skin was the same peach color as the lips.
The dark, black-brown hair scattered around the face looked particularly textured.
The white skin and dark hair formed a strong contrast, making each more prominent.
But more than anything, the purple eyes looking up at the sunlight as if dreaming drew attention.
The dark hair gave a calm impression, but the purple eyes with their mysterious color added vitality to the face.
When exposed to sunlight, they became transparent and clear purple, and when facing away from the sunlight, they became deep and distinct purple, focusing attention.
The purple eyes that had been lying in the dark tree shadow and looking up at the sky slowly turned their gaze towards him.
And the next moment.
“……!”
Reikart, who had been lying on an antique and magnificent bed, opened his eyes.
His amber eyes were revealed to the world neither too quickly nor too slowly.
The face that looked at the ceiling quietly crumpled.
Frustration leaked out from the gesture of covering his forehead with his hand and lying diagonally to the side.
It was Tessen.
It was a place where the sounds that confused Reikart's mind subsided.
Yet, he held his head in his hands, swallowing his distress.
