Ch#44
Gerard was incredibly proactive in his business affairs. He received regular reports from every enterprise under his name and even attended major meetings in person. This was a stark contrast to most nobles, who were content to remain behind the scenes as owners or silent investors.
Rosalyn wondered where his business ambition came from. Perhaps it was his experience as a lawyer. It was common knowledge throughout the Empire that Gerard had worked in the legal department of a transport company before succeeding to his title, and Rosalyn suspected his unique qualities stemmed from that unconventional past.
Hereditary nobles did not work. They held titles, but they never held jobs. Gerard was likely the only noble head of a house who had ever earned money through his own labor. Rosalyn vaguely admired his progressive nature, yet she also felt a faint sense of unease.
“There are many people who want to see you. Everyone says they’ve been waiting to see when I’d finally show off my wife. Morrison says newspapers and magazines are begging for an interview.”
Gerard emphasized the word ‘begging’ with a playful laugh.
It seemed the unconventional tactic of providing wedding photos to the press had been effective. The photos had appeared in the dailies last week, and the response was so fervent that a special feature had been published again three days ago.
Rosalyn thought back to the three photos she had personally selected. Even to her eyes, they looked so beautiful she had wanted to keep them, but she hadn’t. They were all staged—fake.
“I think it’s best if we don’t do an interview.”
“I agree. I have no desire to have reporters swarming Maxville either.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Appearing at events like this once in a while is enough. If we show ourselves too often, people will lose interest.”
“I hope I don’t disappoint anyone today.”
“That’s impossible.”
Gerard turned his head toward her. For the first time, his eyes met hers, which had been fixed on the window. It was dusk. In the deepening shadows, the man’s eyes looked pitch black.
His gaze locked onto Rosalyn. He looked into her eyes, then down to her cheeks, her lips, past her chin, and down her neck. Something about the movement of his gaze made her feel shy—even in her evening gown that left her shoulders bare.
“Don’t worry about that, Rosalyn.”
Gerard spoke while keeping his eyes on his wife’s midnight-blue dress. It was the signature color of the Glenn family. Dowager Duchess Diane had praised Rosalyn, saying her gray eyes paired beautifully with the dark blue.
“Everyone will say you’re more than they ever expected.”
The man’s eyes returned to hers. Looking into those dark depths, Rosalyn smiled. If he expected her to exceed expectations, she would have to do exactly that. Perfectly. Without disappointment.
I can do this.
After watching her in silence, Gerard turned back toward the carriage window.
The thick darkness was slowly lifting as the gaslights grew more frequent. The car was just entering the city center.
The Opera House was located west of Windberg Station, across from Irving Square. One of the largest and most beautiful buildings in the city, it had originally belonged to the Glenn family, but Gerard’s grandfather had donated it to the public. To honor the 10th Duke’s generosity, the city government had named it ‘Flinthall’ after him.
“Welcome, Your Grace. We’ve been expecting you.”
The hall was already packed when the two of them entered. The Mayor, having been informed of the ducal couple’s arrival, came forward to greet the guests of honor.
“Mayor Grant. You look well today.”
“And Your Excellency looks quite dashing yourself. Is newlywed life the secret?”
“I can’t deny that.”
The Mayor let out a hearty laugh at Gerard’s reply.
Reiner Grant was a man nearing sixty who had served as Mayor for thirteen years. In the Trissen Empire, elected officials had no term limits—as long as the voters kept casting their ballots for them.
“This is my wife.”
“Duchess.”
“Thank you for inviting us, Mr. Mayor.”
“It is an honor to have you.”
As the Mayor kissed the back of her hand, a flashbulb popped. Rosalyn maintained a calm expression. She hadn’t expected there to be no cameras here.
“And this is my wife, Rita.”
“Hello, Mrs. Grant.”
“It is an honor, Duchess. You are even more beautiful than you were in the newspapers.”
The Mayor’s wife bowed slightly and gave a bright smile. She was of a somewhat thin build but had a gentle impression. After the introductions, the four shared some polite small talk before the Mayor glanced toward the orchestra.
“Now that you’ve arrived, we should begin the dancing. My wife has been practicing for weeks. Seeing her so passionate, I think she’s discovered a late talent for it.”
“Oh, dear. Please don’t misunderstand, Your Grace, Duchess. I’m simply trying my best not to embarrass myself.”
“I shall try my best as well—to ensure you aren’t embarrassed, Madam.”
Gerard smiled and held out his hand to the Mayor’s wife. Rosalyn saw a mix of surprise and delight cross the middle-aged couple’s faces.
“My goodness, Your Grace.”
“I’ve finally been able to ask for a dance, Madam. Now that I have a partner of my own.”
Asking for a dance with each other’s partners was a sign of respect. Furthermore, it was the first dance. Thus, Rosalyn could tell that Gerard held the Mayor in high regard. She also realized that he truly had never brought a lady to such an event before.
“If I may boast, my wife is an excellent dancer. She might be a bit too much of a match for you, Mr. Grant.”
“I have no doubt of that, Your Excellency. It would be my honor.”
“Watch your step, Rosalyn.”
He glanced back at his wife with a joke. Amidst the laughter of the Mayor and his wife, Rosalyn met his gaze. Gerard smiled like a devoted husband, and for a moment, she was spellbound by that intimate look.
The music began along with the laughter of the Mayor’s couple. The Duke handed his wife’s hand over to the Mayor and stepped onto the floor with the Mayor’s wife.
Mayor Grant’s dancing wasn’t bad. Far from stepping on Rosalyn’s feet, he even had the composure to offer his congratulations on her marriage. The Mayor had not been invited to their wedding, as the guests that day had been exclusively nobility.
After the first dance ended and they were released from the Mayor’s company, the real ‘official business’ began.
There was an endless stream of people looking for an opportunity to approach the Duke. Gerard greeted each of them individually and treated them with a favorable attitude. Most of them were commoners—people who had achieved something on their own in their respective fields.
Throughout that long official duty, Rosalyn stood by her husband’s side. She was introduced to strangers and smiled as if she understood conversations she didn’t quite follow. Dialogue after dialogue, repeated over and over. As the process continued, she couldn’t help but marvel at her husband’s patience.
Gerard maintained a remarkably gentlemanly demeanor. He showed no sign of boredom or exhaustion. On the contrary, he showed interest or asked witty questions to please the other person.
How can this man display such focus and erudition? How can he maintain such a perfectly polished manner?
The longer she stayed by his side, the prouder Rosalyn felt to be his wife. Even if she did nothing but stand there like an accessory, even if she just smiled like a decoration, she was happy. A desire to learn diligently so she could join those conversations filled her chest.
She wanted to be a woman he could be proud of. A woman who earned his admiration. Someone whose mere presence was a delight.
I want to be that kind of person.
Rosalyn spent the night with those thoughts. she listened intently, memorized necessary details, and struggled to maintain the most pleasant smile possible.
By the time the muscles around her mouth were tight from forced smiling, familiar faces appeared.
“Cousin!”
It was Alexander Glenn, Gerard’s older cousin.
“Brother Alexander.”
“I’ve been trying to say hello for a while, but I couldn’t get a chance. People were swarming you like a flock of eagles discovering a rabbit. Even though we’re the eagles.”
Alexander approached without hesitation with a smiling face and gave Gerard a light hug. Both tall with black hair, the two looked like biological brothers at a glance.
“Duchess. You look beautiful.”
“Mr. Glenn.”
Rosalyn offered him her right hand. He asked for it with such a theatrical gesture that she couldn’t refuse. Rosalyn smiled lightly as she watched him kiss the back of her hand. She was glad she was wearing silk gloves.
“It’s even more a pleasure to see you in a place like this, Lord Gerard.”
“Likewise, Lady Glenn.”
Gerard greeted his cousin’s wife politely. Naomi Glenn. She had dark blonde hair and blue eyes, much like her husband.
Rosalyn had met this couple for the first time on her wedding day. Alexander, Kylyus’s eldest son, was second in the line of succession. At the time, Rosalyn had been wary of such thoughts, yet she couldn’t help but be conscious of him. Alexander’s smiling blue eyes and the way he looked at her had felt somehow unpleasant.
