Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Not only Min-ha, but all the nobles in this party were looking at Grand Duchess Blaine.

In order to show that they were on her side as she was favored by the Emperor, some nobles stood around the Grand Duchess and said something, while other nobles brought presents prepared for her.

Could it be that the gaze and actions of such people were uncomfortable? Or, was it because the clothes she was wearing were uncomfortable…? Grand Duchess Blaine was escorted by the Marquis of Loengram with an expressionless face towards the head of the banquet hall in the middle.

Behind them, Vivian Loengram was also seen smiling, standing close behind them. With a smile on her face, she continued to speak her words to Grand Duchess Blaine and her father.

However, it was only Marquis Loengram who responded, while the Grand Duchess just walked without saying a word with a blank face.

‘Is she sick…? And, behind her—Oh, my!’

It was the twin boys held in the arms of the maid who was walking behind them that caught Min-ha’s attention, who had lost interest in the expressionless Grand Duchess Blaine and the Marquis Loengram who were trying to please her somehow.

She heard that their first birthday had just passed, although the children were quite big already. Two children — one with blonde hair and brown eyes, and the other with platinum hair and red eyes — were glancing at strangers with their big, round eyes.

‘Wow, they are so cute. At first glance, they look the same, but if you look closely, they are different.’

Min-ha, who was obsessed with cute children, suddenly drew more attention to the two children in the maid’s arms than to Grand Duchess Blaine. With the appearances that seemed alike but different, her attention was drawn to the children who did not cry even when they received the gaze of strangers.

Nevertheless, what caught her attention more than that was the Grand Duchess’ attitude towards her own children.

The two boys, held by the elderly handmaiden, were still quiet. Although sometimes, they stretched out their arms and whined. Usually, a mother would look back at least once to check on her children, but Grand Duchess Blaine never glanced back at her children.

‘…Strange. No matter how trustworthy someone is taking care of their children, she would still look back at least once to see if they are doing well.’

While she was observing them with questions, she could feel as though someone was watching her.

Then, what she saw was Seth wearing a slightly stiff expression.

At the same time, it felt like someone was gently touching her hand. It seemed that he handed Noah, who he was holding earlier, to Lancelot and was glancing at her, whose gaze had been sold elsewhere.

‘…Ah.’

Min-ha, as if embarrassed by the sight, scratched her cheek with one hand before walking up to Seth’s side.

“…I’m sorry, Seth. I was distracted.”

“No, because I know that the wife likes children.”

“…You’re upset now, aren’t you?”

“I was just a little worried. Even now, I couldn’t get your attention from Noah or the other children, though I’m afraid that if my child is born in the future, I won’t be able to get your attention at all.”

“.Oh, what are you talking about…! Really, so childish!”

“I become a pretty childish man in matters involving you.”

As she tapped Seth’s shoulder with her palm, embarrassed, he smiled and grabbed Min-ha’s hand that was on his shoulder.

The next moment, the servant of the Loengram Mansion approached them. Placing Noah in his arms behind him down, Lancelot stood in front of the three of them as if wary and asked.

“What’s going on?”

“I see Sir Lancelot of the Persen Knights. Grand Duchess Blaine has asked you to come with His Highness the Duke, the Duchess, and Young Master Noah to the head of the table.”

“I see.”

Lancelot nodded his head in response to the words of the butler and glanced back at Min-ha and Seth, who were standing behind him. Gazing at Seth, he squeezed her hand while looking back at her.

Then, Min-ha covered her mouth with her hand so that the butler could not hear her before whispering in Seth’s ear.

“What’re they calling us to say…?”

“Well, it’s probably just to say their greetings.”

“I hope so. By any chance, they aren’t going to say that we didn’t come to say hello as soon as they arrived, right?”

“It won’t be. Even though Grand Duchess Blaine is said to be a mistress favored by His Majesty, in terms of status, she and I are equal.”

“….”

So, adding that it was all right, Seth reassured Min-ha. Subsequently, he bent over and made eye contact with Noah, who was standing next to him.

“Noah. I’m going to see the Grand Duchess from now on, can you greet her with courtesy?”

“Can I just do what Mrs. Pompa and Lance taught me?:

“Of course.”

“Then, don’t worry. I’m confident that I’ll do well with what I’ve learned!”

“As expected of my brother.”

Hearing his words, Seth smiled as if satisfied with Noah’s answer and glanced back at Min-ha for a moment. Seeing his worried gaze, she smiled slightly, implying that she was okay. Eventually, his eyes widened softly.

After that, Seth turned around and looked back at the servant of the Loengram mansion, who was waiting for them.

“I the Grand Duchess at the upper seat?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“You take the lead.”

“Yes, Duke.”

At Seth’s words, the butler bowed deeply on his back and first walked in front of them.

Seth followed him as he walked past the nobles, and Min-ha took Noah’s hand and followed him. Nodding lightly to the greetings given by the nobles who filled the party whenever they passed, they soon arrived at the center of the party hall shortly after walking.

“Grand Duchess, I’ve brought the Duke and Duchess of Persen, and Young Master Noah.”

“…Thank you. You can leave now.”

After kneeling down and greeting in front of the low pedestal where the upper seat was visible, the butler bowed his head and moved his body back as if he had finished his work in response to Grand Duchess Blaine’s answer.

Grand Duchess Blaine, who was being cared for by the maids standing next to her while holding a fan of light green lace, turned her head with a languid expression as the three of them approached.

Seth then let go of Min-ha’s hand before bowing slightly to show respect.

“I see you, Grand Duchess Louise de Blaine.”

“It’s been a while, Duke Persen. Is this the first time since I have seen you at the Imperial Palace a few months ago?”

“Yeah. In the meantime, I heard that an auspicious thing happened to the Grand Duchess. I should’ve taken the time to visit you, though I couldn’t because of a number of things. I hope the Grand Duchess will kindly forgive me for my indifference.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to blame the Duke. I cannot be unaware that the Duke is the most prolific man in the Empire. Besides, how can I be mad at someone who even sent such a precious gift for me and my children? I just said that it was nice to see you after a long time.”

At Seth’s words, she smiled slightly and lifted her arm wrapped in an emerald-studded bracelet before holding out her hand, clad in white silk gloves.

Witnessing that, he approached her and briefly kissed the back of the Grand Duchess’ hand. Min-ha thought it was like a scene from an illustration in her romantic fantasy, although inside, she felt her heart pounding.

‘…I think she emphasized the bracelet by raising her arm slightly before raising her hand.’

Was it simply because of Min-ha’s mood that Grand Duchess’ actions a while ago seemed to be strangely off-putting her nerves…?

Well, to be honest, she was not entirely jealous of Seth putting his lips on the back of another woman’s hand, even though she knew it was a simple gift and a courtesy. It was so, knowing that it was only a polite act. Nonetheless, Min-ha took revenge by slightly avoiding Seth’s gaze, who came back to her side, because she did not want to make it obvious at this place and held Noah’s hand with a calm face.

“…By the way, the Duchess of Persen doesn’t look very happy. Is she really tired?”

At that time, Grand Duchess Blaine, who was gently stroking the back of her hand after receiving the kiss from Seth, spoke to Min-ha.

Grand Duchess, who had been concentrating on Seth until a while ago, focused on her and Noah even though she was acting as if they were not there before, suddenly changed the topic. At that, Min-ha turned her gaze to the Grand Duchess with a slightly bewildered face.

Then, of course, she met Grand Duchess Blaine’s eyes, and her gaze sharpened at that moment.

It was rather blatant, raw hostility, unlike the doll-like smile that had been directed at Seth a while ago. Min-ha was slightly taken aback by her hostile gaze towards her. Then, Grand Duchess smiled softly.

‘What is this… The disgusting gaze and hostile attitude. Is she provoking people?’

Min-ha was somewhat embarrassed by her double-faced attitude, which only she could see. Nevertheless, she slowly let go of Noah’s hand and walked a step forward from the two men as if nothing had happened, as Grand Duchess Blaine was waiting for her greeting with a calm face.

After grabbing both ends of her dress, Min-ha slightly bowed and opened her mouth.