Chapter 34

Philip’s smile extended to his ear.

“Congratulations, Sire!”

“You got yourself a son-in-law from House of Benvito! You’ve literally hit the jackpot!”

“You only have great things ahead!”

Before long, the nobles crowding around Philip couldn’t hide their envy as they congratulated him, dropping somewhat odd congratulatory words here and there.

“It won’t be long before the young lord is called the Marquis of Chartus.”

“I’m worried because he is still lacking quite a lot.”

“Oh my, you’re also very humble.”

Philip replied, trying to hide his true feelings out of courtesy, but he could not hide his bright face.

It was a very successful wedding.

‘She caused a bit of trouble during the wedding vows, but..’

When Asella stood still, not giving her marriage vows, Philip nearly ran to her, grabbed her by the hair, and made her cry out her answer.

He kept up a facade of calm and composure, considering the location. Still, he was worried that the marriage would be turned upside down.

‘I begged her so much. I’ll have to give you another stern lesson later when I get the chance.’

After threatening her with Mariel, it was just a matter of manipulating her into a suitable bride since that soft girl would not be able to resist if she was worried about her sister.

‘I’ll have to pave the way right from the start so that she doesn’t get cocky because she became the Grand Duchess.’

He was worried about what would happen if the Grand Duke wasn’t satisfied with Asella. But fortunately, her useless fair face seemed to have done its part.

The reaction of the Grand Duke was not as bad as expected. No, it was much better than he had expected.

‘But that doesn’t really mean he’s really into the girl.’

Calix Benvito was a man who had it all. If he wanted, he could have as many women as the stars.

The story of a man falling in love at first sight with a girl enough to make her his wife would pass as a joke at best.

‘I suppose he thought she could be worth using.’

It didn’t require a grain of affection and was useful in its own way… For the Grand Duke, Asella would be such a thing.

Philip’s mouth rose into a smile. With Mariel as a hostage, he would continue to use Asella without reservation.

‘She won’t be able to say anything to the Grand Duke anyway.’

What Calix Benvito had wanted from the start was a docile doll; Philip knew this better than anyone, as he had been the one who had pushed for the marriage.

The Grand Duke was not a man who cared in the slightest about the external appearance of whoever became his Grand Duchess. Still, the clueless nobles, who knew nothing about it, seemed to have misunderstood the wedding.

In any case, this situation could not have been any more convenient for Philip.

“His Excellency, the Grand Duke, seems to be quite taken with the young lad- oh, I can’t call her that anymore… with the Grand Duchess.”

“I heard he gifted ‘The Glory of Goddess’ as an engagement gift.”

“I’ve heard about the geode mines and the gold bars, but is it true?”

The words that were coming from all around roused Philip’s spirits.

The time flew by when he was talking to so many people constantly.

“It seems that Her Excellency the Grand Duchess had gone to change into her reception dress.”

“His Excellency, the Grand Duke, is nowhere to be seen as well.”

The ceremonial attire, with its complicated details, was inconvenient to move around. Normally around this time, he must have gone to change into a more comfortable outfit, so it was not surprising.

Philip looked around.

He could see Rebecca in the corner of the garden, chatting with the wives.

“By the way, where did the young lord go?”

“Now that you mention it, I think I saw him over there earlier, drinking wine.”

‘I didn’t see Anthony for some time.’

‘Where did he go?’

Even though he was worried that he might have caused an accident, this time, he was so busy handling the nobles that he couldn’t keep an eye on him.

Philip suppressed his discomfort and flashed an amiable smile.

“I think he’s gone to rest for a while. He had a lot of trouble preparing for his sister’s wedding in the past few weeks.”

“He certainly must have been busy with many things, not to mention handling the business. It’s no wonder he’s tired.”

They nodded their heads in agreement at Philip’s clever explanation.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Taking the opportunity, Philip quickly wrapped up the conversation and escaped the room.

He had to find Anthony as soon as possible.