CH 30.2

He had a good physique, and the hem of his trousers fit snugly, so he looked like he had been paying considerable attention to his clothing for some reason. He would only wear a shirt with a loose neck in the bedroom or even the office, so it felt strange when he wore a suit.

“Let’s go.”

Disregarding her praise, the Grand Duke extended his straight arms to her. The blue cuffs neatly sewn on the sleeves fit stood out.

Anne reluctantly placed her hand gently on his arm. After all, his attitude was quite different today. He was a little more tempered than usual, as he had only been overbearing and sharp before.

I suppose it’s because he‘s going to meet other people.

Anne guessed the reason for the change was the official banquet. Her lips trembled, finding it funny that he was thinking of playing an ordinary husband at a place where other people’s eyes would be on them.

“You must be in a good mood today.”

“Not so bad.”

“I wonder why you feel good about it.”

“It is a place to introduce my beautiful wife to the vassals, so as a husband, naturally I’ll feel good.”

Beautiful wife. It was the first compliment she had ever heard from him, but it sounded sarcastic, far from being of delight.

“Who are the vassals?”

“It’s just people who want to go after unexpected profits. It’s best not to have high expectations.”

From what she heard, all of the vassal families were self-interested people not doing their job properly. So their credibility was low. On the other hand, the reputation of the Cromund family was the opposite.

Due to the cold climate, the barren estates found it difficult to harvest proper crops. However, none of the residents of this territory went hungry nor did they live a difficult life because of thieves.

The fact that they could lead fairly abundant lives even if they are not wealthy lies in the fact that the Cromund family worked hard. They procured grains from the warm southern regions on time and released them at a reasonable price, and instead of squeezing out the taxes, they lowered or reduced taxes according to the year’s harvest.

The fact that despite the huge loss and huge amount of money spent, the family didn’t take any damage . . . the infinite wealth of the Grand Duke was astonishing. This was the reason why the loyalty of the citizens did not fade even though the lord never showed his face.

It’s a surprise. I don’t see him as someone who takes care of others like that.

As Anne walked along the Grand Duke, she glanced at him. He was especially cruel to her. She was suspicious of his reasoning. The castle’s employees feared him, but it was just because they’re terrified of his outward pressure. He didn’t seem to actually beat anyone or behead people recklessly.

In the end, the rumors that he was a cold-blooded person that were across the capital were false. But why was he so cruel to me?

The more she pondered, the more suspicious she was. Also . . . Why did he bring her here?

“Why do you look like that today?”

The Grand Duke, who was walking while staring straight ahead, exhaled abruptly. Anne realized that she had been staring at him too long.

“I want to know more about Your Grace.”

Perhaps Anne’s words were unexpected, the corners of his eyes, which had been calm, wrinkled slightly.

“… You’re talking nonsense.”

His brows were wrinkled, but an unexpected light flashed through his eyes.

They arrived at the banquet hall before realizing it. Considering the cold weather, the banquet hall was prepared indoors with the largest hall in the Grand Duke’s castle. As the heavy door opened, a chandelier light that was so intense that it was dazzling came pouring in.

There were so many people in the hall that it was hard to believe that this was once a castle that had been immersed in silence. The interior of the castle, which was always dull, became splendid and grandiose than any other banquets she had ever been to thanks to the luxurious decorations and the fresh flowers.

Outside the front glass window on one wall, everything was white with snow, but spring had come inside. The scene was bizarrely beautiful.

“I told them to decorate the greenhouse by bringing all the seeds of the flowers here now, so from now on, you will take care of it.”

“The greenhouse . . . Did Marie tell you about that?”

“Marie?”

He raised and lowered the corners of his lips slightly.

“There is nothing I do not know about this castle. Whatever it is, whatever the wife tries to hide, everything comes into my ears.”

“I had no intentions of hiding.”

It was too bland for a conversation between a true couple. However, the Grand Duke’s tall appearance and Anne’s beauty were seen by the nobles as a well-matched couple. As they entered, the sound of gasps erupted from here and there.

The Grand Duke, exuding a masculine aura, immediately attracted the ladies’ attention. Although they usually couldn’t take their eyes off of him, they were more impressed by his well-thought-out attire and his muscular body. From the ladies already blushing, there were some who lost their dignity and couldn’t close their mouths.

In addition, Anne also stood out with her bright blonde hair over her white jade-like neckline. Contrary to their dry feelings, the sight of the two of them next to each other was enough to bless the eyes of those who attended this banquet.

“Nice to meet you, Grand Duke. I am Marquis Brussels.”

A middle-aged man spoke first.