The garden party, which had many ups and downs until the weather, the highest authority of the banquet, gave permission, was successful. As the duke’s family’s meticulous care touched every corner, the guests naturally marveled at the results of their efforts.

The amusements that had been thoroughly enjoyed for the past few days were, of course, provided endlessly at today’s garden party as well. With the natural atmosphere added, it was truly heaven. Although their passion had been sufficient thus far, the nobles enjoyed the banquet twice as much with the unique features they encountered.

After the long rain stopped, the sky finally cleared. A cool breeze passed by, gently caressing their skin. Thanks to this, the intoxication quickly subsided, and alcohol went down like water, gulp after gulp.

As waiters carried away empty plates, it seemed the meal was coming to an end. Right on cue, the orchestra appeared, playing a lively tune to change the atmosphere.

The nobles, gently patting their slightly full stomachs, exchanged glances among themselves. Though they might whine about resting a bit since their stomachs were full, their jewel-encrusted shoes had long since stepped out from under the tables.

The gentlemen formed a large circle on the outside, and the ladies on the inside, each gracefully moving their steps.

Whenever the cheerful sound of the violin rang out, they would stop their steps and clap hands with the opposite sex across from them. When the trumpet sound loudly came, the women in the inner circle would turn around and dance arm in arm with the gentlemen across from them.

The long stay helped build friendships even among the guests attending the banquet. Perhaps because they felt more at ease with familiar faces, their gestures were much lighter and more active than on the first day.

More people began to ask Natasha to dance first. Although they were eager to extend their hands, they were actually busy fumbling while dancing with the duchess.

When the sun set and the wind turned cold, they headed back to the ballroom. It was a natural progression for those whose enthusiasm had not yet faded.

“To the great House of Asthart!”

“Cheers!”

The rims of the glasses gently clinked. The crisp collision sound aroused a strange excitement.

Natasha also filled her mouth with plenty of alcohol. The ducal family usually couldn’t drink much due to their severe alcohol intolerance, but at the banquet, they could enjoy as much as they wanted without having to mind others.

“Cheers!”

This time, Natasha led the toast first. In one hand she held a glass filled with champagne, and in the other, a small cupcake.

It was just as she was about to take a sip of champagne after biting into the cupcake. Suddenly, a hand appearing far above her snatched away the glass.

The eyes that had been waiting for the sweet and bitter liquid were tinged with a sense of loss. The now empty hand clenched into a fist, only to grasp at the innocent air.

“Sieghart?”

The gaze that had been moving here and there in search of the wicked thief stopped above. The owner of the red eyes, similar to Natasha’s, was that very scoundrel.

Unable to overcome the slight intoxication, she unconsciously called out the subject’s name. She even called him quite familiarly. Sieghart, too, seemed not to have expected this, as his eyebrows twitched.

Having assessed Natasha’s intoxication, he let out a subtle sigh. It was his own fault for leaving her be because she looked happy, so who else could he blame? He firmly grasped her waist and pulled her towards himself. The remnants of the cupcake had already been handed over to a passing waiter.

“Lest my wife gets drunk.”

He responded to the gazes focused on him. At this, the ladies laughed heartily, understanding. They added a word, saying it was enviable that when a wife gets drunk, it’s the husband’s duty to take care of her.

On the contrary, the young men repeatedly coughed in embarrassment. It wasn’t that they really had anything to be wary of. It was because the eyes scanning them were so chilling that it made their knees weak. It was exactly the same pressure they had received from the man when they were merrily dancing with the duchess.

After Sieghart’s intervention, Natasha, who had been thoroughly enjoying the banquet, also became alert.

If she, who was weak to alcohol, had continued drinking mindlessly led by the atmosphere around her, she might have gotten completely drunk. If the host behaved improperly at such an important occasion, all the efforts made for the family’s reputation would have been in vain.

She decided to walk for a while to calm her intoxication. She carefully declined the toast and dance requests from people she encountered on her way out to the corridor.

The corridor was quiet. Occasionally, from the direction of the terrace where the curtains were drawn tightly, whispered conversations and even suggestive moans would leak out, at which she would quickly move away out of embarrassment.

As she went deeper, even the sound of human presence could no longer be heard. Being a corridor far from the banquet hall, even the bustling noise had gradually faded. At last, complete silence enveloped her.

‘It’s a bit eerie.’

Although she was someone who liked silence, perhaps because it was so detached from the atmosphere of the banquet, she felt a sense of dissonance. Even the candles were almost completely melted by this time.

Just as she was about to return, a familiar voice was heard.

“My lady?”

It was one of the maids.

She seemed to have been in the middle of tidying up the bedroom, as her hands were piled high with blankets. She hovered around the lady, asking if she needed anything.

“Oh my, your face is flushed!”

“I think I’m drunk from drinking more than usual. Is it still very red?”

“No, it’s fine at that level. If you’re worried, shall I bring you a glass of cold water?”

“That would be much appreciated.”

The maid left, saying she would be right back, returning to the corridor she had come from.

In the meantime, Natasha went to a nearby terrace to wait. As she was about to lean on the railing of the terrace, the edge of the railing seemed loose, as if broken.

‘I should tell the child when she returns to check on this.’

They must have inspected everything properly, but perhaps it got damaged during the banquet? It wasn’t a major flaw, but it seemed better to fix it as there was a risk of injury if one wasn’t careful.

Just as she finished checking the railing, footsteps were heard from behind. It seemed the maid who was supposed to bring water had arrived faster than expected.

‘She arrived earlier than I thought.’

It was just as she was about to go out to the terrace to greet her. The approaching figure stopped abruptly in front of Natasha, then slowly moved forward.

‘A robe?’

It wasn’t the maid who had just conversed with Natasha. The mysterious figure was concealing their identity, wrapped in a robe.

Instinctively sensing danger, she shouted,

“You, who on earth…!”

Her mouth opened. The sound came out, but the ending dissipated widely into the innocent sky.

It was the result of the opponent forcefully pushing Natasha’s chest.

Crack.

The vibration caused by the terrace railing breaking helplessly was transmitted directly to her waist. Her collapsing body fell straight to the ground.

‘What is this…?’

Though she gripped the perpetrator’s hand strongly in an attempt to survive, it was helplessly shaken off. Due to the recoil, her body fell faster and more forcefully to the ground.

Thud, a thunderous sound echoed across the previously quiet sky. Birds flying in the night sky startled and flew away.

Sieghart Asthart was beginning to worry about his wife who still hadn’t returned. Although he should have felt at ease since it was within the safe grounds that he and his people were guarding, with so many people around, and above all, because the woman was in a drunken state, he kept feeling uneasy.

‘It would be better to go look for her.’

The voice of his wife, who had earnestly urged that it would be ill-mannered for both of them to leave their seats, had long since been erased from his mind. He rationalized to himself that it would be more discourteous for him to remain at the venue with a sullen expression. In fact, it wasn’t entirely wrong.

People were already wary of Sieghart’s grim expression.

At that moment, Jenkes rushed in, hurriedly opening the door. The butler, who had come running out of breath as if it were an emergency, whispered into the duke’s ear.

“Jenkes, is that really true?”

“…Yes.”

Jenkes quietly nodded his head.

As the affirmation fell, the emotions he had been suppressing suddenly surged. His eyes, which had been lost in thought, grew large and emitted light. Deep wrinkles formed around his tightly furrowed brows and eyes.

The nobles who had been discreetly observing the situation quickly averted their gazes a moment later. If they were to meet his fierce gaze, they would surely suffer consequences later.

After the duke’s marriage to the duchess, the dormant savagery and cruelty might burst out because of them.

“Lead the way.”

Jenkes left with the duke, asking for understanding from the people around.

Sensing the suddenly chilled atmosphere, the servants tried to revive the mood by signaling to the waiters and orchestra. The lively waltz that followed seemed to ease the tension somewhat.

The place Sieghart arrived at was the infirmary. The bright light seeping through the door crack confirmed to Sieghart that the situation he faced was entirely real.

Opening the door, he saw a woman lying collapsed on a large bed. The patient was covered in small wounds and scabs, but her still excessively beautiful face confirmed that she was indeed his wife.

However, he couldn’t accept why his lovely wife, who had been smiling sweetly by his side until just moments ago, was now lying here looking deathly ill.

“Why?”

At the chilling voice, the infirmary fell silent as if frozen.

“Explain the situation. Now.”

As no answer came, Sieghart urged them.