The poisoning incident at the victory ceremony.

It wasn’t simply an act to kill someone.

It was done by the Empress’s faction who were displeased with seeing Grand Duke Blanche rejoicing and announcing victory.

They deliberately aimed to kill a priest rather than a soldier. Because that would tarnish the Grand Duke’s image.

Because it would change the gaze of the Empire’s people who were excited by the victory.

Due to this incident, Violet, worried that such a tragedy might befall Serdis, begins researching poisons. Later, with that ability, she even saves Serdis.

“The accident will happen when sharing the celebratory drink at the victory ceremony.”

At the victory ceremony, some priests and a cardinal come out to celebrate it. It was a ritual of sharing a brew directly from the temple and praying for prosperity.

“But we can’t leave out that ritual.”

We can’t leave it out.

If we omit the ritual before the poisoning occurs without definite evidence, it will only worsen the image.

“You don’t have to do that. Instead of using golden cups, use the silver cups included in that tribute. If the silver cup turns black, it’s proof that there was poison in that cup. If the color doesn’t change, you don’t have to grant my wish.”

When the attendant opened the tribute, there were silver cups inside. The Emperor gave a hollow laugh as if astounded. This time, it was something I overheard the attendants talking about the tribute outside.

“How did you know the method of detecting poison using silver?”

“I only knew it was a commonly used method for detecting poison in the Eastern Empire. My father brought various books when he went as an envoy.”

A plausible answer spilled out without hesitation. Since I have already proven my words to be true, they won’t be able to suspect me of being involved in this incident.

“Alright. If poison is discovered at the victory ceremony, I will grant one of your wishes whenever you want, as I promised.”

The Emperor finally gave in to what I wanted. Only then did a sigh of relief escape.

***

As Anette left the audience room, Hertian, who had been observing the whole situation, also emerged from behind a pillar.

“A bold and clever child.”

If she had acted clumsy, he would have scolded and sent her back, but the time with Anette was quite enjoyable. She also resembled the woman he had loved.

As expected of the woman his son chose, their tastes were similar.

“Don’t covet her.”

“No. She’s my daughter-in-law, so I’ll call her often to play with me.”

At the Emperor’s playful words, a faint smile hung on his lips as well. It seemed there was no need to get marriage permission. Instead, he left a brief piece of advice.

“Please take good care of your only son. You still seem to have the habit of destroying what you can’t have.”

***

The sound of trumpets announcing the victory ceremony was heard.

Under the clear sky, huge banners with the Empire’s wing emblem fluttered.

I was about to watch the victory ceremony but soon returned to the mansion. After staying up all night worried that a marriage proposal might come on the second day, fatigue rushed in. As soon as I entered the room, I fell asleep as if collapsing.

My heart felt light.

Although not perfect, I had taken out an insurance policy.

Now it was time to wait for the results that would come after the victory ceremony ended.

As soon as I entered the room, I fell asleep as if collapsing.

“Miss! Miss!”

About an hour had passed. Betty urgently shook me awake.

“Huh?”

“His Highness the Grand Duke has come. He told you to get ready and come down quickly!”

His Highness the Grand Duke?

***

“But why has the Grand Duke come to our house?”

I neatly changed into a guest-welcoming dress in the room and came out.

I should just greet him briefly and leave.

Instead of the reception room with the smell of oil paints, I headed to the greeting room.

When I opened the door, at the end of the long table made of mahogany, across from my parents, sat a man who seemed to be the Grand Duke.

‘It seems he came without notice. Mom and Dad don’t seem to know.’

Since the detailed family matters of Anette, who is not the female protagonist, are not written in the novel, I could only make guesses.

“Anette. Hurry and greet His Highness the Grand Duke.”

Without properly looking at the Grand Duke’s face, I paid my respects.

“I greet Grand Duke Blanche for the first time. I am Anette Leanberia.”

My mind was full of thoughts about the victory ceremony. What does it mean that the Grand Duke came to our family? Did things go well? Or did something different from the original story happen?

I sat down, caught up in all sorts of idle thoughts that came to mind.

“I apologize for not receiving prior notice and providing poor hospitality. Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

Mom and Dad couldn’t hide their bewilderment either. The Grand Duke, with no connection to us, had come right after the victory ceremony ended.

“It’s my fault for coming abruptly.”

A low-toned yet imposing voice broke my reverie. Only then did I lift my head that I had buried in worry and face the Grand Duke head-on.

‘Wow.’

He is amazingly handsome.

With black hair resembling the eyes of a sophisticated yet wild beast, and blue eyes reminiscent of Lake Aor where fairies live.

He was on par with the male lead Serdis.

If Serdis is a greenhouse flower.

The Grand Duke is like a raw wildflower.

Personally, in terms of appearance, I preferred this side more than Serdis.

‘But doesn’t he look familiar?’

A man in an elegant three-piece suit. If I had met the Grand Duke before, it would have been at a party or banquet.

I felt like I could remember, but I couldn’t quite grasp it.

As I stared at him for a while, the Grand Duke turned his gaze towards me.

When our eyes met in midair, he gave a very faint smile.

‘This smile. I’m sure I’ve seen it before.’

“Please speak comfortably. Your Highness the Grand Duke.”

“It’s a habit I picked up while trying to fix my rough knight’s way of speaking, so please don’t mind it.”

He soon turned his head and spoke in a polite and gentle tone. Father nodded in understanding.

“By the way, I heard you held the victory ceremony today, but why did you come to our Count’s house instead of going to the townhouse?”

In short, it was a question of why he came when we didn’t even invite him. The Grand Duke adjusted his posture and alternately looked at Father and Mother.

“I sent a letter in advance, but it seems you haven’t received it yet.”

“A letter? We haven’t received anything separately. Steward. Did you not deliver the letter sent by His Highness?”

Wiping the beads of sweat gathering on his forehead, Father called the head steward standing at a distance.

Even though the room wasn’t hot, the steward’s monocle was fogged up with hazy steam.

After hesitating, the steward finally spoke.

“I delivered it to you earlier, Master.”

“Earlier? I don’t remember receiving it. Isn’t the only thing you gave me a marriage proposal?”

When Father asked back, it was the Grand Duke who answered instead of the steward who was moving his lips.

“It seems to have arrived safely. My marriage proposal.”

At this point, no one immediately understood his words.

A few seconds of silence passed, and only after grasping the situation did I scream inwardly.

“That marriage proposal was sent by Your Highness the Grand Duke?”

Mom shouted in a high pitch, taking the place of me whose mouth had clamped shut like a clam.

“To, to our Anette?”

Cold sweat trickled down.

Because he was looking my way with a smirk.

‘It can’t be, right?’

Could it be that the guard I met at the casino yesterday… No way.

I thought it couldn’t be, but the memory was becoming clearer.

From the red lips, the dimples that slightly form on his cheeks when he smiles, to the smooth neckline continuing from his chin.

“Eek.”

That’s right. That man!

‘It’s the guard I met at the casino!’

I thought he was just a rural nobleman or a viscount at most, but to think he was the Grand Duke.

Moreover, he shows up with the marriage proposal only now? After I went through all that hardship and returned?

Noticing my gradually widening pupils, the Grand Duke seemed to realize that I had figured out his identity and gave an eye smile.

“Anette. You didn’t say anything to us.”

Mom shook my arm and urgently urged me to answer.

“Say something at least!”

I barely opened my lips that hadn’t fallen off.

“You, you were surprised, right?”

“You greeted me as if it was our first meeting when you came in earlier.”

“I wanted to surprise you!”

I spread out both hands and made a surprised gesture, but the body language was extremely awkward.

“Why is she acting like this… unlike herself. Your Highness the Grand Duke, you just finished the war and returned, does it make sense for you to propose?”

“It doesn’t make sense. Indeed.”

Now that it had come to this, there was no other choice.

If he was the Grand Duke, it was even better.

There was no guarantee that the Emperor’s wish would perfectly protect me.

I wouldn’t have to be swayed under Serdis’s power either.

‘Moreover, he’s really handsome and kind too.’

There was no reason to refuse marriage to him.

Since it had come to this, I had no choice but to put on my best acting.

“We met on the day of the banquet. That’s why I came home late that day. Actually, when I was about to be attacked by a gang targeting noble ladies on the street. His Highness the Grand Duke saved me.”

I slammed the table hard enough to rattle the teacups and stood up from my seat.

“At that moment, I fell in love at first sight.”

I screamed. Believe it or not, I don’t care.

“Proposing right after meeting, not even dating. You expect me to believe that?”

As expected, Father. I knew you would say that.

“I take after you, Father, in falling in love at first sight. What can I do, it’s genetic.”

“At, at first sight?”

“Falling in love based on appearance. I heard everything from Rian before. Dad also proposed to Mom immediately after falling in love at first sight at a ball dance.”

Mom was also a beauty like me.

And the Grand Duke’s appearance was also no joke.

“Look at His Highness the Grand Duke. How cool, reliable, and handsome he is. If there’s anyone who wouldn’t fall for him, tell them to come out. It’s nonsense. If I let go of His Highness now, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life!”

It was a very passionate love confession. At the same time, I pointed at the Grand Duke and gestured with my eyes.

‘Don’t just sit still, help me out.’

It seemed wrong to live peacefully and then divorce quietly, so I had to properly get marriage permission at least.

At my eye gesture, the Grand Duke just found the situation funny, lowered his head and chuckled, then stood up.

Completely removing the laughter and with a serious expression.

“It’s as the young lady says. I fell for her courage and accepted it as well.”

Mom opened her mouth and quickly covered it with her hand.

“And her beauty, resembling the Countess, is like a single flower, difficult to express in words.”

“Oh my.”

The Grand Duke uttered cringey words without the slightest hesitation. It was so natural that it couldn’t be denied.

When the handsome Grand Duke called her that, Mom’s expression softened.

“Your Highness. We need time to think…”

This time it was Father’s turn.

However, the Grand Duke’s expression was composed. As if he had predicted and planned the whole situation. And his gaze that had seemed huge suddenly sank. On the floor, his two solid knees were together.

“Please give me your daughter.”

K.O.

It was the moment when the Grand Duke, who had been sounding victory after victory in the war, also showed his prowess in our house.