The spacious banquet hall of Vykander Castle.
In the crowded banquet hall, filled with guests and knights returning from the beast expedition, a low and enchanting voice echoed.
“The beginning of the Vennib District reorganization.”
The Grand Duke raised a transparent wine glass, and the golden fruit wine inside shimmered.
As the Grand Duke delivered the toast, there was a momentary pause in the speech. At the same time, guests and knights alike suppressed their laughter.
Everyone present knew that this grand celebration was in honor of the Vennib District reorganization, the first project initiated by the precious lady in Vykander.
However,
The gaze of the lady next to him, holding a glass and staring at the Grand Duke, was intense.
Mysterious green eyes framed by elegantly styled silver hair. The knights, without realizing it, found themselves siding with the lady’s appearance, which exuded nobility.
Silent urges to continue the next words accumulated. The Grand Duke shrugged his shoulders.
“…For the knights who have returned safely.”
“For the knights!”
The hall resounded with a roaring cheer as glasses clinked simultaneously with the thunderous sound of a departing carriage.
It was the first time witnessing the Grand Duke, usually strong and ruthless, obediently following someone else’s will.
Since entering the bustling Sonea Street, there had been rumors that the Grand Duke had found a good companion.
Haha, within moments, boisterous laughter spread uncontrollably in various places.
“Incredible. To receive a celebration for the Grand Duke returning from the beast expedition before I die.”
“That’s right. What’s so special about the usual beast expeditions?”
“It’s all thanks to the lady, isn’t it? Verseni generously offering fruit wine like this. Are you still dreaming at the border?”
Now, just-returned knights stared in amazement, unable to change the reality no matter how they blinked their eyes.
Howard, who was listening to their stories, nodded quietly. Opening a banquet to celebrate the beast expedition and freely enjoying Verseni’s fruit wine—all thanks to the lady.
“When it comes to festivals, doesn’t Verseni always set off fireworks? Truly amazing!”
Strictly speaking, the reason Verseni started going to the street festivals was because of the lady. Praiseful of the effort spent on setting off fireworks every festival with sparkling eyes, the lady inevitably made Verseni open a shop to set off fireworks in Sonea Street again today.
Of course, the fact that behind the scenes was Dian, and behind Dian was the Grand Duke, remained a secret only Verseni didn’t know.
Howard occasionally smiled and looked toward the lady and the Grand Duke sitting on the elevated platform far away. Then, when Dian’s eyes met Howard’s from a distance, they nodded meaningfully at each other.
“By the way, why is everyone not drinking so much today?”
One of the knights who had just returned today spoke in confusion.
Normally, colleagues who would effortlessly empty several orc barrels in no time were just sipping from their glasses, including the renowned Howard Interfield, who was known not to get drunk.
“…Today is a really important day.”
Howard said briefly. A knight looking at Howard widened his eyes, showing a facial expression that indicated he didn’t understand. Then he licked his tongue as if he didn’t get it.
“No, even if that’s the case, everyone is in formalwear, even with swords. It feels like the day we knights pledged allegiance to His Highness.”
At those words, a vague memory hovered over the stern faces of the knights.
The day they pledged allegiance to His Highness upon returning with glory to the harsh and barren northern Vykander was an unforgettable precious memory for any knight present here.
Perhaps today would be just as important.
“Swear allegiance to my lady?”
Even the surprised expression of the Grand Duke was firmly allowed. Howard and the other knights stared at Olivia, who was sitting on the platform, with a determined face.
Just a little more.
It was almost time for the lady to swear the knight’s oath.
When Olivia took the first sip, she was inwardly surprised.
This banquet was different from the previous one, and the atmosphere itself was distinct.
Despite having more knights, today’s banquet was considerably calm compared to the last one that had risen to a climax.
Perhaps it was due to the influence of the knights returning after completing the beast expedition. After all, those who Olivia met for the first time today after coming to Vykander might not like her.
Edwin, who seemed to have noticed her tense face, smiled gently and said, “Why are you so nervous, Olivia? Anthony paid special attention to the turkey today. Try a bite, huh?”
Of all things, turkey. The tension was compounded by thoughts about the ‘Unnamed Knight.’
Thinking about it, Olivia couldn’t judge solely based on Vykander’s knights. After all, there was also the Golden Palace Knights, including Jade, in that camp.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
