The place where the Fleur family’s banquet was held was the Flower Garden that Roselin had introduced.
In one corner of the Flower Garden, there was a large pergola, and the cylindrical stone pilasters supporting the glass ceiling were entwined with vines, blending well with the garden scenery.
The atmosphere under the pergola, where people had gathered, was as warm as the sunlight filtering through the glass ceiling.
Until an unexpected someone appeared.
Roselin, who was observing the entrance of the garden, stood up abruptly.
“Oh, Your Grace!”
She discovered Idel walking towards them, capturing everyone’s attention, and raised her voice.
“Your Grace…?”
At the sudden appearance of the Grand Duchess, a momentary stillness fell over the pergola. The expressions of those present stiffened.
The Grand Duchess was on par with royalty in the noble hierarchy. Everyone rose from their seats with a reverent expression.
“…Greetings to the Grand Duchess.”
The faces of those who greeted the Grand Duchess with proper etiquette seemed reluctant. Their gazes were not disrespectful, but neither were they friendly.
Idel, observing the expressions of the Fleur family members other than Roselin, realized that her arrival was unexpected.
“Hmm! How did the Grand Duchess come to this place…”
“I invited her. Because the Grand Duchess is also our ‘family.'”
Roselin explained with a cheerful expression to the family members who seemed to need an explanation for the sudden appearance of the Grand Duchess.
“Today is a banquet to celebrate Uncle’s birthday. It’s more joyful to share family occasions together.”
“…Thank you, Roselin.”
Responding to Roselin’s words was a stern-looking elderly priest sitting in the highest seat.
Known as Uncle, he was the eldest among the Fleur family elders, the only brother of the late Marquis Fleur, and held great influence within the Elder Council.
“Please, have a seat here, Your Grace.”
The expressionless elder gestured to a seat of authority for the Grand Duchess.
“…Excuse me.”
After a moment of hesitation, Idel took the indicated seat. She looked at his face with a careful expression.
‘So, this is Uncle…’
As Idel, she had never met him before and only knew of his existence through the family genealogy.
When Idel’s grandparents, the late Marquis and Marquise Fleur, passed away in an unfortunate carriage accident, Idel’s father, the Marquis Fleur, remained unmarried and assumed the title.
At that time, the relatively young Marquis Fleur not only secured the political foundation for leading the family but also, up to the present, exerted significant influence within the family, centered around the Elder Council.
“Is this the first time the Grand Duchess is meeting Uncle?”
Roselin asked, and Idel nodded, offering greetings to Uncle.
“…Nice to meet you for the first time, Uncle. I would have prepared a gift if I had known it was your birthday. I apologize.”
As if intentionally not mentioning her invitation to the family members in advance, Roselin seemed to have refrained from deliberately mentioning that it was Uncle’s birthday celebration.
While everyone, excluding Roselin, found themselves in a somewhat awkward and uncomfortable situation, Idel calmly extended her greetings to Uncle.
“Congratulations on your birthday. Since today is a family gathering, you can comfortably call me Idel.”
The elder, who had been silent for a while as if pondering Idel’s words, slowly spoke.
“Are you saying that the Grand Duchess has come here as ‘family’ of Fleur?”
To Uncle’s question, Idel, who hesitated for a moment, answered with a composed voice.
“…Yes. Just because I became the Grand Duchess doesn’t mean the Fleur blood in my veins disappeared.”
“Fleur blood…”
Muttered in a low voice, he questioned Idel with a voice full of gravity.
“Do you really think so? Fleur’s blood flows within the body that doesn’t emit fragrance.”
“…!”
It was a straightforward statement without beating around the bush. Idel’s dilated pupils flickered with surprise.
The face of Uncle, who was staring at her intently, revealed no emotions, almost as if he was indifferent.
However, Idel’s heart felt a warm scent emanating from him.
In the face of the direct proof of Fleur through the ‘fragrance,’ Idel couldn’t readily respond and pursed her lips.
At that moment, as if waiting, Roselin stepped forward in place of Idel.
“Of course! Unni is a Fleur!”
As if enveloping Idel, Roselin shouted loudly in front of everyone with a tearful face.
Idel’s expression stiffened at Roselin’s actions. She could tell from long experience. The main act of Roselin’s prepared drama had begun.
“I believe it! Unni is a true Fleur. So, Unni… You’re proving it in front of the family!”
“Prove… it?”
Idel asked, furrowing her brows in incomprehension. How could she prove anything when she lacked the fragrance? She couldn’t fathom Roselin’s intention in staging such a drama.
“Moreover, since Unni hasn’t prepared Uncle’s birthday gift yet, I thought of a good idea!”
“What in the world…”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
