Marilyn blinked again. She discreetly pinched her cheek, trying not to show any hint of her action. The stinging pain confirmed that this was not a dream.
“You should eat more. You’re too thin.”
He remembered the frail body that had felt weightless when he held her. Caeron cut a piece of Chateaubriand into smaller portions and moved them to Idel’s plate.
Idel, who briefly blushed and made an embarrassed face, picked up a piece of steak and put it in her mouth.
‘Did you see that? The Duke, just now…….’
‘I saw it very clearly. He’s serving her food himself!’
‘And look at that expression!’
A faint smile spread on Caeron’s lips, seemingly satisfied with how Idel was enjoying the food he served. Marilyn and Gregory were stunned by the sight, too unbelievable to take in.
All the servants of the duke’s house, who had been standing in the dining room to help with the meal, had clearly realized. The Duke had fallen hard for the prospective Duchess.
There hadn’t been a lack of women visiting the Duke’s house over the years. The nobles who attended dinner with the Duke always brought their daughters.
They were desperate attempts to catch the Duke’s attention, even in the slightest. This was quite contrary to how he completely ignored and treated those women as if they were invisible.
Caeron, who had been watching Idel eat, turned his gaze to Gregory. His expression was significantly different from when he was looking at the prospective Duchess, to Gregory’s slight disappointment.
“I heard an invitation has arrived from the palace. Pascal seemed quite surprised to hear the news.”
“Ah……! Yes, Your Grace. We have been invited to dinner tomorrow evening.”
“It’s sudden, but we should prepare. Marilyn, when was the dress appointment again?”
“It will arrive this afternoon. We planned to prepare both a dress that can be worn right away after some adjustments, and another one for custom making.”
“You’ve done well. Make sure that everything the Duchess needs is fully prepared.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Idel felt a strange unease at Caeron, who was paying meticulous attention to her. It was a mixture of a strange tension and excitement.
‘Don’t be mistaken. It’s not for me, but for the Duchess.’
Trying to rationalize his actions, she hoped that the throbbing of her heart would slow down. Idel lowered her gaze, hiding her trembling eyes under her long eyelashes.
“Let Marilyn know if you need anything. As you’ve heard, we have to visit the palace tomorrow, so you should choose an appropriate outfit in the afternoon.”
“Okay.”
“After the meal, it might be nice to look around the Duke’s residence. Gregory, what’s the rest of today’s schedule?”
“After lunch, there’s a meeting to review the amendment of the law. Afterwards, there’s a briefing on the trade business within the Dukedom.”
Caeron frowned slightly at his tight schedule, his expression seemingly filled with some regret.
“Marilyn will guide you around the residence. You can proceed with the education as the Duchess and wedding preparations with her.”
“When is the… wedding?”
“I’m planning to have it before you enter college. Once the semester starts, it’ll be busy. I already sent a letter to Baron Fleur expressing this intention. Once he coordinates and a date is set, let me know.”
“My father will probably be very surprised. He didn’t know about my college preparation…… and that I’m engaged to the Duke’s house.”
“You don’t need to worry. And from now on, don’t worry about the Fleur Baron’s house. You’re now part of the Duke’s family.”
Part of the Duke’s family……. She didn’t know why the words he calmly spat out felt so warm and heavy in her heart.
Was it because she had lived a life floating aimlessly without belonging anywhere? It felt as if the control she had over her heart was loosening.
Idel lightly pressed near her heart. Even though she knew that this sense of belonging had a temporary limit of three years…… She did not want to let go of the warmth that now filled her heart.
[This is the time separator] After dinner, the Duke left the mansion for an external schedule. After seeing him off, Idel started to look around the mansion with Marlene.The mansion was much larger and grander than the Fleur Count’s house. It was a historic, classic mansion that belonged to the Roman Dukes, who were the founding contributors at the beginning of the empire.
“This is the library. Lady Idel, you particularly like books, don’t you?”
“That’s right. May I freely use the library?”
“Of course. There is no place in this mansion that the Duchess cannot use. The newly released books, as ordered by His Highness, are expected to arrive as early as tomorrow.”
It was a library in name only, but it was more akin to a grand library. There were countless books, some of which were rare volumes managed from the time of the Roman Dukes. Even so, the warmth filled Idel’s heart due to his consideration in keeping the collection updated with new publications.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
