The Duke's Flower is Precarious (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 9
Marline opened and closed her eyes again. She even pinched her cheek ever so slightly, just enough to leave no visible mark. The sharp sting confirmed this was no dream.
“You should eat more. You’re far too thin.”
He recalled her frail frame from their embrace, so light he’d barely felt her weight. Kaeron cut a piece of chateaubriand into bite-sized portions and placed it onto Aidel’s plate.
Aidel flushed faintly, looking flustered for a moment, then picked up the steak and put it in her mouth.
‘Did you see that? His Highness just now….’
‘I saw it clearly too! He’s personally serving her food!’
‘And look at that expression on his face!’
Kaeron’s lips curled into a faint smile, evidently pleased to see her eating the food he’d offered. Marline and Gregory gaped in utter disbelief at the unbelievable scene before them.
Every servant present in the dining room to assist during the meal now understood clearly: the Grand Duke was utterly smitten with his future Grand Duchess.
It wasn’t as if no women had ever visited the Grand Duke’s estate before. Nobles with marriageable daughters past their prime often brought their daughters along when invited to dine with the Grand Duke.
It had always been a transparent ploy to catch his eye. Yet his current behavior stood in stark contrast to how he’d treated those women before—completely ignoring them as though they were invisible.
Kaeron shifted his gaze from Aidel, who was eating quietly, toward Gregory. His expression, now devoid of emotion, differed greatly from the gentle look he’d given his fiancée—so much so that Gregory actually felt a bit disappointed.
“I heard an invitation arrived from the Imperial Palace. Pascal must have been quite surprised when he heard the news.”
“Ah…! Yes, Your Highness. We’ve been invited to a banquet tomorrow evening.”
“It may be sudden, but it would be wise to prepare. Marline, when is the appointment with the atelier?”
“They’re scheduled to arrive this afternoon. We’ve decided to first take your measurements and prepare both a ready-to-wear dress and custom-made outfits.”
“Good work. See that everything the Grand Duchess needs is prepared without any lack.”
“Yes, understood.”
Aidel’s heart fluttered strangely at Kaeron’s thoughtful attention toward her. It was a curious mix of nervous tension and excitement.
‘Don’t misunderstand. He’s not doing this for me—he’s doing it for the Grand Duchess.’
She reminded herself of the reason behind his actions, willing her racing heartbeat to slow. Lowering her gaze, Aidel hid her trembling eyes beneath long lashes.
“If there’s anything you need, speak to Marline. As you just heard, we’ll be visiting the Imperial Palace tomorrow, so choose appropriate attire this afternoon.”
“I will.”
“After the meal, it might be nice to tour the Grand Duke’s residence. Gregory, what’s the rest of today’s schedule like?”
“There’s a legal reform review meeting after lunch, followed by a briefing regarding trade operations within the duchy.”
Kaeron frowned slightly at the tightly packed schedule. He looked almost regretful, as if something important were missing.
“Marline will guide you through the residence. You’ll also begin your education as Grand Duchess and wedding preparations together with her.”
“When… will the wedding be held?”
“I intend to hold it before you enter university. You’ll be busy once the semester starts. I’ve already sent word through a messenger to Count Fleur to convey my intentions. Once I coordinate with him and a date is set, I’ll let you know.”
“Father must have been very surprised. He probably didn’t even know I was preparing for university… let alone that I’d become betrothed to the Grand Duke’s house.”
“Don’t worry about it. And from now on, don’t concern yourself with House Fleur. You belong to the Grand Duke’s house now.”
To the Grand Duke’s house… She couldn’t understand why those calmly spoken words burned so hotly inside her chest.
Perhaps it was because she’d lived a life of drifting, never truly belonging anywhere. It felt as if the careful lock she’d placed on her heart was loosening once again.
Aidel pressed a hand firmly against her chest. Even though she knew this sense of belonging came with a three-year limit… she didn’t want to let go of this warmth filling her heart—not yet.
[This is the timeline separator]After the meal, the Grand Duke left the estate for external appointments. After seeing him off, Aidel began touring the Grand Duke’s residence with Marline.
The Grand Duke’s residence was far larger and more majestic than Count Fleur’s manor. It was an ancient, elegant estate bearing the distinguished legacy of House Roman, one of the founding noble houses of the Empire.
“This is the study. I heard you particularly enjoy books, Lady Aidel.”
“That’s right. Am I free to use the study as I please?”
“Of course. There’s no place in this residence that the Grand Duchess may not use. By His Highness’s orders, the latest publications should arrive as early as tomorrow.”
Though labeled merely a “study,” the space was library-sized. It housed an impressive collection—not only ancient tomes preserved since the days of House Roman but also a substantial number of current volumes. Yet the fact that he’d gone so far as to arrange new releases for her filled Aidel with warmth.
Seeing the shelves lined with books brought back memories of their first encounter in the library. Back then, she’d been desperate to flee from him… Now, reflecting on that moment as his betrothed residing in the Grand Duke’s estate, she felt a fresh wave of emotion.
Marline led her into the adjoining room. Sunlight streamed through the windows onto a large desk, making the space cozy—though slightly cluttered, as if undergoing redecoration.
“This will be your private office as Grand Duchess. It’s still being furnished, but it should be ready within this week.”
“How will my education as Grand Duchess proceed?”
“As His Highness is the first Grand Duke of Elyos, there’s no precedent for such education. Therefore, we’ll follow the curriculum once given to Her Late Imperial Majesty when she was a duke’s daughter.”
“Will you be the one teaching me?”
“Yes. I plan to begin after lunch next week, once the office renovation is complete. For your reference, I come from House Delpe. Before serving His Highness, I served the Late Empress when she was still with House Roman.”
Memories of her time as head maid in the Empress’s palace briefly surfaced, and a distant light flickered in Marline’s eyes. She recalled the raven-haired woman whose elegance shone like finely polished obsidian.
Born as House Roman’s only daughter, she had risen to the esteemed rank of Empress. Occasionally, Marline glimpsed traces of that Late Empress in the Grand Duke—whose perfection was often described as “royal blood incarnate.”
Having finished her reminiscence, Marline turned her attention to the new mistress she was now to serve.
Watching Aidel quietly examine the manual for duchesses resting on the desk, Marline thought her profile resembled a delicate watercolor more than a bold oil painting. With her slender frame and fine features, she appeared almost fragile at first glance.
Superficially, she seemed the complete opposite of the Grand Duke, whose very presence overwhelmed others. Yet Marline sensed this woman was stronger inside than she appeared.
Though she hadn’t asked directly, it was clear Aidel had left Count Fleur’s estate in haste—arriving with only a single bag. Moreover, House Fleur hadn’t sent any letters inquiring after her well-being.
Sometimes, when lost in thought, Aidel’s eyes would shimmer with complex, indescribable emotions—only to quickly regain composure. She felt less like a sheltered hothouse flower and more like a wild blossom that had weathered storms alone.
Marline sincerely hoped this seemingly burdened fiancée of the Grand Duke could find peace and genuine happiness within these walls. She truly believed Aidel’s happiness would become the Grand Duke’s happiness as well.
“It’s about time Madame Pomponu from the atelier arrives. We should head to the dressing room.”
With a gentle smile, Marline guided her to the dressing room connected to the Grand Duchess’s bedroom.
Madame Pomponu, designer from Charlotte Atelier, and her assistants were already waiting.
Madame Pomponu had closed the atelier early that morning just to meet the woman who’d shaken the Empire. When summoned by the Grand Duke’s house—of all places—it was only right to drop everything and come.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Madame Pomponu of Charlotte Atelier. It’s a privilege to be in your presence, Your Grace, the future Grand Duchess.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Aidel Fleur.”
Madame Pomponu discreetly scanned the young woman from head to toe as she entered the dressing room. It was a professional habit—the ingrained reflex of a haute couture designer who constantly evaluated her models and clients.
Even at a glance, it was clear this calm, polite young woman was a rare beauty in the Empire. Accustomed to flamboyantly dressed noblewomen, Madame Pomponu found Aidel’s fresh, refined elegance especially striking.
‘Her posture is perfectly straight. Balanced shoulders, an exquisite décolletage line, and such a slim waist—she won’t even need a corset.’
As Aidel changed into a thin negligee for measurements, Madame Pomponu became certain. Garments tailored to a mannequin with ideal proportions would fit Aidel’s body flawlessly without any alterations.
“You have an ideal figure.”
Madame Pomponu set down her measuring tape with a sigh of satisfaction. Gazing at Aidel’s long arms and legs, a sudden inspiration struck her, and her eyes lit up.
“In addition to day dresses and evening gowns, would you consider a tailored suit as well?”
“A tailored suit? Isn’t that something only men wear?”
Marline tilted her head curiously, prompting Madame Pomponu to beam with delight as she replied.
“That’s been true until now. But society is changing. Women are beginning to take on roles equal to men’s. There are times when one must set aside the restrictive elegance of gowns.”
At last, Madame Pomponu had found the muse to represent the new trend she’d been envisioning.
“Your Grace, you’ll soon be entering Imperial University, won’t you? Wearing cumbersome gowns for every outside activity would be quite impractical.”
Madame Pomponu walked over to a rack of garments and pulled out a women’s tailored jacket still in its fitting stage.
“Imagine a tailored jacket that follows your body’s natural curves and pairs with either comfortable trousers or a skirt.”
She gently draped the jacket over Aidel’s shoulders. Instantly, Aidel’s whole aura transformed—suddenly appearing far more dynamic and refreshingly modern.
“I like it. I’d like to have a tailored suit made as you suggested.”
“You’ll likely be the first woman in the entire Empire—certainly among noblewomen—to wear a tailored suit.”
Introducing variations within established norms was one thing; shattering those norms entirely was another matter. Carefully, Madame Pomponu double-checked Aidel’s willingness.
After a brief pause for thought, Aidel’s eyes shone with the steady brilliance of a tree holding deep summer green.
“I like it. Doing something nobody’s tried before—just like enrolling in Imperial University. Marline, do you think wearing this would cause trouble for His Highness?”
“Not at all. His Highness would want you to do exactly as you wish.”
After all, wasn’t it the Grand Duke himself who’d brought Madame Pomponu—the designer every noble in the Empire longed to hire—by offering a blank check?
Marline thought of how the Grand Duke had ordered that every garment the Grand Duchess might need, from undergarments to outerwear, hats, accessories, and shoes, be provided without the slightest shortage—and felt utterly certain of her answer.
“We’ll return soon to begin fittings for your custom garments.”
Flushed with excitement at the thought of dressing her new muse in fresh creations, Madame Pomponu’s cheeks turned a bright, eager pink.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
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Well it appears in this novel the emperor is a gullible fool.
Can’t wait for second prince to die . How dare he touch grand Duchess with his filthy hand.
I hope Kareon kills first prince . But maybe that’s not going to happen because of diplomatic relations between kingdoms. If at that moment aidel would have remained unconscious ,second prince definitely would have died .It’s unfortunate , that bastard should have died on spot.