~Chapter 90~
Baldwin and I entered Grayfield Hall. Even though we had arrived on time, the hall was already full of people.
Countess Rainglass approached Baldwin and me.
“Greetings, Your Highnesses. What a pleasant evening.”
“Thank you for welcoming us, Countess Rainglass. Please convey my gratitude to Her Majesty the Empress for inviting us to such a beautiful banquet.”
Countess Rainglass smiled gently. It meant she approved of my response.
Sending greetings through Countess Rainglass showed respect to her, as she was the one preparing the banquet on behalf of the Empress.
The Estus social world had deep roots, and with that came many small customs like this.
“Of course. Her Majesty will be pleased to hear it. Grand Duke, His Majesty the Emperor is waiting for you.”
Baldwin nodded briefly. He met my eyes and squeezed my hand tightly.
I felt my cheeks grow warm. It was probably because of the intimate conversation we had in the carriage. He acted like someone waiting for the moment when we would be alone again.
‘Does it suit me? This dress feels so new, I’m nervous.’
His gaze slowly swept over me through half-lidded eyes. Whenever I shrank back from nervousness, his answer always exceeded my expectations.
‘It suits you so well that I want to take it off immediately.’
‘…What does that mean, Baldwin?’
When I pulled back as far as I could while staring at him warily, he twisted the hem of my dress around his fingers and replied,
‘It means you could steal everyone’s heart in the ballroom.’
‘That doesn’t sound like what you really meant.’
‘It seems you have an answer you want.’
As his already low voice grew rough, his hot hand caught my wrist. When I stopped resisting and was pulled along, a deep kiss followed.
‘Whatever answer you want, I’ll give it to you, Anna. Tell me.’
‘…Baldwin.’
‘What do you want to do? How far do you think we could go right now?’
How far, indeed.
Moments like this made having a good memory exhausting. I even remembered his breathing from that moment.
I shook his hand off.
“…Enjoy the evening, Baldwin.”
Baldwin smiled with his eyes and walked away.
When I lightly touched my cheek, Countess Rainglass spoke.
“You two seem very close. It makes me happy to see it. You truly have the air of newlyweds.”
“…Was it that obvious?”
“The Grand Duke speaks even with his eyes. When he looks at you, his gaze completely changes. Anyone who isn’t blind would notice. There was a reason all the unmarried men and women in society were pinching their thighs.”
My face grew even redder at her playful joke. That was quite a way to say we were openly showing affection.
“Please don’t misunderstand.”
“It’s a compliment.”
“…Thank you.”
“You’ll be seeing a baby soon as well. For couples who get along well, children come quickly.”
The moment I heard that, it felt like I’d been struck on the head.
A baby. It wasn’t an impossible thought.
Since our marriage, we had lived as a proper newlywed couple, fulfilling what could be called duties—or rights. Sometimes, it was embarrassingly passionate.
So having a child wouldn’t be strange at all.
Still, hearing it out loud made my cheeks burn even more. Was it because I was still inexperienced?
I quickly changed the subject and turned my gaze away.
I brought up the Empress, who was close to giving birth.
“Do you think it will be a prince this time, or a princess?”
“Well.”
Countess Rainglass kindly let it pass.
“Since it’s already past thirty-nine weeks, we’ll know soon enough. Whether a prince or princess, it will be the birth of the first imperial grandchild, so it can only be joyful. The Grand Duke would feel the same, wouldn’t he?”
The topic circled back again.
“Ahem.”
I cleared my throat and turned my head.
Honestly, Countess Rainglass’s words were comforting. It meant she held no prejudice against Baldwin.
There were faint rumors that Baldwin’s disability might be inherited by a child.
That was one reason he had remained alone for so long.
“Oh.”
Countess Rainglass gently led me to a quieter corner.
“I heard that the Marchioness of Horace has taken to her bed.”
The Marchioness of Horace? I had found it strange when she didn’t attend Gwendolyn’s wedding.
It seemed likely that Gwendolyn had spoken carelessly. The Marquis of Horace’s anger probably hadn’t spared either Gwendolyn or his wife.
I didn’t know why Gwendolyn, who always acted so clever, would do such a thing.
Was it to protect herself?
Either way, it was clearly a bad move.
“Is she very ill?”
I asked, pretending not to know.
Countess Rainglass looked around, then lowered her voice even more.
“…They say she was beaten by the Marquis of Horace. He always acted refined, so I don’t know what happened.”
She took my hand.
“Based on my long-held intuition, it doesn’t seem entirely unrelated to Your Highness.”
I smiled without saying anything.
She continued,
“I also heard that the Marquis of Horace has been visiting Constantine Corporation several times recently. It seems likely that the Grand Duke may have intervened.”
Baldwin?
I blinked.
He had told me he would leave everything to me. That he respected my will.
But thinking about it—
Baldwin was a man with strong pride. He clearly understood what he was entitled to as the Grand Duke of Constantine.
Could someone like that truly stand by and watch while I suffered within his domain?
And if it were me?
If Baldwin were in my position, could I honestly say I would do nothing?
I would respect his wishes. But behind the scenes?
Even I couldn’t be sure.
Perhaps Baldwin and I were deeply alike.
Like two sides of the same coin, reflecting each other where no one could see.
That was why I understood him.
I wasn’t angry.
“…No matter what happened, it seems certain that a storm has struck the Horace household. The Marchioness of Horace won’t be able to attend social gatherings for some time. They may even divorce.”
“I see.”
I smiled as if unaware. Countess Rainglass squeezed my hand gently.
“No matter what happens, if any trouble arises, I will stand on Your Highness’s side.”
She winked.
“Of course, the Grand Duke would never handle matters carelessly. Still, it’s always wise to prepare for every possibility. If you ever need my help, please don’t hesitate to ask, Lady Bee.”
She was offering goodwill.
But goodwill never came without reason. I narrowed my eyes slightly.
“May I ask why you are willing to take my side?”
Countess Rainglass smiled warmly.
“My father truly loved the gift you sent him. He was also delighted to hear news of you. He remembers you as a passionate student.”
“Oh!”
I remembered sending a gift to Professor Dellerman.
A small kindness I once showed had returned as something far greater.
“I considered contacting you separately, but thought it better to speak in person. If this offended you…”
“Thank you for telling me. I’m glad to hear Professor Dellerman is still doing well.”
“He still lives with a book in his hands.”
“That makes me happy as well. I accept your kindness with gratitude. I hope we can continue to build a good relationship.”
I squeezed her hand firmly.
As a sense of solidarity formed between us, someone rang a bell in the banquet hall.
“His Majesty the Emperor!”
A servant rushed forward, his face flushed, loudly calling out.
The Emperor appeared, having been conversing with nobles. Baldwin stood beside him.
At the servant’s piercing voice, everyone in the hall turned their gaze.
The young servant bowed deeply.
“Her Majesty the Empress has given birth! A prince has been born! Congratulations!”
The young servant’s voice shook the entire hall.
Countess Rainglass and I met each other’s eyes.
“A prince.”
“Yes, a prince indeed.”
The birth of the first imperial grandson marked the beginning of the summer banquet.
It was the beginning of summer, spreading gently like watercolor paint.
Green hues richly colored the Estus social world.
