Chapter 179 – The Long-Awaited Opera (2)
The theater was crowded with people.
While I was briefly greeting a few noble ladies in the middle of the chaos—
“Your Highness.”
Lucion approached from a distance, drawing attention wherever he walked.
Dressed in luxurious Rondoris-style clothing, the prince looked especially radiant today. As expected, the atmosphere became noisy the moment he appeared.
With his charming eyes slightly lifted, Lucion took my hand and kissed the back of it.
“You look dazzlingly beautiful today.”
Since the reading performance, I had tried to avoid meeting Lucion.
Most opera discussions went through Samuel, the troupe’s representative, and anything Lucion wanted to say to me was passed along through Alchent.
Lucion was perceptive—he must have realized long ago that I was avoiding him.
Even so, he acted as if nothing had happened.
“Thank you.”
I smiled politely.
“You look very handsome as well, Prince.”
Nearby noblewomen blushed while looking at him, but Lucion seemed used to such attention.
“It’s a pleasant sight,” he said, looking around the crowded lobby.
“I’ve never seen the Carmania Theater this lively before.”
“You don’t have to comfort me like that.”
Seeing him speak as if encouraging me, I admitted honestly:
“I heard from Alchent that many tickets are still unsold.”
I had expected at least the first week to sell out completely.
The first day was crowded because many invitations were distributed, but from the second day onward, sales were slower than expected.
“It’s probably because Coachviel isn’t performing,” Lucion said. “In opera, a famous name matters.”
It’s because of you, you idiot.
Seeing my expression tighten, Lucion quickly added:
“The Carmania Theater has a large number of seats. It’s naturally harder to sell out than other venues. And it’s the premiere.”
He reassured me that since the performance was good, word of mouth would increase ticket sales over time.
“I hope so.”
After hesitating a little, he asked casually,
“…Is the Grand Duke not coming?”
“I came alone today.”
“That’s unfortunate,” Lucion murmured in a tone I couldn’t quite read.
“If your husband were here, it would give you even more support.”
“He’s already given me plenty of support. He sent official notices across Blenheim and even gave his aides leave so they could attend the opera.”
“I see.”
Lucion kept smiling.
“If it were me, I would never send Your Highness alone. You never know when someone like me might show up and flirt.”
“Are you flirting with me right now?”
“…No.”
He smirked slightly.
“But perhaps I could at least request the honor of escorting you inside.”
…
I hadn’t even appeared publicly with Loic yet.
Though this wasn’t an official event, many people were watching.
If I entered holding Lucion’s hand, it might look like we were partners.
Sensing my hesitation, Lucion added,
“You’ll probably need to enter before the audience can go in.”
“Ah, I see.”
His throat moved nervously, as if he were afraid of being rejected.
He looked almost anxious to confirm that I didn’t hate him.
‘Well… this much should be fine.’
Refusing a foreign prince’s escort might look strange.
“Thank you.”
I nodded and held out my hand.
Lucion’s face brightened like a child’s.
“It’s my honor.”
Just as he reached to take my hand—
“His Grace, the Grand Duke, has arrived!”
The announcement echoed through the theater.
I turned in shock.
A powerful figure entered, making even the grand entrance seem narrow.
Swept-back black hair.
Sharp, defined features.
Heavy, commanding steps.
It was Loic—but not the Loic I usually saw.
It was the Grand Duke of Blenheim.
Knights in formal uniforms followed behind him in perfect formation.
The entire theater froze.
“…We greet His Grace!”
Someone shouted shakily, and all the nobles bowed at once.
The rustling of dresses was the only sound.
For many noblewomen, it was their first time seeing their lord in person.
Loic walked straight between Lucion and me.
“Annette.”
I stared at him blankly, too stunned to respond.
A light lavender cravat.
A refined white jacket.
A deep purple cloak.
His outfit perfectly matched my lavender dress.
On a man with such broad shoulders and a powerful build, the elegant clothes looked almost unexpected—but that contrast made him look even more striking.
His cool yet gentle eyes softened when they met mine.
“I apologize for being late.”
He took my hand, still awkwardly raised in the air, and gently pulled me to his side.
Lucion’s expression tightened slightly.
Loic looked around at the gathered nobles.
“Raise your heads.”
They obeyed.
Gasps of admiration spread quietly.
“My wife has worked tirelessly to prepare this event. Until now, Blenheim has lacked entertainment worthy of you…”
His firm voice echoed through the lobby.
I stared at his profile in confusion.
Why is he here?
He said he was too busy today.
What if he bumps into someone? There are so many women here.
Did he force himself to come just to support me?
My throat felt dry with worry.
“I hope you all enjoy yourselves.”
The nobles bowed again.
“May the Goddess bless Your Graces!”
Loic turned to Lucion with a calm expression.
“Prince Lucion, do you have business with my wife?”
“I was just going to escort Her Highness—”
Before Lucion could finish—
“I appreciate the thought,” Loic said smoothly, intertwining his fingers with mine,
“but naturally, I should escort my wife. Annette, shall we?”
“…Prince, I hope you enjoy the performance.”
I walked forward with Loic, my lips dry.
Everyone stared at us in shock.
I glanced up at him.
His handsome face beneath his swept-back black hair made my heart beat faster.
I held his hand tightly.
In the Royal Room
As soon as we were alone, I hurried to close the curtains.
“Annette.”
“What is going on?”
“It’s the first day of your performance. How could I stay away? Or… are you unhappy to see me?”
He pretended to look pitiful.
“That’s not what I mean! You can’t just appear like that! There were so many noblewomen outside!”
“But I missed you too much.”
“No matter how much you miss me—!”
He laughed softly.
“Annette, it’s alright now.”
“What do you mean it’s alright? Don’t tell me—!”
He held both my hands firmly.
“It’s truly alright now.”
…!
Something in his eyes felt different.
“I must be very fortunate,” he said quietly, brushing my hair aside.
“Thanks to my lovely wife, even my curse has been lifted.”
The curse… lifted?
“Then… it’s really okay now?”
I stared at him.
No more avoiding people?
No more hiding?
We can live like normal people?
“Annette, why are you crying?”
He gently wiped my tears.
I hadn’t even realized I was crying.
“I think… I’m crying because I’m happy.”
My voice trembled.
“Thank you, Annette.”
He kissed near my eyes softly.
“I’ve wanted to say this for a long time.”
You are the greatest blessing of my life.
Overwhelmed with happiness, I slowly closed my eyes.
