Chapter 43
In an instant, the Grand Duke’s hand pushed deep inside.
“If it’s something you can’t have, then it’s better to diminish its value.”
“…Its value?”
“Yes. Compared to the scandal committed by the Grand Duke and Duchess, “
He twisted his lips into a grin.
“A fuss over the late Duchess’s dress seems like a rather worthless subject.”
It was a brutal remark to make about her mother’s dress, but it was, undeniably, a logical calculation.
Kyrie found it unpleasant, but at the same time, she couldn’t deny its rationale.
“So, would you focus on me now?”
…Strangely enough, it felt a little like comfort.
‘No way.’
Was this man truly trying to console her?
Even as she doubted it, Kyrie instinctively wrapped her arms around him. The Grand Duke let out a quiet chuckle.
“Even so, “
“Ah!”
“After I went to all that trouble wrapping you up so nicely.”
His eyes trailed languidly down the dress sliding from her body. Even on second glance, it was a gown that matched her skin and her hair, like white foam, perfectly.
“To think you’d lose to a dusty old thing like that.”
Though his tone was relaxed, a trace of displeasure lingered at the end.
No matter what the dress meant to Kyrie, to Dominique it was nothing more than a faded piece of fabric sewn together from outdated scraps.
‘And I was in such a good mood.’
He had been genuinely pleased when Kyrie, more boldly than he’d expected, had shaken the banquet to its core with her reply.
It had only reaffirmed his belief that he had chosen the right partner, so much so that he had laughed for the first time in ages.
He had thought her momentary expression of pain would be eclipsed by her sharp wit.
But those eyes.
The eyes that had flashed with a hint of regret. That trembled with unspoken longing, longing for something that wasn’t him, scraped at Dominique’s heart.
It was rare to see such yearning in her eyes.
If only that gaze had been turned toward him, it would have been far more satisfying.
As the Empire’s foremost duke, he had much to offer her, his partner.
Even if her desires were a bit unreasonable, there was no reason he couldn’t fulfil them. Their contractual relationship was still intact, after all.
And yet, she had been shaken, by a mere dress worn by Elise Ehrenberg.
‘What are you dissatisfied with?’
Then, Dominique realised it instinctively.
His wife…
‘All I have to do is give her what she wants.’
Not what he picked for her, but what she wanted. If he gave her that, then a silly dress like that wouldn’t stand a chance.
The hunger and desire in her fierce eyes, he could direct all of that at himself.
So Dominique leaned in deliberately and asked.
“What do you want?”
“W-what…?”
“What does my wife like?”
“Ah!”
“And what does she want?”
“Wait— “
“If people start saying the Grand Duke couldn’t give the Grand Duchess the best, “
“…Nngh.”
“, I wouldn’t be too pleased with that.”
“My… You’re asking because of Your Grace’s pride?”
“Is that a problem?”
Kyrie’s cheeks flushed bright red and her eyes narrowed slightly. Then, as if sulking, she mumbled.
“What could possibly be a problem for you?”
“Hmm.”
“You always get what you want, Your Grace. Y-you have to… Ah!”
As she replied, Dominique suddenly yanked down the front of her dress.
The intricate embellishments that adorned her chest fell away into his hands, leaving only a few strands of pearls hanging from her neckline to her chest.
“My wife knows me well.”
“Ah!”
“How satisfying.”
Kyrie shivered despite herself as he whispered into her ear. Even though he had asked her what she wanted, the entire exchange had been entirely for his satisfaction.
“So, what is it that you like?”
“Hngh…”
“You seem to enjoy this quite a bit, for starters.”
“Wa-wait…”
“I’ve heard from rumours that you’re fond of jewels, too.”
He smirked, as though remembering all the gossip about the luxurious mad dog.
“What else do you like?”
Without meaning to, Kyrie opened her mouth. She couldn’t stand the heat any longer. Words spilled out before she could control them.
“As Your Grace said… I like all kinds of jewels.”
“And?”
“F-flowers…”
Suddenly, her mind conjured up the image of her mother’s greenhouse, damp and dim.
She had liked that place. She had liked all the wildflowers that bloomed there. More accurately, she had liked them because they bloomed there. The kind didn’t matter.
“A surprisingly ordinary taste for a noble lady.”
“So what, did Your Grace think I’d enjoy slaughtering people like you do, Ah!”
Still laughing, Dominique buried his face in her chest without warning. Then he breathed warmly against her skin and whispered.
“Shall we indulge a bit more?”
“What are you, “
“Dominique.”
He raised the corner of his mouth and whispered against her skin.
“Call me Dominique. Like last time, say, my Dominique.”
“Hngh…!”
“I recall changing how I addressed you, just as you requested.”
His silver eyes curved along with his smile. It was proof he was genuinely enjoying this.
When he stood still with no expression, those silver eyes looked practically lifeless. But now, with real emotion flickering in them, Kyrie bit her lip.
“My wife.”
“…”
“Kyrie.”
The moment he called her name, goaded her, the wave of pleasure swept over her in full force. The heat of the man pressed so closely to her overwhelmed her in an instant.
“…Nique.”
Perhaps that was why.
Perhaps that’s why she called his name as he urged her on.
“Dominique…”
“Good girl.”
His gentle praise followed, with a tender stroke of his hand.
As his whispers caressed her ears, Kyrie closed her eyes.
All that had happened back in the ballroom faded from memory. Even the dress and the pendant that had driven her into a spiral of aching loneliness, forgotten.
𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆🌷͙⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
“Your Majesty, the Empress!”
“Your Majesty!”
The moment the Grand Duchess dropped her bomb and exited with the Grand Duke, it was the Empress, who rose from her seat without bothering to conceal her fury, who shattered the tension that had lingered in the hall.
“Hmph!”
She said nothing, but her action spoke volumes.
Her gaze turned cold as it landed on Elise, who stood beside Lexion. The Empress fanned herself several times as though trying to cool her temper, then abruptly stormed out.
Several noble ladies seated near her hurriedly rose and followed.
“…”
The guests in the ballroom began to glance about nervously. There wasn’t a soul here unaware of the banquet’s true purpose.
“Isn’t it usually the Empress who sets and announces the wedding date?”
“But it seems she’s left the room…”
Even amid the unease, there were guests quietly clearing their throats as they realised Elise Ehrenberg had just taken a blow, however indirect.
The sound of fluttering fans continued to fill the air.
Lexion, who had stood silently the entire time, finally spoke.
“I’ll go and persuade my mother to return.”
“I’ll come with you. I’m sure she was deeply offended because of the Grand Duchess.”
Elise said softly, her fingers fiddling with the pendant at her neck. She was shaken and angry, but she had to endure it.
‘What is the Grand Duke thinking?’
She still believed he wasn’t truly interested in Kyrie. That belief hadn’t changed.
‘But it’s getting harder to ignore.’
She recalled the Grand Duke holding Kyrie close by the waist.
Just then, Lexion turned and addressed her in a calm voice.
“Thank you for understanding the situation. You’re very kind, Elise.”
“You flatter me, Your Highness.”
“Truly. And yet, to think you two are sisters…”
His words dripped with disdain, and both Veron and Johansson visibly frowned.
Given how they had silently watched as Kyrie was insulted earlier, the look on their faces now was almost laughable.
Elise gave a mocking inward smile at her suddenly sentimental brothers.
Did they only now feel brotherly affection for the mad dog?
It wouldn’t last. There was already a river too wide to cross between them.
Besides, neither of them would abandon her now, not after everything.
Even Veron had reluctantly handed over the pendant necklace when she asked for it.
‘They’d be heartless if they didn’t.’
She remembered how fiercely they had rejected both her and her mother. How it had torn her mother apart. How Elise had watched all of it with utter revulsion.
She hadn’t pitied her mother for it. Nor did she hold a grudge. A beautiful woman like her mother had lived a life that suited her perfectly.
Elise simply didn’t want to live the same way. And now, she was putting that resolve into action.
‘If only Kyrie had died back then, things would’ve been easier.’
She recalled the time she had sent someone to lure Kyrie onto that mountain path and smiled softly instead of sighing.
She turned toward the one card she still held with conviction.
“I’ll be back soon, Father.”
The Duke of Ehrenberg, who had stood throughout the chaos with a cold, unmoving expression, the same man who had given her his late wife’s wedding dress when she asked.
“Don’t worry, Duke Ehrenberg. Our wedding announcement will go ahead without a hitch.”
Because Lexion believed the duke held a record of nobles’ secrets, he always treated him with deference.
Lexion naturally offered Elise his arm and escorted her as they followed the Empress into the reception room.
“Father.”
After the two had departed, Veron looked at the Duke with a frozen expression.
But it was Johansson who spoke first.
“What were you thinking?”
