The Role of Grand Duchess - Chapter 7

Caelus slowly opened his eyes and looked down at the round head nestled in his arms.

The fidgeting, unsure movements were quite endearing.

‘Endearing,’ he thought.

Was this the emotion of endearment?

Finding it unfamiliar but not unpleasant, he tightened his arm, pulling Eileen closer. He immediately felt her small, soft body stiffen.

Yes, definitely endearing.

Just the feeling of endearment made his spine tingle. The instinctive arousal was now quite familiar. But before Caelus’s instincts could take over, a knock came from outside.

“Your Grace, are you awake?”

It was Baron Roang. A surge of annoyance welled up, but Caelus spoke nonchalantly.

“I’ll be out soon.”

“Yes.”

“……!”

Eileen’s eyes widened at the two men’s conversation. Was this man awake the whole time?

As Eileen stiffened with suffocating tension and awkwardness, Caelus’s lips lightly touched her shoulder before pulling away.

Though unspoken, it was an unbelievably tender morning greeting.

No sooner had his lips left her skin than Caelus rose. Then, in his usual indifferent voice, he said, “We’ll eat breakfast and leave immediately, so prepare yourself.”

“……Yes.”

Barely regaining her composure, Eileen pulled the blanket around herself, covering her body clad only in a negligee-like nightgown. Involuntarily, her eyes were fixed on Caelus’s menacing bulge as he entered the bathroom.

She felt none of the familiar ache and sticky sensation below that she experienced every morning.

Even with him like that, did I just sleep because I was asleep?

The unexpected consideration made her heart flutter. But she quickly shook her head. Like herself, he must have been exhausted from the constant forced march and fallen into a deep sleep. And now it was time to leave immediately.

Having come to her own conclusion, Eileen got up. Only three days remained until they reached the Imperial City.

And during those three days, Eileen and Caelus’s days and nights passed much the same as before.

The Imperial City was in a festive mood. The war against the barbaric northerners, who had even killed the late Emperor and had been dragging on for nearly 30 years, was finally over.

The Demon of the Battlefield. The Empire’s Blood Sword. Grand Duke Caelus Derstian had become a hero and was returning to the Imperial City for the first time in 20 years.

As he passed through the city gates, a tremendous roar erupted. Petals rained down from the sky, and the citizens cheered.

Grand Duke Caelus, riding a black horse at the head of the army, was truly the descent of a god, the incarnation of a king. His resemblance to the late Emperor also played a part. Elderly citizens teared up, remembering the late Emperor, who had been a respected and wise ruler.

Amid the massive welcoming crowd, three thousand soldiers marched. Each of their faces, like well-honed blades, was filled with proud dignity.

The heat was palpable even inside the carriage. Eileen was thrilled. She realized anew what kind of person her fake husband was. And she became nervous.

Soon, they would arrive at the Imperial Palace and see His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and Princess Rowena.

How would Princess Rowena react when she saw her? The most beautiful woman in the Empire. The most noble woman. But a woman whose infamous, violent nature, represented by the word ‘arrogant,’ was known even in the distant North.

Her spine stiffened, and her palms grew sweaty. Eileen once again adjusted the splendid attire that Baron Roang had specially prepared for her for today.

Expensive jewelry and a dress that would not be out of place compared to royalty. And shoes with diamonds scattering a noble yet subtle light.

“I can do it. That’s why I came all this way. I am…”

I will do it.

Repeating the vow dozens of times in her mind, the procession arrived in front of the Imperial Palace amidst enthusiastic cheers. Caelus, who had arrived in front of the huge Imperial Palace gates, which were wide open to welcome them, dismounted. The knights also dismounted.

Only the Emperor and the Crown Prince were allowed to ride horses inside the main gate of the Imperial Palace.

In the distance, Emperor Bailian was seen sitting arrogantly on a splendid throne prepared at the highest point of the welcoming ceremony. Beside him were Empress Pamela and Crown Prince Evans, and Princess Rowena, who was biting her lip with a venomous expression.

After confirming their faces, Caelus turned his head indifferently. His long legs moved quickly toward the carriage where Eileen was riding. Rowena, enraged, looked as if she would jump out at any moment, but Crown Prince Evans, who was next to her, grabbed his immature sister tightly.

Meanwhile, the carriage door opened, and Eileen stepped out of the carriage with Caelus’s escort.

The sudden appearance of the Grand Duchess was surprising in many ways. Her appearance, more elegant and beautiful than expected, and the sight of Grand Duke Caelus, who had always been like an ice block, carefully tending to his wife, made those who knew his true nature doubt their eyes.

“Ha…!”

Rowena, unable to contain her anger, burst into a hollow laugh. Her blue eyes, blazing like flames, were glaring at Eileen as if to devour her.

Grand Duke Caelus, holding his wife’s hand tightly, strode confidently to the front of the throne, unconcerned. Everyone held their breath and watched the Grand Duke and Duchess’s procession.

“We greet the sun of the Empire.”

“We greet the sun of the Empire.”

“We greet-! The Suun-!”

The soldiers lined up behind Caelus and Eileen shouted in unison, making it a magnificent sight.

Emperor Bailian looked down with strange eyes at his nephew, who had taken the throne from him, and the elegant woman beside him. His snake-like, slit eyes, containing murky pupils that were impossible to fathom, curved into a smile.

“You have suffered much. My only nephew, the Empire’s only Grand Duke.”

“I have merely done what was necessary.”

“No one but you could have done it. Haha.”

The Emperor rose and descended the platform. Then, the chief chamberlain, who had been standing below the Emperor, quickly held up a large box and followed behind him.

The Emperor, with a solemn expression, took out the Emperor’s sword from the box. As he raised the sword to the sky, Caelus and Eileen knelt before him.

Looking at his kneeling nephew and his wife, the Emperor said solemnly to everyone, “The treacherous northern barbarians, who have repeatedly invaded and plundered the Empire’s territory and harmed its citizens, have finally been annihilated. By the Empire’s sword, my nephew, Grand Duke Caelus!”

“Waaaah-!”

“To Grand Duke Caelus Derstian, who has made a great contribution to the peace of the Descartes Empire, I bestow one million gold coins and all the northern territories he has defended. I entrust the safety of the borders to you in the future, so fulfill your duty as the Empire’s strongest sword and loyal subject.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the long sword tapped Caelus’s shoulders in order. In this typical moment of praise, Caelus replied calmly, “I shall obey.”

“Next.”

At the Emperor’s words, Baron Roang stepped forward this time. Baron Roang, who knelt in the place where Caelus and Eileen had stepped aside, was also granted gold, territory, and the title of Count. Then, other commanders came out one by one and received the Emperor’s praise and awards for their achievements.

Caelus stood silently, watching the glory of those who had shared life and death with him on the battlefield for a long time. Eileen also calmly kept her place.

The welcoming ceremony was truly festive. Except for one person, Princess Rowena.

***

“Aaaargh-! So annoying!”

As soon as the welcoming ceremony was over, Caelus took only his wife and disappeared somewhere. Princess Rowena, who had returned to her palace like a dog chasing a chicken, was unable to contain her anger and rampaged. Everything she could grab was thrown and broken.

Turning her gaze to the maids trembling in the corner, Rowena smiled savagely.

“Bring me a mirror.”

“Yes, yes.”

Two maids quickly brought a large full-length mirror. Her reflection in the mirror was beautiful and alluring to anyone.

“How is it? Did you see that bitch earlier?”

“We, we did.”

“She looked like a country bumpkin!”

“That’s right! Where did His Grace find such a woman…?”

Slap-!

The maid who had been flattering Princess Rowena and mentioned the Grand Duke was slapped and fell to the ground.

“Are you saying my brother’s standards are low? Huh? Are you crazy?”

“No, that’s not… I have committed a crime worthy of death.”

“Haa… I’m already in a bad mood. Cut out that bitch’s tongue and throw her in prison.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I obey your command.”

“My dear, please speak politely. What will happen if harsh words keep coming out of the mouth of a princess?”

“What can I do when I’m angry? You heard what that girl, no, that maid, was saying, Mama.”

“What she said isn’t wrong. Because he has no eye for beauty, he married some minor noble from the countryside instead of my beautiful daughter.”

What she heard was true. But she had no intention of canceling the punishment that had already been carried out on the maid who had been dragged out.

“By the way, where is Brother? He was supposed to stay in the Imperial Palace during the welcoming ball period.”

“The Imperial Knights are looking for him, so let’s wait a little longer.”

“Annoying. How dare she steal my place. I’m going to kill her!”

Empress Pamela sighed deeply at her daughter’s angry appearance. She was just as annoyed with the current situation. It was even more so because she had never imagined that the plan would go wrong in this way.

“Don’t worry, this mother will somehow make Caelus yours.”

So I have to make him a sword just for my son Evans and put him in his hand. Definitely.

Empress Pamela, who secretly recited her inner thoughts that her daughter Rowena should not know, smiled brightly.

Pamela, who had cast a curse on young Caelus long ago, stealing his memories and emotions, had not finished her plan yet.

***

At that moment, Caelus and Eileen, whom Rowena was desperately searching for, were in the old detached palace that no one visited anymore.

This place, which had been used by the Empress during the reign of the late Emperor, that is, where Caelus’s mother had resided, was abandoned after Empress Pamela built a new, larger, and more splendid palace.

Because it was a ruin that no one set foot in, it was all the more suitable for hiding. So, Baron Roang, who had just been promoted, smuggled Caelus and Eileen here to take a breather and discuss future plans.

“From now on, it’s important. It starts with tonight’s ball.”

Although he was speaking to both of them, his gaze was solely on Eileen. He had no expectations for his taciturn superior, who was like a statue. It would be more helpful if he just kept his mouth shut and stood still.

Eileen nodded at Baron Roang’s obvious intentions.

“I know. I know my role here very well.”

“I trust you. And Your Grace… please don’t open your mouth if you can help it. You’ll get caught if you’re not careful.”

Baron Roang hesitated for a moment, but eventually spoke honestly. It was loyalty to rather be criticized than ruin things by opening his mouth unnecessarily.

“I won’t.”

“Thank you. If a difficult situation arises, I will step in, so please stay still. Now that things have come to this, shouldn’t we deceive everyone perfectly?”

The two nodded at Baron Roang’s words.

“Now, you two should link arms and take a walk around the garden before returning to your room. I’ll go separately.”

Baron Roang, who had bowed politely, turned to leave but stopped and looked at Eileen.

“Oh, and the concept is a walk for a happy and loving Grand Duke and Duchess. Be sure to link arms! Well, then, I’ll be on my way.”

Baron Roang, who had spouted embarrassing orders, disappeared. Eileen’s face turned red. Happiness and love.

“……Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

As she gently grabbed Caelus’s arm, he silently began to walk. As he walked slowly to match Eileen’s slow pace, she saw a beautiful garden with a cozy breeze different from the North.

It was a garden filled with colorful and splendid roses, perhaps to Empress Pamela’s taste. Thanks to this, the strong scent of roses stung her nose wherever she went.

The two continued their walk in silence. Eileen was extremely troubled about how to portray a happy and loving couple with this taciturn man, as Baron Roang had repeatedly urged, but on the surface, she seemed calm.

And Caelus, too, was disturbed by the woman beside him. Eileen’s subtle scent was more intense than the overpowering rose fragrance that stung his nose. An irresistible desire stirred within him.

Without realizing it, he tightened his grip on his armrest. He wanted to be closer to Eileen, just a little bit more, even if only by a fraction.

“Brother!”

The sudden, familiar voice of an intruder made Caelus’s brow furrow. A woman who could raise her voice so boldly in the Imperial Palace where His Majesty resided. It was Princess Rowena’s arrival.

Eileen swallowed nervously at the ear-splitting, high-pitched scream-like shout. The very person who had put her in this situation.