I let out a small sigh. Although my tension had eased for the most part, it’d been replaced with minor fatigue. During conversations, high-ranking nobles would not hesitate to tear you down over the most trifling matters, so I couldn’t relax. Exchanges during which every reply had to be carefully considered were honestly draining.
Unfortunately, the soiree was far from over—we were at the liveliest point of the night. I wanted to find the proper time to leave, but it was still much too early.
“Rose.”
Hearing my name, I looked up. Sir Leonhart handed me a glass. The liquid in the slender flute glass was clear and had a subtle citrus fragrance. It was likely lemon water. The servers walking around the hall only carried trays of wine and other spirits, so he’d probably ordered it specifically for me.
“Thank you,” I said.
“You must be exhausted. Lean against me.” Sir Leonhart supported my weight. His arm wrapped around my waist didn’t feel unpleasant in the slightest; all I felt was his gentle thoughtfulness.
Once again, why on earth was he not one of the suitor characters? It’s rude of me to say, but he treats women far better than the other love interests, like Johan and Klaus, do. To paint a thorough picture, he’ll place a shawl around my shoulders before I even feel cold at home, and when I feel indisposed because it’s that time of month, he’s considerate in just the right amount so that it’s not irritating. And look at his face on top of all that! Of course he’s popular!
Sir Leonhart cocked his head when he noticed me staring. “Is something the matter?”
I replied with a nonanswer. “I’m merely relishing my good fortune.”
He gave me a puzzled look but didn’t press further. I was taking a break while quenching my thirst with the lemon water when someone suddenly called out to us.
“You two get along well.”
I turned in the direction of the voice and saw a man approaching us. He looked to be in his mid-fifties. He was of medium build, but the elegant silhouette of his waistcoat was marred by the slight protrusion of his belly. His brown hair was slicked back and streaked with gray. He had slightly upturned light-blue eyes. Although he had wrinkles and sagging skin appropriate for his age, he had a well-groomed face.
“It has been quite a while, Your Highness... Oh, pardon me. I should’ve addressed you as Duchess Prelier. Do you remember me?”
I slipped out of Sir Leonhart’s arms and greeted him. “Of course, Duke Schletter.”
I’d said that with a smile, but on the inside, I was anxious that I’d gotten his name wrong. Duke Schletter was my father’s cousin, which meant we were technically related, but I had little recollection of interacting with him in person. I’d only met him a handful of times at ceremonies.
“I still can’t believe that the adorable little princess is now a duchess regnant of all things. I must be getting old.”
“My shortcomings are still many, and I have much to learn.”
I didn’t think he particularly liked or disliked me, but maybe I should revise that. He’s been looking at me with an appraising gaze, and I feel like that was a roundabout way of saying, “I don’t acknowledge you as a duchess,” though maybe I’m being paranoid. I’ve heard he’s a conservative man in both good and bad ways, so he may have an issue not with me as an individual but with the fact that a woman became a duchess regnant. He probably didn’t have much interest in me when I was a princess, so his opinions formed later on.
“There you go again, always so humble. I’ve heard of your activities. Prelier’s economy is undergoing remarkable developments, and your management of the medical facility is progressing smoothly, I hear.”
I pasted on my best smile and replied, “It’s an honor that you’d speak so highly of me, Your Grace. However, I couldn’t have done it alone. It’s all thanks to the support of my brilliant husband.”
Duke Schletter’s attention shifted to Sir Leonhart. “Oh, Lord Orsein... No, is it Lord Prelier now?”
“Please, call me Leonhart.”
“Sir Leonhart, then. It’s been a few years since our last chat.”
“Yes, it’s been a long time,” Sir Leonhart replied as he took his spot beside me.
Duke Schletter returned to addressing me. “He is indeed a very brilliant man. Not only is he skilled with the sword, but he also has a very sharp mind. And don’t forget his manly good looks. He could easily support you alone.”
Sir Leonhart did not appear the slightest bit happy about Duke Schletter’s expansive praise. His lips were curved into a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. It was because we could feel the duke’s contempt for me in every single one of his words.
I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve seen Sir Leonhart in a bad mood.
My husband was about to open his mouth, but I furtively gripped his hand behind my skirt. When he sneaked a peek at me, I smiled at him to signal that I didn’t mind.
It really doesn’t bother me whatsoever. My beloved gets angry in my place, so I can shrug off one or two nasty remarks with a smile. Besides, this much sarcasm is akin to saying hello in high society.
“My niece begged me to introduce her to you today. It’s a tad embarrassing to praise my own relative, but she’s quite a beautiful girl. Of course, her beauty is no match for yours, Duchess Prelier.”
As he spoke, Duke Schletter scanned our surroundings. He soon beckoned someone over with the slight wave of his hand, and a young lady approached us. She was around sixteen or seventeen, and though her eyes and hair were the same shade as Duke Schletter’s, her face bore no resemblance to his. In contrast to the duke’s imposing features, she had large, droopy eyes and downward-slanting eyebrows that stirred a person’s protective instincts. The adorable young girl reminded me of a small animal.
She smiled, her eyes locked onto Sir Leonhart. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Duchess Prelier, Sir Leonhart. My name is Sandra. I’m Count Baalke’s second daughter.”
During the entirety of her greetings, Miss Sandra’s eyes remained glued to Sir Leonhart. I couldn’t tell whether she admired him or harbored serious affection for him, but my heart pounded when I saw the obvious passion that filled her gaze.
“It’s a pleasure, Miss Sandra.” Though I responded with a smile, I was amazed by how petty-minded I was. I was supposed to be fully aware of how popular Sir Leonhart was, so I was disappointed in myself for getting jealous over every single little thing.
“I admire the both of you. It feels like a dream that I’m talking to you like this right now... My heart feels so full that I almost can’t breathe.” Her cheeks were flushed, and her little gesture of placing her hand on her chest was incredibly cute.
“She’s only recently made her debut, yet she doesn’t pay any attention to the men around her age. It’s quite the predicament. Sir Leonhart, if you don’t mind, would you help her make a nice memory and dance one song with her?”
Miss Sandra’s eyes sparkled when she heard Duke Schletter’s suggestion. My immediate instinct was to say no, but it was difficult to decline given the way he’d phrased it. It’s just one song, I reasoned, and I released Sir Leonhart’s hand.
However, he didn’t let go. Surprised by the pressure in his grip, I swayed slightly, and he caught me in his arms.
“Rose, do you feel unwell?” he asked.
“Huh?” I uttered, bewildered.
He held me firmly by the waist as he peered down at me with concern. “Why don’t we move somewhere else and take a break?”
“What? But—”
“You’re taking care of two now, not just yourself, so don’t overdo it.”
I tried to gauge Miss Sandra’s reaction, but Sir Leonhart’s hand on my cheek blocked my vision.
“Duke Schletter, my deepest apologies, but I want to let my wife rest, so we’ll excuse ourselves now,” Sir Leonhart said.
“O-Of course,” the duke stammered. He couldn’t insist that my husband escort a different lady when his wife was feeling ill on top of being pregnant. Duke Schletter nodded, his face twitching slightly.
I could feel Miss Sandra and Duke Schletter watching us as we left the hall. I stole glances at Sir Leonhart’s profile as we headed for the lounge. His face showed that he was in a bad mood, but it was of a different kind than earlier.
“L-Leon...?”
“I told you that I wouldn’t leave your side today no matter what.”
I recalled how he’d asked me to stay close by his side the entire night. When I’d decided to attend a soiree, that had been his condition. My heart was full—he prioritized me to the point that it made me feel silly for feeling insecure.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
His eyebrows drooped bashfully, and he murmured, “Me too. I’m sorry for being immature.”
We looked at each other and smiled. The hazy cloud that had shrouded my heart until moments ago vanished before I knew it.