I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 91
As Ricardo’s hand lifted the veil, Mirabel’s red lips and straight nose were revealed. Then, as her sapphire-blue eyes met his purple ones.
“Princess!”
Sophie’s voice echoed through the cemetery.
Startled, Mirabel stepped back. She turned and called out to the approaching Sophie.
“Sophie.”
“I came looking for you because it’s time for dinner, and when I didn’t see you, I got worried. Haa, you just screamed, didn’t you? Are you alright?”
Sophie held an umbrella over Mirabel’s head as she glanced at Ricardo, not recognizing him and defensively said.
“Who are you to lay a hand on the princess? Look here, do you even know who this is…”
“Princess Mirabel Etienette.”
Ricardo, who had been silently listening to Sophie’s protests, spoke up. He raised one hand to his chest and bowed gracefully to Mirabel.
“I apologize for the late introduction. I am Ricardo Vittore, Duke of Renato.”
“Greetings, Your Grace!”
Startled, Sophie quickly bowed to Ricardo. Mirabel looked at him without saying a word.
Just moments ago, when their gazes met.
Her heart felt like it had dropped to the floor.
Why did she feel this way?
Such feelings were only when she loved Ricardo.
‘It can’t be.’
Surely it was just the shock of the reunion. Mirabel came to her own conclusion and turned around. She called to Sophie.
“Let’s go, Sophie.”
“What? Yes.”
Sophie, looking puzzled, glanced between Ricardo and Mirabel before nodding.
As Mirabel left the cemetery, Ricardo remained standing still. She could feel his gaze intensely following her, but she did not look back.
It was always Mirabel who had watched someone else’s back.
Not anymore.
Now, it was Ricardo’s turn to watch as someone walked away.
To become shabby and broken.
* * *
After freshening up, Mirabel entered the dining room and frowned at the seating arrangement at the long table.
The seats for the Duke and the princess were uncomfortably close.
Normally, they should have been seated at opposite ends of the long table, but instead, the two were set to dine facing each other.
However, as a guest, Mirabel couldn’t really object to the host’s arrangement of the seating.
Swallowing her displeasure, she took her seat. As she did, Ricardo made his appearance.
He was impeccably dressed, shedding the madman image she had encountered in the cemetery just earlier.
Ricardo was clad in a tight-fitting dark blue suit, perfectly tied cravat, and his black hair neatly combed back.
If not for his gaunt face, one could hardly believe he was the same person from the cemetery.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting.”
Ricardo greeted Mirabel politely before taking his seat. As he sat, servants in uniforms brought out the appetizers.
It was just Ricardo and Mirabel at the expansive table.
Mirabel felt a sense of discomfort at having to dine alone with him. Normally, when a guest visits, the lord along with his advisors would join the welcoming banquet, which was quite different from the current setup.
Mirabel quietly bit her lip. She thought for a moment whether to ask why she was being treated this way.
Originally, Mirabel had planned not to speak at all during her stay in Renato. All conversations were supposed to go through Sophie, who served at her side.
She did this to keep her voice from Ricardo. It was part of her efforts to remain hidden.
However, she had already conversed with Ricardo earlier. Relying on Sophie now seemed pointless.
Having made her decision, Mirabel sighed and spoke up.
“Where are the others?”
“I asked to have this meal privately with the Princess because I have something to discuss.”
Ricardo responded in a calm tone, very different from the weeping man at the grave.
“What is it?”
Mirabel was about to start on her salad but looked up instead. Ricardo watched her hands holding the fork and knife and then said.
“I’ll tell you after we’ve finished eating.”
Ricardo then began to eat, his manners flawless and elegant, not missing a beat in dining etiquette.
Mirabel reluctantly turned her attention back to her meal.
In the suffocating silence, a long course meal continued. Starting with a squid salad, each dish that followed was intricately prepared.
Mirabel had never seen such elaborate dishes during her stay in Renato.
She had never dined in the dining room before. As Armilla, after the Duke had finished his meal, she would eat the food Luce brought from the kitchen in her room.
Back then, her meals were simple and crude, cooked by grilling or steaming. Nothing like the dishes now on her plate, decorated with drizzled sauces and glistening vegetables.
‘Did they change the chef?’
Mirabel thought absentmindedly as she ate. It didn’t really matter. She just needed to eat and leave.
Finally, when the dessert, a sherbet, was served, the servants attending them promptly left the dining room.
“Now, speak.”
Alone with Ricardo, Mirabel put down her spoon and demanded. Ricardo looked at her unfinished sherbet with a tense expression.
“Does it not suit your taste?”
“No, it was delicious. Thank you for the hospitality.”
Mirabel delivered a typical greeting. Ricardo visibly relaxed and smiled faintly.
“We prepared this meal hastily because I heard that this is the kind of food eaten in Segolinde. I’m glad you liked it.”
“Why…”
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