My Dear Grand Duke on a Leash - Chapter 62

Chapter 31.2 — Honeymoon Night (2)

She could clearly see the guests politely exchanging greetings while exchanging strange glances with each other. Wasn’t high society a place where if you broke a teacup in the morning, someone would send you a tea set as a gift in the afternoon? She was certain this would become a widely accepted fact before the reception would be over.

At that moment, Narkissis walked in.

Even from the far end of the reception hall, his dazzling presence was unmistakable. Not only did he possess radiant golden hair as bright as the sun, but his handsome and striking facial features also contributed to his remarkable appearance. Moreover, he was wearing the pristine white uniform that symbolized the Helios Imperial family, making him even more conspicuous.

From the shimmering golden epaulettes on his shoulders to the crimson sash diagonally crossing his body, his presence couldn’t go unnoticed.

As the gracefully poised Narkissis leisurely made his entrance, the guests simultaneously bent their waists or lowered their knees in a display of respect. He ignored them as though they weren’t a crowd but mere weeds. It didn’t seem like a deliberate act of disregard but rather as if he hadn’t even acknowledged their presence.

“This… I’ve never seen such a remarkable spectacle in my life. Cain. Lariette. What happened?”

Riette furrowed her brow deeply.

She knew that the most important figure with whom she should appear intimate with Cain had arrived. Yet, being human, her mind and emotions often worked independently. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to do it, but still, she didn’t want to face it…

“Have you arrived?”

A tall figure appeared, wearing an elegant black tailcoat with a broad back.

Cain took a step forward, shielding her from Narkissis.

She couldn’t see his hair, let alone catch even a glimpse of Narkissis’s expression. Just by standing behind him, she was hidden from the view of others as if she were behind a dam blocking the sea. Cain was taller than average, while Riette was petite, so it was a natural composition.

It was a blatant gesture rather than merely standing side by side.

The sound of nearby nobles hiding behind their fans and chatting with each other drifted into her ears like light waves.

‘I don’t know who it is that is going to marry the Princess of Chalonné, but he’s truly unfortunate and pitiful.’

Rumors had been circulating about the two princesses reaching marriageable age, and the reason for that was because their childhood friend was none other than Narkissis Helios. Not only that he wasn’t just a prince by birth, but he was also a mythical beauty, as if the sculptors secretly stole a picture of ancient gods to use as a model. The prevailing opinion was that the higher the lineage of a young man with a high nose, the more his pride would swell…

Kaisaros Acheron.

Was there a man who was more fitting for the words ‘unfortunate’ and ‘pitiful’?

It was an incident that completely turned the situation upside down. If not for Kaisaros Acheron, the most precious royal blood in Helios would have been Prince Narkissis. There wasn’t a noble who didn’t know the rest of the story.

Cain glanced briefly at Riette.

“Princess, it seems it’s time for Princess Beatrice to return. Shouldn’t you go to her?”

Even so, shouldn’t she at least greet the prince?

Even though a momentary question flashed through her mind for a fleeting moment, an exclamation mark popped up in Riette’s eyes.

“Ung! I’ll be back. Please take care of things here, Grand Duke!”

When she brightly smiled, the murmurs grew a bit louder this time. Just yesterday, they addressed each other formally, but now they are suddenly addressing each other in a friendly manner.

Turning her back, she deliberately maneuvered through the spaces between the tables to exit the reception area.

Without giving a single glance to Narkissis.

˚ ･: * ✧ * :･ ˚

It was the time when the tired sun began to recline over the mountain ridge, leaving behind a scarlet sunset like a yawn.

Another concern for the guests was whether Princess Lariette, known for her sensitivity, would break down in tears within seconds after she began her bridesmaid speech. The nobles who bet on ‘crying immediately after raising her glass’ took their share. As the Princess continued her speech with determination, shedding tears drop by drop from her big eyes, the guests burst into laughter while the Queen of Chalonné wiped away her tears.

What ignited their interest the most was the fact that the handkerchief the Princess used to wipe her tears had the emblem of the Grand Duchy of Acheron embroidered on it.

As the tearful speech concluded, the music changed.

Bea rose up from her seat with a bouquet in hand. As she adorned herself in violets in accordance with the reception theme, she looked as beautiful as a fairy born from a flower bud.

Royalty and noblewomen held their fans and whispered to each other.

“It looks like she’s going to throw the bouquet. I wonder who is going to receive it?”

Want to read more? Up to [15] advanced chapters are available on Patreon: