My Dear Grand Duke on a Leash - Chapter 64

Chapter 32.2 — Honeymoon Night (4)

There was a strange silence. The maids who turned around and the ladies who were halfway standing in their seats simultaneously covered their mouths.

A massive hand tightly clenched the bouquet like a weapon.

Standing up from the table with an awkward posture, towering over them was…

…Grand Duke Acheron.

“The Grand Duke of Acheron, the bouquet…”

With one hand raised in the air, he accepted the bouquet, resembling an Olympic athlete holding a victory trophy. Only someone like Kaisaros Acheron could pull off such a majestic and formidable bouquet toss.

“Pffft!“

Amidst the frozen silence, Riette’s laughter burst out suddenly. The sight of him catching the bouquet as it went flying like a cannonball was so ridiculously cool that laughter erupted instead.

Only then did the frozen guests begin to laugh and applaud one by one.

As the applause spread like a wave, even Cain looked down at the bouquet as if in a daze. The maids burst out laughing. Narkissis clapped his hands, the corners of his mouth curling in mockery.

“This… it looks like you’re getting married. I genuinely congratulate you, Cain.”

Marriage.

At the mention of that word, Cain involuntarily lifted his head. Across the room, Riette could be seen laughing brightly and clapping as though she was finding it amusing.

After gazing at her for a moment, he gracefully greeted the guests and then turned his gaze down towards Narkissis.

“It was a delightful conversation, Your Highness.”

Then, he lowered his voice to a whisper so that only Narkissis could hear.

“Your advice on obsession… I sincerely appreciate it. I’ll imitate your example and refrain from acting in a manner that would be seen as blind until the royal court of Chalonné formally accepted my proposal of marriage to Princess Lariette.

Thud.

Narkissis abruptly stopped breathing as his long and gracefully arched eyelashes and violet irises fluttered. It was a hesitation he would never show to Cain under normal circumstances, but it seemed like his control had been scattered by alcohol.

“A marriage proposal… You.”

Although it was a directive given by him, it was the reaction of someone who had anticipated failure from the beginning.

“It’s love at first sight, first love. I earnestly request your blessing, Your Highness.”

The merciless blue eyes coldly gazed down at the noble’s helpless face in front of him.

“First love…”

Narkissis’s rueful muttering disappeared as if they were scattered amidst the resounding applause.

̊ · : * ✧* : · ̊

As the evening progressed, the reception reached its peak. Golden lights, akin to fine beer, illuminated the evening sky, turning the dark blue sky yellow. The atmosphere became lively as the music picked up its tempo—fast-paced yet elegant enough for the sophisticated gentlemen and ladies of the upper class to handle.

As the graceful music flowed, the atmosphere became lively.

The reception was truly Chalonné-like — eating, drinking, dancing, singing, and reveling in the intoxication.

Once the first dance of the bride and groom concluded, it was the turn of the Chalonné ladies. Jacques Saint-Cyr, now a member of the royal family, danced with the Queen and Bea, and finally…

“Princess Lariette! You must dance!”

He pulled out Riette.

With the flush of alcohol making her cheeks rosy, Riette staggered into the center of the garden. While chatting with her sister, the wine she sipped intermittently sent warmth to her lips and sent her floating through the yellow lights.

Similarly, Jacques Saint-Cyr, who was getting drunk, faced Riette, who lifted the hem of her daffodil-colored skirt as a greeting.

Her dance was completely different from Bea, who glided over the notes of the minute. Despite being the same dance, Riette’s movements were lively and bouncy, akin to the steps of a fairy dancing over the marimba keys. Petals kept falling from the loosened flowers, showering like a floral cascade, and her laughter, clearer than the music, burst forth like flower buds popping open.

Her eyes were entirely red from crying so hard with her mother during the congratulatory speech at dinner. However, with eyes reddened, the face adorned with a bright smile was truly dazzlingly lovely.

“Was Princess Lariette always that beautiful? I had no idea, because I’ve only seen Princess Beatrice until now…”

“Now that I think about it, since Princess Beatrice has married, Princess Lariette will likely start looking for a marriage partner soon. I wonder what kind of man will become the man of the Chalonné royal family this time?”

The man who would soon become a secret member of the royal family…

Grand Duke Acheron was currently struggling to contain the impulse to immediately rise from his seat and whisk the Princess away.

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