My Dear Grand Duke on a Leash - Chapter 65
Chapter 33.1 — Honeymoon Night (5)
Of course, from the outside, no one would know what was on his mind.
As the reception continued, even the elegant gentlemen and ladies inevitably loosened up slowly due to the intoxication. There were more than a few gentlemen walking around in their vests, leaving their evening jackets to their subordinates as if they were feverish from the alcohol.
On the other hand, the Grand Duke of Acheron?
He was sitting with his hand holding the bouquet resting on the table, with an upright as if a steel rod were inserted into his spine. It seemed as if he had been seamlessly transported from the first part of the ceremony—not a single strand of hair was out of place, and even the boutonniere pinned to his pocket remained pristine.
His distinctive and rigid dignity unintentionally captivated the hearts of quite a few ladies. No, in fact, guests of all genders were eagerly waiting around him.
“It seems that the Grand Duke isn’t inclined to such lively gatherings. Doesn’t it seem appropriate for me to go and strike up a conversation?”
“It’s said that he leaves the scene when ladies start approaching. Perhaps it has to do with Her Highness, the Princess of Helios. It would be better for us to go and discuss business matters instead.”
As it was rare for such a large gathering of royalty and nobility to come together, this wedding reception became a scene of social and political maneuvering beneath the surface. Especially with the presence of the Prince of Helios and Grand Duke Acheron, it was a tremendous opportunity where one could grasp both interest and advantage with numerous calculations taking place.
Nevertheless, the ladies and gentlemen hesitated to approach Grand Duke Acheron due to his imposing and noble demeanor, contenting themselves with circling nearby tables like bees around a hive.
Cain’s gaze became even more intense.
It was because a flock of wildcats gathered around the Princess. He didn’t understand those who muttered that they didn’t realize she was so dazzling, and he didn’t want them to recognize her charms.
A strange feeling arose.
As the guests chattered, the music came to a close.
Riette’s breathing was ragged as she bowed in response to the applause. The sight of her voluptuous chest bouncing prominently was pleasing to the eye. It was a shame because the dress completely covered the neck. Otherwise, it would have been quite a provocative sight, even though it was unintentional.
After breathing out a satisfied sigh, she settled into a nearby chair.
“Ugh, my feet hurt a bit. And I’m a bit drunk…”
Leaning back in her chair, Riette stretched her slender legs. After exhaling, a warm breath escaped as the surroundings spun around her.
‘I guess I’ve got too carried away… I’ve been drinking too much.’
She was sure her mother would scold her, but the truth was, it was worth it. How long had she prepared for this day for the sake of her sister’s happiness? The process, from the day her sister revealed her premarital pregnancy to her mother to the present moment when she smiled joyfully at the dinner table, flashed before her eyes like a movie reel.
She glanced at the dinner table where her sister was, tapping her toes.
As the night grew deeper, the wind became progressively cooler, and Bea’s complexion noticeably paled compared to the daytime.
Even though Jacques Saint-Cyr and Ceres tried to persuade her to go inside, she didn’t listen to a single word. It was understandable that she wouldn’t want to disappear first from her own wedding. She understood that sentiment, but still, it would be nice if her sister would go inside soon…
Now that the royal family’s dance had concluded, it was the turn of the guests.
In other words, it meant that it was time for someone to invite the princesses to dance. Given the hierarchical order, Narkissis would probably be the first to ask her sister to dance, followed by his mother.
Riette couldn’t bear to see her sister and Narkissis holding hands side by side.
‘..I’ll have to persuade them to go inside with me now.’
It was the moment she stepped on the floor, enduring the throbbing pain in her feet…
“Lariette. When you were younger, all I could feel was you trampling on my feet, but now you seem to be getting better at dancing.”
As she glanced up at the sound of the languid voice, she could see a man with his brilliant blond hair illuminated by the yellow lights and his gleaming white uniform.
It was Narkissis.
She thought he would go straight to her sister, but why did he come to her first? Riette’s brow naturally furrowed. Even without alcohol, she wasn’t one to hide her emotions well, though with the influence of alcohol, managing her expression became even more challenging.
Narkissis shrugged his shoulders in response to her blatant refusal.
“I’m really happy to be able to talk with you finally. I’ve got so much to talk about… even though we’ve missed several opportunities due to unexpected circumstances.”
At those words, she furrowed her brow deeply and quickly turned her head away from him. It was a strong expression that she didn’t even want to look him in the eye.
“Do you have nothing to say?”
Not wanting to respond with pronunciation blurred by the effects of alcohol, Riette concentrated all her attention on the tip of her tongue to reply.
“I know you’ve been watching all along. I’ve been doing everything just as Her Highness wishes, keeping secrets and even accepting the proposal. Soon, I’ll become the Duchess of Acheron…”
“Shh. Your voice is too loud. You seem quite drunk, do you want to get some fresh air?”
He smiled, folding the corners of his eyes like a fox before extending his hand with graceful movements like a dancer.
“Come on, Lariette. Let’s talk to each other.”
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