#93. Title Ceremony (2)
‘The two of them together really looked perfect.’
Princess Irina was a good match for Pavel.
Their ages were similar, she had a noble status suitable for a Grand Duchess, and even their outward appearances matched well.
Above all, Princess Irina’s lively and charming personality seemed to balance well with Pavel’s blunt and distant nature.
So, if the two of them really came to care for each other and became connected, it would be something to celebrate.
But…
Sasha rubbed her aching temples.
She couldn’t feel simply happy.
Was it because of the uncomfortable side she had glimpsed in Princess Irina?
Or was it because—
‘My heart…’
The feelings she had always struggled with and tried to hide.
‘Not Pavel’s feelings for me, but… what are my feelings for him?’
She didn’t need to think deeply now.
During that short, yet long time when she avoided Pavel, thinking he liked her—she had already thought through everything.
‘My heart is…’
When she finished her thoughts, Sasha lifted her lashes again.
Her eyes, hidden under thick lashes, were now shining brightly.
“Thank you, Sir.”
Even if Nikolai hadn’t understood everything, his advice had helped calm her complicated heart.
At her plain words of thanks, Nikolai widened his eyes.
He answered a beat later.
“…Don’t mention it.”
Sasha stared at him and then asked.
“But, did someone ask you to come?”
“What?”
Nikolai froze. He couldn’t hide his surprise, and his eyes wavered as he looked at Sasha.
Sasha quietly smiled.
“Because it didn’t seem like Sir Nikolai, who usually avoids being alone with me, would voluntarily come seek me out.”
“……”
“But I’m glad we could talk like this. I think it would be nice if it happened again sometimes. What about you?”
“Uh…”
Nikolai scratched his head and lowered it.
As expected, the lady was uncomfortable for him.
Not only because of her sharpness and insight that seemed to pierce right into him.
Her beautiful face that matched his taste, her kind and thoughtful nature, her soft voice.
And the way she spoke warmly, even when the words meant little to her.
All of it was uncomfortable.
‘Ugh, if I’m not careful, something terrible will surely happen.’
Nikolai promised himself once again to be careful—not to get thrown out of the Grand Duke’s household by offending his young master. Then, almost fleeing, he left Sasha.
At last, the day of the Title Ceremony arrived.
Thanks to preparing from early morning, Sasha was ready without delay and went to find Pavel.
The star of today, Pavel, was caught by the servants Sasha had instructed and was suffering through a long ordeal.
The grooming was so much it felt like torment, leaving him drained.
His appearance was splendid, but his face looked half-dead.
Watching him from a distance, Sasha covered her mouth and laughed.
“…Sasha.”
Hearing her laugh, Pavel lifted his head. When he saw Sasha, his face instantly brightened.
But Sasha did not smile brightly back.
Coming closer, she spoke.
“Pavel. I have something to say.”
“…?”
“In front of others, let’s speak formally to each other.”
Pavel’s brow twitched. His puzzled eyes asked why they had to do that.
“Because being too casual might not look good.”
“I like being casual with you.”
“……”
Sasha chose her words carefully, wanting him to understand.
“Hmm…”
After thinking, she took his hand.
His bare hand, without gloves, was rough but warm.
He had always been warm, but ever since gaining the power of fire, being with him felt cozy even in winter.
Now too, the warmth in their joined hands melted her heart.
But she couldn’t let it end there.
Wondering how to persuade him, Sasha recalled what Princess Irina had said at the palace, then added her own thoughts.
*[…I think the princess only advised us like that out of concern.] *
At those words, Pavel’s brow furrowed in displeasure.
‘That woman dared say such things to Sasha…!’
While he thought that, Sasha continued.
“So that’s why. Others might not see it well if we talk too casually.”
“……”
“Pavel?”
“…Fine.”
He answered reluctantly, not cheerfully.
Even if unwilling, it was enough that he agreed to follow Sasha’s wish.
Sasha smiled softly.
“Shall we practice now, dear?”
“……”
Pavel’s lips parted in shock.
Formal speech was one thing—but suddenly calling him “dear”?!
It was just a normal term between husband and wife, but hearing it from Sasha felt overwhelmingly powerful.
His red eyes shook violently.
“Dear, what’s wrong?”
Sasha tugged lightly at his hand as she asked, her voice playful.
Then her thoughts flowed through their linked hands.
[Really, you’re just like the old days at times like this. Cute.] *
At the word cute, Pavel’s eyes narrowed.
But then, regaining calm, he looked at Sasha’s smiling face.
He gently reached to her ear.
A few loose strands of hair had slipped from her tidy updo. With tender fingers, he tucked them behind her ear.
The tickling touch on her ear erased the smile from her lips.
Looking at her slightly flustered face, Pavel chuckled softly.
Then, in a smooth, relaxed voice, he replied at last.
“Yes, my lady. I shall be careful.”
With a polished smile, he looked like a man very skilled with women.
Sasha gave a small, helpless laugh.
So he wasn’t going to just give in easily?
She looked at him sharply, then spoke again.
“…If you’re ready, shall we go?”
“As you wish, my lady.”
“……”
When they went downstairs, Dmitri was already waiting, looking bored.
He gazed at his grown son, dressed neatly, with eyes briefly tinged with regret.
But he quickly set his feelings aside and spoke.
“The ceremonial clothes suit you well.”
Pavel frowned. Wearing the crown prince’s old clothes and being told they suited him didn’t sound like praise.
But Dmitri didn’t notice and turned to Sasha.
“And you, today you look truly beautiful.”
Though his face and voice were stern, his words were clearly a compliment.
Sasha blinked. Dmitri glanced away awkwardly. A smile appeared on her lips.
“…Thank you for the generous praise.”
“It’s not too generous. You deserve such compliments. Get used to hearing them.”
Dmitri said firmly, then cleared his throat and turned.
“Let’s go.”
Soon, the carriage carrying the Volkov family departed.
The large, sturdy carriage rolled slowly toward the Imperial Palace.
The title ceremony began in a solemn atmosphere.
The high ceiling of the grand hall was made of stained glass, and bright sunlight poured through the windows, coloring the space.
The multicolored light rained down over the people’s heads.
Wearing a golden crown, a white ceremonial robe, and a red mantle embroidered with golden lions, the Grand Emperor looked not only majestic but almost sacred.
In front of him, Pavel knelt. He too looked like a figure straight out of a holy painting.
Sasha gazed at the scene with a strange feeling in her heart.
Seeing Pavel grown like this, receiving a title—it moved her deeply.
The time she had spent with him flashed before her eyes like a lantern slide.
“Are you laughing at me right now?”
From their first meeting, when he had been nothing but prickly.
“Here, take this. …You like that, don’t you?”
When he had slowly begun to open his heart.
“You’re fine. So just keep doing what you always do.”
When he had come to trust her completely.
“So you don’t have to change. You’re fine just the way you are.”
When he had become someone she could truly rely on.
From old memories of young Pavel’s sulky face, to the most recent ones—each and every memory was precious.
Unlike the lifeless memories of her past life, which felt like they belonged to someone else, every moment with Pavel warmed her heart just by remembering it.
Because she treasured them.
‘Does Pavel feel the same as me?’
Even if she was the only one cherishing these memories, it wasn’t bad.
But if Pavel too valued the times they had spent together, she would be even happier.
Perhaps because she knew the days left for them together weren’t many, Sasha sank deeper into the memories of the past.
Meanwhile, the ceremony went on.
After several formal rites, the Grand Emperor finally announced the end of the event.
“I hereby name Pavel Volkov a Count.”
Pavel, having received his title, turned according to the ritual.
The watching crowd congratulated the new Count. Applause thundered through the hall.
Pavel accepted the cheers of so many people with such indifference that his face looked almost bored.
‘Why is Pavel like that? Is he unwell?’
Sasha stretched her neck, studying him from head to toe. But he didn’t look much different from earlier when they were together.
He didn’t seem to be in pain, yet his complexion was still poor.
And then—
“…!”
“…”
Their eyes met.
Even with countless people standing like obstacles between them, Pavel’s gaze toward Sasha was clear.
And the moment their eyes, husband and wife, crossed in the air—
The stiff mask on Pavel’s face melted away. Among all the expressions he had worn during the ceremony, this was by far the brightest and happiest.
