Chapter 92 …
The Villain’s Future Looks Troubling
For the three days of the banquet, the invited guests would stay together in the royal palace.
Jasmine looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled with satisfaction, showing a subtle anticipation of what might unfold during that not-so-short period.
She was very pleased with the teal dress, which highlighted her black hair and fair skin.
The earrings, elegantly dangling just above her shoulders, emphasized the delicate curve of her neck.
More than the jeweled necklace and earrings, the feature that stood out the most in the mirror was her purple eyes.
They shone like an aurora in the night sky, exuding a proud brilliance while maintaining a cool, restrained intensity.
Jasmine faintly lifted the corners of her lips in a smile.
No matter that she had become the Grand Duchess, she could never be compared to such a trivial woman.
Through this banquet, everyone would come to realize that fact.
I took Shiraz’s hand and stepped out of the carriage.
Even a brief visit to the royal palace felt daunting, but having to stay in this enormous castle for several days was another matter entirely…
I was already growing weary of the palace, which loomed over me in all its grandeur.
“Still, it’s the Emperor’s birthday party… I can’t avoid it.”
A dark gray cloud hung over the palace spire, seeming to foretell something ominous. I watched the cloud drift for a while, feeling Shiraz’s hand grip mine a little tighter.
Smiling faintly at him, I composed myself and entered the palace.
“I’ll need to be careful; who knows what might happen.”
To shake off my uneasy feeling, I deliberately wore a light smile.
Guests arrived one after another, many of them looking as if they had crossed the sea to get here.
The Sevilla couple, Count Pino and his daughter, Lady Schletz—all familiar faces appeared.
But the most exasperating task was, of course, having to face Jasmine again. And this time, it wasn’t just her; behind her, Britannia would surely be glaring at me as if she wanted to kill me.
As expected, I spotted Jasmine greeting people, her face bright with a welcoming smile, and Britannia clinging like a shadow behind her.
Noticing Shiraz and me approaching, Jasmine beamed at us.
“Grand Duke and Duchess, it’s wonderful to see you here.”
I returned her polite greeting, inwardly rolling my eyes at her duplicity.
Ha. A true master of acting, right there.
During the last tea party with Lady Schletz, the sarcasm directed at me vanished entirely in front of Shiraz. She even smiled kindly, expressing affection while looking at me.
Still, I could sense the poison that lay behind that beautiful smile.
“What a beautiful necklace. I don’t think I’ve seen one like that before.”
Jasmine’s gaze lingered on the necklace around my neck with evident interest.
“The Grand Duke gifted it to me. The raw stones are beautiful enough on their own, so I purposely left them unpolished.”
“Ah.”
The necklace, while appearing somewhat rustic, shone more brilliantly than other jewels. It seemed to fascinate everyone who greeted me, their eyes drawn to it.
Even as Jasmine nodded in acknowledgment that it was a gift from Shiraz, her gaze stayed fixed on my neck for quite some time.
“The Grand Duke must truly love his wife to give such a valuable gift.”
I responded with a gentle smile, thanking her without words for the flattery.
“Well, we’ll take our leave now.”
Even after we excused ourselves, I felt her gaze following me.
The host, the Emperor, looked bored and subdued despite it being his own birthday celebration.
He didn’t speak with anyone, merely sipping his drink while seated alone. His expression alone conveyed how uncomfortable the event must have been for him.
In contrast, the banquet hall was the height of extravagance, filled with rare gifts brought by guests beneath rooms decorated with flowers.
“Oh my, look at that bird.”
“They’re beautiful.”
Following the ladies’ admiration, I turned my head and saw the hall lined with birdcages of various shapes, extending from ceiling to floor.
Inside the golden cages, rare birds flaunted multicolored feathers; some had tails almost as long as a person’s forearm.
In the hall, musicians and performers in red garments continued playing music and dancing endlessly.
Even amidst the fierce war raging outside, the party in this grand hall reached the pinnacle of luxury and indulgence.
Perhaps they hold such a party deliberately to flaunt it.
Everyone attending the banquet laughed and chattered as if they had forgotten all worries.
Looking at this scene, it seemed less a birthday celebration and more a victory feast after the war’s end.
“What are you thinking about so deeply?”
A gentle voice cut through my private thoughts, sweetly lingering in my ear.
Turning, I saw Shiraz looking at me with a warm gaze.
“Just… the birds are so pretty.”
I moved my eyes back to the cages, but he lightly lifted my hand and held it in the air.
Huh?
Curious, I looked up at him, and he gently placed something on my finger.
A tiny bird, no bigger than a child’s fist, wiggled atop my index finger.
Its golden wings fluttered, and its tiny beak pecked at the back of my hand—an odd yet ticklish sensation.
At first, I flinched, but soon the adorable sight made me laugh.
“That suits you much better than a monkey.”
His comment reminded me of the last time a monkey had climbed on my head at the harbor.
Of course. No comparison between that scary monkey and this cute little bird.
“It’s so cute.”
I smiled at it in amazement, and his lips curved into a gentle smile too.
Seeing him smile like that nearly made my heart skip a beat.
Even after being lost in serious thoughts moments ago, such small joys brought an overwhelming happiness.
I lifted the chirping bird toward Shiraz’s face, delighted, when he suddenly lowered his head and pressed his lips to mine.
It was a light, fleeting “bird kiss,” just like the bird pecking with its beak.
“Oh my…”
A small gasp arose from the people watching.
My face burned hotter than after a deep kiss; it was embarrassing to be kissed so openly in front of so many.
Shiraz didn’t stop there. He wrapped one arm lightly around my waist and pressed his lips to mine again, sweetly, like taking a bite of delicate ice cream. I felt like I could melt on the spot.
The little bird had flown from my finger, and I hugged him gently with empty hands.
Shiraz didn’t hide our affection in front of everyone, but he also didn’t try to show off—it seemed instinctive.
The noblewomen watching glanced secretly, their looks a mixture of envy and fascination, as if witnessing a newlywed couple on their first night.
“Your Highness… here…”
Coming back to my senses, I gently pushed him away, though a lingering desire to pull him closer remained.
“If not here, shall we go elsewhere? There are hundreds of empty rooms for us to play in—it would be a shame to waste them.”
His mischievous joke made me chuckle.
He pressed tiny kisses across my forehead, making even that laugh feel precious.
Sigh…
Even middle-aged ladies watching let out small sighs of longing.
I finally stepped away, composed myself, and smoothed the hem of my dress.
“Grand Duke, it’s been so long.”
A polite yet warm voice called from somewhere. Shiraz turned and excused himself to speak to the elderly foreign man who had addressed him.
I thought I was alone, but I wasn’t.
“You should just go upstairs to your room, Grand Duchess.”
Sevilla appeared behind me, teasing with a wink.
Gemma followed, and she was even more dramatic.
“You truly love each other. Just watching made my heart feel like it would burst.”
“Gemma, stop it.”
I said embarrassedly, and she covered her face, giggling.
Of course, there were also opposing, cold stares.
The moment I turned, I felt one directly: Princess Jasmine.
Her sharp gaze was icy enough to freeze the hall instantly.
Jasmine had thought my marriage was a rash whim, just a maid’s fleeting interest.
Even after the wedding, she could not accept it: a mere maid turned Grand Duchess, who would be forgotten once Shiraz’s attention waned.
Yet the moment that woman entered the hall, escorted by Shiraz, Jasmine could not contain the burning jealousy rising within her.
She had belittled me, but as I entered, everyone’s eyes shifted toward me.
She had to admit it—I was not as insignificant as she had judged.
The simple red dress, without much decoration, was eye-catching purely because of its vivid, pure color.
