~Chapter 26~
“…Ha. Your Grace, Duke.”
Dominic, who had been lost in thought, returned to reality at the sound of someone calling him and lifted his head.
Elin had already come down the stairs and was looking at him with a puzzled expression. The others looked the same.
It was the first time he hadn’t responded, even after being called several times.
“I’m sorry. I got ready a little late.”
As Elin apologized, Dominic finally stood up and formally extended his hand to her.
“Let’s go.”
Dominic and Elin got into the carriage together.
Elin glanced at him and sensed something was off today.
It wasn’t because she had come down late that his expression was dark.
What happened?
He was the type who never showed his inner thoughts.
If even she could feel how complicated his emotions were, then something must have happened.
But she couldn’t ask.
She knew well that he disliked people crossing the line.
Though they sat facing each other, he didn’t look at her.
“Since it’s your first party together after marriage, the Duke won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
Monica’s earlier words came to mind, and Elin gave a bitter smile.
She gently turned her gaze away from him and looked out the window.
Just focus on not making mistakes today. Do your role properly.
Watching the streetlights pass by, she tried to focus only on what she had to do as the Duchess.
After riding through the dark streets for some time,
Dominic noticed that Elin’s gaze was fixed outside the window.
Still unsettled by what Jonathan had said, he finally looked at the woman sitting in front of him—as if she had barely been there before.
Dressed up properly for the party for the first time since their marriage, she was honestly beautiful.
He also realized that she had noticed his bad mood and was staying silent because of it.
He felt a little sorry toward her.
“You look beautiful today.”
Surprised, Elin turned her gaze from the window to him.
Her green eyes, like fresh leaves, widened slightly.
More than surprise, embarrassment colored her neck faintly red.
“This feels a bit too much for me, but the Dowager Duchess chose it, so I couldn’t refuse.”
She said, gently touching the back of her neck.
Thinking about it, her outfit today resembled his mother Melisa’s taste.
“Mother has a bold sense of style.”
Melisa had always liked daring and vivid colors and designs, unlike a typical Duchess.
He hadn’t expected that her taste would suit Elin—who usually looked simple and neat—so well.
“No… it suits you.”
Though his words were short and dry, Elin couldn’t hide her happiness.
“Thank you.”
As Elin smiled softly, Dominic unconsciously felt his own lips lift as well.
It was rare for him to be affected by someone else’s emotions, so he was slightly taken aback by his own reaction.
He quickly erased the awkward smile and looked at her again, feeling strange.
He was the one who had taken advantage of her difficult situation and pulled her into this contract marriage.
Even if she cursed or hated him for using her in such a scheme, he wouldn’t have had anything to say.
Then why—
Why did this woman react with such gratitude and happiness to just a few words from him?
It felt strange.
What she showed him now wasn’t acting.
The woman he once loved deeply had coldly abandoned him, yet the woman in front of him was genuinely happy over something so small.
The contrast made him let out a quiet, hollow laugh.
“We’ve arrived.”
The carriage slowed and stopped in front of an elegant mansion.
As Elin stepped down, she looked around in curiosity.
“This place…”
She glanced around, amazed.
This kind of atmosphere is new.
It felt different from the parties she had attended before.
Somehow dreamy and exotic.
The closest thing she could compare it to was the masquerade balls she had attended in Castia.
Those events had many foreign artists, and the atmosphere was similar to this one.
So the host is from the Nazar Kingdom… Even the party feels different.
The unique patterns and vivid colors she had only seen in books now spread out before her like a real scene.
“Duke Linderto!”
A Nazar prince with a fine mustache opened his arms to welcome Dominic.
Though his appearance and skin tone were different, his clothing was similar to the nobles here.
Elin watched with curiosity as the two greeted each other with a light embrace.
“Oh! So this is the Duchess I’ve only heard rumors about.”
Noticing her, the prince looked at Elin with interest and excitement.
“My wife. This is Prince Sarmant of the Nazar Kingdom. He’s like a brother to me.”
Unlike Dominic’s somewhat dry introduction, Prince Sarmant welcomed her warmly.
“Ah! At last, I get to see the Duchess who has captured the Duke’s heart. Just as I expected—your beauty is dazzling. In fact, this party is practically in your honor.”
“Thank you.”
His overwhelming enthusiasm left Elin slightly dazed even before entering the hall.
She found it strange how two people with such different personalities could be so close.
This foreign prince seemed like someone who made others feel comfortable and at ease.
“Come, let’s go inside. Duchess, I hope you drink and enjoy yourself freely tonight.”
Inside, the party hall felt like stepping back in time into an ancient temple.
The music, lighting, and decorations all carried a mysterious, exotic atmosphere.
“Duke Linderto!”
Many people inside were related to the Duke’s business.
At first, Elin followed him around, greeting everyone, but soon they became deeply engaged in business discussions.
There was no place for her to join in.
Naturally, she drifted away from the group, but she didn’t feel bored at all.
In fact, she was good at enjoying herself alone at parties.
She had always been like that.
Seeing her wandering alone, Sarmant approached her with a worried expression.
“Oh! We’ve kept the Duke busy and left you alone. That’s quite rude of us.”
Elin waved her hands lightly.
“No, not at all. I’m truly enjoying myself. Please let the Duke speak comfortably with others.”
Seeing her sincerity, Sarmant smiled and stroked his neat mustache.
“Oh! My friend!”
He suddenly called out to someone behind her.
Elin turned around.
A handsome man with honey-colored curly hair and expressive gray eyes approached them.
“Perfect timing. Let me introduce you.”
Before she knew it, Elin was being introduced.
“This is the genius painter, Juliette Marin. And this dazzling lady is—”
“J-Juliette Marin?!”
Elin exclaimed before he could finish.
She couldn’t believe her ears.
If that was true, then the man in front of her was really that Juliette?
Several of his paintings were displayed at her great-aunt’s house in Castia—living room, entrance, even her bedroom.
There were also some in the Duke’s mansion.
He was that famous.
But there was another reason she was so surprised.
“I’ve heard so much about you from my great-aunt! I don’t know if you remember.”
Isabella used to talk endlessly about him when he was still a poor, unknown artist.
She had even bought some of his paintings and supported him a little.
Now he had become someone truly great.
Meeting him in person felt unreal.
“Is that so? May I ask your great-aunt’s name?”
The man looked curious.
Sarmant, pleased, stepped in.
“So you already know each other. Then there’s no need for further introductions. A dance is starting—why not talk while dancing? The Duke still seems busy.”
As the host, he seemed determined not to leave a guest alone.
He naturally created an opportunity for them to talk.
“Then, may I have this dance?”
Elin was startled, but looking around, it seemed natural for anyone to dance, even without their original partner.
She searched for the Duke with her eyes.
He was still deep in conversation with others.
Then…
Elin smiled and accepted the invitation.
Great-aunt will be so surprised if I tell her I danced with Juliette Marin.
Just thinking about telling Isabella made her feel excited already.
