IKSDTWD 27

~Chapter 27~

Meanwhile, as soon as Dominic entered the party hall, he was surrounded by businessmen who only cared about money, leaving him no time to relax.

Because opinions about the amount of raw minerals in the new mine were divided, he had to stay with them for quite a while.

“What do you think, Your Grace? Don’t you think the estimated amount is exaggerated?”
“As far as I know, that place is already—”

He stopped mid-sentence, his gaze suddenly drawn somewhere else.

He tried several times to focus on the conversation, but his eyes kept drifting away.

The men listening to him looked confused as he kept staring somewhere else instead of paying attention.

“Your Grace…?”

“My apologies, but I’ll be leaving.”

In the end, Dominic excused himself and left.

It was the first time he had walked away in the middle of an important business discussion.

The gentlemen stared at his back with puzzled expressions.

Dominic picked up a glass of alcohol from a passing tray and walked to a quieter corner.

As he took a sip, his eyes followed Elin.

Just moments ago, she had been dancing with a young man, but now she was surrounded by others, talking.

Her eyes sparkled, and the smile on her lips didn’t fade.

The atmosphere around her was warm and lively—completely different from the dull group he had been with.

Elin was chatting freely, meeting others’ eyes with ease.

Dominic stared at her as if seeing something unfamiliar.

Elin Nelson… Did she have such an expression?

He had never seen her like this before.

The many expressions she showed now came naturally, as if it were nothing.

He had felt uneasy about leaving her alone while he talked business—

But instead of shrinking somewhere, Elin was enjoying the party more than anyone.

She looked completely different from how she always seemed cautious and tense in front of him.

Which one is her real self?

He leaned against a marble pillar, arms crossed, watching her for a long time.

“I think I understand why you rushed into marriage. She’s a very charming woman.”

Prince Sarmant came up beside him without a sound and murmured.

“Did you give her some hints beforehand? She seems to have studied Nazar quite well. She was getting along nicely with my younger sister.”

His younger sister?

Dominic looked again and realized that among the people around Elin, there was indeed a Nazar princess.

When did they become so close?

Was she always this sociable?

It was something he had never expected.

“Excuse me.”

Dominic stopped just watching and approached Elin.

“Madam.”

At the sound of his voice, Elin quickly turned around in surprise.

“Your Grace!”

The bright expression on her face disappeared at once, replaced by a tense look, as if something was wrong.

Noticing that small change, Dominic felt oddly displeased.

“I think I left you alone too much while discussing business.”

At that moment, the Nazar princess stepped in.

“That’s not true, Duke Linderto. You’re the one interrupting a good time. We were just having a wonderful conversation.”

The princess winked at Elin playfully.

Elin smiled awkwardly, glancing at Dominic.

Dominic naturally wrapped an arm around Elin’s waist and asked,

“Now I’m curious—what were you enjoying so much?”

“The Duchess was asking what natural dyes were used to color my dress.”

Only then did Dominic lower his gaze and look at the princess’s dress carefully.

It was clearly different from the dresses of the noblewomen here, but he had never once been curious about such things.

“The Duchess seems very interested in Nazar. She has quite impressive knowledge. It’s the first time I’ve met someone here I could speak with so easily.”

The princess looked at Elin warmly.

Dominic had seen her before, but this was the first time he realized how lively she was.

Until now, he had only thought of her as cold and proud.

“Now that her husband is here, I suppose I should step away. Elin, promise me—if I invite you to the Nazar royal palace someday, you’ll come. Of course, the Duke may come too.”

The princess held Elin’s hand kindly.

Dominic gave a faint smile.

“We would gladly accept such a warm invitation. Now, may I have my wife back?”

At his words, the people around Elin stepped away.

“I’m sorry.”

Elin apologized, worried that she had acted too freely without paying attention to him.

He was the one who had left her alone—

So why was she apologizing?

The brightness on her face faded again, and Dominic felt a weight in his chest.

As if he were the cause of it.

“Let’s have a dance. If a newly married couple doesn’t dance even once, what will people think?”

Dominic led Elin to the dance floor.

Like the others, they began moving slowly to the music.

“About what the princess mentioned earlier… Who taught you that? I didn’t know you were so interested in Nazar.”

As he spun her gently, he asked.

“I read about it in the mansion library. Since the party is hosted by the Nazar prince, I thought I should at least know the basics so I wouldn’t make a mistake.”

She remembered the days she spent in the library.

“There were many books about foreign countries because of your business… and once I started reading, it was more interesting than I expected…”

She didn’t mention how she had spent days there.

Dominic smiled slightly.

He hadn’t expected that from her.

Among noblewomen, how many would go to a library instead of a dress shop before a party?

It felt new to him.

“The princess doesn’t have a claim to the throne, but she is deeply loved by the King of Nazar.”

“I see… I didn’t know that.”

Elin looked up at him with curious eyes.

Did I say something wrong?

Her expression turned serious with worry.

Seeing that, Dominic continued,

“You didn’t intend it, but becoming friends with her will only benefit you.”

Her face relaxed.

Her eyes began to shine again.

“Will being close to the princess help you too, Your Grace?”

“Of course.”

For the first time, Elin smiled warmly at him.

“Then we should definitely accept her invitation next time.”

If they formed a good relationship with the princess, it could connect them directly to the powerful King of Nazar.

It might even become a stronger alliance than Prince Sarmant.

“Yes.”

“I’m glad I studied about Nazar.”

Seeing her so happy, Dominic let out a small, unconscious chuckle.

It was the first time since their marriage that they shared the same understanding.

Then he asked,

“The man you danced with earlier… he didn’t seem to be from Nazar.”

As he pulled her slightly back and then close again, he asked.

Elin looked surprised.

He was curious about that man.

More than the princess, that overly charming man bothered him.

“Ah! You mean Juliette Marin.”

She spoke his name so familiarly that Dominic’s brow tightened slightly.

Even while dancing with him, she looked around, searching for that man.

The fact that she was in his arms, yet looking for someone else—

It bothered him more than expected.

For the first time, he felt something like jealousy.

“Ah!”

Suddenly, Dominic pulled her tightly into his chest.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“People are watching. Focus on the dance.”

Blushing, Elin tried to stay calm.

“Juliette Marin is a famous painter who suddenly became popular. My great-aunt supported him when he was still poor, so I was really happy to meet him here.”

Only then did Dominic understand.

“What an unexpected connection.”

But from his instinct, that painter seemed to have more than just polite interest.

The way he looked at Elin—he clearly saw her as a woman.

Even knowing she was the Duchess.

What a shameless man.

As irritation rose, Dominic felt confused.

Why did he feel this way?

She would leave him after one year anyway.

She wasn’t his.

Unaware, Elin continued with bright eyes,

“I told him about Grandmother Isabella, and he said he misses Castia and might visit again soon with his artist friends.”