Chapter 75
Meanwhile—
On one side of the banquet hall, beyond the glass wall that opened toward the garden, the murmurs of conversation had yet to die down.
Several nobles were still chattering about the tiny mechanical bird that had flown earlier, while others were seriously contemplating commissioning a project from Marcana.
Among them stood Denok.
A glass of wine was in his hand, but he hadn’t even taken a sip. He only answered his conversation partners’ questions in his calm, steady manner.
“You mean this method… was actually possible?”
“It was. The problem was simply a lack of resources to make it real.”
Denok met the nobles’ eyes as he continued his explanation. His tone was composed, yet full of conviction.
“That’s why I established the Guild — so that researchers could focus solely on their work, and so that their rewards could be distributed fairly.”
At that, several people’s eyes gleamed.
Technology. Power. Prestige.
Until recently, everyone had said that Luciano had lost all three.
But the current Grand Duke… wasn’t he now regaining everything he’d once been stripped of?
Just then—
A clear, melodic voice rose above the noise of the banquet hall.
“Such an impressive event. Above all, it’s deeply meaningful to see Luciano’s prosperity with my own eyes.”
A woman with crimson wine in hand approached gracefully.
It was Princess Annabelle.
Her eyes, redder and deeper than the wine she held, curved sweetly as she smiled at Denok.
“It seems my heartless partner has abandoned me. Would Your Grace honor me as my dance partner instead?”
All at once, the guests’ gazes turned toward the two of them.
Denok instinctively looked around the hall.
“Idis…”
But the red hair he sought was nowhere in sight.
Was she still speaking with the Grand Duke?
Noticing that his eyes were wandering, Annabelle tilted her head slightly, feigning a hint of wounded surprise.
“It seems we’re both without partners, are we not?”
She was, after all, a legitimate princess of the imperial bloodline.
Refusing her in this situation could easily earn unnecessary resentment.
And besides — hadn’t Idis warned him just last night?
“You must be careful with the Grand Duke, but the royal family and the Kingdom of Elka are dangerous in a different way.”
“They could become your biggest clients. It won’t be easy, but handle them as gently as possible. Promise me?”
Denok’s brow creased ever so slightly, but he finally inclined his head.
“It would be an honor, Your Highness.”
When he extended his hand, Annabelle placed her delicate fingers upon it.
As lively waltz music filled the hall once more, all eyes subtly focused on them as they moved toward the center of the floor.
The dance began.
With a pleasant smile, the princess spoke.
“You’re quite skilled. Did your wife teach you?”
Denok’s eyes narrowed slightly as he replied calmly.
“Yes. My wife has taught me much.”
She had reminded him of what truly mattered, of what was precious.
Even if she herself didn’t realize it.
Annabelle’s lips curved gracefully.
“How enviable. To be loved so passionately by one’s husband…”
Her fingertips brushed across the back of his hand — a faint, deliberate touch.
Denok’s expression froze instantly.
Yet Annabelle either didn’t notice or pretended not to, smiling serenely.
“I do wish I had such a husband myself.”
Her hand slid to his shoulder as she leaned in closer, her skirts fluttering softly to the rhythm of the waltz.
“You know…”
She whispered, her breath grazing his ear.
“A dance is the most intimate kind of temptation — where you share another’s warmth and rhythm.”
As she spoke, her grip subtly changed — just enough for him to notice.
Her red lips parted slightly.
“Would you honor me with the next dance as well, Grand Duke Luciano?”
“…Your Highness.”
The princess was confident. Lady Idis of the Sertia family might have been beautiful, but—
Was she careless? Or merely indifferent?
She’d left this handsome man alone in the middle of a hall full of watching eyes.
Father told me to seduce Prince Siren…
But that eternally smiling prince was impossible to read. No matter how she tried, he would just laugh softly and slip away like the wind.
Compared to that dull man—
This one is much more to my taste.
The princess, who always pursued beauty and pleasure, already had several lovers in the capital.
None had resisted her charm.
She was sure the Grand Duke would be no different.
But then—
Denok’s steps suddenly shifted.
The closeness between them dissolved naturally, and his emotionless face came into her view.
Annabelle’s eyes flickered in surprise.
Denok spoke firmly.
“This dance was accepted only as a matter of diplomatic courtesy.”
“…”
“It holds no other meaning for me.”
The princess’s lips trembled faintly. Then she masked it with a graceful smile.
“Are you rejecting me now? That may not be a very wise decision for your duchy.”
But Denok did not waver. He gently — yet unmistakably — removed her hand from his.
“I wish you a pleasant evening, Your Highness.”
When his touch left hers completely, Annabelle was left standing alone in the middle of the hall.
Her face twisted in humiliation.
“Wait—!”
Denok ignored her call and turned away.
And through the wide glass wall, he saw them — two figures walking side by side in the garden.
Idis and Prince Siren.
“…”
Denok’s face hardened coldly.
The night air was cool.
So different from the brilliance inside the mansion.
In the quiet garden, instead of the scent of flowers, there was only the gentle smell of grass. Beyond the glow of the mana-lamps, soft moonlight poured like water.
And beside Idis stood a man who seemed to shine just as brightly.
His eyes, the color of a clear morning sky, reminded her of dawn itself.
Idis hesitated, then turned her gaze toward him.
His sudden approach had seemed suspicious, but all he’d done while they walked was express admiration for the magical display from earlier.
The Kingdom of Elka was known for its interest in magic — perhaps he truly had come only to discuss that.
Still… if it’s about magic, he should be speaking to Denok, not me.
Something in her gut told her he had another reason.
As if sensing her gaze, Siren tilted his head slightly.
“Is something the matter?”
She didn’t know him well enough to probe directly yet. It was too soon to ask his true intentions.
So Idis smiled lightly and steered the conversation elsewhere.
“No, I was just curious. I’ve heard Elka’s magic feels quite different from ours.”
Siren smiled gently.
“Elka is a land that lives in harmony with nature. Our magic serves to cross the seas safely and to enrich the bounty of the forests. We use it to coexist with the world, not to control it.”
“Coexistence with nature… that’s wonderful.”
Compared to the Empire’s magic — so focused on efficiency and warfare — his words felt refreshingly pure.
“That’s why I felt at ease when I saw the atmosphere of this banquet. Were you trying to bring the forest indoors?”
“I’m glad you noticed. Yes, I didn’t want it to feel too stiff or formal.”
It had been a long, exhausting preparation, but hearing praise made it all worthwhile.
Idis smiled faintly without realizing it.
Then Siren looked at her for a long moment and said something unexpected.
“I hope that someday, Your Grace will visit Elka yourself.”
“…Pardon?”
She turned toward him, startled — and met his eyes directly.
“Elka is filled with magic as radiant as the sea itself. I think it would suit you perfectly.”
His tone was as gentle as ever, but there was a strange undercurrent beneath it.
“If you do come, I’d be honored to show you around personally.”
