Chapter 65
“I can’t believe it.”
Gredy shook his head. The liquor that had invaded even his brain churned his thoughts, making it difficult to discern the truth in Eliana’s words.
But no conclusion came.
“Is that so?”
“All the rumors I’ve heard about you until now… were they all lies?”
Eliana smiled faintly.
After her marriage to Marquis Neumann, she had been confined in his mansion. It was a life where she couldn’t even ask for help under the lash of a fierce whip.
Looking back, even that had been twisted into rumors about her sexual preferences.
“You can see for yourself. If you wish, I can give it to you freely. This is the proof of me you asked for.”
“…….”
“As you said, the only thing I have is my body, and the most valuable part of that is my body itself.”
Gredy’s Adam’s apple moved dangerously as he swallowed.
“…….”
Gredy wrapped his hands around Eliana’s waist. His strong hands clasped at her back. He lifted his eyes to hers.
“…….”
The silence spread from Gredy to Eliana. They stared at each other as if they could devour one another.
Their lips were almost touching.
Neither Eliana nor Gredy made the first move, yet neither loosened their grip.
For a long moment, both of them, wary but drawn to each other, lunged simultaneously. Whether it was the effect of the alcohol or a way to vent the humiliation from the banquet, it didn’t matter.
Gredy’s tongue boldly explored Eliana’s lips. Eliana pulled him closer into her embrace.
“Hnngh.”
A soft moan escaped.
Their unconsummated wedding night had begun under the dim light.
“You don’t look well, Grand Duchess. Caught a fever in just a day?”
Rozella approached Eliana, leading a group that looked thoroughly bored. Dark clouds hung low above, threatening rain.
“Greetings to the small sun of the empire.”
“Enough with the pleasantries. You didn’t even appear at breakfast—I thought you might have run off after yesterday.”
Rozella smiled teasingly, deliberately poking at Eliana’s nerves.
Yesterday, Rozella had left the hall under Florian’s escort. Contrary to expectations that she would be upset, Rozella’s expression was full of excitement, like a young lady going on her first hunt.
“I would never run away. How absurd.”
Eliana’s hoarse voice drew a puzzled frown from Rozella.
Though it was called a separate palace, it was still a palace. And the room granted to the Grand Duchess and her husband was the most special among many. At least it was warm enough.
“Seems you’ve caught a cold rather clumsily.”
Rozella’s tease made Eliana blush and bow her head. Rozella, frowning as if she hadn’t seen correctly, stiffened her face.
“Gredy?”
Gredy was leading his black horse into the clearing, a hunting rifle slung over his shoulder.
Rozella’s eyes widened.
Since that day, Gredy Krayber had never gone hunting—especially not in the Orante Forest.
Rozella, forgetting all decorum, hurried toward him. Her face was pale as if she had seen something shocking.
She pushed her face toward Gredy, who was chatting with Florian about hunting while holding a cigarette carelessly.
“Duke Krayber! What is the meaning of this?”
Florian, delighted by Rozella’s appearance, hesitated at her fierce demeanor. Her gaze never touched him. Gredy did not respond immediately.
He casually shifted the cigarette to his right hand, releasing a plume of white smoke into the air.
“As you can see, I was preparing to hunt.”
He shook the rifle over his shoulder. Its long, sleek barrel pointed toward the sky, meticulously maintained as if ready to fire at any moment.
“Hunting? You’re going to hunt now?”
Rozella raised her eyebrows. Her eyes widened in disbelief, almost ready to pop out.
Meanwhile, the nobles gathered early in the morning murmured among themselves at the news of Gredy hunting.
Despite all of Emperor Mateo’s scorn, Gredy had never touched a gun. Even yesterday, hadn’t the Emperor scolded him?
Yet now, he had picked up a gun in just one day. Since his hunting skills were unknown, the men couldn’t help but cast wary glances.
“The head of the Kels merchant guild generously lent me a rifle. I intend to participate in the hunt this time.”
Finally, Rozella’s gaze flicked to Florian.
“The guild head has done something pointless.”
Florian scratched the back of his head, offering an awkward smile. The glare he received from Rozella, rather than delight for helping Gredy, was almost unbearable.
“Your Majesty.”
Even when Florian called, Rozella kept her gaze fixed on Gredy. Florian, caught in the middle, could not dare touch her.
“Sudden change of heart?”
Gredy, adjusting the saddle, turned slowly. Despite his large, deliberate movements, Rozella did not step back; she even closed in closer.
“Are you afraid?”
“What do you mean?”
Rozella took a step back at his abrupt question. There was an unexplainable intimidation in Gredy’s sudden tone.
In truth, this was a question that should have come from Rozella herself, not Gredy—at least until yesterday.
“What are they up to?”
It was almost time for the hunt.
Yesterday, it would have been acceptable for him to return empty-handed on the first day. But today, that was no longer the case.
Emperor Mateo frowned at the desolate atmosphere in the clearing prepared for hunting.
“Greetings to the sun of the empire.”
Following Gredy’s lead, Florian and the other nobles gave a brief bow.
“…What is that rifle?”
Mateo’s eyes fell on the weapon Gredy carried. It had been a long time since Mateo had seen him with a gun.
“I intend to hunt.”
Mateo’s frown deepened. Just yesterday, he had scorned Gredy for not touching a gun. Yet now, Gredy carried it confidently in the hunting ground.
“You’re going to hunt?”
His gaze, sweeping from foot to head, stopped at the rifle.
“Yes.”
Gredy’s succinct answer made Mateo raise his eyebrows dangerously.
‘What is this?’
They had underestimated Gredy, believing he would never draw a gun in Orante Forest. But now, with the barrel pointing to the sky, he seemed both skilled and confident, as if he were a hunter of the forest itself.
“Rozella doesn’t trust me, so she clings to you?”
“…….”
“Well, that greedy woman wouldn’t stay calm, anyway.”
He brushed his hair back, sighing softly, yet loud enough for those nearby to hear.
Rozella’s face burned red. She had already been rejected by Mateo when she entered his bedroom yesterday.
“This is my wife’s first hunt. I couldn’t let her return empty-handed, so I volunteered. Don’t misunderstand.”
Mateo’s gaze turned to Eliana, laughing with Delina. They whispered together as if they had become fast friends overnight.
“I look forward to the Duke’s hunting skills.”
Mateo turned, and the knights followed closely behind.
“Your Majesty.”
Florian, as if invisible, quietly called to Rozella, who had endured Mateo’s humiliation with her eyes closed.
Yet Rozella’s gaze remained fixed on Gredy, busy preparing for the hunt.
She couldn’t believe it.
There had been a time she had ordered Gredy to hunt for a winter branch. When he refused, she incited the Emperor to humiliate him publicly. Yet even then, Gredy never touched a gun.
And now, he had taken it himself.
‘Because of that damned woman.’
Her eyes, blazing red, shot at Eliana. Meanwhile, Emperor Mateo gently spoke to Eliana, as if asking whether she wanted the winter branch.
The Emperor’s interest in Eliana remained steadfast. Thus, he could not order a divorce for Gredy. The only remaining option was clear.
Rozella, shooting a sharp glare at both Mateo and Eliana, turned her body.
