Chapter : 75
Hartun kept staring at Eani, who was beautifully adorned.
He didn’t want to make her feel pressured, but… what could he do when she looked so stunning!
Hartun Seind was, it seemed, an animal easily blinded by beauty—at least when it came to Eani.
“Beautiful.”
She was always beautiful, but Eani, dressed with such care for the banquet, was so breathtaking that Hartun felt his eyes could be blinded by her.
A woman this beautiful… is my fiancée?
Could it be that Eani isn’t human, but a fairy from legend?
“Yes… that would explain her impossible beauty…!”
The sparkle that drew every gaze, the voice that made your lips curl involuntarily each time you heard it, the sweet fragrance unlike anything from any perfume…
Seriously considering the hypothesis that Eani might be a fairy, Hartun resolved:
“One day, if Eani reveals her true identity, I must not be surprised.”
And he decided to tell her too.
“You’re far too beautiful to be human, and I’ve known it all along. No matter who you are, no matter your true identity…
I would love every version of you.”
A man truly grateful that no one else could read his heart indulged in his inner feelings for a moment before being snapped back to reality by the steward.
“It’s time to enter now.”
“Shall we go, Hartun~?”
With a soft whoosh, the hall doors opened silently, and Eani, smiling brightly, led Hartun inside.
“No light in this banquet hall is as dazzling as Eani’s smile,” Hartun thought as he slowly followed her.
The steward loudly announced their entrance:
“Presenting the stars of today’s banquet: Hartun Seind, the Viscount, and his fiancée, Eani Nasel!”
Applause erupted from all sides as the couple entered.
“Happy birthday, Viscount!”
“It’s wonderful to see the Viscount entering with a partner!”
“You two are perfect together!”
The scale and atmosphere were vastly different from their previous engagement ceremony.
The hall of the great Seind Dukedom was filled with nobles, the air warmed with wine and dance, and the orchestra played lively music without pause.
Countless eyes were focused overwhelmingly on the couple.
Feeling the concentrated gaze of curiosity, Hartun raised an eyebrow.
“Those hyenas…”
Eani had attended a few southern banquets before, but the capital’s social scene was entirely different.
Nobles in the capital smiled brightly while subtly cornering others, disguising probing questions as social etiquette.
Especially for someone unfamiliar like Eani, they would pounce on her like new prey.
Hartun did not want Eani, with her doe-like eyes, to become prey for those hyenas.
“Eani has no friends or connections in the capital social scene. I have to look after her!”
He had resolved, just minutes ago, that he must protect her amid this chaotic noise and crowd.
Yet now, Hartun Seind found himself suddenly separated from Eani, left alone in the hall.
“Now, greet them. These young ladies are Eani Nasel, who will become a new member of our Seind Dukedom. Eani, these young ladies are from noble families supporting our Seind Dukedom.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, my lady!”
“Let’s meet often and greet each other in the future!”
“Please feel free to ask us anything about life in the capital!”
The Duchess took Eani by the hand, introducing her to the families’ daughters.
“Nasel, my lady~! It’s so good to see you again! We always enjoy the ready-made sweets you sent us from the palace! Ah, these are members of my ‘Desserts Are Life’ society!”
“Hoho, we finally meet someone bringing a new paradigm to our group!”
“Our society is completely obsessed with the joy that your sweets, Readyb, bring! Though it’s a trend in the capital, few appreciate Readyb as much as we do.”
“It’s fortunate the royal premium mark was added to Readyb immediately! During your engagement, I had your father bring Readyb jam, and I wanted to taste the fruit itself!”
“Lately, our members are planning a group trip to Tadivna. Eating Readyb on that island is supposed to be on a whole other level~?!”
The Crown Princess introduced Eani to the group that praised Readyb.
“Nasel, my lady. There are others I want you to meet. This way—”
“Could it be… that woman too?”
The Marquess of Quind, said to have the most dazzling network in the social circle, came next!
While he marveled, he introduced Eani to his connections.
“Here is Eani Nasel of the Seind Dukedom, as I mentioned before. And, ladies, clockwise: here is the Marquess Decart, owner of the empire’s largest racetrack and thoroughbreds.”
“Pleased to meet you, my lady. The Marquess Quind was thrilled to see a new generation following him.”
“Here is Count Cheryaum, who owns the empire’s largest vineyard and the second-largest granary.”
“I’ve heard much about the Tadivna resort. I’m pleased to meet the next generation with an eye for business.”
“And lastly, Count Anos, a swordmaster and former captain of the imperial first guard.”
“Hahaha! I’ve retired from the guard, but my sword skills are still sharp. I hope one day to spar with the fiancée’s betrothed.”
“How on earth has Eani expanded her influence to the capital?” Hartun wondered.
Especially, how did she charm the Marquess of Quind?
She had the widest network in the empire but was selective in whom she associated with.
“Recently, I heard she’s been extra sensitive due to her divorce…”
And the people she just greeted would have been difficult to meet without Quind’s introduction. They were entirely separate from Hartun and the Seind Dukedom’s usual circles.
“Above all…”
“Thank you all for welcoming me~. Thanks to you, this banquet will be a truly meaningful time~.”
Hartun quietly watched Eani, who blended more naturally into the crowd than anyone.
Then, someone rested an arm on his shoulder.
It was his childhood friend, Crown Prince Jevif Chekin Arestan.
“Wow, the star of this banquet has completely changed.”
“What do you mean?”
“Look. The birthday boy is you, but everyone’s attention is on Lady Nasel instead.”
Jevif chuckled and pretended to headlock Hartun.
“That’s why I told you not to worry about your fiancée. Who looks like a deer among hyenas?”
A wolf among hyenas. His words were correct.
Even Hartun could see that Eani was leading people, not acting as prey.
“She looks more adept at social events than I, who have spent my whole life in banquets.”
Hartun watched Eani laughing with the crowd, muttering quietly:
“Indeed… Eani must be a fairy.”
Jevif, thinking he misheard, removed his arm from Hartun’s shoulder.
“What?”
“If not, how can you explain her popularity? She sparkles because she’s not human, and people flock to her knowing it.”
“Wow… that’s serious.”
Jevif stepped back, frowning, and whispered to his attendant behind him.
“Do I really look like that to others?”
The attendant bowed politely:
“They say friends resemble each other, Your Highness.”
And so, Hartun’s birthday banquet blossomed around Eani.
“Finally, we will present the birthday gift Lady Eani Nasel prepared for the Viscount!”
