Chapter 17
It was beyond comprehension what had happened in just a few days to make her timid, foolish little brother—who used to tremble at her every word—so brave.
Marianne, even more openly sneering, said:
“Foolish, Grace. Have you forgotten? No woman has ever survived the curse of Duke Felix. Do you really think you can withstand the curse hidden in those monstrous heterochromatic eyes? And not just the Duke himself, but his brother as well—double the curse.”
“What’s impossible about surviving it?”
“…What?”
“Do you think that just looking into those red and blue eyes will make me instantly burn or drown?”
“You…!”
“Honestly, I don’t understand why everyone makes such a fuss. I’m completely fine.”
Grace spoke brazenly, grinning at Marianne, who looked at her in shock.
And indeed, she wasn’t afraid. No matter what happened, she would use the curse to gain her freedom.
Grace deliberately raised her voice, making sure everyone around could hear, not just Marianne. Marianne scoffed incredulously, then trembled with a mix of fury and disbelief:
“…Insane. You’re utterly insane, aren’t you?”
“Sorry, but I’m perfectly sane now,” Grace replied cheerfully.
She smiled widely at Marianne, who was pointing a finger at her in horror. She was no longer the girl she used to be—no longer wounded by petty provocations.
I’ve already faced death once at your hands. What could scare me now?
Indeed, there was nothing left to fear. Nothing left to dread.
Grace glanced around at the imperial family and nobles, who were exchanging odd glances and whispering among themselves, and spoke:
“Excuse me, could you make a path for me? After finally having a serious conversation with my sister, I’d like a breath of fresh air.”
The nobles whispered to each other, then stepped aside to give her way. Grace smiled and passed through them, heading toward the terrace she had marked as her refuge. Finally, liberation. She could have her own time until Arthur returned.
As she walked, quietly humming to herself and dodging the crowd, she accidentally bumped into a man. Grace frowned slightly and looked up at him.
Unlike other nobles whose faces were fully visible, this man wore a wide-brimmed hat and a red uniform, and he inexplicably blocked her path, staring at her.
What’s this? Is he trying to pick a fight?
Grace, slightly annoyed, spoke in a tilted tone:
“Excuse me, could you please move aside?”
“…Ah! My apologies, Lady.”
“It’s quite all right.”
Fortunately, he wasn’t hostile; the man stepped aside without resistance. Grace gave a brief nod of acknowledgment and passed by, unaware that he continued to watch her retreating figure.
Ignoring the stares of those around her, Grace continued toward the terrace.
Everyone who made way for her seemed eager to say something, but she had no energy to engage them. All she wanted now was to be alone, even briefly, until Arthur returned and she could see the Emperor.
As she intentionally passed with a stern expression, she flinched at a soft touch on her shoulder and turned around.
“Where are you going, madam?”
Luckily, it was Arthur.
Grace tilted her head, puzzled by his steady gaze, then let out a short exclamation:
“Ah, you saw that?”
“…I apologize.”
Apparently, he had witnessed the little skirmish with Marianne. Grace gave a wry smile and asked him:
“Why are you apologizing?”
“…I think you overheard some unpleasant things because I didn’t leave your side. That’s all.”
“It’s fine. It’s nothing. I’m not hurt by what she said anymore… and besides.”
“…?”
“You saw, didn’t you? I won in the end.”
Reassuring him, Grace exaggeratedly shrugged and smiled. Arthur, who had momentarily looked dazed, now returned her smile.
“Yes. Madam, you won. Very impressively, indeed.”
“…!”
“Remarkable. Well done.”
At that moment, seeing Arthur’s smiling face, Grace felt her mind go completely blank.
It occurred to her that it was the first time he had smiled at her so warmly.
Strangely, her cheeks flushed and her heart raced—perhaps because she was seeing someone truly on her side for the first time. Grace didn’t know how to respond, so her lips merely parted.
Arthur’s smile froze awkwardly for a moment, and just then—
“His Majesty approaches! Everyone, stand at attention!”
With the shout of a soldier guarding the entrance, the entire banquet hall fell silent. Arthur and Grace turned toward the sound.
There, the elderly Emperor entered, wearing a golden crown and a long red cloak symbolizing the imperial family, accompanied by Grace’s father, Duke Alberton, and several attendants.
Grace focused on her father and the Emperor with a stiff expression.
The Emperor, approaching his sixties and transitioning from middle to old age, had sharp eyes and deep wrinkles on his forehead and around his mouth, giving him an arrogant and stubborn air.
She watched him, supported by his attendants, ascend to the throne at the highest platform in the hall, with Duke Alberton by his side.
The Emperor sat slowly on the throne and, surveying the assembled nobles and imperial family with a sharp gaze, spoke:
“Fortunately, everyone appears to have attended.”
“Is there any choice, Your Majesty? Which noble would dare skip a banquet hosted by Your Majesty?”
“Then, where are the Duke Felix and his new bride, the guests of honor today?”
Ignoring Duke Alberton’s flattering remark, the Emperor’s eyes scanned for Arthur and Grace.
The nobles stepped aside, allowing the Emperor a clear view. Arthur glanced down at Grace, then addressed the Emperor:
“Here we are, Your Majesty.”
“Come closer, both of you.”
Following the Emperor’s command, Grace placed her hand on Arthur’s arm for escort and approached the throne.
Though it was only a few steps, each step felt heavy under the weight of the hall’s solemn atmosphere.
Before the throne, Arthur and Grace bowed deeply to the Emperor, who surveyed them with a sharp gaze.
“I am Arthur Felix, and I greet Your Majesty.”
“I am Grace Felix, and I greet Your Majesty.”
“Raise your heads.”
Grace obeyed, raising her head to meet the Emperor’s gaze. Surprised by the unexpected eye contact, she quickly looked down. The Emperor laughed lightly and said:
“Arthur, it seems this bride is quite shy.”
“Yes, please refrain from teasing her too much, Your Majesty,” Arthur replied.
“Ha! Even before the formal blessing, you care for her so attentively? It seems this time I made a good match,” the Emperor said, amused, and studied Grace even more intently.
Grace felt her shoulders tense under his piercing gaze.
It wasn’t because he had once caused her death in her first life, nor because she feared offending the highest ruler. It was simply the intensity of his scrutiny—like a predator sizing up its prey.
…Like a snake before its prey.
Trembling from this inexplicable fear, Grace clutched Arthur’s arm tightly.
“Hahaha! I must bestow my blessing on these eager two without delay! Duke Alberton! Bestow your blessing upon them! And perhaps one that ensures an heir arrives quickly as well!”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall proceed immediately,” Duke Alberton replied.
The Emperor laughed heartily and summoned Duke Alberton, who had stood expressionless by his side. Bowing, Alberton slowly descended the platform toward Arthur and Grace.
Grace, wary of her father’s approach, took a cautious step back, eyes narrowed.
“….”
Duke Alberton and Grace exchanged cold, indifferent glances—hardly recognizable as a father and daughter.
Finally, Alberton looked away, raised his hand, and summoned a book: the Blessing Scripture. He floated it before Arthur and Grace and instructed:
“Duke Arthur Felix and Duchess Grace Felix, place your hands upon the Blessing Scripture.”
Arthur placed his hand first, and Grace followed, laying hers atop his.
Duke Alberton confirmed their hands were in place and declared:
“As the representative of His Majesty the Emperor, I, Fitzgerald Alberton, Archmage of the Empire, bestow my blessing upon you.”
He raised his hands reverently and began chanting the incantation in a low voice.
Grace listened carefully, recognizing fragments of the magical language she had learned as a child, and lowered her gaze.
[―――.]
Huh…?
But as the blessing continued, Grace felt her mind slowly go blank.
The words of the spell were clear—purely a blessing—but the magical energy it radiated, though clean and divine, had a disorienting effect.
Oddly, her thoughts kept fading, as if someone had shut down every sense and cognition she had. It felt as if everything in the world had vanished at once.
