Chapter 102

Chapter 102

The two gazed at each other side by side. Just in time, the music changed to a light waltz.

“Zachary, what is wrong with you today?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You keep calling me whenever I’m with someone else.”

Iellie whispered as she narrowed her brows. It was because if she’d had a few words of conversation with someone, he clung to her. As she continued, she held his hand as a reprimand and gave strength to it.

“Look, I’m the host. What will people think if I’m hanging out only with you?”

“Well, we are a good couple… they would think that, right?”

“What?”

Answering Zachary’s smirking answer, Iellie unconsciously asked back. Zachary shrugged his shoulders.

“And I hate you talking to other people.”

“…You’re not even a child. What is this?”

“Sometimes you said you didn’t treat me like a child, but now you do.”

At that, he laughed softly while she lost her words. Zachary whispered as he pulled her by the waist.

“This is why I try to look like a man to you.”

“….”

…When did his speaking skills improve like that? She stared at Zachary. While having this conversation, it was surprising that he was keeping the tempo of the dance right.

“Thank you for telling me that you were looking at me as a man.”

“Zachary?”

“More than that.”

Three steps to the side, one step to the back.

As she returned to his arms, Ielli’s skirt unfurled out wide like a petal and Zachary locked his wife in his arms.

“I want you to see no one other than me, most of all, don’t see other men…”

“That…”

“That was what I was thinking.”

Stepping on the steps of the dance, the fleeting moment of being embraced by Zachary. She heard the sound of her heart beating.

“Would it be weird to say something like this?”

When he whispered with an embarrassed face, Iellie wanted to roll her eyes for a moment before she answered.

“No.”

“….”

“It’s rather good. Because…”

Iellie swallowed her breath. She never thought that these words would come out of her own mouth. It felt like the corner of her heart was being rubbed with soft feathers… itchy yet soft feeling. She blushed.

“…Me too.”

As soon as he heard those words, Zachary gazed at her with a dazed face. Iellie was a little embarrassed.

“You even said you liked me earlier. Do you really have to hear these words from me?”

As she opened her mouth with a coy face, at the same time, the music ended. The people who were dancing round and round let go of their hands one by one. Since the dance was over, she tried to let go of Zachary’s hand.

But then…

“I’m not good at talking.”

She could feel his hand lightly caressing her shoulder. Iellie glanced behind and saw Zachary standing there.

“Zachary…?”

Hundreds and thousands of Asha petals dye the whole scene in pink. Iellie slightly frowned.

“Why are you standing like that?”

The dance was over. Iellie looked up at him though he lowered his head slightly.

“So.”

When the snow-white silver hair brushed across her cheeks, she widened her eyes. A deep blue gaze, as if a piece of the indigo sky had been removed and inserted into it. The eyes that had been cold as glaciers were now holding warmth.

“I’m sorry, I only knew this way.”

Zachary smiled mischievously, and at the same time, his lips passed Iellie’s cheek.

“People, people are looking…”

“It’s okay to look at it.”

No, only you are fine, I’m not fine. Iellie, trying to retort with a flushed face, bit her lip. Even people’s happy eyes are embarrassing for her.

She asked, narrowing her brows.

“…Are you doing this on purpose to show others?”

“That’s right.”

‘Don’t agree on it that bluntly…’

Iellie let out a sigh. She had no idea how he had been hiding his possessiveness until now. She shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

‘But well, it’s still cute.’

The only way he showed his possessiveness was to kiss her on the cheek and forehead, stuck close to her or invited her to the first dance at the garden party. Wasn’t it a completely different direction from the Emperor’s rude behavior?

“Really, I can’t with you.”

Iellie narrowed her eyes. Still, there was a smile that couldn’t be hidden on her lips.

Laughter, soft voices, and tea and refreshments were necessities for the ladies’ chatting, so she decided to show the ladies in advance the Asha jam and tea that she would give as a gift to the guests.

‘Anyway, since it’s tea and jam, it’d be better to make a debut at a place like this.’

The noble ladies of the north were all invited, and the Princess was also present. As she put Asha flower tea into warm water, petals that looked like small buds soon bloomed in hot water.

“Oh my goodness…”

Not only the ladies but even the Princess opened their eyes wide. There was a strong scent of Asha flowers.

“So pretty.”

“I know. Have you ever had a tea like this before?”

When the ladies raised their exclamations, Iellie smiled. She followed an explanation as she poured the tea.

“This is a newly developed tea, but it took a lot of work and was only able to be produced in small quantities.”

She knew her place well. She was the only Duchess of the empire, mistress of Hessenweiz, and mistress of the north. Now that Zachary had taken the title, she also had work to do.

“That’s why I wanted to show it to the Princess.”

That was, leading the social events of the noble ladies of the north. Until now, Countess Laurent had carried the Imperial Family on her back and ran wild like thunder, but now the time had come for Countess Laurent’s arrogance to end.

‘There were many social events led by noble ladies.

Representatively, there was a salon where noble ladies gathered. Until now, the most prestigious salon in the north belonged to the Countess though Iellie intended to usurp that position. She raised her eyebrows slightly.

‘Because these unique teas and snacks served at social events enhance the value of the event.’

Tea made using Asha flowers was pleasing to the eye just by looking at it—light color and rustling petals. In addition, pink jam made by properly processing Asha flowers with sugar was also bright in color.

“Would you all like to try it?”

Hearing her words, the ladies scrambled to taste it with faces full of curiosity. Their faces brightened.

“It is delicious.”

“Really. It smells great.”

“This is my first time drinking tea like this.”

Of course, it would be the first time. It was a tea that was made with the memories of her past life.

“I’m glad you liked it.”

Iellie smiled and continued her words. The Princess gazed down at the teacup with keen eyes. Inside the white porcelain, tea water colored in pale pink slithers. Pink petals swayed in the sky.

“If done well, this flower tea could be popular in the social world.”

“That’s too much praise, Your Highness.”

“No, I mean it. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a pretty tea.”

As the Princess said that, a different color appeared in her eyes, seemingly asking why she was showing off this precious tea now.

“The Duchess is going to be doing social activities now, so are you going to show it off then?”

The Princess, who put down the teacup with a click, asked casually. Iellie smiled. As expected, the Princess was sharp.

“Yes, that’s right. That’s why I wanted to invite my precious people first and show them the taste.”

It seemed that the Princess had already noticed that her intentions were to see ahead of time the nobles’ reactions.

“Is the jam too sweet?”

“No, it is not. Rather bitter yet sweet…”

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