Chapter 103

Chapter 103

After taking a bite of the jam on top of a white cracker, the lady put on a happy face as the bitter taste unique to Asha petals and the sweet taste of sugar were harmonized in a perfect way. The noble ladies scrambled to give praise.

“It will go well with other teas.”

“That’s right. Besides, it’s sweet but not too much, so I can keep eating it.”

She wanted this kind of feedback.

As Iellie smiled contentedly, the Princess watched her with a smile.

The garden party, which also served as a reception, ended late that night. Underneath the blooming clusters of Asha flowers, lamps lit here and there were scattering fantastic scarlet colors. In return for attending the reception, Iellie presented her guests with tea and jam made from Asha flowers.

The Princess asked curiously.

“What is this, Duchess?”

“A thank you for coming.”

When Iellie smiled as she replied, the Princess, who was bewildered for a moment, then her eyes twinkled.

“Could it be the tea we drank earlier?”

“That’s right. I prepared it as a return gift for the distinguished guests who attended the wedding.”

She received the gift with a happy face as the tip of her nose wrinkled, and she opened her mouth in a playful voice.

“You will hear what I will say to the Emperor about the Duchess.”

“Princess? Why?”

“The Duchess is doing her job step by step.”

Transparent gray eyes watched her quietly and the Princess continued her words to the stunned Iellie, “Now, you will start socializing in earnest, and this time in such a wonderful way…”

Saying so, she patted the return gift given to Iellie as if showing off with her calm voice.

“…You also preoccupied the Asha flower, which is also the symbol of the Imperial Family.”

“Ah.”

Iellie blinked her eyes.

Come to think of it, the Princess was under pressure from the Emperor in many ways. Iellie knew at first glance through the rumors that the Emperor was displeased with his sister, who did not get along well with the noble ladies.

“Of course, I don’t really care who preoccupies Asha flowers, but…”

“Princess.”

“My older brother is probably quite proud of himself.”

The Princess put on a disgusted face. When Iellie thought of the treatment the princess had received from her emperor, she felt like that.

“Though it would be much better to faithfully rule the empire than obsess over symbols like this.”

Then, she shrugged her shoulders as she spoke harshly as a mischievous smile crossed her beautiful face.

“Still, I don’t really care… rather, I will cheer for the Duchess.”

“Well, thank you…?”

Not knowing what to say, she awkwardly answered her. The Princess seemed to glance at Iellie, then opened her mouth.

“Thank you. Put Countess Laurent in her place, okay?”

After saying that, the Princess immediately got on the carriage. At the same time, Zachary approached her.

“You worked hard today, Ien.”

“Ah. Zachary, you too.”

Iellie smiled awkwardly. For some reason, it seemed to her that she had come back a long way and could now fully remain by his side. In the meanwhile, Zachary said no more as he just patted her on the shoulder.

After the wedding, rumors spread about the new Ducal couple in the north. Despite the fact that they were once divorced, it was rumored that the Ducal couple cherish and love each other like a pair of lovebirds.

13. Mistress Of the North (2)

As the wedding was over, Iellie and Zachary were faced with the biggest problem they both have to solve… it was their union.

Iellie swallowed a gulp. The view from inside the room was absolutely stunning.

‘Well, I didn’t expect this at all…’

It seemed that the people of the Duke’s castle showed too much sincerity.

The scenery in the room with the lighting turned down looked cozy, and more than that, it looked sensational. Red cloth curtains, countless rose petals scattered over the bed, and alcohol and some snacks to cheer up the mood were set on the table…

“….”

“….”

The two of them were silent without saying anything first. This was now, that… to lighten up the mood?

‘That’s right.’

Today, she… did she really have to spend the night with Zachary? As she thought so, she glanced at Zachary.

‘Maybe it’s okay, but I’m so nervous…!’

She could bet. During the last time she has been with Zachary, she’d never been more nervous than now. At that moment, when Iellie and Zachary’s eyes met, the two were shocked and turned away from each other.

‘Perhaps according to the rules of the union…’

He needed to take off her dress. However, it was difficult for the two of them, who had been friends for so long, to create such an atmosphere. The two were silent again.

“….”

“….”

Glancing at each other, the two tacitly agreed. It seemed that the atmosphere had to be changed.

“Do you want to wash up first?”

After a while, Zachary pretended to be calm and asked Iellie. However, Iellie noticed that his cheeks were burning red. She blinked her eyes… no, she had to pretend she was not as nervous as possible…

“Yes.”

No, what if her voice trembles now! As she pressed her lips tightly as Zachary smiled.

“Okay, then I will wait.”

Iellie, who nodded her head slightly, went into the bathroom, and the door closed with a click. Only then did Zachary let out a long sigh, covering his face with his hands.

Iellie…

His heart was beating so fast that he thought he was going to die.

‘Ah, maybe it’s good.’

The sound of dripping water could be heard through the closed door. He was at the limit of pretending to be calm now.

“….”

His face was heating up. Taking a deep breath, Zachary roughly pulled the cravat from his throat.

On the other hand, Iellie carefully removed her makeup and turned on the warm water. In the meantime, she smiled as she saw that the cleanser for washing her body was prepared with a rich rose scent. The people of the Duke’s Castle were too considerate.

“These people really…”

No, what if the couple, who had grown up like brother and sister, were pushed into a room like this right away? Iellie, who washed her body clean, looked at the mirror while pouring rose water on her skin. Her face in her mirror was red.

“….”

It was strange, even though she had already shown Zachary a face without makeup countless times…

‘…It’s a bit burdensome for me to go out like this now.’

For today, she wanted to go out in a state where she could look as pretty as possible to him. She swallowed her sigh.

‘But, I can’t make Zachary wait forever.’

After thoroughly drying her body, she looked in the mirror. She hesitated for a moment before she repainted her lips.

‘I think this much will be fine.’

As she turned around and put on a gown, the delicate scent of rose brushed the tip of her nose. No, perhaps it wasn’t the first night. Iellie, who smiled bitterly, closed the gown, tied the knot, and wrapped a towel around her head.

“I’m done washing. Go inside.”

Iellie, who opened the door and got out, opened her mouth pretending to be calm. Zachary immediately nodded her head.

“Ah, okay.”

“….”

At that moment, she could feel her cheeks heat up. Zachary had casually tossed off his formal suit and left his cravat unbuttoned. He had a few buttons on top open, and it was…

‘…Oh my God, Len. You really.’

The graceful curve of his collarbone keeps coming into view. Iellie felt that she was very pitiful.

‘I’m not a pervert, what is this!’

Iellie recognized that she was glancing at Zachary’s chest. As she was biting her lip, Zachary, who was about to enter the bathroom, stood in front of her.

Huh?

It was when she lifted her head…

“Don’t bite it.”

“Huh?”

“If you bite your lip like that, it will bleed.”

When he raised his hand to caress her lips and gave her a big smile, she stared blankly at his face. Zachary lowered his head and kissed her briefly on the cheek, whispering affectionately.

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