I immediately picked up a piece of the steak Rose had sliced and put it in my mouth.
I smirked as I savored the texture of the veal tenderloin that seemed to melt away the moment I chewed it.
“Delicious.”
What was truly delicious was Rose's wit, which had resolved the issue so cleanly.
To think she had switched the plates before I could even say a word. It meant she had been preparing for this issue even before the steaks came out.
It was truly perfect spousal support.
“Hehe.”
“Hahaha.”
The other nobles, who had been watching Rose and me, chuckled and quietly turned their gazes away.
It was just a tender and affectionate moment between a newlywed couple; they probably couldn't have imagined I was injured.
“…….”
I felt the corners of my mouth twitching upward.
All I had to do was spear the perfectly sliced meat with the fork in my right hand and eat.
I wondered if the meat was tender, or if Rose's smile was tender as she quietly took my plate and cut my share.
Just as I was enjoying such a pleasant mealtime.
“Your Grace.”
A steward, who was walking around pouring wine, stopped beside me.
“Prince Arikx has sent this.”
A bottle of wine, two glasses, and a card were placed on the tray the servant held.
[To my dear friend Duke Schmaichel and his beautiful wife. -Arikx von Rozerk]
I could see the words scrawled in an archaic, yet seemingly handwritten, script.
“Oh my.”
Rose let out a small gasp after checking the card.
“It’s the First Prince. I heard the two of you were close, but it seems your relationship is truly special.”
Instead of answering, I glared at the wine bottle as if it were a bomb.
‘What a cheap stunt….’
I wanted to toss that wine away immediately, but I couldn't dare do such a thing in front of everyone.
“Pour me a glass. Just for me.”
I said to the servant with a cold smile on my lips. Raising my wine glass, I locked eyes with Arikx at the head table.
“…….”
My eyes met Arikx's just as he was tilting his wine glass to his lips. He raised an eyebrow and smiled.
It was an awfully cheeky smile.
Kkadak.
After a light bow, I downed the wine in one gulp.
‘…Hmm.’
I didn't want to admit it, but it was a remarkably excellent wine.
It felt as if soft silk had swept from the tip of my tongue down to my throat. Even the bittersweet sensation lingering at the tip of my tongue finished cleanly.
“Oh my, but this wine….”
Rose, examining the wine bottle closely, made a peculiar face.
“…Hm, it truly is a rare vintage.”
It was the exact same wine that Rose had broken in the bedroom on our wedding night.
Of all things, for him to pick this wine to send.
Arikx probably hadn't done it with any knowledge of it, but the sheer coincidence drew a scoff of laughter from me.
I looked down at the servant and said.
“Tell His Highness. It is an honor to receive such a precious wine.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The servant bowed his head, preparing to transcribe the message. I glared in the direction where Arikx sat and continued.
“Add this afterwards: ‘The aroma of the wine is so bewitching that I shall drink every last drop of it.’ Not a single word out of place.”
The servant blinked in apparent bewilderment, but soon obediently bowed his head.
“Understood.”
After the servant withdrew, I filled the glass to the brim with wine.
I did so with the resolve that Rose would not drink this wine in front of Arikx.
“Your Grace, are you really going to drink it all?”
Rose asked softly as she looked at me. It was a gaze that harbored some hope.
“Do you want to drink it?”
“Just a little…?”
Rose said, hiding her fidgeting fingers under the table.
“When I broke the bottle back then… ahem, when it broke, it had such a wonderful aroma that I was curious about the taste. And Your Grace kept emphasizing how precious it was.”
“I don't recall emphasizing it that much.”
“You did. Twice.”
Rose denied my words with a firm tone.
It seemed the events of that day had left quite a strong impression on her memory.
I shrugged and gave her permission.
“Fine. But not here.”
“Then…?”
“In the bedroom later. You may drink it when I am there.”
“Understood.”
Rose smiled brightly, as if that alone was enough for her.
It was then.
“Puh-ha!”
Amidst the noise and chatter of the crowd, a burst of laughter filtered through.
In the distance, I saw Arikx clutching his stomach in laughter. The servant who had delivered the message was also seen scurrying away in a fluster.
‘Hmph.’
Ignoring him, I downed the rest of the wine. Then, I polished off the veal tenderloin steak Rose had sliced for me, leaving not a single morsel behind.
After some time had passed.
The meal came to a close, and desserts and light hors d'oeuvres began to be served. The atmosphere shifted as people rose in twos and threes to mingle freely.
“-you say? We should pay them a visit soon.”
“-promised. There will be a definite reward.”
The banquet hall was split into two factions, as if by an unspoken agreement. One supporting the First Prince, and the other supporting the Second Prince.
An invisible line existed between them, suggesting they dared not cross it.
Standing on the boundary of that invisible line were the Lancaster and Schmaichel houses.
“His Majesty said as much. Haha, he’s still a man who loves his jests.”
Duke Lancaster stroked his beard and let out a hearty laugh. Lancaster would support whoever became the Crown Prince, be it the First Prince or the Second.
Schmaichel, on the other hand, still had room to be swayed.
Perhaps because of that, I could sense both the First Prince's faction and the Second Prince's faction bristling with alertness over my every move.
“How was the food?”
“It was very, very delicious. Of course, it cannot compare to Fabri-nim's 'that'.”
“Are you serious? Fabri would be thrilled to hear that.”
As I stayed put, escorting Rose without making any rash moves,
“Your Grace.”
Count Holland and his wife came over. They had come to pay their respects.
“Rose! The dress suits you so well today.”
Countess Holland offered her greeting with a bright smile. Only then did Rose's stiff shoulders relax a little.
“Thank you, Sophia.”
It seemed that by frequently attending Countess Holland's tea parties, they had grown close enough to use each other's first names.
“I didn't believe it when my wife told me… but seeing it with my own eyes like this, it's certainly true.”
Count Holland lightly bowed his head and smiled mischievously.
“Did you know? There have probably been no other days where so many noblewives swapped their plates with their husbands' like today.”
“Was that so?”
“Yes, many husbands had to clean their plates completely. If they left even a little bit, they were immediately compared to Your Grace.”
Count Holland's gaze swept over Rose, who was sticking closely to my side.
“I had quite a hard time because people swarmed me, asking what was going on. They kept poking my ribs so much it feels like they've made holes, haha.”
“I told you it would be like this, honey.”
Countess Holland smiled playfully, her eyes crinkling, and lightly bumped Count Holland's arm.
“I knew it from the day you came to pick Rose up from the tea party. Did you not believe me?”
“Well, Sophia. It's not that I didn't believe you, but….”
It was fascinating to see Count Holland so flustered.
I had only ever seen him laugh with glib ease or handle matters with absolute thoroughness, so realizing he had this side to him in front of his wife was intriguing.
“So, did you finish the work well?”
When I tossed a lifeline to Count Holland at just the right moment,
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Count Holland gave a look of gratitude and quickly grasped the lifeline.
“I tightened the noose just as you ordered. They were all screaming for their lives.”
I had ordered him to severely choke the financial lifelines of the families that sided with Henrik, including Marcus and Count Olsen.
They were probably running around in all directions by now, desperately trying to find a way through their completely blocked business ventures.
“Any notable movements?”
“Everyone is holding their breath for now. A few families are already on the verge of bankruptcy.”
Despite his good-natured appearance, Count Holland handled matters ruthlessly.
“Oh, honestly, men.”
Countess Holland furrowed her brow as if she couldn't stand it.
“On such a wonderful day, you're only talking about work again. Rose, I'll host another tea party next month, so let's have a cozy chat then, just us girls.”
“I'll definitely go, Sophia.”
Once Count Holland broke the ice, the other nobles gradually began to approach as well.
They were loyal families that had long served Schmaichel, or houses looking to forge a connection with the Schmaichel name.
“Your Grace, it has been a truly long time. I am glad to see you in good health.”
“There were bastards who said Schmaichel's claws had dulled lately, and whatnot. Those rumors will surely disappear now.”
Three years ago, after taking a leave of absence from the academy and returning to my estate.
I had filled my father's vacant seat and elevated the house without a tremor of instability. I also dealt with the blood relatives who constantly interfered and reached out with sinister hands.
During that time, I hadn't even shown my face at the harvest festival under the pretext of being too busy guarding the North.
‘No one will be able to doubt it now.’
That I was the one and only legitimate master of Schmaichel. That the youngest Duke in history had the North firmly in his grasp.
A true masterpiece that stood apart from other houses—and on top of that, the King himself had summoned me to sing my praises.
There was no stamp of approval more definitive than this.
“What a beautiful couple you make! I’m truly jealous.”
“Did you know that the two of you were the center of attention at the banquet today?”
Perhaps having already become acquainted at the tea parties, a few ladies approached Rose warmly.
It was an attempt to form a connection with me by leveraging their relationship with Rose.
No one dared to pull a bold stunt like attacking Rose with her past rumors.
“Oh my, the two of you haven't parted for a single moment.”
“Your Grace must truly treasure his wife.”
It was all thanks to me standing firmly by Rose's side.
Strictly speaking, it was Rose who was clinging to my arm to protect me, but no one had noticed that fact.
They simply brushed it off as the intimate touch of a newlywed couple.
“Your Grace, I hope you have been well.”
Marquis Larson, a man with a stern, weathered face, approached and greeted me first.
“Marquis Larson. Have you been well? This is the first time since we met in the capital.”
“Yes. It is because my wife talks so much about the Duchess. She was particularly interested in the dress.”
He was quite a recognized heavyweight in high society, to the point where it was said that anyone wanting to do business in the capital needed to join hands with Larson.
For such a figure to approach me first, strike up a conversation, and make a polite request—it was quite astonishing.
“May I invite the two of you to my mansion soon?”
“Of course.”
That invitation likely included business discussions as well.
I had been planning to commercialize and sell a few of the Magical Devices Rose had developed, and I figured I could use Larson to do it.
After watching Marquis Larson escort his wife away,
“Rose.”
I leaned in close to Rose and whispered.
“It seems you really did turn the tea party upside down.”