Chapter 43: Chapter 43

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Chapter 43

After what happened in the office, another ordinary day passed. He was so busy that I didn’t even notice that the work was all concentrated only on Bleon, and it wasn’t until the day of the garden party that he had some free time.

We were getting ready at sunset and we were on our way in a carriage to the Marquisate of Aris’ residence. McCain took time off from being our escort knight this time. It was because I gave him a vacation because he was attending this garden party as the Lord of the Holster Marquisate.

Today, Bleon wore a dark navy blue suit, and it matched him so well that Bleon’s beauty stood out even more. And I wore an elegant and splendid dress in pale gold. I didn’t mean to stand out, but it was the first social party I had with Bleon after coming to Hares, so I gave it a little more effort on purpose.

“I’m happy though. I mean, your work is almost over. I almost would have gone alone.”

“I know. I will never let my wife go alone.”

“This is the first party the Duke goes to as an adult.”

“Yes…”

“I want to go and meet a lot of people this time. Both of us.”

“Yes…”

Bleon answered in a voice not very motivated. But as I did last time, I had no intention of yielding to him this much. So I tried to ignore his anxious expression and continued what I was saying.

“There will be Leila, and McCain Holster coming too, so it’ll probably be alright.”

Not going to a place full of strangers, but knowing that there is someone who we even know at least a little bit puts my mind at ease. But again, maybe it was just me, Bleon’s brow furrowed.

“Can my husband wrinkle his face like this in front of people he is seeing for the first time today?”

“…….”

Bleon didn’t answer as he didn’t feel much better even though I had said something jokingly.

“Are you anxious?”

“…Yes.”

“Why are you anxious?”

“…….”

Again, Bleon kept his mouth shut.

“Don’t you trust me?”

“No, no…!”

Bleon vehemently denied it and shook his head vigorously.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, mywife, it’s that I just…”

Not ignorant of his anxiety, I turned to the side and held him in my arms. However, I was not large enough to hold Bleon’s body if I wanted to hold him tight. So, holding him just close enough to barely touch both of Bleon’s arms, I leaned his face on my shoulder and opened my lips to speak.

“I just came out of the world and I can’t stay like this without doing anything. Bleon is the head of the Duchy of Einer. So, you have to do what you have to do as the head. I know better than anyone that you haven’t slept well and been busy working. So let’s do a little more. I will work hard by your side to help make up for the past. Understand?”

I said, calming him down in a gentle tone.

“…I understand, Wife.”

His voice still didn’t sound like that at all, but I sighed in relief that he had answered me nonetheless. Then I picked the words he liked and continued speaking.

“Don’t forget that we will always be together and Bleon is the first for me. Understand?”

“Wife…”

His voice was slightly teary, as if he was moved and choked up by my words.

“Thank you. Wife…”

Saying thank you, Bleon stretched out his long arms and took me in his arms. We shared each other’s breath so closely until we reached the Marquisate of Aris.

The party was bigger than expected. Apparently quite a few nobles were invited, so the gardens of the Marquisate of Aris were crowded with people. As soon as Bleon and I entered the garden, all eyes turned to us.

I already expected that to happen, so I looked around, not paying much attention to the gazes. And not too far away, I found Leila with McCain. The two of them also walked this way looking at us, and our distance gradually narrowed.

“Astell!”

“Leila!”

Leila and I looked at each other and greeted each other warmly.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Duke Einer.”

Leila smiled and spoke to Bleon. I glanced lightly at Bleon. Fortunately, as if he felt my gaze, Bleon immediately opened his mouth.

“Long time no see, Princess Parkers.”

“I knew it when we first saw each other, but looking at it this way, you really have a unique beauty. Does the Duke know that you look the coolest in this garden today?”

Leila praised Bleon, raising her thumb. When Bleon didn’t respond to the compliment for him, I quickly responded instead.

“It’s a bit embarrassing to talk about, but I am amazed every day by the Duke’s beauty.”

“I think so. I envy Astell to see such a handsome husband like this every day? Actually, McCain is second to none in appearance, but because he stands side by side with the Duke… It’s a little…”

Leila looked at McCain and tilted her head with a teasing look. At Leila’s words, I also turned my gaze to McCain.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Sir in a suit, and it matches you really well.”

I even praised him with half courtesy and half sincerity. Then McCain coughed in embarrassment.

“How can you be so flustered…!”

Leila nudged McCain with her elbow.

“Leila!”

“You know Astell. McCain is very popular with the young ladies of the capital, no matter what he looks like. But today, I think everyone will be more interested in the Duke than McCain.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. But when they find out that he has a beautiful wife like Astell, everyone will sigh deeply in regret.”

“Is… that so?”

I glanced at the three of them in turn with questionable faces. I don’t think that they will be sighing in regret, but somehow I think they will take the opportunity to talk to Bleon at least once…

In a noble society, it is normal for a married couple to have their own lovers, so everyone would be interested in the grown up Bleon, and they probably thought that they could easily win against me. Because ten years ago, the social circle centered on the Heines family treated Astell just like that.

‘But I’m not that young anymore.’

No one could ever treat Astell—me—like that any more. I would never sit still, and I wouldn’t let it go if I ever had to be treated like that again, so I kept a gentle smile while maintaining a confident look.

However, while the two men were standing still and only Leila and I were talking, the Marquis and Marchioness of Aris, the organizers of this party, approached us.

“You really have come, Duke Einer and Duchess Einer.”

Marquis Aris came closer with a very moved expression and welcomed us.

“Thank you for the invitation. Marquis Aris, Marchioness Aris.”

I also answered them with a bright expression on my face.

“Thank you for the invitation.”

And Bleon immediately thanked them with the same words as mine.

“We are more than grateful. You must have been invited by many nobles, but you responded first to our family’s invitation.”

“Yes, so welcome back to the capital.”

“Thank you so much for being so welcoming.”

“I heard that Duke Einer has come of age this year. He is already so dignified, so he has no lack of being able to lead a household.”

“Thank you, Marquis Aris.”

Even if I didn’t glance at my side, Bleon answered them by himself, and I looked at him with a happy expression. And I gave him a good look as a praise for his good job.

“Sir Holster is here, too. Why don’t we walk away to give the ladies some time?”

When Marquis Aris suggested that men and women talk separately, Bleon’s expression suddenly became distorted.

“I’m with my wife—”

“I think that would be good.”

When I saw that Bleon was going to refuse, I hurriedly intercepted his words and gave a positive reply. Then, Bleon’s pupils shook anxiously.

“That’s good. Then Duke Einer and Sir Holster can follow me. I will serve you a nice glass of wine.”

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