Chapter 34 (1/2)

"The newly wedded Duke and Duchess Claymore have arrived!"

Then the carriage stopped as they had reached the palace.

"… I guess we will have no choice but to discuss this matter later."

Mentally, Rubica stuck her tongue out at him. Edgar's beauty had been so hard to get used to, but she had now gotten used to it. She wasn't going to let him go, no matter how sweet his words were.

Moreover, this wasn't the end of the event she had prepared. She was a woman who truly knew how to provoke people. When the carriage's door was opened, people cheered at seeing the beautiful couple.

They had waited for such a long time and must have been tired, but they smiled broadly and threw white flowers and grains dyed in white as the blessing. Edgar got off the carriage first and escorted Rubica.

Soon her dress was shown, and people exclaimed. At least the dress she had designed was beautiful, so beautiful that even Edgar's beauty couldn't diminish it.

With each step she took, the golden embroidery flutteringly moved. Rosa was happier than anyone else at seeing it. She wanted to grab the people near her and yell that beautiful dress had been the duchess' idea.

They continued to sprinkle flowers and grains until the two arrived at the front door. Then they arrived at the opened door where Ann quickly replaced the circlets and veil that pressed their heads with garlands.

"Thank you, Ann."

Rubica had promised to call her by her first name after the wedding, and Ann smiled in return.

Then, Rubica spoke extremely naturally to Edgar who had just taken off his circlet.

"Let us go, Edgar."

The next moment, people around them including Ann doubted their ears. Some couldn't shut their mouths and some opened their eyes so widely that they were about to get out. However, Rubica naturally linked her arm with Edgar's as if there was nothing wrong.

"What?"

Edgar was just as much surprised as them. However, he instinctively knew that if he scolded Rubica now, there would be no going back on that.

He was arrogant, but even he didn't have the guts to scold the bride who was entering the hall where the wedding feast would take place in front of the crowd. Then, her cute smile would fade, and she could mercilessly remove her arm.

"… okay."

Okay. That single word had lots of meanings. It meant he was going to go into the hall together without making a problem, but also meant Edgar knew what Rubica was intending and they should talk later.

Rubica smiled as widely as she could at this.

'Oh my… he is…'

'I've never seen him like that before.'

'… I think he is really in love with her!'

'It looks like mistreating the duchess would be a bad idea.'

Rubica had nothing to lose. She just wanted to press that pride of the duke. However, regardless of her intention, the crowd was surprised to know Duke Claymore was letting her talk to him like that.

In the end, they concluded this impossible situation was only possible because Edgar's love was so deep. They couldn't think of any other way to understand that crazy situation.

As Rubica was escorted to the splendidly decorated hall, she replied kindly to all the guests and servants who congratulated her. As she was the duchess now, she could have behaved arrogantly, but she didn't.

But there was one person she spoke extremely arrogantly to…

"Hey, pass me the pepper."

It was Edgar. Although he was steaming, he handed her the pepper container. On her dish was a roasted snipe that had been cooked with too many spices to boast about the wealth of the special day. There was no need to add pepper to it. She had to be speaking like that only to get on his nerves.

Just as he thought, Rubica didn't bother to sprinkle the pepper. The crowd muttered among themselves at seeing that. The scholars who were inventing weapons under Edgar mostly thought the newly wedded couple seemed so in love.

However, a few comments were more than enough to disturb Edgar.

"She's got him, she's got him."

"He has finally been conquered by love."

Edgar couldn't take it anymore and decided to speak to Rubica who was happily enjoying the feast.

"This is way too much."

"Huh? Too much pepper?"

Rubica replied innocently with wide eyes. Edgar wanted to grab her wrist, drag her away, and tell her to stop ignoring him.

He was Duke Claymore. He knew how to handle those who dared to challenge his power and honor. But strangely, this time, he didn't feel like jumping on his feet or take Rubica's wrist forcefully.