Grand Duke, Please Stop Obsessing Over Your Wife! - Chapter 9

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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9.

Ramiere went over his plan once more.

“What about the Third Prince’s side? How is it going?”

“Yes. I received the report this evening. Preparations are almost complete. We’ve also finished silencing everyone thoroughly, so there shouldn’t be any concerns.”

The biggest obstacle blocking Robert’s path, the Third Prince, would soon disappear cleanly from this world.

It was refreshing news, like a painful tooth being pulled out.

For a moment, he could breathe easier amidst the complexity.

‘Right. Things went off track briefly, but I just need to get back on course.’

If only Annelize would follow his will, everything could be restored today.

“Robert said he would propose to Annelize Solarichen again today. That girl surely can’t refuse a proposal in front of His Imperial Majesty.”

Unless she managed to find another marriage partner and show up with them in those few days.

Of course, that possibility was slim.

“Has Annelize Solarichen not arrived at the ballroom yet?”

“No.”

“Bring her to me the moment she arrives.”

Imperial nobility marriages become official the moment the Emperor blesses them.

Once established, divorce required the Emperor’s permission.

But would the Emperor grant a divorce? He knew that the Emperor had also secretly marked Annelize as potential daughter-in-law material.

In other words, even if she didn’t want to marry the Crown Prince, there was no escape route.

It was when Ramiere was preparing to go out, dressed in his formal attire.

“Your Highness Ramiere!”

The mercenary who had left not long ago reappeared, knocking on the window.

The mercenary was visibly flustered. His breathing was irregular, as if he had come in haste.

“Has Annelize arrived?”

“No, Your Highness. The Duke’s knight has come. They say the Duke will also be attending tonight’s ball.”

“What? The Duke? Didn’t he return to the North immediately that day!”

Why had he continued to remain in the Imperial Capital? For what reason!

Ramiere was greatly flustered.

“That’s not all, Your Highness. The thing is, they said the Duke has a ball partner and asked us to modify the attendance list accordingly.”

“A partner? Who?”

“Ah, it’s Lady Annelize Solarichen, daughter of Count Solarichen.”

“What?”

Ramiere’s face turned deathly pale.

* * *

Annelize quietly held her breath and rolled her eyes.

The man who had grabbed her just before being caught by the Crown Prince.

‘It’s Duke Aperhis.’

Though they had only met once, she could recognize him instantly.

Was this what they called an aura?

When he was nearby, it somehow felt colder than usual.

‘I wouldn’t need a fan in summer.’

The air also became heavier and the pressure made it hard to breathe.

‘This level of pressure is essential for my previously lax life.’

Her positive thinking circuit was automatically activating for everything related to the Duke.

Anyway, since the Duke had said “shh,” Annelize obediently followed his instruction.

She remained quietly hidden below the stairs, holding her breath.

The candle flames illuminating the wall flickered, creating the Crown Prince’s shadow.

Soon the Crown Prince revealed himself.

Just as he was about to look down below the stairs with a candlestick in hand, a voice echoed from the corridor.

“Your Highness Robert! Where are you? The waltz is about to begin!”

The young ladies who had received the Crown Prince strategy guide seemed to be working diligently.

The Crown Prince let out a frustrated breath at the voice calling for him. He hurriedly ran toward the opposite corridor.

‘You’re the one who said there’s no tree that won’t fall after being struck ten times. Why don’t you try being struck earnestly for once.’

Now it was safe for a while.

When the footsteps could no longer be heard.

The Duke released Annelize.

“Thank y—”

“Your steps are slow.”

He cut off Annelize’s greeting like a blade.

Annelize was already getting used to his rudeness.

So what if he doesn’t greet me properly. He saved me from the Crown Prince. And he’s someone who can continue saving me in the future.

“—ou. And I’m also pleased to meet you, Your Grace.”

“Hmm.”

Despite her proper greeting, he paid no attention and was looking elsewhere.

What was he looking at?

The Duke stood with his arms crossed, looking down.

Annelize’s gaze followed the Duke’s.

Below her dress, which she had lifted with both hands while greeting, a pair of pointed-toe shoes was visible.

‘There’s nothing there but my feet.’

He looked at Annelize’s shoe-clad feet and snorted.

“Well, having such small feet, it’s understandable.”

“Excuse me?”

Annelize’s feet were exactly the average size for Imperial women.

She was shocked by this outrageous statement she was hearing for the first time in her life.

‘My feet are small?’

What kind of nonsense was this.

“They’re precisely the average size for adult women.”

“Can you even walk properly?”

Now came a question that genuinely doubted her walking ability.

“Look. I walk just fine.”

Indignant, Annelize extended her leg forward so her foot size would be clearly visible.

‘Just how perfect are your feet that you can say such things.’

Annelize’s shod foot was placed next to the Duke’s leg.

She could naturally compare the sizes of both shoes.

Annelize looked back and forth between the Duke’s shoes and her own, then swallowed her rebuttal.

Was this person’s standard for everything centered on himself?

‘If you’re always looking at feet like those, everything else would seem small.’

[My lord has lived alone for a long time, so he’s indifferent to human social etiquette and social distance.]

Isaiah’s words echoed in her ears.

That could be understandable.

“I could carry you to your destination.”

That could be underst—

“No.”

Annelize answered firmly.

“I’ll walk there myself.”

She immediately turned around and began walking.

She climbed the stairs as vigorously as possible, so he wouldn’t even think of carrying her.

“Huh.”

The Duke lowered his outstretched arm with a look that found her completely unreliable.

In that brief moment, Annelize was already halfway up.

Her golden hair swayed rhythmically with her movements.

It was truly an irritating sight from behind.

So irritating that he couldn’t take his eyes off it.

The Duke watched her and followed behind Annelize.

* * *

The North Tower Corridor was quite different from Annelize’s memory.

The pentagonal room at the end of the long corridor was covered with soft carpet instead of tiles.

‘It’s like a small ballroom. Except for the lack of a giant chandelier.’

The room was dark, but candles in sconces scattered along the walls dimly illuminated the darkness.

Annelize turned her head at the sound of the Duke removing his clothes.

He had taken off his long cloak.

Under the dim light, his well-fitted uniform revealed the outline of his solid physique.

An aesthetically flawless, statue-like body.

So beautiful it was almost obscene.

Annelize found herself unconsciously scanning the body before her.

Then she suddenly turned her gaze away, feeling an inexplicable embarrassment.

Fortunately, the Duke didn’t seem to notice her blatant stare.

“I don’t prefer places with many humans.”

Saying this, the Duke reached toward a drawer.

A music box on top of the drawer opened.

A 3/4 time melody began to flow through the quiet corridor.

“But Isaiah told me that anyone who attends a ball must dance. What truly bothersome creatures.”

The Duke muttered and extended his hand.

“Let’s dance one song.”

Annelize stared blankly at the hand extended toward her.

She hadn’t expected to receive such a request from none other than the Duke.

‘He lives alone and doesn’t know social customs well, but he knows how to dance.’

Though she knew it was rude, she was slightly surprised.

‘He’s planning to have a conversation with me while dancing.’

And even the advanced skill of leisurely conversing while dancing.

“Can you… dance?”

“Someone taught me when I was young.”

Contrary to her worry that he might be offended, the Duke answered nonchalantly.

To think there was someone who taught the great Duke how to dance.

“What a kind person. Who did you learn from?”

“Well. It was so long ago. I don’t remember.”

Of course you wouldn’t. Your Grace the Duke, who is indifferent to everything.

“Are you done with questions?”

“Hmm. Just a moment.”

She hesitated before taking the Duke’s hand.

Dancing wouldn’t be impossible for her. But there was one thing that bothered her.

Annelize looked at the mask covering the Duke’s face.

As the Duke tilted his head, a few strands of hair as dark as night fell across his forehead.

‘Wouldn’t it be stuffy to always wear a mask? According to Isaiah, it should be fine to take it off in front of me.’

“Your Grace. If it’s alright with you, could you remove your mask? I’d like to dance while looking at each other’s faces.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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