Chapter 18
The first banquet of the second week was held at Villa Catalunya.
The rich Marquis's villa was magnificent and grand.
The marble support columns were delicately carved with grape vines, and each window was a piece of stained glass, spreading masses of color across the floor as sunlight poured in.
Moreover, all the walls are painted in gold and blue, making it look royal and expensive.
Mesmerized, she stared at the walls as they entered the ballroom.
Catalina said she didn't have a lot of close friends, so there wouldn't be a lot of guests, but for some reason, there were so many people that the dance floor was packed.
Victor brought her closer to him.
“There are a lot of people, so please stay close to me, ma'am.”
He playfully wrapped his arms around her waist, pretending to be a knight.
Karls insisted that he didn't want to come for some reason, so Victor decided to act as her knight escort instead.
As she looked at Victor, her ears turned red.
Even in this extravagant place, Victor was the most ecstatic. With his hair slicked back and wearing a black robe delicately embroidered with gold thread, Victor truly looked like the patriarch of the Black Lion Family.
The musky scent emanating from his body was terribly tempting.
She managed to calm her expression while repeating the breathing technique she used when she used a sword.
He was truly the most dangerous knight on the continent.
“Your Highness the Grand Duke and Your Highness the Grand Duchess, I salute you.”
Catalina approached the couple.
She was wearing a strange veil and a dress embroidered with gold thread, and looked like the queen of a foreign country in the East.
She greeted them with an unusual bow, flashing her golden shoes.
“It is an honor for me to attend.”
Omarion broke up with Victor and thanked her.
“Thanks for the invitation, Catalina. There are a lot of people here.”
truly? I was surprised too."
Catalina smiled.
“Everyone has come to see you, Your Highness.”
“What?”
“They heard that the Grand Duchess, rumored to be the best equestrian in the capital, was attending, so they flocked here like flocks of sheep.”
Catalina, with elegant gestures, led Victor and Omarion across the ballroom. كما قالت، كانت معظم العيون تركز عليهم.
The nobles covered their mouths, looked at each other, and whispered.
“What are they talking about?”
“That I have a duel at the last banquet?”
“Are they saying that a woman from the North tarnished the prestige of the Grand Duke?”
The insulting words she had heard all week were running through her mind.
At that moment, the musky scent intensified.
“What are you looking at? I'm not there."
Victor bowed his head and whispered in her ear. When she turned around in surprise, his lips formed a beautiful, inviting bow.
A blush immediately rushed to her face.
She closed her eyes and took another deep breath.
In her hometown, she hunted cockatiels every winter.
As she walked through the vast snowfields and dense conifer forests, she came across a nest made of misshapen pieces of wood.
The roosters had sensitive ears, so they had to silence their movements as much as possible.
“Don't get excited.”
"Calm"...
“Calm down your beating heart”...
"Omarion?"
She opened her eyes.
Catalina looked at her worriedly.
You are fine?
“Oh, yes. I have a lot to think about.”
She quickly stood next to her friend and accepted the glass of champagne she handed her.
Victor stood next to the pair with a gentle and elegant attitude, as if he had never whispered anything possessive in her ear.
She turned to Catalina to avoid attracting cockatrices.
Catalina led their conversation comfortably.
“You have rejected all invitations, haven’t you? Rumors of this have even reached my palace.”
“Yes. There are not many places I want to go.”
“It's nice to do that. You see these women who are the most popular socialites in the community and they pretend to be your good friends.”
She clicked her tongue.
Her gaze, as cold as her black hair, stared at the noble. But soon there was a glimmer of interest in Catalina's eyes.
“But it was refreshing to see Mrs. Welsh so humiliated. Why were you hiding that you were an excellent swordsman?”
Excellent not so! "
Omarion hurriedly waved her hand.
She didn't feel entitled to praise while Victor Morty was by her side.
But Catalina thought Omarion was too humble. She fluttered her long eyelashes and smiled*.
Aren't you silly? Sir Geoffrey is one of the most famous knights in the capital! "
Omarion was really embarrassed.
Geoffrey was almost at the level of the commander of the Amari Knights.
Was an Imperial Knight's fame really determined by his level of skill?
When she instinctively looked at Victor, she found him smiling sweetly at her.
“Who can compare to you, Marion?”
He spoke in an authoritative tone, leaving no room for argument.
In the end, she had no choice but to drink the sweet champagne with red ears.
Perhaps, contrary to their reputation, the Welsh knights were weak.
***
Catalina was a good companion.
As the hostess of the huge banquet, she was bright and cheerful, and her personality matched Omarion's. The more she talked, the more Omarion enjoyed her company.
Catalina was sad to hear that they were going to Morte's estate
She usually traveled around the continent, but it wouldn't be easy for her to visit Omarion, since she lived in the south.
Catalina let out a deep sigh.
“I thought we were friends, but you're leaving so quickly.”
Omarion tilted her head and held out her hand.
“We can meet again later. Either I come to the capital, or you can come to Morty’s estate...”
Or perhaps she could stop at the Catalunya estate on her way back to Amare*. I swallowed those bitter words.
[*E/N: She means when Victor divorces her... but we all know that won't happen]
Catalina was shocked.
"Can I really visit Morty's estate?"
Omarion quickly looked at Victor for approval.
Victor smiled gently.
“Morte will always welcome Catalonia.”
“It is an honor, Your Highness.”
Catalina smiled sincerely.
It warmed Omarion's heart to see the two people she loved talking to her so affectionately.
At the same time, unknown doubts were raised.
Since their arrival, strangely enough, Victor has not spoken to anyone else.
He was by her side the whole time listening to their conversation.
Even if he used to be her escort as an excuse, he had to know some of the guests.
But her relief was too great to push him away.
With Victor at her side, there were no insults or gossip.
Victor, who smiled whenever their eyes met, was really cute.
Catalina said with a smile as if she had a similar idea.
“You two are really close.”
“Isn't this normal? We are a couple.”
Victor wrapped his arms around Omarion's shoulders.
‘!!!’
I was upset.
It was extremely embarrassing to be seen with Victor the way lovers would be viewed in the social world.
He looked around the crowded room and smiled.
“I'm so glad I could be with you all day long.”
Then he kissed her cheek.
“Oh my God, Victor!”
I gasped like a fish out of water.
To do this outside of their palace, in such a crowded place, was incredibly embarrassing. He completely ignored etiquette.
She saw Catalina out of the corner of her eye, with a strange expression on her face.
She closed her eyes tightly to avoid everyone's eyes.
Seriously, she could never be calm when she was with him.
***
Towards the end of their conversation with Catalina, the band came out and started playing.
Victor took her hand and gently led her to the center of the dance floor.
Despite her lessons, she had only danced twice.
Both times were with Sir Carls, so it was no different from dancing practice.
Victor subtly pulled her into a hug.
His actions shook her to her core.
"Marion"...
With the chandelier lighting up behind him like a halo, Victor looked like a god.
She exhaled as if she were possessed.
“You are beautiful, Victor.”
His eyes widened slightly.
"Yes!"
Then I realized what she said.
Victor held her tightly as she reflexively lowered her head.
When she finally raised her reddened face, Victor was still smiling at her.
“You couldn't be more beautiful.”
She opened her mouth like an idiot, and the song began.
It was a classic imperial dance with four beats.
Victor led her gently.
As she took his hand and twirled it around, an unfamiliar feeling of contentment washed over her.
Even if she returned to her hometown, she thought she could only be happy with this memory.
Suddenly, Victor spoke.
“I have no intention of marrying Nanael Welsh.”
She looked at him surprised.
“Did he read my thoughts?”
“The engagement was broken long ago.”
“But Nanael”…
“She acted like she was your girlfriend.”
I managed to stop talking before she said those words...
Following the beat, she spun around until he caught her in his arms. Victor was smiling.
“Nanael?”
Soon the tune of the beautiful song changed.
Two steps forward, one step back, one step left.
He whispered in her ear as she focused on her foot movement.
“If you knew what you did to her.”..
Suddenly he pulled her closer to him, wrapping her safely in his arms.
“You'll hate me too.”
The beautiful man looked like the devil in disguise, enchanting her with his smile...
• End of chapter •
To be continued •••
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