Chapter 19
Victor only let Omarion go after two more dances.
The etiquette of not dancing with the same person seemed very important to her.
Embarrassed, she forcefully pushed Victor away and went to greet some ladies who were nice to her.
Victor fixed his eyes on her graceful back, and swallowed the champagne and regret together.
“His Highness loves her very much.”
His amber eyes turned to the left.
Catalina Catalunya had a contrived smile on her lips.
Likewise, Victor forced the corners of his mouth to rise.
“She likes my look very much.”
“This is amazing. If it were me, no matter how beautiful I was, I wouldn’t be able to sleep with a Death Walker.”
Victor Morte was a man who always left a black shadow wherever he went.
He was born with position and power, and was powerful enough to take anyone's breath in an instant.
His cold eyes and the scars on his body proved that he knew how to exert his strength.
Even if he hid it with a soft smile, they always felt afraid.
They talked about the heroic story of Grand Duke Morte, but even the young ladies who raved about his beauty could not speak for fear when they met him in person.
"What's wrong with Omarion's taste?"
Catalina expressed her regret and continued.
“Let's talk about work.”
“…”
“The Welsh family closed their doors. They haven't done business since. Thanks to that, the hit to our profits has been enormous.”
A cold smile crept across the Grand Duke's lips. Catalina held her glass tightly.
"What did you do ?"
“It was nothing. I just taught them a lesson.”
Victor rolled his glass slowly, tipping the sparkling champagne around.
“I hate dreamers. It's a good thing they still have their heads attached to their necks, right?”
Catalina, unable to meet his cold eyes, shot him one last look before turning her head away.
“Do I think the Grand Duke is beautiful? No.”
Catalina had never found this man so beautiful before.
To her, who led many ordinary people, Victor Morty was a disaster in human form.
His wife compared him to him.
Catalina watched Omarion smile from afar.
“Didn't she say she came to say hello to the ladies who were so nice to her?”
But Catalina felt that they were not particularly on her side.
Because of Victor's strength, they were just silent to avoid any unnecessary conflict.
Neither the people around Viktor nor her stupid accompanying knights could become Omarion's true power.
However, Omarion was always grateful.
She was clumsy and awkward, but she was as steady as a knight.
“At first, I approached her out of curiosity, but I found that she was a strong and beautiful person.”
“If you want to talk business, talk business. Aren’t Welsh knights’ commissions expensive?”
“The Snake.”
Catalina narrowed her eyes and swallowed the champagne.
“Of course. But I'm talking about my best friend.”
Catalina spoke calmly.
“She endured the insults single-handedly, and only took up her sword for the insults against her land. There are already quite a few knights in the capital who have become her admirers. She holds the greatest honor among us.”
There was a gleam in Victor's eyes. It was a deep emotion that couldn't be described in words, coupled with a genuine smile.
“I know. So I won’t show it to anyone anymore. Not to the idiots in the capital, just to you.”
His cold tone signaled the end of their conversation.
“I will discuss the escort contract with my subordinate.”
The Grand Duke exhaled briefly and turned towards the Grand Duchess.
Catalina stared at his back for a while.
***
It was her first pleasant banquet.
Omarion returns home and promises to keep in touch with Catalina and her friends.
But Victor seems to have a lot of ideas. Strangely, he didn't try to push her away.
He didn't even want her to move away from the bed, so she had to sit next to him with her sword in her right hand and Victor's hand in her left.
A warm breeze swept through the bedroom.
Victor, who had been quietly watching her, suddenly spoke.
I'm sorry
I looked at him in surprise.
“You've been concerned for several days that I might have harmed Morty's honor.
Why does he apologize to me? "
Victor added sadly.
“I found out you were insulted.”
Her heart dropped.
When he was talking about Nanael, she had hopes he wouldn't do it, but as expected, he seemed to know about the rumors that were spreading in the community.
They were words she hid because she was afraid they were true, and she didn't want to be caught paying attention to the rumours.
Some of it seemed bitter because she knew it was true.
She wanted to hide it forever and bear everything alone, but she couldn't. In the end, she had to fight a duel.
She tried to smile.
“No, I hide it on purpose.”
“…”
“I didn't want to upset anyone. The rumors were also somewhat true.”
Victor's expression distorted.
She bowed her head.
“Because I was only brought to put the Duke to sleep... I thought there was nothing I could do if I was treated like someone who would return early. His Highness said he would not marry Lady Nanael, so.”
“I will never marry again.”
Victor interrupted her urgently.
His large hand squeezed hers, as if he wanted to crush her.
“You are my wife. I will not leave you and I will not let you go. Don’t even think like that.”
She opened her eyes wide.
Victor looked at her with sunken eyes, then suddenly hugged her tightly.
Contrary to his desperate words, his hands were extremely careful while holding her.
A gentle voice whispered in her ear.
“Did you really think I would let you go when I got better? I was the one who found you.”…
Her heart raced.
“So, will I be able to stay in the empire even after Viktor is healed? Here, by his side?”
“Should I go back...?”
“Even if you wanted to, I wouldn't let you.”
He shook his head with trembling shoulders. Since she was standing and he was lying down, she could see his perfect skin and black hair from above.
Victor whispered bitterly.
“I am alive thanks to you. So everything I have belongs to you.”
“…”
“I will give you everything... myself, my people, anything.”
“…”
“Stay by my side. Don’t go anywhere, please.”…
Her mind was whirring.
It was such a desperate request that she couldn't refuse.
She willingly as if possessed, not quite understanding his words.
Victor, with a seductive smile, was caressing her blushing cheeks.
“Victor hid me up his sleeve.”
***
The next day's event was a garden party held at the Count's mansion.
Most garden parties were gatherings of light refreshments, but this one was truly luxurious, making it a great setting for a large banquet.
Beautifully shaped bushes surrounded by the fountain and large marble statues, and colorful flowers were blooming everywhere.
She got off the carriage and secretly stared at Victor who was accompanying her.
Her heart had been racing and excited since last night.
“He said he wanted me by his side.”
He talked about what she could do for him, but it was enough just to be with him.
He was the first person to show her warmth.
He was the first to say he wanted to give her anything. Therefore, she was happy to be by his side.
Karls, who was being dragged into the party, had a very stern expression on his face.
“The Grand Duke is attending, so I don’t know why he brought me here.”
“The more chaperones, the better.”
“Hmm... I wonder who would want to fight a pair of 'friendly' dragons...”
Carls, who was complaining, closed his mouth when he felt Victor's glare.
Victor smiled at Carl's joke and led Omarion through the garden.
The garden party was so crowded that it was hard to believe it was a daytime gathering.
Plus, unlike the Catalonia party, where Catalina hand-picked the guests, there were quite a few uncomfortable people.
Omarion saw Mrs. Welsh's friends from afar, and just looking at them made her face hard. She thought she would be okay if she didn't see them for a few days, but she still felt uncomfortable.
Victor asked quickly.
“Do you feel uncomfortable?”
“Oh, no.”
Of course, Mrs. Welsh insulted her several times, but Omarion ended it all with an honorable duel.
It was uncommon for a knight to feel dissatisfied with something once it was finished.
She smiled at Victor to assure him that she was okay.
Victor, who was silent for a moment, pressed his lips gently to the back of her hand.
“Just tell me. If you want, I will cut off their heads one by one and place them at your feet.”
Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
She wondered if she heard him correctly.
It was impossible for Victor, who had always been kind and noble, to say something like that.
When he saw her expression, he touched her lips with his gloved hand.
Even that movement was incredibly elegant.
“Oh… I went out for a while and came back to see this vulgar work!”
Karls, who was standing behind Victor, opened his mouth with an unhappy expression.
Seriously, Sir Carls sometimes speaks such harsh words...
He puffed out his cheeks like a child, crossed his arms and turned away from the pair.
He felt fierce resentment towards Victor.
She tilted her head at the strange atmosphere and picked up a glass of champagne.
***
• End of chapter •
To be continued •••
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