[At the Palace ♡ Continuing from Chapter 102]
The next morning, Yvonne awoke, refreshed.
She hummed a merry tune as she got out of bed and slipped on her bathrobe as she remembered the events of last night.
The reception had ended early since the guests were itching to leave.
"Why not stay for a while?" the Emperor asked as the Duke stood up, signaling his family to do the same. Aspen remained seated.
The Duke smiled patiently, not trying to appear rude in his haste to save his tail.
"It was a most delightful soirée, and we wish we could extend our stay," the Duke said as he exchanged glances with his wife, "but I'm afraid we can't be in your presence for much longer. We have to reach the Lands by tomorrow morning in any case, and it'll only be possible for us if we head out by carriage as soon as the circumstances permit us to do so. The duchy has been left unattended for far too long, in my opinion."
