"I've spoken to His Highness about it. Anything that goes to the Saintess or the Marquis of Haneton will be given to the Grand Duchess!"
Linon's words were as light as if Lesche just bought a bouquet of flowers or a cabbage instead of a castle. Of course, considering Berg's budget, it was understandable…
"…And that's it?"
"That's all. Grand Duchess. His Highness immediately sent his aides to purchase Dietrich's castle."
"…"
Seria was rendered speechless as it was.
***
"They destroyed that auction house with the Grand Duchess?"
"Yes, Marquis."
Kalis Haneton couldn't understand his aide's report. In fact, many of the nobles must have been busy speculating on Grand Duke Berg's state of mind. Many of the nobles would be so intimidated by Berg's power that they would try to hold themselves back.
The dark auction house organized in Berg was very large in scale even though it was illegal. And organizing an illegal market of such a large scale has a specific use. Usually, it was done by the children of high-ranking families who were in a fierce struggle for succession to show off their abilities.
"He was probably trying to make a good impression on Seria."
"…"
Because showing off could be done that way. The jealousy that had scorched Kalis's heart black was still lingering, tormenting him dozens of times a day.
Lesche Berg, that man.
He took Seria's heart like that.
He just took it with him.
The last image of Seria that remained in Kalis's mind was the appearance of her shivering in the grand banquet hall of the Kellyden's castle. Why did she tell him what happened there?
He wished she could tell him that she hated Cassius Kellyden so much.
He had already cut ties with Cassius, but sometimes he still got angry. When that happened, he couldn't help but constantly swing his sword. From the day he stormed out of Kellyden's castle, he threw the letters Cassius persistently sent me into the fireplace without even reading them.
"Seria has always hated to say weak words."
She had a strong pride. She had changed so much, but that one thing hadn't changed. If he had married Seria normally, and spent time with her, he probably would have heard all of those stories. He was sure that would have happened.
Kalis swept his face with his angry hand.
"Have you prepared the present for Seria?"
"Yes, it's going well."
"Yes. I have to make it until her birthday."
Seria's birthday was in winter, so there were still six months left. However, Haneton's aide did not make any specific recommendations. Because when his master (Kalis), who hadn't slept properly for months, found life when he completed the gifts for Seria.
"…"
Kalis walked out of his office and into the Marchioness' bedroom, a room that had always been empty since his mother left this world.
Now that Lina was gone, Kalis could not divorce her. She was a Stern so unilateral divorce was not allowed.
However, Kalis did not dare to marry anyone else. He couldn't even bring in a mistress. If he did , the High Priest would not let him live in peace.The old vassals of Haneton, who were always clamoring for Kalis to marry, knew this situation well and could not say anything.
But Kalis was pleased with their reaction.
'I'm not going to marry another woman, other than her (Seria).'
It was an abandoned room, but all the accessories and bedding were high-end and new. In particular, there was a beautiful Stern decoration hanging on the wall instead of a tapestry, a gold and silver version of the Stern insignia found only in temples.
It was for Seria. The decorations he had secretly ordered, thinking she'd be pleased when she saw them. All of them.
From this bedroom, looking out the window, the garden was seen at a glance. Seria would like it. Kalis lay down on the bed in a crumpled heap.
In this ownerless bedroom, Kalis closed his dry eyes.
(*somehow I feel sorry for Kalis)
***
"Well, Grand Duchess. It's done."
Seria was getting ready to go out, something she hadn't done in a long time. When she came out of the bedroom, there was no one there. It was obvious. Because she had purposely gotten ready at least two hours earlier than the time she had told Lesche.
Seria headed for Lesche's bedroom. As she lightly knocked on the door and entered, she could see Lesche's back. He was wearing a shirt, but two of the servants each had a different form of tie.
"Seria?"
"I came to pick out some clothes for you. It's just right. Please bring it to me."
The servants immediately stood in a line beside Seria. Lesche smiled at her.
"Which one should I wear?"
Seria earnestly chose the rightmost of the ties the servants were holding.
"Take this one."
It was funny that both of them still couldn't show their necks today (hickeys 😉), but at the same time it was funny and it felt good. Seria said after getting into the carriage with him.
"Lesche."
"Yes?"
"Martha sent me a letter."
There wasn't much written in the letter. She asked how Seria was doing, she talked about sprouts from the newly planted flower pots, and how she boiled some soup with rock sugar and it tasted good. It was the kind of letter that warms one's heart.
"When we return to Berg this time, we will go to the Green Manor and stay for a month."
Lesche tilted his head slightly as if he was checking his schedule. Seria quickly added.
"You don't have to come." (Seria)
"Why not?" (Lesche)
"Why? Martha wants to see me." (Seria)
"So you'll leave your husband and stay in the manor for a month?" (Lesche)
"I'll write to you from time to time." (Seria)
Lesche laughed in vain. He got up, and sat down next to Seria, then she took her hand and placed it on his thighs, and asked.
"I wondered what the hell she sent you a letter for." (Lesche)
"She made a new pair of pajamas for me. She has also developed two desserts." (Seria)
"Martha keeps tempting you with desserts." (Lesche)
"I gave some to you, and you feasted on them." (Seria)
"That's because you can't eat them all." (Lesche)
"What? I gave it up to you." (Seria)
"I didn't know the Grand Duchess's generosity. From now on, I won't touch the snacks in the green manor." (Lesche)
"Then what do you think Martha and Joanna think of me?" (Seria)
"They will gladly give it only to you." (Lesche)
"I don't think so." (Seria)
Lesche chuckled.
"Shall we make a bet?" (Lesche )
"Yes. Do you think I'm afraid?" (Seria)
When Seria accidentally decided on the type of bet with Lesche, she regretted it one beat later. It was because there was only one kind of reward that Lesche wanted.
In the bedroom…
She tried to sneak her hand away from Lesche's thigh, but he grabbed it again.
"You'll not really faint, will you?" (Lesche)
"Lesche, I'm not as strong as you." (Seria)
"We need to take a break when we do it." (Lesche)
"Take a break?" (Seria)
Talking from a man who never let her rest even for a moment.
(*lol they went from fighting about desserts to the bedroom bet 🤣)
Whether Seria was embarrassed or not, Berg's carriage rolled well to a stop in front of a large museum in the capital. She could see quite a few people outside the window.
Escorted by Lesche, she stepped out of the carriage and a well-dressed director approached and greeted them.
They entered the museum. It was one of the largest museums in the Empire, so there were many nobles who had come to see it.
"Grand Duchess!"
Seria turned around at the sound of a voice calling her. Pink hair. It was Marlesana, the Duchess of Polvas. She and her husband, the Duke of Polvas, were approaching them, their eyes sparkling. Their gazes met, and the Duke of Polvas bowed lightly.
"It's nice that there are not too many people here! Let's go in."
"Yes."
Half of the nobles noticed Lesche and opened their eyes wide, while the other half were astonished when they saw Seria and hurriedly averted their gazes. As expected, the capital is the capital.
Seria shrugged and moved with Marlesana to the front of the painting.
"It doesn't snow much in the capital, but the snowy landscape of Berg is very beautiful, isn't it? The lake is also very beautiful. I'm planning to go there with my husband next winter. I would like to have tea with Grand Duchess at the lake."
"At the lake? Okay."
As they passed through the corridor and went inside, Seria naturally walked with Lesche, Marlesana and the Duke of Polvas. Usually, this was what happened at banquets, so movement was also natural. It happened when they were walking and admiring paintings.
"Your Highness."
There was a voice calling out to Lesche, breaking the unspoken rules of this spacious museum. Seria turned around and her eyes went wide.
"Hello, Grand Duke."
"It's been a while. Prince Byuga Jeun." (*I'm not sure about the prince's name)
Because the second prince of this empire, the son of Empress Ekizel, was Prince Jeun.
'What the hell? I didn't even get to meet him when I was in the capital alone back then.'
As expected, when she was with Lesche, the most powerful figure in the Glick empire, all the people she met were also powerful people. Of course, Prince Jeun was a little short of being a powerful person, but still, a direct royal family was a royal family.
"I heard you came and wanted to see you. It's even better because the Grand Duchess is with you."
Prince Jeun greeted Seria with a good-natured smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Grand Duchess. It's been a long time. I know I'm late, but congratulations on your marriage."
'I had never seen the prince before ever since I possessed Seria.'
"Thank you. It's nice to meet you."
"Grand Duchess seems to like flower paintings."
"I don't particularly like them, I just see them."
"My mother likes flowers, too." (Prince)
"I see…"
'So what?'
Despite Seria's cynicism, she had a feeling.
'It looks like Empress Ekizel wants to see me.'
Well, that's to be expected when she was the Grand Duchess of Berg. The original Seria and Blue Diamond had caused so much strife. The Empress didn't personally invite her because of her pride.
"Would you like to visit the Imperial Palace? There is an exhibition hall where only flower paintings are collected."
Instead, she sent her son discreetly. Seria straightened her posture.
"I'm sorry, but I must decline. I'm not much of a flower person."
"Hmm? Oh. I see."
"Yes, Prince."
The good thing about being Grand Duchess was that the Grand Duke and his wife were in the same rank as the Crown Prince and his wife, so she didn't have to use honorifics. After all, power is a drug.
"Let's go, Lesche."
Lesche escorted Seria in a gentle manner. When they were some distance away, he asked.
"Are you on bad terms with Empress Ekizel?"