As the Grand Duke stepped forward, a sense of indifference cloaked his regal presence. His eyes locked onto Moraine with a mix of scrutiny and disdain, his tone dripping with mockery.
"Greetings, I am Amon Jacques Vernize. May I know the name of the person now labeled as my wife?"
The words, though spoken with a veneer of politeness, carried an unmistakable undertone of contempt. The implication that he had forgotten or was uninterested in the name of his wife was deliberate, a calculated move to undermine her dignity and assert his dominance.
The people around them, especially the knights, couldn't help but smirk, their satisfaction evident in the way their eyes twinkled with a cruel delight. The sight of their lord ridiculing his new wife was a rare and unsettling display of his power and control.
Moraine's response was swift and sharp, her voice unwavering despite the icy chill in the air.
"Thankfully you said your name. I was afraid I would humiliate myself by asking for it since I unintentionally forgot it, oh dear."
The Grand Duke's face twitched slightly, a suppressed laugh threatening to escape. He had intended his words to belittle her, yet they seemed to have backfired, striking a nerve he hadn't anticipated. His attempt to salvage Neria from further humiliation only served to cast him in an even more unfavorable light.
"Young lady?" Ajax repeated, his tone laced with a blend of curiosity and thinly veiled disdain.Moraine's eyes narrowed slightly.
The Grand Duke's apparent lack of respect and the dismissive manner in which he addressed her was almost too much to bear. The situation had already been fraught with tension, but this latest display of arrogance only served to heighten the stakes.
Internally, Moraine wrestled with her rising anger. Her subordinates, standing behind her, were visibly tense, their faces a mask of suppressed rage. The dishonor they felt on her behalf was palpable, their loyalty to Moraine evident in their rigid posture and tightly clenched fists.
With a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of her frustration, Moraine met Ajax's gaze once more. The steam from her breath mingled with the cold air, a visible sign of the emotions she was carefully keeping in check. She was determined to maintain her composure, but it was clear that the Grand Duke's actions were pushing her to her limits.
The frigid realm of Vernize certainly lived up to its reputation as the land blessed by the Ice Dragon. The cold seemed to seep into every crevice, its icy breath echoing the region's name and its mythic patron.
Amon Jacques Vernize, the Grand Duke, stood with his jet-black hair contrasting starkly against the wintry backdrop. His cerulean blue eyes, calm and deep like the ocean, hinted at his nymph heritage—a beauty that was undeniable and otherworldly.
Beside him, Neria Lamoure, with her brunette curls and olive-green eyes, seemed striking in her own right. Yet her recent attempt to belittle Moraine had tainted her beauty, rendering her less than pleasant in Moraine's eyes.
Moraine's thoughts drifted as she surveyed the scene. Neria's actions had been a poor reflection of her character, overshadowing any initial admiration Moraine might have had. The idea of Neria as the Grand Duke's lover seemed to add an ironic twist to the situation—jealousy and pettiness rather than grace and elegance.
Internally, Moraine chuckled at the absurdity of it all. The clash of expectations and reality left her with a strange sense of detachment. She was determined to navigate this new chapter with dignity, regardless of the obstacles placed before her.
As she gently touched the necklace resting against her chest, a calm resolve settled over her. She had married the Grand Duke for reasons that transcended personal affronts and petty grievances. Her smile, warm and serene, was a reflection of her inner strength and purpose.
With deliberate grace, Moraine removed her hat. Her snow-white hair fell in a cascading wave, shimmering like the first frost of winter. The cold wind caught her hair, making it ripple like a silken snowfall, enhancing her ethereal presence.
"Greetings, Grand Duke," Moraine said with a soft, melodic tone. "I am Moraine Eurydice Clarke. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Her eyes, a rare and vibrant ruby-red, sparkled beneath her lashes. Each blink seemed to cast a spell on those around her, the air around her shimmering with an almost palpable pressure. Her features—petite, with a sharp nose and perfectly shaped lips—were framed by her flawless, porcelain-white skin, creating a visage that seemed to gather all the world's most exquisite elements into one being.
Ajax, the Grand Duke, found himself momentarily breathless, not out of frustration but sheer awe. The enchantment that Moraine radiated was undeniable, an almost overwhelming presence that demanded attention and respect. It was clear that despite the political maneuverings and personal grudges, Moraine Clarke was a force to be reckoned with—a living embodiment of beauty and power.
YOU ARE READING
Judge of Cosmos
Fantasy"Divorce? You think this sacred bond can be torn apart by your petty whims, Moraine? Our marriage is the will of the gods themselves! A soul-stamped covenant, sealed under the watchful eyes of the Deity of Promise-unbreakable, eternal." Moraine's ga...
