TDATD

LVll

☆ ★ ✮ ★𖡼𖤣𖥧𖡼𓋼𖤣𖥧𓋼𓍊☆ ★ ✮ ★
ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 57

A flag with a cross-shaped sword and wings waved strongly.

The nobles standing at the entrance and waiting for their turn showed different reactions to the antique pattern they had not seen in quite some time. Some could not take their eyes off the dark carriage, while others covered their mouths with fans and referred to the funeral of Duke Vaisil in the past. What they had in common was that they all recognized that the carriage belonged to the Dukedom of Vaisil.

The carriage slowly stopped and a perfectly dressed man and woman got out. The man in a neat tailcoat caught the attention of all the women, while the woman in a beautiful dress made their necks fan again. The couple was a perfect pair that dazzled the eyes of others.

As she headed toward the entrance, holding his hand, Judith inhaled quietly.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, she felt a grip wrapping around her hand. In fact, it was so soft and weak that it could not be called a grip with strength.

“Your hands are cold.”

Derrick lifted his silk-gloved hand and placed it against her cheek. Judith blinked her eyes blankly at the unexpected and poignant action. It may have been more of an intention to measure body temperature, but to the eyes of others who did not know the context, it seemed like a loving act between a couple.

“Are you okay? Your heart is beating fast too.”

“It’s because I’m nervous.”

Judith couldn’t hide her emotions from Derrick. As if he had animal senses, Derrick would notice when she was agitated, excited, or anxious. In front of him, the hard shell that always surrounded her like armor did not function properly. Even though she wanted to hide it, her flaccid insides seemed to melt and spread out.

“Let’s go in, quickly.”

Judith realized that she had waited too long at the entrance and pulled her arms. Derrick walked towards the entrance, alertly monitoring her heart rate.

The Imperial Palace attendant politely greeted them.

“Duke and Duchess of Vaisil, welcome to the banquet. I hope you have a great time.”

After completing the inspection of the invitation, the Imperial Palace servant bowed respectfully and the guards opened the banquet hall door. Their appearance echoed inside with a magnificent trumpet sound.

As soon as she took a step, everyone’s gaze was focused on Judith like an arrowhead, making her feel uncomfortable, as if her whole body was a wooden doll. No matter what she did or where she went, Judith felt pressured by the gaze that would relentlessly follow her.

Several times more eyes surrounded her than at the consecration ceremony. Not surprisingly, since the consecration ceremony was divided into four days, there were more nobles that they did not meet than encountered. Since so many people gathered at one time today, it was natural to get a lot of stares that made her feel sick.

“Derrick, I said it last time.”

Derrick looked down at her small hands that tightly grasped the sleeves of his clothes. Here, strangely, he couldn’t turn his eyes away from her hand, which was gripping tightly as if it were her only rope. Last time, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her smiling face, and it was a series of ridiculous things.

“If you feel something strange…”

“I remember—

“—‘Be sure to tell me first’.”