MPO

CHAPTER LXXXVll-88

⭑. ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑.𖥔 ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭

Because of the incredible rumors akin to bizarre legends, the ballroom of the imperial palace was already bustling with people from early evening. Especially, the young unmarried ladies wore serious expressions as they shared information among themselves.

“Does anyone know where the rumor about ‘the Angel’s Beloved’ first started?”

“I tried to find out too, but it was impossible. It seems like someone spread it intentionally.”

“Ah, I knew it. No matter how I think about it, this seems like a rumor intended to slander the Duke.”

“I agree, Lady.”

More than ten ladies sighed in relief and placed their hands on their chests. Then one of them asked with a determined expression,

“What exactly have you heard? Are we all talking about the same rumor?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Ha… The rumor I heard is really unbelievable.”

“The rumor I heard was that the Duke of Bavenberg has a fiancée! And the person who told me said they witnessed it in front of the temple.”

“The temple? I heard the source was a dangerous back alley…”

“Oh my, how terrible.”

A lady who had been listening quietly opened her mouth. She was the first to mention the rumor.

“I heard it from Lady Este…”

“Pardon? Lady Este?”

“Yes, she said her older sister is the Duke’s fiancée…”

“…What? Lady Este’s older sister is blind, isn’t she?”

Everyone was shocked, finding it hard to believe. Even the lady who spoke looked uncertain about the information she had heard. Just yesterday, they had considered each other as rivals and kept their guard up.

While they were struggling to win over Lucas, an unknown woman had beaten them to the punch. It was frustrating, but there was no way to verify the truth.

Then came the news that the Emperor himself was hosting a ball. It was unusual for a ball not included in the imperial schedule to be held unless there was a sudden announcement. Did this mean the strange rumor was true?

Everyone clamored for more invitations, and surprisingly, the Emperor generously sent out additional ones.

The interest in the rumor was not limited to unmarried women. Noblewomen and noblemen alike were intensely curious. After all, the marriage of a high-ranking noble like Lucas affected all of aristocracy.

As the hall buzzed with murmurs, the doorman’s loud announcement rang out. He seemed unusually excited.

“The Duke of Bavenberg and Lady Leila of House Este are entering!”

One lady, overly engrossed in the rumors, fainted on the spot upon seeing Leila’s appearance. The ballroom turned into chaos as Lucas and Leila made their entrance, with Lucas holding Leila’s waist tightly.

The two of them were dressed in matching purple attire, a color reserved for the royal family. Leila wore a purple dress, and Lucas donned a black suit with a purple shirt underneath, their eyes gleaming as they walked.

Lucas felt a rare sense of disgust from the gazes piercing him from all directions. He had enjoyed not seeing those looks for a while, but knowing he was there to show that Leila was his made it not entirely bad.