95. Engagement Ceremony (2)
Owen and Duke Edelt both expressed cautious opinions about the engagement ceremony.
They were unsure about how it would turn out, knowing that Edward could use dark magic and was in a precarious state of mind.
But Lucia was firm.
Since Edward’s goal was Lucia anyway, she insisted that the engagement must proceed, as there would be nothing left for him once she was engaged.
Owen and Duke Edelt agreed with Lucia’s decision.
And so, on the day of the engagement ceremony.
The grand and splendid doors of Duke Verdin’s mansion swung open.
It was Owen’s first time ascending to the position of a duke.
He hadn’t even held a birthday party since becoming a duke six years ago.
“It’s been six years since this has happened….”
“That’s right.”
As the nobles entered the grand and pitch-black mansion, they murmured amongst themselves.
Banners with the symbols of Edelt and Verdin were hung on either side of the large door.
The interior of the mansion was also filled with decorations in red and black.
When two different colors come together, it could seem awkward or strange, but thanks to the careful arrangement by the servants, it looked natural.
Guided by the servants, the nobles made their way to the banquet hall on the mansion’s first floor.
The Duke of Verdin had three reception halls, and among them, the reception hall where the engagement ceremony would take place tonight was the largest.
The interior of the reception hall was also filled with red and black decorations.
What caught the eye were the flowers placed on the tables.
The vases with black and red roses clearly held a significant meaning.
The tablecloths covering the tables were embroidered with the crest of the family.
Similarly, the emblems of Edelt and Verdin were repeatedly engraved, and the threads of the dark embroidery were wine-colored.
As the invited nobles admired the scene inside the reception hall, the maids and butlers approached to guide them to their seats.
During regular receptions, guests freely chose their seats, but today’s engagement ceremony was different.
Only strictly invited guests could enter the engagement ceremony of the two Dukes, and they could only sit in designated seats.
Once all the nobles were seated, the final guests entered the reception hall.
“Oh my… Even His Highness the Crown Prince…”
“Her Highness the Crown Princess is here too, that’s why they came together…”
“Her Ladyship is also here.”
“Lord Matop is here as well.”
Thanks to the gracious steps of Prince Richard, a buzz spread among the nobles.
Since Prince Richard visited, Princess Daisy had to accompany him.
As Daisy, she probably didn’t truly want to congratulate Lucia on her engagement, but it was a matter of etiquette.
Behind the Prince and Princess, Bella and Kyle also revealed themselves.
The four guests were assigned seats at the front table.
The front table was for those four guests and the people of Duke Edelt.
“Let us now begin the engagement ceremony. We would appreciate it if all guests could maintain silence.”
Once all the guests were seated, the steward, Logan, ascended the platform and spoke.
Through the sound amplification device, his voice resonated throughout the reception hall.
“May the betrothed, Duke Owen Verdin and Lady Lucia Edelt, please enter.”
A formal and courteous announcement flowed, almost reminiscent of a wedding ceremony.
At the same time, the doors of the reception hall opened once again.
And there, those who had long awaited this day revealed themselves.
“My goodness…”
Expressions of admiration escaped the lips of the nobles as they saw Lucia and Owen.
Their attire for the day was exceptionally fitting for the occasion.
Lucia was adorned in a white dress that could easily be mistaken for a wedding gown due to its splendor.
The shimmering dress, adorned with a dusting of jewels, cascaded elegantly and gracefully, with transparent diamond accessories intricately placed in her curls.
Her earrings were also long, diamond-studded jewelry.
Owen, like Lucia, was dressed in white attire.
He wore a white uniform with elaborate and intricate gold thread and embroidery on his shoulders and garment.
While both their outfits were striking, the most captivating aspect was undoubtedly the couple themselves.
Even in pure white attire, Lucia exuded a beauty that was beyond words.
Bathed in the light from the chandeliers, she smiled as she always did, her hand resting on Owen’s arm.
“Owen.”
In a whispered voice, Owen lowered his head at Lucia’s words.
The gently lowered eyelids enhanced his charm even more.
Owen, clad in light-colored attire rarely seen on him, shone with an extra radiance.
“Let’s go.”
As Lucia finished speaking, the two of them resumed their steps towards the dais.
“As a first order of business, we shall seek the consent of both families.”
Upon Owen and Lucia’s arrival at their designated seats, Logan continued the proceedings.
“Duke Edelt, will you consent to this engagement ceremony?”
“I do.”
Duke Edelt, seated, nodded in agreement.
“Duke Verdin, will you consent to this engagement ceremony?”
At this, Logan turned his gaze towards Owen.
This part was about asking for the family’s consent and approval. However, since Owen had lost his parents early on and was the only one left in the family, he was the only one who could answer.
“Yes.”
Owen naturally affirmed.
Logan then turned his gaze back to him.
“Next, we shall inquire about the intentions of both parties. Lady Edelt, will you accept Duke Verdin as your betrothed?”
“Of course.”
“Duke Verdin, will you accept Lady Edelt as your betrothed?”
“Of course.”
The customary order proceeded.
And as per the very noble procedure to bless the engagement of the two, a priest who had been waiting in advance emerged.
“According to the grace of the Lord, the two who are present here today….”
Endless words flowed from the priest’s mouth.
Lucia and Owen stood quietly listening to the uninteresting and meaningless talk.
It took a while before the priest finished his words of blessing.
And then the next order followed.
This time, the orchestra began to play.
It was a light order to change the mood.
After this order, the meal would continue, and then Lucia and Owen would exchange rings.
And they would make the vows of engagement.
It was a very traditional and dull way, but that was how the lives of nobles originally were.
“I really can’t understand nobles.”
Kyle blurted out what Owen had been thinking.
Owen and Lucia were already seated at the table for dinner.
At the front table were people from the Earl of Edelt’s household, the prince and his wife, Kyle, and Bella.
“Is this your first time attending an engagement ceremony?”
Kyle’s muttering was quite rude to the nobles.
However, the prince, Richard, asked with a nonchalant face.
“Yes.”
“Then I suppose it must feel that way. Following the traditions maintained for a long time.”
Richard was born into the highest nobility but did not believe that a person’s worth should be judged by their status.
He was quite an enlightened member of the upper class.
“I heard commoners don’t have engagement ceremonies. Do they just get married right away?”
“Yes, but before that, they spend a long time together as lovers.”
Kyle, who didn’t particularly like the royal family, still maintained good manners towards the prince.
He also showed some respect.
Richard was different from the emperor.
The attitudes the imperial family had shown so far and Richard’s attitude were different in direction.
He was someone who made one look forward to the future.
“Excuse me.”
As the orchestra finished playing a piece, the food began to be served.
Pages and maids hurried back and forth, placing appetizers on the tables.
“My Lady.”
A familiar voice amidst the bustling servants made Lucia raise her head.
“…Marie?”
It was Marie.
As Lucia’s personal maid, she had followed along for today’s schedule, but it was not a time for her to linger near the table.
Marie had come to assist when Lucia’s attire needed fixing or to run errands.
“Don’t be nervous, My Lady.”
Marie whispered as she approached Lucia.
No one stopped Marie since she was Lucia’s personal maid.
At that moment, other servants came and filled empty water glasses, poured wine and spirits into glasses.
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The people at the table raised their glasses and took a sip.
Lucia, who wasn’t good with alcohol, picked up a water glass.
She asked Marie, “What is there to be nervous about? But, Marie, why are you here?”
“I’m here because I’m worried about My Lady…. After seeing My Lady for so long, finally finding a match, I can’t just stand by.”
“This isn’t my first engagement ceremony.”
Something felt off.
Lucia narrowed her eyes.
She was having her second engagement ceremony.
The memories of the previous engagement weren’t pleasant, but at least it wasn’t her first time.
“Well, yes, but…. This engagement ceremony is something My Lady has been longing for.”
Above all, Marie wouldn’t commit rudeness in such matters.
Marie was kind and had a good heart, but she disliked being rude.
“You….”
A thought crossed Lucia’s mind.
And-
“Edelt Countess, please set down the water glass.”
Bella pushed the table with a loud noise and stood up from her seat.
It was a very urgent voice.
“It would be best for the maid to leave as well. She is currently being controlled by someone.”
As expected.
Lucia swallowed her breath and pushed Mari away.
A cold aura settled in her red eyes.
“Is it Viscount Celid’s doing?”
As Lucia also stood up, the attention of the nobles in the room turned to her.
“Yes, that’s right.”
It wasn’t Mari who answered Lucia’s question, but rather, it was Bella who spoke instead of ‘Viscount Celid.’
“It’s a mind magic. It seems to be the highest level among them.”
“So, you used Marionette.”
Upon Bella’s words, Kyle also stood up.
Marionette.
Mind control magic was considered the highest form of black magic according to Bella.
Among mind-based magic, it was the most powerful, consuming the most mana.
By using Marionette, the caster could control the target as they pleased.
Of course, internally, there might be resistance and pain, but words and actions could be controlled.
Kyle calmly summoned a green aura.
“Leave. Otherwise, I will forcibly sever it.”
He coldly warned Mari, or more precisely, Edward who was behind her.
“…There’s nothing to gain by running away when everything’s already exposed.”
Then, along with a submissive confession, a strange voice filled with a mysterious light was heard.
“Why not try harming Lucia’s precious maid once? You will get to see her in pain. If I can’t have you, I will drag you down to the abyss.”