Beast of the Frozen Night Chapter 76.1

Emily tilted her head again at the lack of explanation. Anne checked her reflection in the mirror once more and opened her mouth.

“What do you think people would say if a crazy Grand Duchess ran away with her child?”

“That’s…”

“They would curse me. They would whisper that a woman from a lowly family only became the Grand Duchess thanks to the Grand Duke’s generosity, yet she betrayed the Grand Duke. They would feel sorry for Daymond.”

“Madam, I mean….”

“But what if the Grand Duchess, who had been perfectly fine, disappeared without a word? They would think that the Grand Duchess ran away because she couldn’t bear it— because the Grand Duke was, as rumored, a violent person. They’d probably wonder what he did to make the Grand Duchess take the child with her.”

She wasn’t the type to be happy with rumors, but it would be necessary if public opinion flowed in favor of the Grand Duke.

“Perhaps they might think that he had dealt with the Grand Duchess just like he got rid of County Libelois. That’s what rumors are like.”

Even as Anne spoke terrible words, a broad smile graced her face.

* * *

As it was a sunny day, the banquet was arranged in the garden of the main building.

An awning curtain was drawn around a fountain that was spouting cool water. Sparkling champagne and refreshments were displayed on the tables. From the soft sounds of music spreading around them to the joyous laughter of nobles, it was a beautiful view unlike any other banquet.

She saw the face of Marquis Brussels standing not far away, as well as the northern nobles who had shown up at the previous banquet. The Grand Duke’s complexion while he talked with them was still dark, but people didn’t seem to notice much because of his handsome appearance.

Anne only gave a small nod seeing the vaguely familiar faces and walked away. Seeing her, the Grand Duke turned his head.

Their eyes were entangled in the air for a moment. He was tinged with an unexpected light; he hadn’t expected her to come out. Anne integrated herself amongst the nobles with the elegant face of the Grand Duchess.

“Long time no see, Marquis Brussels.”

“Haha. Your Grace, congratulations on your pregnancy. It is a great blessing for the North.”

The middle-aged gentleman chuckled and stroked his mustache. Some time ago, she heard that he had been subjected to a tax investigation or something. But it seemed that he had passed it without any problems.

“Angoranne, are you… feeling well today?”

The Grand Duke stood stiffly between herself and the Marquis. It was the first time she had seen him face-to-face in such a bright place lately, so she could sense that he was nervous.

At first glance, her eyes went to his hand. The other day, his hands were a tattered mess, with needle marks and blood smeared all.

It would have made her feel a lot better to see the scar, but it was invisible because he was wearing banquet gloves. Of course, a few pinpricks from a needle could not really be considered a wound. Anne swallowed her regret.

“Yes, I’m okay. It’s still the early days of my pregnancy.”

Anne’s smile was as bright as the roses in the garden.

The Grand Duke was visibly taken aback by the flower-like smile that seemed to show no resentment. He stared at Anne’s face, bewitched.

Anne soon felt uncomfortable at his piercing gaze. The more his red eyes were wet with ecstasy, the worse her mood became.

“It seems that I unknowingly interrupted a conversation. I will take my leave.”

Anne addressed them politely and left. Her back stung from Daymond’s gaze, but she didn’t want to stay next to him.

Quite a bit of time had passed as she chatted with some noble ladies congratulating her on her pregnancy. Her feet were swollen and she quickly became tired.

“Let’s sit down and rest for a while.”

“Mrs. Wald, come sit down too. Let’s have a cup of tea.”

The aroma of rosemary tea and the savory smell of cookies that greeted the first spring wafted softly between them as they faced the table. Anne, who was tapping the surface of the cup with her fingers, asked the chief handmaid, who was drinking her tea with her calm face.

“You don’t ask why I dismissed Marie.”

“I didn’t ask because I thought Your Grace had something else in mind.”

“You’re as cold-hearted as your master.”

Then, her complexion hardened quite awkwardly. Suddenly, in the distance, there were a few knights gathered and standing hesitantly.

Following Anne’s gaze, Mrs. Wald hurriedly got up.

“I’ll go and see what’s going on.”

“Yes.”

After a while, Mrs. Wald came back after investigating the situation. Her face looked quite flustered

“What happened?”

“It’s not something to worry about too much. It is said that a certain commoner’s family insisted on seeing Madam.”

“They want to see me, not His Grace?”

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Anne tilted her head. There was no way there could be a guest in the north who would come to visit her who had no connections. Mrs. Wald apologized and continued, “The knights tried several times to refuse because it was not possible. So there must be a commotion. I told them to send them back, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Bring them to me.”

“What? There is no need for Madam to meet each and every commoner.”

“No. The fact that they continue to come even after being kicked out means that they are desperate. Let them in.”

Anne impulsively accepted the meeting.

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