Please Be Patient, Grand Duke - Chapter 79

The invitation that arrived at the grand duke’s place was sent out to the nobles in the capital like Wade said.

The nobles who received the invitation were happy to see a ball hosted by a high noble for the first time in a while, and the tailors were busy making designer clothes to send.

Canillia was observing the busy world while sitting on the bench at Saint Mateo’s park. There was a young couple pushing a stroller; old men playing chess; and a child who had come out early to deliver newspapers was wandering because he had nothing to do.

“Long time ago, your mother was framed and kicked out. I’m sorry…. So you don’t have to feel guilty to me. Resent me all you want.”

For some reason, she wasn’t surprised. Maybe she subconsciously knew about it. She must have started to doubt the past as the Marchioness’s behavior worsened over time.

So even though she wasn’t shocked, a name crossed her mind.

Betty.

Was Betty being nice to her so she could alleviate some of her guilt? If that was so, she truly left nothing at Cosoar. Everyone lied to her and that lie grew and grew to destroy someone’s life.

Canillia rubbed her face with her hands, pulling herself out of her thoughts. What was the point of mulling over? It was past and she was only repaying her debt. She was half expecting in anticipation of how much more truth would come out.

“I should eat something sweet at times like this.”

She mumbled quite seriously and glanced a little far. Ivan, with a hat on, was following Lia inconspicuously. As she got up, Ivan also moved with his newspaper. She chuckled at such natural movement.

Lia buttoned her coat and started walking. The place she was headed was the candy store where Claude gifted her.

There weren’t as many customers as then, but she saw children coming out of the store with faces of mirth and jars full of candy.

She looked at the sign that said ‘All new this year!’ and was about to walk in.

“You still like sweets?”

Lia froze. It was familiar yet unfamiliar. Voice that she longed a little. Maybe the first friend she made…

Then the man lowered his body towards her ear and whispered, “My lady.”

Ian…?

As she remembered the owner of the voice and slowly turned around, Ian took his hands out of his pockets, smiled brightly and opened his arms.

“Canillia.”

“Ian.”

She took a step back in surprise and Ian came closer. The moment he was about to hug her, a sheath with Duke’s symbol on it came between them.

“She’s a Duchess Ihar to be. Please show respect.

Ian was wearing Geore uniform. He coldly stared at Ivan, who stopped him even though he was well aware of who Ian was, then clicked his tongue. “It’s the Grand Duke’s hound,” he muttered.

“Ivan Hamilton.”

“Yes, that name.” Ian nodded. He leisurely pushed Ivan’s sheath.

When he saw someone over Canillia’s shoulder, he scoffed.

“It’s been a while, Grand Duke Ihar.”

***

Rosina saw Canillia, who was pacing around in front of her, and put the necklace down.

“You think they might duel? Canillia, can I ask why you’re like this?”

Canillia sat across from her, hesitant as she bit her lips.

“Canillia.”

Rosina called her name seriously on purpose. Canillia finally started speaking.

“To tell you the truth, I received a marriage proposal before from Ian,” Lia coughed, “from Grand Duke Sergio.”

Rosina’s eyes widened and her lips opened slightly.

“What? A proposal? When!”

“Three years ago. He knew I was a lady, and he was always joking around so I thought it was a joke… But he officially proposed to my father,” replied Canillia.

“Ha!” Rosina closed her eyes. To receive a proposal from a prince of a country. Not just any prince, but Ian Sergio, who’s now the Grand Duke of Geore. “Yes, that can happen. Yes. But can’t you just reject it,” Rosina paused and exhaled heavily. “Perhaps, the Marquis didn’t reject it?”

Lia nodded with her fist clenched. The war started before she was able to reject it and Ian left before anything could be resolved. What worried her the most was…

“Does Claude know?”

Yes, it was him. Grand Duke Ihar, the man who wouldn’t take his eyes off of her.

“Yes. Possibly.”

Rosina finally realized how serious the situation was and dismissed the maids. The moment they were alone, Rosina and Canillia both sighed.

“Claude isn’t someone to request for a duel or fight. Maybe… They went for a drink?” asked Rosina, forcing to be hopeful.

“But the mood…”

“Believe in my brother. There is no one better than Wade at arbitration.”

Canillia nodded in agreement. If it was Prince Wade, alcohol would be involved in their conversation. Like in the past.

“Canillia, just take a look at this.”

Rosina got up smiling brightly as if to change the mood and opened the door personally. Instead of a closet full of dresses, there was only one dress in pearl color.

“What is this?” Canillia asked.

“I’m thinking about using the Marchioness Vale’s ball as an opportunity,” replied Rosina.

Canillia squinted her eyes. She finally noticed the jewelry box and the diamonds inside it on the table. The dress was so fancy that it seemed a bit too much. The sleeve decoration was puffy and the shoulders were revealing, and out of everything, the material was quite unique. It was like a mother-of-pearl that was emitting thousands of light.

“Is it a dress I have to wear at the ball?” she asked.

Rosina nodded like it was obvious.

“As you know, the goal of this ball was very disappointing and impure. Honestly, it troubles me. Because I feel like my future mother-in-law is lowering the standards.”

Canillia picked up a diamond necklace in front of her. Rosina was looking at it earlier.

Even at a glance, it was a necklace with the utmost quality diamond—a diamond that made her teeth tremble.

“But I don’t want to be revealed like this. Just because I’m wearing men’s clothes doesn’t mean I’m an actual man.”

“Lia… Don’t wear it for yourself, but for Grand Duke. For a noble to have a rumour saying he’s gay… I know how detrimental it is.”

“For Grand Duke…?”

“Were you thinking of looking like a man the entire life?” Rosina raised her eyebrow.

Canillia shook her head, “No.”

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the grand duke is part of the royal family and the second in line for succession. If something goes wrong with Wade, Grand Duke Ihar will naturally take that position. But there was a rumor of him having an affair with a man and Marchioness Vale is hosting a ball coincidentally. With all the nobles in the capital. I can see her intention… Can’t you?”

There was nothing wrong about what Rosina said. Canillia also had to calm her anger several times as the grand duke was becoming known as a man lover. If that was the opposition’s cheap way…

“I hope it fits you well. Tell me everything I can do. Lia, you’re basically like my sister now.”

“Thank you…”

The Princess patted Lia’s pondering head and left. Rosina filled in the void of the prince’s spot for three years, so there were still many places that required her assistance.

Lia had some caramel. Then she stared at the dress in the closet for a long time.

The room dimmed as the sun gradually set. She slowly lit the candles around the room and added firewood to the fireplace. Then stared at the dress again.

She was touching the lace and imagined herself wearing it. She couldn’t help but chuckle. It was weird. She wore a dress according to Rosina’s taste before but it wasn’t to show off to anyone. It was like a secret hobby.

But to wear it in front of Claude?

Her face flared up. She slapped her cheek with her cold hands and turned around.

Someone had walked in.

Canillia slowly looked up. Claude was leaning against the door and stared at her.

Her breathing stopped. The servant that followed put down the plate full of food down and left. Then Canillia let out a deep sigh.

“You surprised me.”

“Try it on,” said Claude.

“Pardon?”

“That, try it. I want to see it.”

His face was red. It looked like he was a bit tipsy.

Canillia came to Claude and naturally tiptoed. As she smelled his lips, she could smell the alcohol.

“Are you drunk?”

As she smiled playfully, he wrapped his hand around her waist, bit the tip of her nose and shook his head.

“I’m not drunk. So try it. That dress… I want to see it, Canillia.”

Claude was definitely drunk.

He kissed Lia’s cheek again and sat on the sofa. Out of all the food that the servant brought, with all kinds of fruit, bread and turkey, it was chocolate covered strawberry he picked.

“Ian brought this from Geore. They could apparently have strawberries in the middle of winter. I can’t tell if they’re weird or smart.”

He spread his arms on the back of the sofa after putting the strawberry in his mouth. She could see the arrogance he had since his birth as he never had to lower his head to anyone.

Lia was scared of his power but also loved his softness within that power.

It was foolish pride for her to let him have all kinds of rumors circling around him just because of her.

“Don’t make fun of me even if it doesn’t fit me well.”

Canillia sighed and took her jacket off while staring right into Claude. As she opened the buttons to her cravat and shirt, he was staring right into her body. His deep blue eyes became even deeper.

She took off her pants and sox garter, and the sox. The only thing left the shirt that was bigger than her body.

Lia turned away from him, took her shirt off and took out the dress.

She was more mindful of him staring than being naked. Her pale skin showed the bruises even clearer today.

Lia felt her heart pounding like crazy as she put herself into the dress.

She felt him standing up. As she looked up, she could see the reflection of a man who was approaching her fast while not taking his eyes off of her.

As she took a deep breath, his hands leaned against the mirror in front of her. His hands were shaking.

“Ha, damn it…”

Hot breaths landed on her stiff nervous neck. Soon his teeth dug into her skin and his hand cupped her bre*st.

“Canillia.”

His heat swallowed her instantly.