Chapter 54
“Uck…”
“Is it hard to swallow?”
The roasted venison was a bit tough for a child to eat, making Rosen grimace as she chewed the piece Iscarion had given her.
Iscarion casually held out his palm under the girl’s chin, telling her to spit it out. Even such actions didn’t diminish his dignity but instead made him seem incredibly caring.
Unlike the many young noblemen who were passionate about romance and frequented salons before coming of age, he was known to show no interest in women. When rumors of the Grand Duke of Lutèce suddenly getting engaged a few years ago spread, the ladies who admired him felt as if their world was collapsing.
It was said that the sale of handkerchiefs in the capital increased so much that production had to be ramped up.
“She’s really small. She looks more like a youngest sister than a fiancée. I heard she’s ten, but she looks more like seven.”
“Indeed. Will such a young child attend the banquet today?”
“She can attend the banquet, but she won’t be able to dance. You have to be at least fourteen to dance at social events.”
“Then…”
The faces of the young ladies, who had hoped they might get a chance to dance with the Grand Duke at the party, turned to disappointment. It was common knowledge that the first dance of any banquet was to be with the partner one brought. Unless the little girl was too sick to attend, it was clear the Grand Duke would spend the entire evening caring for her instead of being on the dance floor.
If only something would happen to prevent that little girl from coming…
Then maybe they could take turns dancing with him…
“I heard he took in the daughter of a friend who had nowhere else to go. The Grand Duke must be having a hard time. Being dragged into making a hasty decision out of unnecessary affection and ending up playing nursemaid.”
Even if they couldn’t have the most coveted man themselves, they couldn’t stand to see him belong to someone else. Though he rarely attended social events or parties and never paid any attention to women, it was agonizing for them. And now, a mere child was occupying the position of his fiancée. Though they masked their jealousy with concern, it wouldn’t change the fact that his place was not theirs.
Moreover, their appearance together was different from the jealous rumors that he was reluctantly taking care of the orphaned sister of a friend. The uncharacteristic tenderness shown by the Grand Duke of Lutèce made the young ladies, not yet skilled at hiding their emotions, green with envy.
“You never know. They might part ways soon.”
A young lady in a bright pink dress spoke sharply, turning her head away. At that moment, the trumpets sounded twice, signaling the hunting competition’s participants to prepare. While the men made final checks on their weapons and hunting attire in the common tent, the accompanying ladies took strolls or sunbathed safely at the entrance of the hunting grounds.
“Lady Rosénia, I will take my leave now.”
The forest, owned by the royal family, prohibited entry to outsiders except certain permitted nobles. Therefore, the maids and the nanny who had accompanied her had to leave just before the competition started. While other young ladies had close friends, Rosen, not yet debuted in high society, was left alone.
“The Grand Duke said he would come by before the competition starts. He’s meeting with His Majesty the Emperor now, so please wait a bit.”
“Okay, Nanny. Don’t worry.”
Not wanting to cause unnecessary worry for her caretakers, Rosen spoke cheerfully.
At the forest’s verdant entrance, Rosen sat alone on a low bench bathed in warm sunlight. The white pony, grazing nearby, neighed softly as it circled its young mistress.
In Kylon, horse riding was a necessary skill for any noble. Especially today, being a hunting competition, most ladies who came to cheer had brought their own horses. Many stylishly dressed ladies in riding habits were showing off their slim figures and riding skills. Though Rosen had brought her pony, she had no intention of riding it and instead took out a prepared carrot.
“Sorry, Pony. It must be boring not being able to run around.”
The cute pony, who she named simply as Pony, was a good friend to Rosen, who had just begun learning to ride. Though she received praise from her riding instructor and Iscarion for her good posture, she didn’t yet have the confidence to ride alone in the forest. Pony, as if understanding her, nuzzled her affectionately while Rosen patted her mane apologetically.
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