The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 45.2

Canilia gradually regained a sense of reality as she engaged in conversations with everyone, one by one. However, she still couldn’t lead conversations as skillfully as Rosina or Jasmine. Perhaps it would be better to interject in the men’s conversations. The two women who flawlessly understood and countered the witty banter of the ladies presented an impressive sight.

“Anyway, congratulations, Your Grace.”

Lady Laviene, the Viscountess, who had a hearty laugh that made her eyes twinkle when she smiled, firmly grasped Lia’s hand.

“Please tell me your secret. How on earth did you manage the Duke Ihar? How can one be loved like a wife? I’m curious.”

The woman playfully slapped Lia’s hand while laughing, clearly not expecting an answer.

Responding to Lady Laviene’s words with a suitable laugh, Canilia noticed Claude’s arrival at the entrance and stood up. As everyone rose from their seats, he approached her with a polite gesture, extending his hand.

“We should go on our honeymoon, my lady.”

“Has time passed so quickly already?”

“We’ve danced, finished the meal, and most importantly, exchanged rings. Now, shouldn’t we hasten the final procedures?”

As Claude spoke, Kieran and Prince Wade, as well as the gentlemen who had become familiar during their time at the Academy, stood behind him.

Even after the departure of the Duke and Duchess, the party was expected to last for more than three days. It was customary for weddings of higher rank to be longer, also due to the Emperor’s fatigue from the long journey.

“Take care of yourself. I’ve told you to bring plenty of apologies, so don’t skip meals.”

Jasmine took Lia’s hand and spoke with sincere concern. Lia nodded her head with a fluttering heart in response to the words filled with genuine worry.

“Yes, Mother.”

A warm smile spread across Jasmine’s face at the use of the title for the first time. Rosina pulled her into an embrace, reminding her that she must attend her own wedding, which would take place in a month.

Under the veil-like sunshine that fell upon the porch, Lord and Lady Vale approached the gathered people.

Everyone stiffened as they noticed Lady Vale. Being nobles of the capital, they knew the reason behind her pension.

As the pale-faced Anastasia stood before Canilia, everyone retreated behind Lia, observing the two of them.

“It’s been a while, madam.”

“Congratulations, Your Grace.”

Anastasia, trembling, first smoothed out her skirt with her trembling hands, displaying proper etiquette. Canilia merely nodded slightly in response. After all, there was Jasmine’s strict order to treat her as a subordinate.

“You have suffered greatly. Thank you for coming such a long way.”

Anastasia locked eyes with Canilia, as if she had something to say. However, she only pursed her lips and couldn’t continue. Perhaps it was because there were too many eyes on them. She stepped back and crossed her arms, sighing heavily.

The last memory Canilia had of Gilead was when he told her to take care of herself and entrusted her to Ian. It was after she had escaped from her mother and hoped to stay with him there.

It was not a decision made for her or her mother. It was solely a decision to ease her own heart.

That was how Canilia concluded.

“You make me proud.”

Gilead’s eyes welled up with tears, but he didn’t bring up that day again.

“Thank you for bringing me into this world.”

Lia’s words were filled with sincerity. She spoke from the heart, just as he did, but she didn’t utter the words he longed to hear.

Gilead gently closed his eyes as if sensing something.

“We must hurry, my lady.”

Claude, who had been observing the two, cautiously wrapped his arm around her shoulder and escorted her. Sighs of envy filled the air from the noblewomen, witnessing the sincere devotion he showed his wife.

Indeed, there was a carriage filled with luggage waiting in front of the entrance. The newlywed couple’s honeymoon was a light pilgrimage to the estate. However, there was one thing she longed for.

Amidst the farewells of many people, Lia boarded the carriage and grabbed Claude’s sleeve as he sat next to her.

“Will you really show me the sea?”

After shaking hands, Claude closed the door, and with a mischievous smile, he slipped his finger into the hand of Canilia, who had grabbed his sleeve.

“Tell me again. Since when?”

“Oh…?”

“Yes.”

“Well, um, I think it was from that day when you named the book.”

“When on earth was that? So when exactly? Do you remember?”

“I’m not exactly sure. Maybe… about two months ago?”

“Argh….”

Damn it, for fuck’s sake. Countless curses flowed from his mouth, but Canilia didn’t hear a word.

With his eyes tightly closed, Claude tightened his grip on Canilia’s ear, exerting more strength every time he swore vehemently. In response, she blinked her round eyes, burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny? I’m serious. You don’t know anything, like a beast… even that day!”

By “that day,” he clearly meant the day they went to the hot spring lake where boiling water gushed forth. It was a night that grew more intense as the pain deepened, a night that felt like falling into the abyss.

Canilia straightened up and kissed Claude’s forehead. Then, with a hazy sound, she licked the faded scars and kissed him, and he instantly enveloped her as he pulled her waist closer.

Canilia slumped back onto the rear seat of the carriage. He continued to kiss her all over her face.

The man who bared her pale neck, his mouth watering, distorted his emotionally charged eyes, then spoke to Ivan, who was driving.

“Close your eyes, Ivan.”

Ivan, who checked the rearview mirror for a moment, firmly refused the command with the most contemptuous tone he could muster.

“I haven’t learned how to drive with my eyes closed. So, Your Grace, please… be patient.”