The Grand Ducal Castle was buzzing with life early in the morning.
Servants hurried about, still rubbing the sleep from their eyes, while groups of people chatted noisily in clusters. Nobles started to gather, eager to celebrate the impending finale of the betrothal contest.
The atmosphere was filled with vibrant energy, as even the baby birds, newly awake from their morning slumber, chirped merrily in the trees.
The laughter and joy of this morning unmistakably signaled that the climax of the engagement contest was fast approaching.
It was likely that Grand Duke Logan had summoned each head of household to swiftly manage the situation, ensuring everything was in order. Furthermore, the engagement contest for his youngest daughter represented the last of such grand affairs in his reign, meaning the Northern Festival would go on a hiatus for the next decade or so.
This fact made the Northerners all the more eager with anticipation.
Standing by the bedroom window, watching the hustle outside, I found myself in a peculiar mood.
It had been a long two weeks.
It would be a lie to say I hadn’t felt anxious during that time. After obtaining the treaty, my worries subsided considerably, but I couldn’t shake the concern that Grand Duke Logan’s early return might turn the tides and disrupt everything.
Fortunately, the escape of a single rat didn’t appear to cause him much trouble.
Above all else, it was disheartening to witness the deterioration of the female protagonist.
Though it was a consequence of an unavoidable choice, I couldn’t bear to find amusement in another’s tears.
I could only hope that Deron Caelid would roll up his sleeves and desperately plead for Lumia, wishing for her heart to be mended from the cracks.
“Rendler? Is everything ready?”
“Yes.”
The household staff had cleaned the annex thoroughly.
I had lent a hand on the top floor myself.
Thus, I could have sent the staff off to the mansion right away, but upon conducting an informal survey (or whatever one might call it) through Rendler, it turned out that many wanted to witness the parade of the engagement contest—so I decided to delay the departure.
And many of those who arrived at the Raphelion mansion would soon pack their belongings and scatter with modest retirement compensation in hand.
Only the minimal number of personnel necessary to manage the mansion remained, and the next head butler, Ron Del, appointed by Rendler himself, would be overseeing its management.
With no family members around, there wouldn’t be much for them to do.
It would perhaps turn out to be the best working environment possible, and though I suggested to old Rendler that he should enjoy a comfortable retirement in the mansion, he adamantly refused, so I had to throw my hands up in surrender.
“My Lord is now the head of the Raphelion family. It’s only natural for the head butler to assist the head of the household.”
“Still, there’s no need to go monster hunting. You’re in a fragile state.”
“If you’re planning to tread a thorny path, I think it’s my duty to provide you with plate armor for your feet. What could I possibly do in a mansion without you there?”
“Well… that is true.”
So, with Rendler’s staunch will prevailing, I eventually permitted his company.
He was right, after all.
Thus, Ariel, Rachel, and Rendler became the guests on this culinary adventure of monster hunting.
Ariel had agreed to accompany us just as far as the Lundgren Duchy for now.
Of course, our journey was set to begin after the Monster Cuisine Festival concluded.
I was planning to recruit a chef to accompany us on our culinary journey through the festival grounds, but if that doesn’t work out, I planned to leave right after the festival and find one in the Lundgren Duchy. They say there’s a whole street dedicated to monster cuisine there.
“Well then, let’s go.”
The parade would start at noon when the sun was at its highest, the brightest moment of the day. The leisurely morning was ticking away, and together with Rachel and Rendler, we headed to the central plaza of the Grand Ducal Castle where the parade would commence.
And then—
“Elden!”
I ran into Ariel, who was now free from her hangover.
She had arrived early and secured a prime spot with a great view.
“Are you feeling better now?”
“Yep! After drinking the honey water Rachel told me about, I’m completely back to normal!”
“Thank goodness.”
“When else will I get to see the engagement contest’s parade? I can’t possibly miss it!”
Well, it’s only natural to be excited considering the Northern Festival’s parade is said to be the most splendid spectacle compared to any festival in the kingdom.
I glanced around.
The plaza was packed with an overwhelming crowd, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that nearly all the nobles residing in the Northern Regions had gathered.
Given that this was the largest event for the Winterfell ducal family, it seemed that everyone—men, women, and children—had come to celebrate the grand finale together.
Naturally, only ‘nobles’ were allowed into the plaza where the parade would occur, while commoners lined up outside the southern gates of the castle, leading to the central plaza of the city.
As much as I’d love to watch the parade from the front row, I took my seat, fully aware that it could potentially clash with Grand Duke Logan’s mood.
With the betrothal contest reaching its climax, it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious considering my own escape was also hanging in the balance.
A little while later—
“Presenting His Grace Grand Duke Logan Winterfell—!”
Grand Duke Logan stood tall on the elevated platform, followed by Deron Caelid.
Whatever led that guy to become the winner was beyond me, but at this moment, judging by the lack of Blund’s face in sight, it seemed no amicable agreement had been reached.
Of course, with the glare from Grand Duke Logan and the family heir fixed firmly upon him, Deron Caelid could only muster some regret and remorse.
Then I caught sight of Deron’s father climbing onto the platform as well, which hinted at some sort of agreement having been made between them.
Given that his family head and father were fully aware of his ugly and foolish tendencies, if Deron were to disgrace himself before Lumia, things wouldn’t end well for him.
That being said, I shook off the thoughts and looked up at Grand Duke Logan as he placed the family sword on Deron’s shoulder and began to recite something.
After receiving the sword, Deron held it high into the sky, and a huge roar of cheers and applause erupted around us.
“Wow—!! Deron Caelid! Deron Caelid!! Deron Caelid!!”
People chanted his name.
His path won’t be easy.
It’s going to be quite a struggle.
As her husband, he’ll have to put in a lot of effort to heal Lumia’s wounds.
However, I only hoped that while facing those trials, he’d start to reflect on the past.
And as soon as the protagonist of this betrothal contest took to the stage, the hall fell silent.
It was a dazzling sight.
Lumia, adorned in a pure white dress, a translucent veil, and a small white crown atop her head, was radiating enough beauty to cause quite a stir in the world.
Fortunately, her expression, faintly visible through the veil, was not one of sorrow or distress.
It was a serene face.
I couldn’t help but hope that it represented her step towards accepting fate and clearing the storm clouds looming over her, while my eardrums were punished by the thunderous cheers and applause erupting all around.
“Lady Grand Duchess! You are so beautiful!”
“Wow—!! A couple of epic proportions has just been born—!!”
On the surface, they undeniably made quite the striking pair that could set the continent abuzz.
Of course, for someone like me who knew the deeper complexity of it all, their beauty could not be celebrated unreservedly. Just like Grand Duke Logan’s face was far from bright.
There were still remnants of the past that hadn’t been resolved, and that still lingered.
Thus, the betrothal ceremony proceeded without a hitch.
Lumia and Deron bowed to each other, and as Deron lifted her veil, he soon knelt and placed a ring on her finger, taking the ceremony’s heat to a fever pitch.
A moment later—
The officiant announced in a loud voice the grand conclusion of the engagement contest, as well as the couple’s march towards their shared future.
“Now, let the vigorous march of Deron Caelid and Grand Duchess Lumia begin~!!”
From this point to the central plaza of the city, there was an elevated platform stretching to adult height, and the couple stepped forward onto petals sprinkled by young boys and girls.
On either side of the dais, musicians played beautiful melodies as they followed behind them. Trailing in their wake were large sculptures shaped like winter flowers and dozens of small, lovely figures, while circus performers and dazzling displays of magic kept the parade vibrant well after the main characters had passed.
And then—
As Deron and Lumia continued down the platform, they waved to the guests on either side.
All I could offer was my prayers, so I kept Lumia’s radiant figure in my memory.
And then—
“…….”
That smile reached me, lingering for a moment.
When it touched me, my joy deepened before fading into something more ephemeral.
What could it mean? Was it her way of cheering me on, just as I was cheering for her?
It was a smile whose meaning I could not decipher.
It was but a fleeting glance, ungraspable in its essence.
All I could do was send my prayers toward the retreating figure of Lumia.
As I watched until their forms disappeared from sight, I melted into the crowd.
I sincerely hoped that the white petals of winter flowers scattered in their path contained not pallor but the essence of brightness and radiance.
As I faced the uncertainty of the story yet to unfold, all I could leave behind as I took my leave was a heartfelt prayer.
And so—
I quietly slipped away from the Grand Ducal Castle.
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