A Day In The Grand Duke’s Life (1)

“Alicia.”

Reichardt stepped down from the carriage first and readied to escort her.

As expected, Alicia walked toward the Great Hall with a steady expression.

The distance from the carriage to the hall was longer than anticipated.

No words were exchanged between the two until they entered the hall.

Alicia followed Reichardt, who held her hand and silently led the way.

Unlike what had been described, the Great Hall was far more spacious.

Their seats were set apart, directly across from the high table on the platform.

However, the space was so vast, and the grand, ornate tables were arranged so elaborately, it was hard to tell where exactly they were supposed to sit.

Reichardt moved a beat faster.

Alicia walked after him without drawing attention.

Just as the two of them sat down, a voice rang in from outside.

“The Duchess of Lirin, Her Highness Princess Louise, the Duke of Lirin, the Lady of Lirin, and the Second Lady of Lirin!”

Alicia had already prepared to stand as soon as she heard the announcement.

The steward inside the Great Hall raised his voice.

“Just stay standing.”

Reichardt whispered that just before Alicia could rise, and walked toward the entering members of the House of Lirin.

Alicia, following orders, rose to her feet and observed.

Reichardt approached the princess and gave a formal greeting, then offered only a brief glance toward the duke and ladies before returning.

“You may be seated.”

The hierarchy of the imperial family was hard to grasp.

“The Countess of Bennet, Her Highness Princess Anri, the Count of Bennet, Lady Bennet, and the Young Lord of Bennet!”

Just as he said to sit, Reichardt did not rise again.

Neither did the Duke and Duchess of Lirin.

Only the ladies of Lirin stood to pay their respects.

Among nobles, it was common to show greater courtesy than one’s rank demanded to demonstrate dignity.

In contrast, royalty seemed to act strictly according to hierarchy.

“The Countess of Tolle, Her Highness Princess Henrietta, the Count of Tolle, and Lady Tolle!”

Even after this, Reichardt remained unmoved.

“His Excellency the Marquess of Lennox and the Marchioness!”

Only the young lords and ladies stood to pay respects to those entering.

“His Excellency the Count of Istevna and the Countess!”

The grand table was draped with a beautiful tablecloth.

Simple and elegant candlesticks, flowers, and decorations adorned the table, with a giant chandelier casting its light overhead.

Amidst all the beauty, Alicia felt like a mere creature breathing alone.

Though the hall was filled with people, only the sounds of attendants echoed.

Even those moving within the hall behaved like ornamental pieces.

“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress!”

The entire hall, which had been subdued as if asleep, stirred at once.

Reichardt rose and glanced at Alicia.

Alicia stood up right as he moved.

Those who had been holding their breath rose in unison and addressed the Emperor and Empress entering the high seat.

“Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Majesty the Empress, we greet Your Excellencies.”

The united chorus of voices struck the room like a wave.

The Emperor and Empress met the eyes of each guest in the hall, returning silent greetings.

The Emperor only sat down after ensuring the Empress was seated.

“Please be seated.”

The Emperor’s words, though a command, were spoken with warmth and grace.

“…”

Only upon witnessing that, Alicia realized that while the phrase was indeed an imperative, it could be expressed gently.

When spoken by the person next to her, it turned into a rigid military order—but originally, it was the soft tone of royalty.

Alongside that, she noticed something else.

The direct royal bloodline all had dazzling, pale blond hair.

Their eyes were clear sky-blue or light ocean blue.

Their skin was bright and radiant.

The Emperor, often described as a reincarnated angel, had brilliant platinum-blonde hair and sky-blue eyes.

His daughter, Princess Louise, had lemon-gold hair and sea-colored blue eyes.

The other siblings, too, all had light blond hair and clear blue or pale green eyes.

When gathered together, Reichardt alone stood out with his slightly darker skin, ash-gold hair, and golden eyes.

His features as well.

While the others had fine, delicate features, Reichardt’s face appeared cool and strong—perhaps due to his stern expression.

He was also the largest in build among the imperial family.

His voice, too, differed from the Emperor’s, which had elegance and refinement.

Reichardt’s was notably deeper—if the Emperor’s voice was like the chime of silver, his was like the clang of thick iron.

“All of you must have worked hard beautifying yourselves since dawn. I fell asleep early last evening and awoke at midnight to prepare. These days, my skin’s condition changes by the hour.”

The Emperor’s humor brought a ripple of laughter through the hall.

Alicia, like the others, had begun to smile—then paused.

Only Reichardt remained stiff-faced, as if completely unaware of the social cues.

“Today is truly a joyful day. Our youngest has finally found a partner and is now engaged. Congratulations, little brother.”

The Emperor paid no mind to Reichardt’s lack of expression.

From the high seat, he beamed warmly and offered his congratulations to his younger brother.

His voice carried genuine fondness and affection.

Reichardt rose to accept the congratulations, yet his face remained expressionless.

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

His reply was formal and dry.

The Emperor was unfazed.

“Welcome to the imperial family, Countess of Echeveria. I shall soon bestow upon you a medal more splendid and grand than any other—befitting your position as the Grand Duchess of Tessen.”

Alicia also stood up.

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

Alicia and Reichardt were engaged, but not yet married.

Still, the Emperor acted as if they were already husband and wife.

All the members of the royal family in the hall treated them the same.

It was a good day.

With everyone in high spirits, no one dared spoil the mood with trivial remarks.

And it was the Emperor who led that mood.

He deliberately made it seem as if the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were already established.

Alicia realized the Emperor was quite the crafty character.

With a gesture, the Emperor called Reichardt to the center of the hall.

“Reichardt.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Reichardt turned his body toward the high seat in the center of the hall and glanced at Alicia.

Alicia, who had been standing, followed him forward.

“Congratulations on pledging yourself to a lifelong partner. This is my gift to commemorate your engagement. May the two of you become a true family as soon as possible.”

As the Emperor finished speaking, the steward opened the prepared jewel chest.

The chest was nearly the size of a supply carriage.

Inside was a bridal veil large enough to cover the entire body, along with an abundance of jewels.

There was also a box containing the certificate and seal for the title of Countess of Echeveria.

Additionally, documents and a seal for the title of Viscountess of Reville were included.

Reville was a territory under the imperial family, known for being among the top granary regions.

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

Reichardt and Alicia offered their greetings in unison.

The Emperor gestured for the final part of the bestowal and engagement ceremony to proceed.

Reichardt, who had just bowed, straightened and looked at Alicia.

“I look forward to the day I may invite you to Tessen.”

Reichardt extended his hand to Alicia, bending one knee as he delivered the traditional engagement line.

It was a prescribed ritual and a formal statement.

Alicia, too, had her own line prepared in advance.

‘I await the day you invite me to Tessen.’

She had been told it was acceptable to slightly change or omit parts.

“Please do invite me to Tessen.”

Alicia answered politely, spreading a shy smile.

The words were essentially the same but not identical.

Reichardt rose without showing any reaction to the small change.

It wasn’t a rejection or anything severely off, so it would be fine.

“Grand Duke.”

Suddenly, the Emperor’s voice rang out from the high seat.

“Yes.”

Reichardt sensed foreboding, but unlike usual, he couldn’t just whirl around and leave.

He was in the presence of the imperial family.

The engagement ceremony was still ongoing.

“As your new family member earnestly requests, please invite the Countess to Tessen.”

The Emperor spoke with a smiling face.

His words were courteous, and his tone elegant.

Though soft-spoken, the Emperor’s words were ultimately imperial commands.

Alicia noticed that although their appearances differed, the brothers shared similarities.

Reichardt’s face clearly showed discontent.

He alternated between Alicia’s violet eyes filled with anticipation and the sly sky-blue eyes on the high seat before speaking.

“Would you come to Tessen, my betrothed?”

He had chosen his words after much internal deliberation.

It left plenty of room for a polite answer.

Alicia, eyes gleaming, bowed gracefully toward the Grand Duke.

With elegance, she replied:

“Yes!”

As if prearranged, the Emperor and Empress showered the beautiful couple with praise.

They didn’t forget to give their blessings, urging them to live well together in Tessen.

Other members of the royal family also joined in, smiling and congratulating them.

Though some had worried about her journey to distant Tessen, they reassured her she wouldn’t be lonely with her betrothed by her side.

Thus, Alicia Rain’s journey to Tessen was decided.

The mansion’s garden was vast and tranquil.

Towering trees that had guarded the garden for a long time cast long shadows.

Their shadows stretched to the high walls that enclosed the grounds.

After the recent commotion, silence had returned to the garden.

It was far from evening, but the late afternoon had passed noon.

A face lying under the shade of a tree gazed up at the winter sunlight.

Perhaps from running around earlier, the face that looked up was flushed with a gentle warmth.

The pale glow blooming on the smooth skin was like the hue of peach-tinted lips.

Dark chestnut hair spread around the face, its texture unusually fine.

The contrast between the fair skin and dark hair made each feature stand out.

Yet above all, it was the dreamlike violet eyes gazing into the sunlight that caught attention.

The calm darkness of the hair added tranquility, while the mysterious violet irises brought life to the face.

In sunlight, they became transparent and radiant; in shade, they turned deep and vivid, demanding attention.

As he lay under the shadow of the trees, those violet eyes slowly turned toward him.

And in the next moment—

“……!”

Reichardt, who had been lying in a grand, antique bed, opened his eyes.

His amber eyes revealed themselves to the world—neither too swiftly nor too slowly.

His expression, looking up at the ceiling, twisted quietly.

As he covered his forehead and turned slightly onto his side, frustration leaked from the motion.

It was Tessen.

The place where the noise that clouded Reichardt’s mind finally quieted.

And yet, even here, he pressed a hand to his head as if to suppress his unease.