Episode 84. When is the Wedding?
The Grand Duke's family was extremely busy.
Rose, at the center of it all, was also having a very busy day.
"The Grand Duke has decided to take care of the water and sewage issues..."
Rose muttered, looking at the business plan she had written down in detail.
"We should start putting up the building soon, but Gwen hasn't responded."
Had something come up?
Rose tapped her pen on the desk, not even suspecting that something bad had happened to Gwen.
It would be better to do what she could right now than wait for him endlessly.
Rose picked up a list of high-end and mid-priced brands.
It was the data Neruan had compiled.
His expression as he handed it to her was not very good.
It must have been because he had no choice but to follow the Grand Duke's orders.
"The Princess said she would make a position for me, but I haven't heard from her..."
She felt a pang of regret as time passed by helplessly, but it was okay.
With more time, she could prepare meticulously.
She was confident when it came to presentations.
She's been bored with them all her work life... even that damn Lee Do-hyun thing.
There was a time when she believed Do-hyun's promotion was her own.
They weren't legally married, but they'd gotten married and lived together. They were a married couple.
She'd handed off good projects to Lee Do-hyun, not herself.
Even when he left work early because of work, she'd work all night, nosebleeds gushing over Do-hyun to complete the project.
While she was working her eyes out, Lee Do-hyun was probably meeting his lover.
Rose stared blankly into space, then shook her head.
"Haa... What's the point of dwelling on it? It's in the past anyway."
The Grand Duke's family was extremely busy.
Rose, at the center of it all, was also having a very busy day.
"The Grand Duke has decided to take care of the water and sewage issues..."
Rose muttered, looking at the business plan she had written down in detail.
"We should start putting up the building soon, but Gwen hasn't responded."
Had something come up?
Rose tapped her pen on the desk, not even suspecting that something bad had happened to Gwen.
It would be better to do what she could right now than wait for him endlessly.
Rose picked up a list of high-end and mid-priced brands.
It was the data Neruan had compiled.
His expression as he handed it to her was not very good.
It must have been because he had no choice but to follow the Grand Duke's orders.
"The Princess said she would make a position for me, but I haven't heard from her..."
She felt a pang of regret as time passed by helplessly, but it was okay.
With more time, she could prepare meticulously.
She was confident when it came to presentations.
She's been bored with them all her work life... even that damn Lee Do-hyun thing.
There was a time when she believed Do-hyun's promotion was her own.
They weren't legally married, but they'd gotten married and lived together. They were a married couple.
She'd handed off good projects to Lee Do-hyun, not herself.
Even when he left work early because of work, she'd work all night, nosebleeds gushing over Do-hyun to complete the project.
While she was working her eyes out, Lee Do-hyun was probably meeting his lover.
Rose stared blankly into space, then shook her head.
"Haa... What's the point of dwelling on it? It's in the past anyway."
Perhaps the saying "time heals all wounds" holds true.
In the past, just hearing Lee Do-hyun's name, even thinking of his face, filled her with sadness.
Sometimes, she even missed him.
It was maddening, driving her crazy, but his presence had meant so much.
But not anymore.
Although she was resentful of being betrayed, she no longer chased Lee Do-hyun's shadow.
Knock.
Just then, someone knocked on Rose's office.
"Come in."
Was it Neruan again?
What was he trying to say this time?
She didn't like Neruan, but the information he was bringing was quite useful.
Rose didn't even look at the door. Assuming it was Neruan, she answered coolly.
"You want me to come in without asking who I am?"
The low, booming voice wasn't Neruan's.
"Huh, Your Highness?"
The Grand Duke of Artaeum came to visit.
She slowly got up from her seat. Then her eyes opened, as if startled.
"You guessed it was me just from the sound of my footsteps, didn't you?"
He walked towards Rose, making a half-hearted joke.
Rose, who hadn't meant it that way, was at a loss for how to react.
'You seemed to be joking... You'd be embarrassed if I were too serious here.'
Rose's skill, born from her extensive experience in social life, kicked in.
"Ahaha. The Grand Duke's footsteps have a certain weight to them, don't they?"
Rose clapped her hands, then cautiously covered her mouth.
Grand Duke Artaeum smiled with satisfaction at Rose's sudden burst of laughter at his words.
'You're so happy just looking at my face. I should come visit you more often.'
He regretted not being able to visit Rose often, using his busy schedule as an excuse.
It couldn't be helped. It was a hectic time, more so than ever.
The Grand Duke was juggling multiple tasks simultaneously.
The Chicagor biological experiment to catch the Emperor's tail, preparations for the water and sewage research, and even matters related to his territory.
Even ten bodies wouldn't have been enough.
He had even taken the time to come here, even if it meant a brief nap, to see Rose.
Rose had no way of knowing the Grand Duke's feelings.
"What's the matter?"
Had he perhaps received a call from the Princess?
She looked at the Grand Duke with eyes filled with anticipation.
Seeing that he had come all this way in a single step, she felt certain he would have something important to convey.
However, Rose's expectations were dashed by the Grand Duke's subsequent response.
"Just."
"Ah...?"
You came for no reason?
Rose blinked, staring at the Grand Duke.
...Why on earth?
Even at a glance, the Grand Duke's complexion was clearly tired.
The blood vessels in his eyes were burst from overwork, and his skin was pale, clearly indicating he hadn't slept in days.
'Did he just come for a walk to clear his head?'
She wondered if he might have wandered absentmindedly, exhausted from work, and ended up in her study.
But, she was certain the Grand Duke had come.
He missed Rose.
That was the sole reason.
Completely oblivious to the Grand Duke's true feelings, Rose walked toward the sofa.
"You're tired these days, aren't you? Sit here. You need to take it easy, or you'll get sick."
She spoke softly, gesturing to the sofa in front of her. Even though the Grand Duke had a fiancée, this level of courtesy would be acceptable.
'I can't just kick someone out who's almost dying.'
The Grand Dukewalked over to the sofa as if he had been waiting for it. Then he sat down and stared blankly at Rose.
“Why don’t you sit down too?”
“Oh, yes.”
Rose, who had been standing there awkwardly, hurried to the sofa opposite the Grand Duke.
“Would you like some tea?”
“No, I’ve had enough of tea.”
The Grand Duke of Artaeum leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Rose.
His lips moved as if he had something to say.
Rose tilted her head, looking at the Grand Duke.
'What are you trying to say, taking so long?'
Surely... you’re not saying that the meeting with the CEOs fell through, are you?
He had said there was no reason when asked why he came, but it was difficult to say it out loud, so he might have said it indirectly.
“...If that happens, things will get complicated.”
What would she do if the Princess couldn’t make room for her?
Would those arrogant people even bother to meet her, a fallen noblewoman?
Even if she did go, she might be turned away.
Rose racked her brain impatiently.
Even though it hadn't even happened yet, Rose was already feeling incredibly worried.
She stared at the Grand Duke, her heart pounding with anxiety.
Then, the Grand Duke's voice softly drifted out.
"When would be a good time to have a wedding?"
... Oh?
It was a completely unexpected question.
Rose blinked, flustered.
'... Why are you asking me about a wedding?'
She was perplexed.
The Grand Duke was even asking her this.
Why would he ask her fiancée when he could?
Rose was quite taken aback, but then she calmed herself down.
'Well... Since I've been married before, maybe he's just curious.'
It was something he might want to hear from someone who'd been through it before.
"When would you like to get married, Grand Duke?"
"I think the sooner the better. Since we've already confirmed our feelings, there's no need to waste time."
It was a truly fiancée-like answer.
Rose was surprised by the Grand Duke's confident response.
'So, Grand Duke, you really like that fiancée.'
In the past, just hearing Lee Do-hyun's name, even thinking of his face, filled her with sadness.
Sometimes, she even missed him.
It was maddening, driving her crazy, but his presence had meant so much.
But not anymore.
Although she was resentful of being betrayed, she no longer chased Lee Do-hyun's shadow.
Knock.
Just then, someone knocked on Rose's office.
"Come in."
Was it Neruan again?
What was he trying to say this time?
She didn't like Neruan, but the information he was bringing was quite useful.
Rose didn't even look at the door. Assuming it was Neruan, she answered coolly.
"You want me to come in without asking who I am?"
The low, booming voice wasn't Neruan's.
"Huh, Your Highness?"
The Grand Duke of Artaeum came to visit.
She slowly got up from her seat. Then her eyes opened, as if startled.
"You guessed it was me just from the sound of my footsteps, didn't you?"
He walked towards Rose, making a half-hearted joke.
Rose, who hadn't meant it that way, was at a loss for how to react.
'You seemed to be joking... You'd be embarrassed if I were too serious here.'
Rose's skill, born from her extensive experience in social life, kicked in.
"Ahaha. The Grand Duke's footsteps have a certain weight to them, don't they?"
Rose clapped her hands, then cautiously covered her mouth.
Grand Duke Artaeum smiled with satisfaction at Rose's sudden burst of laughter at his words.
'You're so happy just looking at my face. I should come visit you more often.'
He regretted not being able to visit Rose often, using his busy schedule as an excuse.
It couldn't be helped. It was a hectic time, more so than ever.
The Grand Duke was juggling multiple tasks simultaneously.
The Chicagor biological experiment to catch the Emperor's tail, preparations for the water and sewage research, and even matters related to his territory.
Even ten bodies wouldn't have been enough.
He had even taken the time to come here, even if it meant a brief nap, to see Rose.
Rose had no way of knowing the Grand Duke's feelings.
"What's the matter?"
Had he perhaps received a call from the Princess?
She looked at the Grand Duke with eyes filled with anticipation.
Seeing that he had come all this way in a single step, she felt certain he would have something important to convey.
However, Rose's expectations were dashed by the Grand Duke's subsequent response.
"Just."
"Ah...?"
You came for no reason?
Rose blinked, staring at the Grand Duke.
...Why on earth?
Even at a glance, the Grand Duke's complexion was clearly tired.
The blood vessels in his eyes were burst from overwork, and his skin was pale, clearly indicating he hadn't slept in days.
'Did he just come for a walk to clear his head?'
She wondered if he might have wandered absentmindedly, exhausted from work, and ended up in her study.
But, she was certain the Grand Duke had come.
He missed Rose.
That was the sole reason.
Completely oblivious to the Grand Duke's true feelings, Rose walked toward the sofa.
"You're tired these days, aren't you? Sit here. You need to take it easy, or you'll get sick."
She spoke softly, gesturing to the sofa in front of her. Even though the Grand Duke had a fiancée, this level of courtesy would be acceptable.
'I can't just kick someone out who's almost dying.'
The Grand Dukewalked over to the sofa as if he had been waiting for it. Then he sat down and stared blankly at Rose.
“Why don’t you sit down too?”
“Oh, yes.”
Rose, who had been standing there awkwardly, hurried to the sofa opposite the Grand Duke.
“Would you like some tea?”
“No, I’ve had enough of tea.”
The Grand Duke of Artaeum leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Rose.
His lips moved as if he had something to say.
Rose tilted her head, looking at the Grand Duke.
'What are you trying to say, taking so long?'
Surely... you’re not saying that the meeting with the CEOs fell through, are you?
He had said there was no reason when asked why he came, but it was difficult to say it out loud, so he might have said it indirectly.
“...If that happens, things will get complicated.”
What would she do if the Princess couldn’t make room for her?
Would those arrogant people even bother to meet her, a fallen noblewoman?
Even if she did go, she might be turned away.
Rose racked her brain impatiently.
Even though it hadn't even happened yet, Rose was already feeling incredibly worried.
She stared at the Grand Duke, her heart pounding with anxiety.
Then, the Grand Duke's voice softly drifted out.
"When would be a good time to have a wedding?"
... Oh?
It was a completely unexpected question.
Rose blinked, flustered.
'... Why are you asking me about a wedding?'
She was perplexed.
The Grand Duke was even asking her this.
Why would he ask her fiancée when he could?
Rose was quite taken aback, but then she calmed herself down.
'Well... Since I've been married before, maybe he's just curious.'
It was something he might want to hear from someone who'd been through it before.
"When would you like to get married, Grand Duke?"
"I think the sooner the better. Since we've already confirmed our feelings, there's no need to waste time."
It was a truly fiancée-like answer.
Rose was surprised by the Grand Duke's confident response.
'So, Grand Duke, you really like that fiancée.'
Even the Grand Duke, who seemed so invincible that even a prick of a needle wouldn't bleed, had a woman he loved.
'Hmm, but he actually had a lot more humanity than I expected, didn't he?'
'Hmm, but he actually had a lot more humanity than I expected, didn't he?'
As time passed, he seemed to be crumbling his walls. The Grand Duke was a very cold man to others, but he was kind to his colleagues in a way. Rose continued her thoughts, completely unaware that the Grand Duke's kindness was limited to herself.
'But... With his personality, I wonder if he proposed?'
In fact, it would be right to propose before marriage came up, but in this place where arranged marriages were common, marriages often proceeded naturally. Then, time would pass without a proposal, and the ceremony would end up being held without anything happening.
A proposal wasn't mandatory, but if he didn't, she would be nagged about it for the rest of her married life. Rose asked the Grand Duke, hoping to find a way.
"But, Grand Duke, did you happen to propose...?"
The Grand Duke's eyes widened at Rose's words.
'As expected, you haven't proposed yet.'
Her prediction was correct. Rose offered the Grand Duke some advice from her own experience.
"Your Highness, even though the marriage has already been decided, wouldn't it be better to propose?"
“We’ve already made a promise to marry, so I don’t see the need to propose. Why are you even asking if I’ll marry you when everything’s already decided?”
Rose sighed softly and shook her head at the Grand Duke's words.
“I want to see how sincere this man is to me. Of course, not proposing doesn’t mean you’re not sincere to the other person, but it would be good if you did when you have the time. Our relationship would grow stronger.”
The Grand Duke didn’t really understand Rose’s words.
Her definition of a proposal sounded incredibly ineffective.
‘But if you want it that much, there’s no reason not to do it.’
Rose was blatantly pleading with him, asking him to propose.
‘I need to do a proper proposal.’
“We’ve already made a promise to marry, so I don’t see the need to propose. Why are you even asking if I’ll marry you when everything’s already decided?”
Rose sighed softly and shook her head at the Grand Duke's words.
“I want to see how sincere this man is to me. Of course, not proposing doesn’t mean you’re not sincere to the other person, but it would be good if you did when you have the time. Our relationship would grow stronger.”
The Grand Duke didn’t really understand Rose’s words.
Her definition of a proposal sounded incredibly ineffective.
‘But if you want it that much, there’s no reason not to do it.’
Rose was blatantly pleading with him, asking him to propose.
‘I need to do a proper proposal.’
Rose had been the first to show her affection and even confessed her feelings.
How could he not propose to her like that?
The Grand Duke nodded in agreement.
“Oh, and personally, I think spring or fall is the best time to get married. Winter is so cold, isn’t it? But the Artaeum estate is as cold as winter in fall, so late spring or summer would be fine.”
The Grand Duke's expression turned grave at Rose’s words.
‘Are you suggesting we wait until then?’
The Grand Duke wanted to get married right away.
He wanted to proudly declare Rose to the world as his woman.
Count Wence, who was still clinging to Rose despite his divorce, was irritating, and Rose’s anonymous co-business partner was also very concerning.
Plus, if Rose started her business, she would meet even more people.
Every time, that sinister men would surely flock to her.
“So, you’re saying let’s do it next year?”
“Hmm. It’s just my opinion. If the Grand Duke wants to hurry, then hurry. It’s the Grand Duke's wedding, after all.”
How could he not propose to her like that?
The Grand Duke nodded in agreement.
“Oh, and personally, I think spring or fall is the best time to get married. Winter is so cold, isn’t it? But the Artaeum estate is as cold as winter in fall, so late spring or summer would be fine.”
The Grand Duke's expression turned grave at Rose’s words.
‘Are you suggesting we wait until then?’
The Grand Duke wanted to get married right away.
He wanted to proudly declare Rose to the world as his woman.
Count Wence, who was still clinging to Rose despite his divorce, was irritating, and Rose’s anonymous co-business partner was also very concerning.
Plus, if Rose started her business, she would meet even more people.
Every time, that sinister men would surely flock to her.
“So, you’re saying let’s do it next year?”
“Hmm. It’s just my opinion. If the Grand Duke wants to hurry, then hurry. It’s the Grand Duke's wedding, after all.”
The Grand Duke was about to say, ‘It’s your wedding too,’ but Rose was a step ahead.
"Still, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to do it next year. By then, the current complicated situation will have been somewhat resolved."
By then, the person marrying the Grand Duke might not be called 'Grand Duchess' but 'Empress.'
Although confronting the Emperor was unsettling, strangely, she wasn't afraid or had any desire to run away.
Because the protagonist of this story was Rose herself.
The immutable law of protagonists.
The protagonist survives no matter what.
And the main characters were no different.
The Grand Duke was no longer an extra.
Rose had no doubt that he would reclaim the throne.
"Still, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to do it next year. By then, the current complicated situation will have been somewhat resolved."
By then, the person marrying the Grand Duke might not be called 'Grand Duchess' but 'Empress.'
Although confronting the Emperor was unsettling, strangely, she wasn't afraid or had any desire to run away.
Because the protagonist of this story was Rose herself.
The immutable law of protagonists.
The protagonist survives no matter what.
And the main characters were no different.
The Grand Duke was no longer an extra.
Rose had no doubt that he would reclaim the throne.
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