The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 65

The monstrous Duke, Frederick Winstaine, who appeared at the banquet hall, was nothing like anyone had expected.

 

He was an incredibly handsome man. Tall and lean, with fair skin, sharp eyes, and a high-bridged nose—his features were sculpted to perfection.

 

“W–What? That’s what he looks like?”

 

Diana and Sarah froze in shock. The Duke of Frederick Winstaine was rumored to be as hideous in appearance as he was cruel in temperament.

 

“That… That can’t be true…”

 

A few years ago, when the war ended, the Duke had worn a mask that covered most of his face. It was said to be to hide wounds he sustained in battle.

 

At the time, there were rumors among the nobility that the mask was to conceal a face too grotesque to be seen. But now, his unmasked face was arguably the most handsome in the entire Empire.

 

And the woman standing beside him, holding his hand—

 

If not for her red hair and eyes, one wouldn’t even be able to recognize her as Grace.

 

Grace walked with her back straight, wearing a silver evening gown that perfectly fit her figure. A soft smile graced her lips.

 

She was nothing like the timid, hunched girl in shabby clothes they had once known. Each step she took was as elegant as a swan’s, and the confident way she gazed around the banquet hall was commanding.

 

‘That’s… Grace? Really?’

 

“S–Sister… is that really Grace?”

 

“Well, it looks like it… I guess.”

 

Even seeing her with their own eyes, they couldn’t believe it. They had assumed she was living a miserable life, cowering under the abuse of the monstrous Duke.

 

But the way she firmly held the Duke’s hand told a different story. Her face—no matter how they looked at it—was clearly the face of a woman loved.

 

‘I didn’t expect him to look like that…!’

 

Diana ground her teeth. She couldn’t help but resent the fact that their father had chosen to marry Grace off to that man instead of her or Sarah.

 

“My god… Duke Winstaine is gorgeous.”

 

“Right? They called him a monster, but who could’ve imagined he looked like that?”

 

Diana and Sarah weren’t the only ones shocked by Duke Winstaine’s appearance. They could hear murmurs from the women around them. Many eyes in the hall were now locked on him.

 

“Haa…”

 

Diana and Sarah sighed in unison.

 

No matter how they tried to calm down, jealousy boiled inside them. Grace, that nobody, that pitiful illegitimate child—she had ended up with a man like that?

 

They even forgot all the nasty rumors they had heard about him.

 

Meanwhile, Frederick and Grace, drawing every eye in the room, found a table and took a seat. As they did, the musicians lifted their instruments.

 

Music began to fill the banquet hall. People started pairing up and stepping onto the dance floor.

 

“Nervous today?”

 

“Not at all. I’m fine with dancing now.”

 

Frederic reached out his hand, and Grace took it without hesitation, slowly walking with him onto the floor.

 

As the music began, she naturally started to move through the familiar steps.

 

She could feel the gazes on her, but she wasn’t as afraid anymore. She had already danced once before, and having Frederick by her side calmed her. She gave herself over to the moment, letting her body move on its own.

 

“Your Grace. It’s been a while.”

 

When the song ended, a few young men in uniform approached Frederic. He raised a hand in acknowledgment, and they bowed slightly in return.

 

“They’re knights I know. I’ll just go say hello.”

 

“Alright. Go ahead.”

 

After Frederic left to chat with them, Grace, now alone, headed toward the bar where cocktails were being served. The dancing had left her a bit thirsty.

 

“Good evening, Duchess Winstaine.”

 

Just as she reached for a glass of orange-colored liquor, a voice unfamiliar to her spoke. Turning around, she saw several well-dressed noblewomen.

 

“I am the Marchioness Victoria Aseldorf.”

 

“I’m…”

 

“Ah… Hello, it’s nice to meet you.”

 

The noblewomen began introducing themselves one after another. Grace smiled and returned their greetings.

 

“To think we’re only now meeting the famous Duchess Winstaine!”

 

The Marchioness Aseldorf, eyes sparkling, looked at Grace with fascination.

 

“Yes, well…”

 

Frederic really was the talk of the town. Seeing how curious everyone was about the woman who had married the infamous “Monster Duke” made her realize just how high-profile their relationship was.

 

“I heard Winstaine is quite far from here. Was your journey to the capital alright?”

 

“Yes, it was fine.”

 

Grace nodded politely.

 

“Your husband is incredibly handsome. So tall and striking…”

 

“And he looked so gentle too! Seeing you both enter hand-in-hand, you looked like such a loving couple.”

 

“They say he’s lived solely in the territory since the war ended. Is that true?”

 

The noblewomen bombarded her with questions.

 

“Yes, he’s been living there ever since…”

 

Grace answered with a smile, but she was starting to sweat. People had been curious back at the Sertil estate too, but this was far more intense. Especially the questions about Frederic—they kept coming.

 

“I heard you met the Crown Prince?”

 

While the ladies finally paused for breath, Grace glanced around—and her eyes landed on a familiar pair.

 

“Those two…”

 

It was Diana and Sarah.

 

They were staring at her with expressions of surprise—and that same unpleasant look they always wore when gazing at her. Grace had expected she might run into them in the capital, but not this soon.

 

She turned her attention elsewhere, trying to stay composed. But just then—

 

“There you are, the star of the evening.”

 

“Your Highness, the Crown Princess!”

 

“Are you enjoying the banquet?”

 

With the sudden appearance of the Crown Princess, all the women around Grace turned to look.

 

“Yes, I’m having a wonderful time,” Grace answered with a warm smile.

 

“The Duchess and I are close friends. Please treat her well, all of you.”

 

“Of course, Your Highness,” the noblewomen replied in unison. At the mention of “close friends,” a few of them looked even more curious.

 

“Let’s keep today’s greeting brief, and I’ll arrange a tea time soon where we can all talk more.”

 

The Crown Princess rested her hand on Grace’s shoulder, and Grace responded with ease, playing her part.

 

“Would you act like we’ve always been close friends?”

 

“I understand, Your Highness.”

 

That was something the Crown Princess had asked of Grace when they first met. Grace still didn’t know her exact intentions, but she had agreed without protest.

 

“Well then, I have someone else I need to speak with. I hope you all enjoy the banquet.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness!”

 

Even after the Crown Princess left, the noblewomen continued their flurry of questions for quite some time. After nearly half an hour of it, they finally returned to their own groups. Only then did Grace finally get a taste of her cocktail.

 

“It’s been a while, Duchess.”

 

As the cool drink slid down her throat, she finally felt like she could breathe. Just then, a deep male voice spoke softly beside her.

 

Turning around, she saw a man in white robes. Recognizing him, Grace smiled.

 

“Nice to see you again, Mikael.”

 

“I’m honored that you remember my name.”

 

Mikael bowed respectfully. He was wearing the same priest’s robes as he had at the last banquet.

 

“How are you finding the capital?”

 

“To be honest, I’m still a little overwhelmed. Everything’s happening so fast. How about you, Mikael?”

 

“The temple is the same as always. Nothing major, just the usual day-to-day.”

 

She was genuinely happy to see a familiar face. Grace took the lead in asking how he was doing.

 

“I heard His Grace has been appointed commander of the knight order.”

 

“Yes… he has.”

 

“I’d like to greet him too, but he’s so popular today that it seems impossible.”

 

Mikael’s gaze shifted to Frederic, who was surrounded by a crowd several times larger than the one that had gathered around Grace.

 

“Where are you staying right now?”

 

“I’m staying at the royal palace. His Highness the Crown Prince provided us with rooms.”

 

“So you’re living at the palace. I suppose we’ll be seeing more of each other then.”

 

“Oh—do you often come to the palace?”

 

She had assumed priests stayed mostly at the temple, but that didn’t seem to be the case.

 

“Well, I come and go quite a lot these days for various reasons.”