The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 126

While diligently preparing, even falling ill from the effort, time steadily passed, and the day of the banquet arrived.

Usually, waking up meant burying her face in his embrace, savoring the lingering sleepiness, but today, her eyes snapped open.

Carefully, so as not to wake him, she rose and leaned against the headboard. Ah, waking up without him knowing was never an option.

“Seems you’re nervous.”

He was definitely asleep just moments ago, but as soon as she started moving, he woke up. Kyler was looking up at her.

“It might sound out of the blue, but will you listen, Kyler?”

Sasha looked down at him, just awakened, and suddenly spoke softly. He furrowed his brow slightly, wondering what was up.

“What is it? You can tell me.”

“You’re really handsome. So good-looking. Too good for me to have as my man.”

Caught off guard by the sudden barrage of compliments, Kyler was momentarily stunned. Then, he chuckled, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

“Ha, really. Why are you saying such lovely things lately? It’s a shame you’re the only one who doesn’t know how beautiful you are.”

Kyler sat up and gazed at her face, gently caressing it here and there with his fingers.

She pouted, as if unable to accept the compliment, but after today’s banquet, everyone in the empire would know.

Just how beautiful Sasha Ignote was.

“I wanted to be the only one who knew.”

The sudden glint in his eyes was the same as when he looked down at her during the height of passion, making Sasha flinch for a moment. But even this possessiveness thrilled her.

“Tch, the whole empire already knows! Everyone knows how handsome Kyler is.”

The two were lovey-dovey from the morning, but they couldn’t spend too much time in bed today.

Today was the day of the banquet that Kyler had helped her prepare for in between his duties. It was difficult for the regular employees to handle everything, so workers hired just for today would be arriving soon.

Kyler intended to greet them to prevent any foolish thoughts or trouble.

“We’ll be the most splendid in the empire today. Of course.”

Sasha said as she got out of bed and before leaving the room. Then, she trailed off and tapped his shoulder. Following her signal, he lowered his head to the side, and she whispered in his ear.

“Kyler is always the most handsome and splendid in the empire. Not even His Majesty the Emperor can compare.”

Chuk. Kyler pulled her into a tight embrace as she whispered, careful not to be heard outside, and kissed his ear.

“Sasha, the same goes for you.”

The two of them left the room hand in hand. Now began the full-scale preparations for the banquet.

–

“Wow is this really the banquet hall? Isn’t it almost as grand as the one in the Imperial Palace?”

The four young ladies of the count’s family were gathered at the entrance. They had arrived with their respective families, but each had stayed at the entrance, waiting for the other young ladies to arrive.

And they were mesmerized by the majesty of the Ignote Estate’s banquet hall, which they were seeing for the first time.

“It’s not just us; all the young people are mesmerized.”

“Wow~ The Ignote family’s banquet hall, it’s been years.”

“It’s been unused for so long, so the interior must have been a mess. I wonder if this banquet will be okay?”

They overheard a conversation between an elderly couple passing by. It seemed they had used this place often in their generation.

“You can really see the scale of the Ignote family. The banquet hall is this big.”

The young ladies hurriedly checked their dresses, feeling self-conscious. They wondered if their carefully chosen outfits, which weren’t too flashy, might look shabby.

Just then.

“Oh, young ladies. You’ve arrived. I recognized you right away since the four of you were together.”

A clear voice called out to them from inside the banquet hall.

The voice, which was not too excited but full of delight, was familiar. Turning towards it, they saw a familiar face.

“A, Go, Go, Countess, good afternoon!”

It was Aisy who opened her mouth to greet them first. She blurted out her greeting in a voice louder than she usually used.

The voice quickly drew the attention of those arriving at the banquet hall and heading inside.

Aisy felt the gazes and bit her lip, her face instantly flushing red.

The Countess, Sasha, was so beautiful today. She was definitely much more beautiful than when they had met last year.

Her skin was so fair that it seemed to glow, and her abundant blonde hair was braided and draped over her shoulder.

With small hair ornaments scattered throughout, she looked like a forest fairy that could only be found by entering the forest behind her.

Her ivory dress was not too flashy, but the appropriately placed jewels added to her fairy-like, mysterious atmosphere.

She was, of course, a beautiful person when they had seen her before, but now she seemed like someone from another world.

Her appearance caused a standstill at the entrance of the banquet hall. In fact, thanks to Aisy’s loud voice, no one was not looking in their direction.

Just then, a soft touch reached Aisy’s stiff face. Turning her bewildered eyes forward, she saw Sasha gently stroking her reddened cheek with her thumb.

“Were you surprised to see me after so long, Lady Aisy? Please go inside and enjoy the banquet today. Guiding lost people is my job.”

Sasha’s warm greeting captivated not only Aisy but also everyone around her.

“Lady Rada, Lady Rosehill, and Lady Piccola as well. Thank you for participating without exception. You ladies are a bit special to me. It’s been too long since we had our gathering, hasn’t it?”

She called out each of the four names. Everyone standing around her, watching her and looking for a chance to greet her, looked at the four young ladies. Despite the curious and envious gazes, the young ladies only had eyes for her.

“If the Countess calls, we can come running anytime!”

“Of course. Please invite us anytime!”

The young ladies sent Sasha sparkling eyes, looking up at her almost reverently.

“Ah, instead of that, how about inviting me next time? Can I visit your mansions as a guest?”

Rosehill glanced around sharply and was startled by Sasha’s words. If one were to twist it, it could be seen as the Countess lining up people under her, taking the young ladies with her instead of the wives, so Rosehill was looking around at the people around her.

As she feared, there were some people looking at them with slightly subtle expressions.

But at that opportune moment, Sasha brought up the idea of inviting her. She even added that she could come as a guest.

The same words could be interpreted differently, and by Sasha saying that, the four of them were not her subordinates but fully her companions.

“Y, Yes? How could we possibly invite the Countess to our count’s residence.”

“It’s an honor, Countess. We’ll prepare to invite you. Please come.”

Piccola, who was very nervous, was about to ruin the atmosphere by trembling, so Rosehill quickly jumped in. She managed to save the ‘friend’ atmosphere that the Countess had created.

Sasha’s gaze passed Piccola and reached Rosehill. Whether she intended it or not, she simply responded with a clear smile.

“Ah, I’m sorry I can’t stay with you for long. I have to greet other guests. If you need anything, grab a worker and tell them anything.”

“Please go, you’re busy. We’ll enjoy ourselves.”

Lady Rada replied cheerfully as well. The Countess gave a gentle look to Piccola, who was stiff and unable to speak rashly, only rolling her eyes, and then passed by them.

“The Countess is no ordinary person.”

“I agree. But it’s even scarier because it’s not calculated.”

Rada and Rosehill put their heads together and threw out a word each. Everyone was watching her closely as she approached another wife and gave her a soft smile.

They were curious about her coming out to the banquet hall to greet guests, and they seemed to be watching closely who she met and what she talked about.

“Thank you for coming. Kyler must be waiting eagerly.”

“The Duke? Hoho, that can’t be.”

“As you know, he didn’t say it, but you know he’s very obvious, right?”

Everyone was momentarily mesmerized by her soft smile and friendly conversation.

“An invitation, inviting the Countess to our house.”

Piccola, who had been so diligently suspicious at one time, had since become completely devoted to the Countess. Rosehill, who had suddenly answered that she would invite her, shook her head and dragged the spaced-out Piccola into the banquet hall.

“Oh my god!”

The inside of the banquet hall was even more splendid than it looked from the outside.

Rather than being decorated with expensive things, the atmosphere of the banquet hall itself was very luxurious. Rather, ivory fabrics were used for tablecloths and ceiling decorations to prevent the tackiness that comes from being too flashy and to create a luxurious atmosphere.

“After all, an invitation is impossible.”

“Get a grip, Piccola. It’s not like we’re holding a banquet with the Countess.”

The calm Rada and Rosehill also spaced out and looked around the inside before regaining their senses. It was a banquet that they had been invited to. They felt like they had to enjoy it properly to help her.

The four young ladies, who had a strange sense of mission, somehow blended into the banquet hall naturally.

Support