The Survival Strategy of the Contract Duchess - Chapter 127

Sasha personally greeted only a few people outside the banquet hall. After exchanging greetings with only the important ones, she returned inside.

She could see employees busily moving around here and there. And she could distinguish between the young people who were amazed by the scale of the banquet hall and the seniors who looked back with nostalgia.

The saying that banquets were often held here in the past was proven here.

Almost everyone who was coming had arrived. Those who were guided inside took their seats, each holding a glass of champagne in one hand, greeting familiar faces nearby, and sharing their impressions of the banquet hall.

Now, only two people were left to come.

“We can start as soon as His Majesty arrives.”

Kyler had already approached and stood beside her.

Those who were nearby and noticed his appearance were quickly assessing the atmosphere, wondering if they should approach him to offer their greetings. However, instead of looking around, he was only staring at the main entrance, as if waiting for someone.

Those who knew what that meant swallowed hard and looked at the main entrance.

It was the first time that Duke Ignote and the Empress had met in an official setting since the banquet last year where Ivern’s crimes were discussed.

Even if some had felt that their relationship was improving from the atmosphere that day, time had passed without any confirmation.

“His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor and Empress have arrived.”

At that moment, the chamberlain appeared at the entrance to announce their arrival. The people who had been buzzing and gathering together parted to both sides as if they had made a promise, creating a path in the middle.

The chamberlain disappeared from the door, and soon Lydian and Midienna appeared. They appeared arm in arm, looking friendly.

They were also a strikingly gorgeous couple, but today they appeared wearing dresses and formal attire that emphasized luxury and simplicity. It was an outfit that showed consideration for the Duke and Duchess, who were the hosts of the banquet.

The two, who appeared gracefully, went straight inside, closely attached to each other. At the end of the path created by the parting crowd, Kyler and Sasha greeted them.

“Thank you for accepting our invitation.”

“Congratulations on holding the banquet. Oh, and congratulations on your first wedding anniversary.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for inviting us. It’s a wonderful banquet hall.”

“Thank you for coming, Your Imperial Majesty. You are still as beautiful as ever today.”

The greetings of the four were so natural and relaxed that those nearby were bewildered. It was the others who were nervous.

The Empress only gave Kyler a brief glance as a greeting, and all her first words, including her comments on the banquet hall, were directed to the Duchess.

Even if they weren’t having a friendly and affectionate conversation, at least there was no animosity between them. Everyone was relieved, even though the picture they had expected was not at all what was happening, and they were patting their chests in relief.

Those who had experienced the uncomfortable atmosphere of the Empress next to the Emperor looking only at the Duke found this situation to be so peaceful.

The Emperor and Empress had a peaceful conversation in a very peaceful atmosphere and went to sit in the seats prepared for them.

After everyone was seated, Kyler went up to the platform and looked around at the audience.

“I would like to express my gratitude to those of you who have come to the banquet for the first anniversary of Sasha and my marriage. Also, thank you to Their Majesties for watching over us with affectionate eyes.”

Kyler bowed once to the audience and once to the Emperor and Empress, then looked down at the audience again with a straight posture.

His charisma certainly had something that overwhelmed people even without doing anything. The people gathered in the banquet hall were drawn to him just by looking at him.

“As this banquet hall, which has not been used for a long time, is reopened, we cannot help but recall the heyday of Ignote. Ignote was swept away by a typhoon of misfortune at some point, and it was a place where only I barely kept the lineage alive, but the moment I gained her, Ignote began to beat again. The meaning of celebrating the first anniversary of our marriage is the same as declaring that Ignote is once again on the starting line to enjoy the glory of the past.”

The audience was inwardly marveling at how many more surprising things were left for today.

The man who had been considered and known as a prickly, taciturn, and terribly unsociable Duke was not here.

He was still a charismatic and imposing person who could not be easily approached, but everyone was falling for his fluent speech and low voice.

Sasha was also looking up at him with a pleased expression. And she was secretly biting her lower lip.

It wasn’t just that he had accepted the banquet for the woman he loved. She was grateful that he thought of her as such an existence and that he had elevated this banquet not only to a personal level but also to the Ignote family, giving it meaning.

She had worked hard to prepare the banquet with the thought of giving him a gift, but what was this feeling that she had received something from him instead?

They were both regarding this banquet as more than just a simple party.

As Kyler’s greeting ended, the Empress carefully rose to her feet amidst applause. The tone-downed black-purple dress moved gracefully, and she stood next to Kyler.

“Since the two of you are celebrating your first wedding anniversary and holding a meaningful banquet, I have prepared a gift. Mrs. Ignote.”

As the Empress approached him, those who had been nervous again breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of her calling Sasha.

Kyler had been given a hint, but Sasha had not heard anything, so she went up to the platform with a bewildered face.

People exclaimed softly at the exquisite color contrast between them. They were both so beautiful that everyone was mesmerized.

“I thought the Empress was the most beautiful until now, but the Duchess’s beauty is amazing.”

“Oh my god! It wasn’t even this much at the last Imperial Palace banquet.”

“She’s like a fairy. How can she shine like that?”

In the small spreading admiration, praise for Sasha was endless.

Sasha’s eyes were wide open at the unexpected story of a gift. Even Midienna, who was watching her reaction, smiled slightly.

She looked like someone who was ready to be surprised by anything she was given.

The head maid, who was below the platform, came up and handed her a square, flat box.

And Midienna received it, personally unlocked it, and opened the heavy lid.

“Oh? That, that’s!”

“Is what I’m seeing real?”

Exclamations began to come from those who were near the platform and could immediately see the contents of the box with their own eyes. The atmosphere quickly spread to the back.

Midienna took out a gorgeous necklace from the box. The string itself was nothing special, just gold, but the red pendant hanging in the center was shining so brilliantly that it was drawing everyone’s attention.

The audience, as well as Sasha, were amazed by its beauty. The brilliantly shining blood-colored gemstone was shaped like a teardrop. Thanks to the meticulous craftsmanship, it was scattering light in all directions, receiving the lighting in the banquet hall.

“It’s a gemstone called Sankrima, which was once given as a gift to a very precious person in the old Medilan Principality. It means blood and tears. There is a legend that if you have this, you will not shed blood or tears. It is said that Sankrima absorbs everything.”

After properly showing the audience what she was giving as a gift, Midienna handed the necklace to Sasha with a soft smile.

Sasha immediately realized that it was Midienna’s real gift, prepared entirely for her.

She knew that she had tried to do something to her before. Even if she didn’t know exactly, she could tell that she had planned something besides that meeting where she had yelled at her.

Sasha didn’t go in and out of the Imperial Palace often, so she hadn’t had much personal contact with Midienna since then, so she was a little nervous today.

Even though she knew that she wouldn’t look at him with the same eyes as before, she couldn’t help but be nervous about her presence.

But she presented a gift that was precious at first glance. And in front of everyone.

Sasha smiled softly and bowed her head, as if she knew what she intended.

“Thank you. Under the care of Their Majesties, Derma and our Ignote will prosper infinitely.”

Midienna also smiled softly at her polite attitude. Midienna, who had always been remembered with an intense expression, was also a beautiful person with a soft smile.

“Give it here. I’ll do it for you.”

Midienna, who had taken back the necklace that seemed to be about to pass into Sasha’s hands for a moment, personally unlocked it, put the necklace around Sasha’s neck, and fastened it from behind. After arranging her hair, she stood so that the audience could see the necklace well.

For some reason, she seemed to be blushing because she was so embarrassed.

“It suits you so well.”

“A white dress, blonde hair, and a red gemstone, how can she be so beautiful?”

It was as if everyone’s compliments were seeping into her ears.

“The Empress is giving such a precious gemstone as a gift, so it seems that everything has been settled for sure.”

“I agree. They look good together.”

“I thought it would never end, but it ended in such a good atmosphere. I really wonder if it’s thanks to the Duchess.”

And the atmosphere flowed as Midienna intended.

Sasha gave her a look with a shy smile. Midienna was looking at Sasha’s beautiful appearance with an expression mixed with slight joy, regret, and such complicated things.

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