Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Wife (1)

“Do you have any thoughts of dancing more?” 

A woman of the highest rank spoke to Enoch

“I think it’ll be a bit difficult to dance because I’m too drunk.” 

He turned down the woman’s offer by showing an empty glass of wine.

“But you don’t look drunk at all.”

“I’m not to show any signs of drunkenness in front of the empress. If I have the chance, I’ll ask you for a dance first next time.”

The woman was disappointed but wasn’t in the least bit offended by Enoch’s courtesy. Aran envied the women who Enoch rejected. She wished she, too, could see only his beautiful and courteous appearance, not the devil hiding inside his cage.

“What are you thinking?” Enoch asked when he saw Aran staring at the noble ladies.

“Nothing.”

Aran avoided his gaze.

“Do you want to dance with them?” Enoch asked once again.

Aran blinked in embarrassment. Fortunately, the banquet hall was noisy and the aristocrats seemed to have not heard his question.

“That’s none of the Grand Duke’s business.”

“You don’t hate me for talking to those women?” Enoch leaned towards her and whispered playfully. 

“…..”

What he said was true.

In the past, Aran was filled with fiery jealousy seeing Enoch talking to another woman or daring to make eye contact with a woman. That day, she couldn’t sleep and eat. 

Still, she couldn’t allow herself to show her feelings. Enoch didn’t like annoying girls. He was always polite to Aran, but sometimes her heart sank when she saw his red eyes filled with unseen irritation.

What was his intention of bringing up the story now?

“I was young and immature then. Though it’s a bit too late now, I apologize.”

“You don’t have to apologize.”

In a somewhat irritating gesture, Enoch beckoned the servant over to fill the empty glass with wine.

Aran looked at his beautiful profile.

He looked irritated, sure, but she didn’t know why. Even if the situation changed, she’d not be able to understand him and she didn’t have the courage to ask either. 

All Aran could do at times like this was stay still.

Aran’s gaze moved to his neck and shoulders, then to his left hand holding a glass of wine. There was nothing on his ring finger. His empty fingers bothered her, perhaps reminded of the tradition.

Like the royal imperial family, high-ranking aristocrats tended to marry early. Aran wondered why Enoch hadn’t chosen a partner yet. She also wasn’t aware if he was dating someone. 

The House of Roark was a famous house notorious for its skilled warriors. Enoch was the only child born from that house. The late Grand Duke didn’t want his son to marry Aran, who was weak.

Now that Enoch was no longer Aran’s fiance, he could have any woman he liked. 

Somehow, she thought of how Enoch would treat his wife.

Would he be overbearing like he was to her, or as friendly like he was to those noblewomen a little while ago? If he had a wife, he wouldn’t look in her direction, right…?

Suddenly, she felt strange. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she felt something strange.

Enoch, noticing Aran’s gaze, looked at her.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“Why did you…”

Aran, who was about to ask why he hadn’t married yet, shut her mouth quickly. It would be awkward to ask such a question. They spent countless nights together, but they’ve never once shared personal matters.

“Nothing.”

Yes… now wasn’t the time for her to care about his marriage.

Aran looked down at her skinny arm in a somewhat melancholic mood.

Someday, if not right now, she had to continue her duty and bear a child as a successor. It was the least confident thing that she could do. Her menstrual period was long gone and it was questionable whether she would be able to conceive with a weak body like hers.

The Grand Duke and Duke Heston’s argument today ended in a small uproar, but in the future, pressure on succession and marriage would adamantly continue in earnest. It was clear that her position would weaken if the would-be emperor found out she was unable to bear a child.

Aran thought that if somehow, life was like a fairytale, then she’d like to give birth to a child.

No…

Aran cancelled the thought.

Miraculously, even if she did bear a child, she wasn’t sure what would become of that child. Would her child be like her? Weak in both body and mind? No… Aran didn’t want her child to go through the same thing like she did.

Even though the empress was right next to Enoch, the aristocrats, ignoring her, were busy flattering the Grand Duke. It was a great disrespect to ignore the empress, but no one pointed it out.

As such, the power of balance between the empress and the Grand Duke tilted.

“You look free.”

Aran was distracted by her thoughts that she didn’t notice someone speak to her.

“Your Majesty?”