Chapter 15

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 15

Chapter Title: Wedding Invitations at the Salon

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While warmly greeting each of the gathered guests one by one, Agatha took her seat beneath the gazebo, its white pillars draped with delicate curtains.

The carpet bustled naturally with nobles filling the surroundings.

Sweet white grape wine, desserts, fruits, and more were served.

Agatha smiled gracefully, covering her mouth with a fan. In the suddenly quiet space, her soft voice drifted down.

"Not a single one missing—everyone came. It was such short notice; I hope it wasn't too startling."

"Oh, not at all! Agatha Lady occasionally hosting grand salons is nothing new, is it?"

"Exactly. I heard you'd returned to the estate a few days ago, and I've been waiting for you to open one soon."

"I'm glad. How have all of you been in the meantime?"

No sooner had Agatha's words fallen than various noblewomen and ladies chattered about the latest social trends. It was information she'd already heard once before the salon through her close friend, Marchioness Iris Domunia.

"Of course, the hottest topic is none other than Agatha Lady herself."

Agatha winked with one eye.

"Are there still so many interested in my wedding? I thought plenty would be over it by now."

Mischievous laughter erupted here and there at her playful jest.

In truth, given the nature of noble society where secrets never stayed hidden, nearly everything involving Enoch and her had long been rumor fodder.

A courtship far sweeter than any political marriage.

A personal luncheon invitation from His Majesty the Emperor.

The owner of the island that would become the hub of a new trade route being Agatha Noblesse.

Even the wedding date drawing near and their honeymoon doubling as negotiations with the Mainucor Empire on Palavi Island—it had set social circles and the court ablaze.

"Knowing that, I have something special prepared for all of you who came today. Jessie?"

Agatha summoned her maid, who placed something in the hands of the noblewomen and ladies.

It was an elegant wedding invitation adorned with the Noblesse family's symbolic rose and the Aratus house's eagle feathers.

"Three weeks from now. You're the first to receive it directly from me today."

"My goodness, what an honor, Lady."

"How incredibly kind of you. You must be so busy with wedding preparations."

Details like the ceremony venue and time were already spreading slowly among the attendees.

"Miss."

"Yes?"

At her close maid's quiet call, Agatha looked up, her face blooming into a radiant smile.

Her sun-like bright golden hair and delicate features made that smile utterly enchanting.

The nobles, startled by this new aura of hers, turned to look.

A knightly sturdy build and a face handsome enough to draw gasps.

The faint scar on his cheek lent him a rugged masculinity, a badge of glory from the battlefield.

There stood the young marquis, a war hero whose faltering house was all but guaranteed to reclaim its position through marriage to Agatha Noblesse.

"Enoch."

For a fleeting moment, Enoch paused in his steps before naturally approaching Agatha and pressing a kiss to the back of her hand.

"Agatha."

"What brings you here? I heard you were terribly busy today..."

"I was just passing by. My aide mentioned you were holding a salon here. It felt like ages since I'd seen you, so I stopped in for a quick greeting. I hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all. Um, your next schedule...?"

His aide, John, caught Agatha's glance and promptly recited.

"Luncheon with the Finance Minister."

"Then you can spare about twenty minutes for me. Care to take a stroll? The flowers are blooming beautifully today."

Enoch gladly took her hand in support. Agatha rose immediately and sought pardon from the stunned attendees.

"I'll be back after a short walk. Please chat freely among yourselves."

"O-of course, Lady. Enjoy."

The nobles only snapped out of it after Agatha had walked far toward the valley.

Wah— The gazebo suddenly buzzed with commotion. Enoch spared it a brief glance before calmly turning his attention back to Agatha.

"Have you been well? Your complexion seems a touch better than the last time I saw you."

Does it?

Agatha reflexively touched her cheek before quickly composing herself.

"Maybe it's from staying up late lately. Oh, right—I sent word through Ben about the estate repairs. Did you see it?"

"Yes. I liked the third option."

After the wedding, rather than the capital's Noblesse first estate where she currently stayed or the Aratus estate, Agatha planned to renovate the Noblesse second estate as their marital home and live there with Enoch.

After a moment's thought, Agatha realized the third plan featured separate bedrooms for the couple.

It was her favorite, but as a political marriage, she worried it might seem too intimate and had ranked it lower.

Agatha blushed subtly. He'd been oddly proactive since the luncheon with the Emperor.

Though she was the one who'd made the first move.

Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that Enoch had become more proactive somehow.

"Perfect. They recommended it because having both personal and shared bedrooms would make adjusting easier."

"Sound advice. May I ask who recommended it?"

"Our family head steward. Allen's been by my side since I was young, serving the Noblesse for five generations."

"Allen."

"You must have seen him a few days ago when he escorted me back to the estate."

"Yes. I remember."

Enoch led Agatha to a smooth path. Fragrant scents wafted from the profusion of flowers blooming beside the trail.

"Agatha. There's actually something I'd like your permission for."

"Go ahead."

"I mentioned before that my relatives were scheming over the marchioness position."

She had.

That was likely why this man had resolved to marry.

Agatha nodded readily.

"Have you found out who's behind it?"

"To be precise, I've finished sorting them out."

Agatha could guess what permission he sought.

"You're going to discipline them. With the knights."

As family head, he had the right to punish relatives disrupting the house.

Last time, exile beyond the capital had sufficed, but this might include a warning—or worse.

"It won't take long. About two weeks. I'll leave a messenger bird, so send letters through it if needed."

After the wedding, they'd be away at least two months for the honeymoon.

Clearing the house beforehand was welcome news.

Agatha smiled faintly and tapped his arm.

"Safe travels. And brace yourself—you'll be swamped when you return."

"Oh dear. Coming from you, that sounds truly frightening."

"I'll send updates now and then. You'll reply right away, won't you?"

He paused briefly, then nodded, taking her hand to kiss its back. Twenty minutes had already passed.

"I should go. I'll return as quickly as possible."

"Don't push yourself."

"......"

He seemed to gaze at her subtly before turning and leaving without protest.

She found it odd for a moment but dismissed it as her imagination, watching his broad back recede as she mentally sorted her tasks.

'The measurements are already taken...'

While he was away, she'd have it tailored, so he could try it on immediately upon return.

For anything needing input, a messenger bird would do.

Of course, Agatha wouldn't miss the chance—she planned to send occasional letters of concern.

Returning to the gazebo with a smile, Agatha found herself surrounded by nobles who seemed even more excited than before.

"Lady! You and Marquis Aratus looked so close. Were you really courting?"

"Agatha Lady, heartfelt congratulations on your marriage!"

It was a bit awkward.

But that day's long-overdue social event concluded successfully.

Splash—

Numerous military boots left footprints on the bloodstained marble.

Ten days since bidding Agatha farewell and departing the capital.

The latest to fall by Enoch's hand was the head of the Datcher family, one of the Aratus blood kin who'd led this affair.

"My lord."

Enoch regarded his Second Knight Division Vice-Captain, Huber Carwen, with impassive eyes.

"We've captured the Datcher baron's family."

"Well done."

Enoch sheathed his sword indifferently and scanned those bound and kneeling at the hall's center.

Two sons and a daughter under him.

All adults, previously exiled from the capital on his orders, with the eldest son's betrothal annulled.

"The heir was the eldest son, I believe."

"Yes, my lord."

The Datcher family members, heads bowed low, trembled at the approaching sharp boot steps.

The eldest son, especially exposed under the chilling aura, shook as if in seizure.

Then.

Flutter—

The familiar wingbeats of the past ten days naturally drew Enoch's gaze upward.

A short whistle, and the pigeon gliding through the air alighted on his sturdy arm.

Three rosebuds wrapped in green vines.

The messenger bird bore the Noblesse family crest around its neck, as always.