Chapter 105

 

Iona always maintained a calm demeanor no matter what happened, but this time, even she couldn’t help but be greatly surprised.

 

And for good reason, as she had never even imagined that Leroy would suddenly propose to her in such a setting.

 

They were in a state of having made a sort of contract with marriage at stake, and if the conditions were properly met, they were to walk into the ceremony together as planned.

 

It meant that there was no reason for him to embarrass himself like this in front of others.

 

She wanted to utter her acceptance, but her lips, stiff with panic, wouldn’t open easily.

 

She could feel the expectant gazes of the people around them.

 

With no leisure to care about the reactions of others, Iona simply locked eyes with Leroy for a long time.

 

Even as the silence grew long enough to bring unease, he did not press Iona.

 

His consistent attitude calmed her.

 

Finally, Iona answered in a trembling voice, “I will.”

 

“...”

 

“I will marry you.”

 

Leroy stood up with a gentle smile.

 

Even as he took her left hand and slipped on the ring, Iona couldn’t quite grasp the reality of the situation.

 

It felt like she was living a fleeting sweet dream.

 

It was the first time Iona had received a proposal from him.

 

In her past life and in this one, it had always been Iona who had asked for marriage first.

 

The former was achieved by clinging on, and the latter took the form of a transaction, but in both cases, it was Iona who initiated.

 

But this time, it was he who had directly asked her to spend their lives together.

 

The ring on her ring finger felt like a symbol of his desire for her, sending a tingling sensation to her fingertips.

 

Leroy’s hand, which had slipped the ring on, gently grazed her fingers before pulling away.

 

He whispered into Iona’s cheek as he kissed her, “I was briefly worried I might be rejected.”

 

“How could that be... possible.”

 

Leroy laughed briefly at Iona’s response and then started to walk away.

 

The sudden engagement prompted applause from everyone gathered around.

 

Before they knew it, Leroy and Iona had become the center of attention at the ball.

 

No matter what sensational incident someone here might cause, it couldn’t match the impact of what had just happened.

 

The spotlight was now fully on them, as if they were on a stage.

 

Leroy, taking charge of the situation, turned the attention to Richard as if hosting an event.

 

“I would like to express my gratitude to His Highness the Crown Prince for arranging our meeting. A relationship that could have easily missed its chance has found its rightful place, thanks to him. What great fortune that is.”

 

Only then did Iona turn to look at Richard.

 

In focusing on Leroy’s proposal, she had completely forgotten that Richard was also present.

 

‘Without needing to gauge his reaction, it’s clear he must be pleased that the engagement he arranged has come to fruition.’

 

Iona had no intention of acting according to Richard’s wishes after their marriage, but for now, he was likely still under that illusion.

 

Naturally, Richard had to step forward joyfully to congratulate Iona and Leroy on their union.

 

Iona was convinced that Richard would praise their match as a victory of fate, celebrating it as a triumph for the royal family.

 

However, Richard’s reaction was a bit different from her expectations.

 

In fact, it was the complete opposite.

 

While a smooth smile graced Richard’s lips, Iona could discern the anger hidden within.

 

Even his gaze towards Leroy seemed to carry an inexplicable hostility.

 

Caught off guard by this unexpected development, Iona was internally embarrassed.

 

Richard crossed his arms and muttered bitterly, “A relationship finding its rightful place, huh...”

 

If it weren’t for his smiling face, his tone might have been mistaken for sarcasm.

 

Had he not playfully joked immediately afterward, everyone might have misunderstood.

 

“I never knew the Duke to be a man who spoke of such romantic notions. Does falling in love change how one sees the world?”

 

“Like having an epiphany.”

 

Leroy smoothly responded to Richard’s comment.

 

Unable to find further fault with Leroy’s amiable admission, Richard couldn’t press the issue further.

 

Just then, the orchestra paused their performance.

 

As the musicians turned their sheet music and tuned their instruments, Leroy smoothly changed the subject.

 

“It seems a dance is about to begin. Your Highness the Crown Prince, would you graciously allow me the honor of the first dance with Lady Iona, as a blessing to our engagement?”

 

“...”

 

“Especially since it’s a relationship you directly arranged.”

 

When permission wasn’t promptly granted, Leroy subtly emphasized Richard’s role in the situation.

 

The response Richard could give in this context was predetermined. If he and Iona were merely in a lord-vassal relationship, there was no reason to refuse this request.

 

In fact, he was expected to joyfully accept it.

 

The smile on Richard’s lips deepened.

 

Finding Leroy’s audacious request amusing, Richard chuckled, then burst into loud laughter.

 

After his laughter subsided, Richard spread his arms and granted permission in an exaggerated manner.

 

“On this joyous day when two people I deeply care about have promised to marry, what reason would I have to deny them? It is only right to yield the first dance to you.”

 

“Thank you, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

 

“After the dance, Duke, come to see me. In celebration of your engagement, I wish to offer you something.”

 

“I will visit you without delay.”

 

Leroy bowed politely. Iona also mirrored Leroy’s gesture with a word of thanks.

 

Leroy extended his arm to Iona for the dance, and she placed her hand upon it, gracefully concluding the situation.

 

It was timely, as the first dance was about to begin.

 

The gathered nobles finally came to their senses and quickly dispersed to find their promised partners.

 

Leroy and Iona took the lead on the still sparse ballroom floor.

 

Soon, a crowd followed them, and the hall quickly buzzed with activity.

 

Yet, all eyes were focused on one point.

 

Pretending not to notice, Iona lowered her long eyelashes and whispered to Leroy in a voice only he could hear.

 

“Was this your plan from the start?”

 

“I’m sorry about that. There’s nothing more embarrassing than being confessed to in front of everyone.”

 

Leroy seemed to effortlessly understand Iona’s insinuation, even though she hadn’t specified. He immediately apologized for the public proposal.

 

Iona, who had no intention of blaming Leroy, found herself slightly flustered.

 

She had been pleased, not embarrassed, by Leroy’s proposal.

 

In fact, she felt slightly exhilarated, like the heroine in a novel or a play.

 

The pitfall of a public confession was the risk of being forcibly linked with an unwanted partner.

 

But Iona desired Leroy more than he realized, to the extent that she chose the same man as her husband even after defying death and returning.

 

Considering that most married individuals would have made a different choice, Iona harbored more than ordinary affection for her spouse.

 

“I didn’t dislike it. Rather...”

 

Worried that words like ‘I liked it,’ or ‘It was thrilling,’ might seem childish, Iona changed the subject.

 

“Are you sure about your decision, Duke? To rush into this engagement?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Didn’t you just officially announce our engagement? I haven’t fulfilled my promise yet.”

 

Iona had not yet become the head of the Modrov family.

 

Considering that she proposed marriage on the condition of handing over her family to Leroy, he had granted her wish earlier than the original agreement.

 

Leroy found it somewhat absurd that Iona was still discussing precise calculations at this moment.

 

For him, whether or not he could acquire the Modrov family was no longer a primary concern.

 

Rather, he was willing to search for a wedding venue immediately, if circumstances allowed.

 

However, he hesitated to reveal his eagerness to her, who might still perceive the marriage as a transaction or be fixated on that fact.

 

She had already willingly entered his domain, and her comfort and security in their relationship were his doing.

 

Leroy had no intention of relinquishing the advantageous position he had claimed.

 

He simply needed to guide her to a point so deep that she couldn’t look back or step away, unlike the Crown Prince who had to step back and bless their union, a mistake Leroy was determined not to repeat.

 

Leroy quietly shifted his gaze to their joined hands.

 

Gently weaving his fingers between hers, she accepted him without resistance. Their intertwined hands fit together seamlessly, as if they were one.

 

Leroy spoke in a contented tone.

 

“I have a feeling your plan will soon be successful.”

 

“...”

 

“And I’m eagerly awaiting that day.”

--- End Of The Chapter ----

 

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