Chapter 46: A Rare Flower in the Royal Court


    Belmont''s POV:


    Mostdies prefer pastel or bright colors to show off their beauty effectively but to everyone''s surprise,


    the new Duchess'' gown choice was rather unique as it should have been too severe on her pale


    beauty.


    But somehow the simple high-necked ck gown with an ent of falling red flowers that were done


    on the bodice till the waist suits her really well. Her pale blonde locks were adorned with fire crystals


    while the simple shape of the dress entuates her full figure. Her jewels were also top-notched as


    they are made from blood rubies, very rare jewels that are hard to mine and polish.


    When she bowed beside Ezran, the way she executed her curtsy with an elegance made every man at


    court hold their breath as the king stared at them both for a long time.


    I observed ina closely; she was even more beautiful than when I first saw her somehow. She was


    practically glowing for some reason and Ezran seems more rxed and the menacing aura around him


    was nowhere in sight.


    The moment father asked them both to rise, both of them did so together. I could see that the men


    were once again captivated by the Duchess of Aisenburg.


    "Wee to the capital Lady ina." Father''s tone was rather warm as he addressed her. "How are


    you enjoying your new life?"


    Most women would give a momentary nce at the King but the Duchess kept her clear gaze at my


    father as she smiled amiably before answering in an equally warm manner


    "I am enjoying it, Your Highness. My husband and his household have been nothing but weing to


    me."


    "I have heard rumors of your beauty and clearly they are true. Your husband is considered a lucky man


    for marrying you."


    "Thank you, Your Highness. I am ttered."


    So far, her words and volume of voice are excellent. Her answers are precise and to the point. Father


    likes women who do not stammer or get flustered in front of him.


    "I understand that your father is Baron Loris, the guardian of the Northern Realms."


    "Yes, Your Highness."


    "Word around is that he is recuperating after he got injured during a skirmish with Barbaros. I do hope


    he is doing fine." she bowed slightly lower before straightening up to show her appreciation.


    "My husband assures me that my father is well and is currently at home resting. I will send him your


    good wishes Your Highness."


    "There is also another rumor that I would like to address. I have heard that the food you make satisfies


    even your husband who is notorious for being a picky eater. Is this true?"


    the duchess looked at the duke who was still wearing his most imposing expression before she hid a


    soft giggle before answering.


    "My husband? a picky eater? That is not true. He loves eating the food our house chef makes for us.


    The food I make for him are merely snacks when he is training." she gave Ezran a fond smile.


    "These days, He barely eats his food here during the times he is invited for noontime meals." my father


    said to her. " Unless they are mana enriched cuisine; he barely eats everything on the te."


    I was intrigued and a little concerned as well. My father has always hated the fact that Ezran often eats


    a bit of our food recently; he must be trying to fish a mistake that might force the duchess into saying


    that her husband hates the food here.


    This in turn may force Ezran to do a favor for him in the near future to repair his standings with the king.


    But in truth, he just likes his wife''s cooking better than the food done by the Royal kitchens. It is


    obvious from the way he ate the cakes.


    "Ah, well that is my fault Your Highness." she kept her smile on her face.


    My father''s smile turned into a frown and I tried to stop myself fromughing.


    "How is that your fault, Lady ina."


    "I have always packed lunch for my brothers whenever they had to go attend the academy and I do the


    same for my father when he goes on trips. To make me feelfortable, my lord husband dutifully eats


    the noontime box I pack for him ever since he started attending court; I was not aware that he gets


    invited to such an honored event as eating with you Your Highness." she sounded innocent as she put


    a hand on her heart. "Had I known, I would never have given him any reason not to enjoy his meals by


    your side. That must the reason why he does not eat much during your luncheons.; Please forgive my


    insolence."


    Ezran''s mouth turned into a smile at Lady ina''s quick and witty words.


    She managed to cover for her husband''s reluctance to eat the food here by shifting the me on the


    packed lunch box and highlighting her husband''s devotion to her since they were newlyweds.


    Somehow my father could not help butugh and the court also did the same; even I was tempted to


    grin as I watch my friend close his eyes and sighed deeply.


    "You are a very unusual but entertaining young woman, Lady Aisenburg. I like your sense of humor and


    how devoted your husband seems to be to you. " he chuckled softly. "I am in a good mood today. Name


    your boon Mdy and you shall have it."


    She looked surprised by the gift and she should be. My father never gives a "boon" or a gift to a noble


    "I am ttered, Your Highness. As of now, I am content but maybe in the future, I can call upon this


    boon?" she dropped her head in respect.


    "Of course Lady ina. This royal court will wee you whenever you have time to visit us." my


    father smiled benignly at her. "Aisenburg, I was most displeased with you when you married without


    your liege''s permission but it seems like your wife is level headed and gentle but calm. I am satisfied


    with her and I hope to see her at my son''s birthday ball."


    Crafty. Ezran will be off to fight a war that mightst a year or so this means he will not be able to


    escort his wife to my ball.


    "Of course, my Liege. She will be escorted by an appropriate knight from my order," he said politely but


    it was devoid of any warmth.


    With that promise secured, my father sat back and smirked as the ducal couple bowed together and


    turned to leave.


    But Ezran suddenly grabbed his wife and a fewdies gasped in delight and tittered excitedly as he


    hoisted ina in his arms and carried her out.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    The court was abuzz with what they just witnessed as the Aisenburgs left the throne room.