Bridal Lessons - Chapter 8
Those who had hoped to recommend their own daughters or nieces as the young Grand Duke’s match were understandably taken aback.
‘Perhaps his sudden emotional decision was influenced by the abrupt loss of his friend. But once he meets other women in high society, his feelings might change.’
Most of them shared this thought, which is why no one openly opposed his decision.
To this day, Rosen was the only one Iscarion showed affection towards, while he maintained a strict demeanor with others. The Grand Duke of Lutèce, known for his stern attitude, was as gentle as a spring breeze only towards his young fiancée.
Despite his busy schedule, he never neglected caring for the child and personally oversaw Rosen’s education. Living with him helped Rosen gradually heal from the pain of losing her parents and adjusting to her new environment.
However, as the head of the grand duchy, Iscarion was too busy to dedicate all his time to raising Rosen.
One day, by the emperor’s command, Iscarion was appointed as an envoy to an allied nation’s event, requiring him to leave the grand duchy for a while.
“Rosie, you’ll be okay while I’m gone, right?”
“Uh-huh…”
Despite nodding, Rosen tightly gripped his collar with her small hand. She wanted to say she would be fine but couldn’t bring herself to respond cheerfully. Since living with Iscarion, she had never been apart from him for long.
Remembering the nanny’s advice not to show anxiety and make him worry, she clenched her fist tightly.
“Yes, Rosie, I’ll be brave and fine.”
“Good. That’s my girl.”
Understanding her feelings, Iscarion smiled lightly and patted her head.
It was not long after Iscarion left the grand duchy. Rosen was having breakfast in the sunny dining room on the first floor when there was a sudden commotion outside.
“Nanny, who’s here?”
“Well, my lady, it’s just that outside…”
Bang!
As the nanny hesitated and began to speak, the dining room door burst open, and someone entered.
A middle-aged woman in an elegant travel dress stood tall and straight. Her sharp gaze slowly scanned the room before settling on Rosen, who was sitting in a child’s chair at the table.
Feeling a bit frightened by her stern eyes, Rosen shrank back.
“Who is she?”
“Young Lady Rosen, I am Countess Grandel, His Highness’s great-aunt.”
“Aunt?”
Though surprised by the unexpected visit, Rosen hurriedly got down from her chair and greeted her politely when she heard she was Iscarion’s aunt. However, the countess looked at her with a somewhat displeased expression.
“So, you’re the child Iscarion brought in.”
Her cold gaze swept slowly over the marble table.
“What time do you think it is? Why are you just now having breakfast?”
“Well, the young lady is at an age where she needs a lot of sleep, and His Highness told us to let her sleep in the mornings…”
“Silence! Even if she is young, she’s still the Grand Duke’s fiancée. Acting like an ordinary child is unacceptable. At her age, I was already receiving the respect of a proper lady and undergoing strict education.”
Ellen, the sister of the late former grand duke, had a very proud and strict personality. Born as the distinguished daughter of one of the most powerful families in the empire and being quite beautiful, her pride was immense. However, her life had taken a turn due to an unwanted marriage.
Her father, the grand duke of two generations ago, had arranged her marriage to repay a comrade who had saved his life in battle. Fearing she would refuse, he even sent her for bridal lessons in advance.
But in Ellen’s eyes, the eldest son of an earl, a rank far below her noble birth, was never acceptable. She had dreamed of becoming a queen or a duchess in another kingdom.
Fortunately, her husband was naturally gentle and caring. Unlike other noblemen, he remained faithful and loving to her throughout his life. However, Ellen never gave her heart to him, and perhaps because of this, they had no children.
Even after marrying, she preferred to be called by her maiden title, Grand Ducal Lady Lutèce, rather than Countess Grandel. After her husband’s death, she visited her family’s estate even more frequently, ostensibly to care for her young nephew, who had become the grand duke.
“Oh my, Aunt. Is that the child the Grand Duke graciously took in…”
“Yes, Eloise.”
A pretty girl who appeared older than Rosen peeked out from behind Ellen.
She was the daughter of Ellen’s brother-in-law, who had succeeded the count after her husband’s death.
Ellen, wishing to maintain her influence in her family, was planning to make her niece Eloise the wife of her nephew, Iscarion. This was her strategy to prevent her position from being diminished as Iscarion grew older.
