The Grand Duke’s Little Lady - Episode 112
* * *
Princess Clarisse, born as the pampered youngest daughter in a wealthy kingdom, never lacked anything.
As she grew, her beauty became her weapon.
There were always people ready to give her any jewel she desired, and she could obtain any man’s love and attention with just a word.
When the invitation to the imperial ball arrived, Clarisse was confident.
“Hmph, there’s no man who wouldn’t fall for me. Not even the Crown Prince of the Empire!”
Although her advisors cautioned her against reckless behavior, their warnings fell on deaf ears.
Confidently entering the imperial ball, she found the Crown Prince quite interesting.
He was indeed as handsome as the rumors claimed, like a prince out of a fairy tale.
Just as she contemplated seducing the Crown Prince to become the future Empress, fate intervened.
Her eyes caught sight of a man who seemed to ignore her beauty completely—a young man with hair as dark as night.
With alabaster skin and long eyelashes, his blue eyes radiated sheer arrogance, making Clarisse’s heart race.
‘My goodness, a man like that exists!’
He’s the man of my dreams!
Upon asking about him, she learned he was the Grand Duke Lucian Desmond Lacartel.
His high status pleased her even more.
‘I must ask His Majesty to give me that man!’
The imperial family, being friendly towards the Siena Kingdom, had told Clarisse to let them know if there was anything she wanted from the Empire.
Clarisse made her decision immediately.
She would have Lucian Desmond Lacartel.
* * *
The first day of the ball, which took forever just to introduce the princesses, ended with a light, warming-up atmosphere.
The next morning, Ariel woke up late and was greeted by Helen from the dress shop.
To attend the second day of the ball, preparations had to start early.
“Grand Duchess, I have brought a new dress!”
Unbeknownst to Ariel, the dress and accessories she wore yesterday had already become the latest trend.
Leading dress shops had secretly obtained information about the Grand Duchess’s attire from the maids attending the ball.
They worked overnight to create similar dresses, setting the latest fashion trends in the Empire.
“Hmm, Helen…”
Ariel rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked at the new dress Helen was holding.
For the second day of the ball, Helen had prepared an aquamarine gem dress.
While yesterday’s emerald dress was elegant, today’s aquamarine dress had a pure and transparent feel.
As Ariel moved, the tightly sewn water-colored gems on the vertical pleats of the skirt sparkled, scattering light in shades of blue.
She wore a diadem decorated with diamonds and a thin bracelet that looked like flowing silver on her head.
Seeing Ariel all dressed up, Helen was confident.
‘Today’s star will definitely be Ariel.’
* * *
On the second day, the opening dance was performed by Dietrich and one of his aunts, Princess Hestia.
Hestia, who had been living in another kingdom after getting married, had returned for the grand ball.
Thanks to her, Dietrich had a female relative to dance with.
The onlookers, who constantly watched his every move, especially those involving women, were subtly disappointed, but Dietrich felt relieved.
He knew it was his duty as the heir to the throne to marry and produce heirs as soon as possible.
However, he didn’t want to live like his parents, who were affectionate in public but cold in private.
At this point, he felt that marrying any woman would lead to such a life.
…Except, perhaps, for one girl.
While dancing, Dietrich occasionally glanced at the red-haired girl standing at a distance.
She had grown into a breathtakingly beautiful young woman since he last saw her.
Wearing a sky-blue dress today, she sparkled with a charm that drew admiration from everyone in the ballroom.
No princess could compare to her radiance.
But it wasn’t just her beauty.
Ariel had been surprising him since she was a small girl of ten.
When he first met her, it was out of a sense of duty.
As the heir to the throne, he felt responsible for knowing who the new member of the Lacartel family was.
He had secretly attended the debut ball of the ten-year-old Grand Duchess for that reason.
Dietrich’s father, the Emperor, hoped that the royal family would grow closer to the Lacartel to strengthen the imperial power.
Knowing the identity of Lacartel, the primordial darkness, and their sacrifices as protectors of the empire always filled Dietrich with revulsion.
However, as Crown Prince, it was a task he had to undertake.
Getting close to the Grand Duchess to use her to connect with the Lacartel was the strategic move.
Of course, there was also a slight curiosity about who the wife of Grand Duke Lucian, the Lacartel with the most sword mana in history, was.
But meeting Ariel in person genuinely piqued his interest.
‘So you’re planning to use him.’
‘You don’t seem like that kind of person. People who truly want to use others don’t say things like that.’
It was hard to believe such words came from a ten-year-old girl.
At that moment, Dietrich felt as if his inner thoughts had been exposed.
‘Telling someone you’re using them gives them a chance to defend themselves, doesn’t it?’
It was as if she had peered into his heart and seen his true feelings about the Lacartel.
Ariel’s perceptiveness and her gem-like smile captivated Dietrich.
Every time they met after that, she continued to surprise him.
As much space as the Lacartel occupied in Dietrich’s mind, Ariel began to occupy more.
Perhaps, his interest in her had grown even more than his original focus on the Lacartel men.
“Nephew.”
Just then, his partner, Aunt Hestia, interrupted his thoughts.
Hestia grinned mischievously.
“What’s this? There seems to be a girl who’s caught your eye?”
“No, Aunt.”
Dietrich quickly put on a princely smile, but Hestia, already suspicious, pressed on.
“Who is it? Even if her status is a bit low, I can persuade His Majesty. If not, you can take her as a mistress. Which family’s lady is it?”
“I’m telling you, there’s no one.”
Dietrich answered smoothly, but with a bitter smile.
A mistress?
Was she suggesting he keep a wife and a lover separately?
Disgusted by this aspect of the royal family, Dietrich’s mood soured.
The idea of placing Ariel in such a context made him feel even worse.
Starting the evening in such a state left him entirely unmotivated.
Dietrich quietly sighed.
As the opening dance ended and the dance hall opened, the nobles and princesses from various kingdoms filled the floor.
Ariel discreetly observed Dietrich, noticing his troubled expression.
In front of him, partners lined up to dance.
‘His Highness is having a hard time too.’
With her small stature, she stood closer to Lucian to avoid being jostled by the crowd.
Just then, someone approached Ariel and Lucian.
It was rare for anyone to approach Lucian, known for his temperament, in the imperial social circle.
“Hello, Lucian!”
Ariel was startled to see who it was.
Princess Clarisse of the Siena Kingdom, along with her maids and attendants, had come over.
Despite being a princess, Clarisse’s status was significantly lower than that of a grand duke of the empire.
Royalty from other kingdoms were considered equivalent to the rank of duke within the empire.
In other words, it was only natural for Princess Clarisse to speak to Lucian with deference.
With a radiant smile, Clarisse pursed her full lips.
“Lucian?”
As if he had just noticed her presence, Lucian raised an icy eyebrow.
“Who gave you permission to utter my name?”
He sneered arrogantly.
“The only one I’ve given that permission to is my wife.”
“But, Lucian…”
Lucian immediately cut her off with a voice as cold as ice.
“Grand Duke.”
“What?”
“You will address me as Grand Duke.”
“Are you deaf? You should call me ‘Your Grace.'”
Clarisse’s smile trembled slightly in surprise.
She couldn’t believe her ears, wondering if the harsh words were really directed at her.
Clarisse exaggeratedly giggled and said cutely,
“Oh my, you’re so firm. Your Grace, would you like to dance with me?”
Lucian’s cold gaze briefly fell on her and then disappeared, as if he was surprised she was still there.
He muttered to himself in a chilling voice,
“After suppressing them, all sorts of bugs crawl in.”
“Pardon…?”
“Sigh.”
Lucian let out a sigh filled with irritation and looked down at Clarisse.
The palpable sense of menace radiating from him was so intense it seemed almost tangible.
The faces of the people around them quickly turned pale under the oppressive atmosphere.
“You didn’t greet my wife just now.”
“I-I didn’t see…”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Clarisse hurriedly started making excuses.
Lucian spoke in a voice that sounded like a death sentence,
“Not only are you deaf, but it seems you’re blind as well?”
“Lucian.”
Ariel quickly tugged at his sleeve, whispering.
She spoke with her eyes,
‘Stop it.’
Lucian grabbed Ariel’s hand that was holding his sleeve.
In the confusion, they ended up holding hands.
With a voice that seemed to hold back great patience, he commanded Clarisse,
“Greet my wife. Now.”
A look of wounded pride crossed Clarisse’s face for a moment.
She had never been treated like this by a man before.
‘It’s always been the opposite!’
Men always tried to impress her.
They didn’t hesitate to insult their own wives or fiancées if needed.
Clarisse always enjoyed those situations.
But to find herself in this situation…
Though furious, Clarisse turned to Ariel and greeted her.
Her teeth were clenched in frustration.
“Hello.”
Ariel, trying to ease the tension, replied kindly,
“Hello, Princess Clarisse. It’s so thoughtful of you to come and greet me.”
Though it was unfortunate she had come to greet Lucian…
Ariel felt sorry for Clarisse, who had been suddenly threatened by Lucian.
She conveyed her feelings through her eyes.
I’m sorry. Please leave quickly.
“Princess, shall we go?”
Clarisse’s attendants quickly ushered their mistress away.
Once they were out of sight, Ariel let out a sigh of relief.
Before Ariel could fully exhale her sigh of relief, Lucian led her to the dance floor.
“Come. Let’s dance.”
He had already let his aura surge out again.
As Ariel and Lucian disappeared into the crowd, parting the people like cockroaches, Clarisse trembled from a distance.
“How dare that woman pity me?!”
Despite being humiliated by Lucian, Clarisse’s misplaced hatred burned toward Ariel.
She was still infatuated with Lucian.
“If only that red-haired girl wasn’t here…!”
Clarisse clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
* * *
Ariel was dancing with Lucian.
In reality, they were merely holding each other and taking simple steps, just enough to look like they were dancing.
It was the perfect setting to talk without being interrupted by others.
She whispered in a chiding tone within Lucian’s embrace.
“Lucian, you shouldn’t insult the princess like that.”
“Who cares.”
After a moment of silence, Lucian suddenly asked,
“Why did you save her?”
Huh?