The Violet Dress of True Feelings
The violet dress, embroidered with violet lace patterns like pansies everywhere, fit Daniela perfectly. It had been altered somewhat, but it was clear that skilled artisans had put in considerable effort for this level of quality. James had let slip that he'd been extremely particular about it.
"James. Take good care of Daniela from now on, too."
I wondered why I'd said that. James had appealed endlessly that he could die to prove his loyalty, adding that there was no greater honor than laying down his life for the Grand Duke's family. I nodded. Typical northern noble house. Excessive loyalty was their hallmark.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Looking forward to what, Your Grace?"
"Huh? To what."
James asked again. I hadn't realized it, but I'd apparently muttered that I was looking forward to something without thinking. Alfredo nodded. James exchanged a knowing glance with him, then nodded as well. Both of them smiled warmly.
"As expected of Your Grace."
"What does that mean? James de Wintergard."
"They say wolves love only one woman and mate for life. Your Grace, who bears the blood of the wolf, has finally..."
So that's what they meant. I waved him off, sending James away. Alfredo, too. Lately, the ministers and nobles had been saying similar things. Even Hexon had chimed in. It was driving me crazy. The Grand Duke's authority was slipping. Still, it would probably be fine.
A few days passed. Daniela was so swamped with work that she had no time to read those popular novels she loved so much. I helped from the side, but there was still a lot she didn't know, so she often sought advice from the various ministers. Surprisingly, many things I'd assumed were my duties turned out to be the Grand Duchess's responsibilities. Alfredo explained that the management of Winter Castle itself was decided by the lady of the house. I hadn't known that either.
On the morning of the banquet—the day the maids and servants of Winter Castle, newly hired under the Grand Duchess's first order, started work. Thrown right into banquet preparations upon hiring.
"Whew, I'm a bit nervous."
"Yeah?"
"It's the first banquet in my name, after all."
"Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong."
Daniela, sitting on the edge of the bed, kept sighing. A banquet held in the Grand Duchess's name. The first gathering of noble ladies and ministers by the Grand Duchess. It would probably be a first for everyone. I'd never convened anyone in the Grand Duchess's name since inheriting the title. So her expectations were high.
Winter Castle was abuzz. There was anticipation to catch a glimpse on this occasion, mingled with people hoping to do some business. Lately, banquets had been too frequent. And then there was the new flag over Winter Castle. Only the lone wolf banner had hung there before, but now a pansy flag flew below it. Most northerners already held high expectations for the Grand Duchess. The wolf finally had a mate.
"How do I look today?"
While I was working in the office, Daniela disappeared and reappeared. The violet dress. Different from the black clothes or white dress I'd seen before. It didn't seem much different from the southern dresses, but that pansy color was so beautiful. More than the flowers I'd seen in Bart territory.
"You're too pretty."
"That's... all?"
"Mm, you're too beautiful."
Daniela turned away with a pout. What more could I say? No other words came. I just wanted to keep looking. I stood from my seat. Papers could wait until tomorrow. What mattered now wasn't reviewing documents.
"I'm no good with words."
I approached Daniela. The violet dazzled my eyes. I thought the dress itself glowed, but it was reflecting the sunlight from the window. Her hair, not yet fully grown out, blond strands vaguely brushing her shoulders. I gently swept Daniela's hair back. Had I gotten too close? I felt her flinch. Tucking it behind her ear revealed it fully. It felt like seeing it for the first time. It was turning redder by the second.
"Beautiful. Truly."
"......"
I tilted her head this way and that. She flinched but didn't pull away from my hand. If anything, she just grew more embarrassed with each touch. I simply gazed at Daniela. An inexplicable silence settled. There were words I wanted to hear. The kind from those popular novels, but...
"There's something I want to hear."
"What is it?"
"Well, what could it be? I don't know exactly myself."
In this atmosphere, the words should come naturally, right? Or maybe I just wanted to hear them so badly. I couldn't quite pin down the emotion, but...
"Your Grace."
"Yeah?"
"Your face is bright red."
Her words hit me like a punch. I couldn't help but laugh. Right, it was still a bit early. But clearer words were forming. Words I hadn't thought of since becoming Grand Duke. Words that would one day surely come from Daniela's lips.
"You're the same, Daniela."
"R-Really? Oh, um..."
She smiled awkwardly.
The banquet hall was always rowdy. But when we appeared, everyone fell silent. Today's star wasn't me but Daniela, so they awaited the Grand Duchess's first words over mine. Though it hadn't been long since the Grand Duchess was introduced, no one had actually heard her voice.
"Your Grace the Grand Duchess, a word if you please."
At Alfredo's cue, Daniela cleared her throat. A woman strong enough to endure that humiliation in the south, but this was her first time in such a setting.
"Everyone,"
Daniela gripped my arm tightly. How it looked from the south, I didn't know. The north and south had little connection anyway, and carelessly mentioning rumors about Daniela would spell trouble.
"I come from the south."
The crowd's gazes twitched slightly. From the south? Curiosity mixed with murmurs, thanks to her imperial origins.
"The south where I lived was warmer than the north. Flowers bloomed in abundance, and it was a good place for people to live."
The opposite of the north's weather. Before the Central Forge Reactors and other installations, the north hadn't been fit for human habitation. But now it was different. The soil was fertile, and deaths from freezing or starvation had plummeted.
"But people's hearts were colder than the north's winter, frozen solid. I lived in a warm place, but in truth, it felt like living in an icy winter."
Words she'd prepared? I glanced at Daniela. Intelligence shone in her eyes, proving not a single lie was mixed in. The crowd felt her sincerity.
"Since coming north, I've met many people. Alfredo, always helping at Winter Castle; Lord James de Wintergard, who comes whenever I ask."
Gazes shifted to Daniela. James promptly knelt. Looked like he might cry.
"And all of you who came here, and the people of the north. I believe it's the northerners here who brought spring to my heart. So,"
Daniela's flag emblem, its meaning inscribed within. The scent of pansies heralds spring's approach. Spring was coming.
"I want to thank the northern people who brought me spring. And the Grand Duke."
All eyes turned to me. Being the center of so much attention felt different. Not like commanding an army, leading a meeting, or opening a banquet. I found myself smiling. Not mocking or amused, but something hard to define.
"There's something I must say to the Grand Duke."
Daniela tugged my arm. Not hard enough to pull me, just a few tugs on my sleeve. I leaned in close. The silence was poisonous. They'd all hear. I couldn't tell them not to listen. Her words were that precious.
"I like you."
Was that okay? My face burned hotter. Had anyone heard? Those nearby seemed to have. James and Alfredo definitely did. Tears welled in their eyes.
"Thank you."
It slipped out. Not to escape her words. Like her sincerity, it was simply mine. Thank you. For coming to the north.
"Ahem. Well, since this is a banquet hosted by Daniela Wintergard, I hope everyone enjoys happily. So, uh. Yeah."
Did my fluster show? As my awkward words trailed off, music filled the hall. I resolved to remember those eyes of hers. The moment her blue gaze sparkled brilliantly.