Ruby Ring with His Gaze

The main dining hall of Valthorne was more crowded than usual. Candles cast a warm, golden glow across the room.

The steam from the hot soup rose slowly, carrying the rich aroma of spices and meat broth, subtly mingling with the sweet scent of beeswax candles.

Tonight coincided with the annual family meeting, which had been refashioned into a gathering dinner. The relatives had assembled, their laughter and conversations murmuring low.

Some discussed the internal affairs of the territory, others exchanged news, and a few even whispered about private scandals. However, all of it vanished in an instant.

Roselyn stepped into the hall in the middle of the gathering. The heavy doors opened with a soft creak.

The conversations died out one by one, like candles blown out by a sudden gust of wind. Even the clinking of silverware ground to a halt.

Kaelus pulled out the chair to his right.

"Please sit, My Lady."

Roselyn sat with her back straight and her fingers neatly clasped in her lap. Her etiquette was flawless, even though she felt like prey trapped in the middle of a wolf pack.

"There is one thing I wish to announce," Kaelus’s deep voice cut through the silence. "Lady Roselyn and I are getting married."

Total silence. Some judged her openly, some pretended to refocus on their plates, while others simply remained still.

However, one elderly man observed them with a curious expression. Finally, someone spoke up.

"That is impossible, Grand Duke!"

The voice came from the far end of the table. It was an uncle who had been watching Roselyn with a furrowed brow.

"That woman already has a fiancé. You are bringing disgrace to this table."

"The engagement has been annulled. From this moment on, she is my responsibility," Kaelus replied without even blinking.

"But Grand Duke, the D’Arest family will not sit idly by—"

"I did not ask for your opinion regarding D’Arest."

The uncle went rigid. The middle-aged man swallowed whatever else he was about to say, then leaned back in his chair with an unreadable expression.

Roselyn felt her breath catch slightly. Every pair of eyes at that table felt like the tip of a blade, ready to flay open her background.

Kaelus then slowly swept his gaze across the room, doing just enough to silence everyone. Those who had intended to speak quickly abandoned the thought.

"The wedding will be held in two days."

Vivianne interjected, her tone forced to remain gentle, "Grand Duke, that is far too rushed. It takes at least a month just to secure the church's permission—"

“The Pontifex himself will bless our marriage.”

“The Pontifex did not even attend the crown prince’s engagement, Grand Duke. How could His Holiness possibly travel all the way to the North?”

“He is already here.” The silver-haired man smiled coldly. “Save your congratulations for later. You may all be excused to rest now.”

As expected, no one else dared to argue. The relatives awkwardly took their leave, exiting the banquet hall one by one.

Vivianne was the last to leave. Before stepping out, however, she stopped right beside her brother-in-law.

“Grand Duke. I will prepare your wedding to the best of my abilities.”

“Thank you, Sister. But this time, I wish to prepare it myself, alongside Roselyn.”

“That goes against tradition, Grand Duke. Even if you are in a rush, preparing the event by yourselves is entirely excessive.”

“You do not need to concern yourself with that, Sister.”

Vivianne froze. She had not expected to be pushed out of the castle’s internal affairs so quickly.

The woman in the navy dress felt that ever since Roselyn's arrival, the grand duchy's servants had been gossiping relentlessly. They were openly calculating which side to align with.

Naturally, her own influence would have stabilized if she were the one managing the ruler's wedding. Unfortunately, Vivianne had no choice but to return the gesture with a smile, despite the turmoil raging inside her.

She could only clasp her hands in front of her chest, offer a respectful bow, and leave.

The anxious demeanor Vivianne tried so hard to hide did not escape Roselyn's intention.

“Lady Vivianne is right, Kael. Wouldn't it be better if she handled the wedding?”

“You are still defending her after what she did to you this afternoon?” Kaelus looked deeply into Roselyn’s eyes. “Do not think I am unaware that she purposely gave you the smallest room. I only restrained myself from reprimanding her in public.”

Roselyn was stunned. She had not expected this man, who had seemed preoccupied with territorial matters all evening, to notice a detail as small as her room size. A soft smile graced her lips, feeling deeply cared for.

Kaelus took a long, deep breath. The lines of tension on his face gradually softened. The silver-haired man then reached into the pocket of his robe.

He pulled out a small velvet box. Inside rested a ring set with a large, beautifully brilliant ruby. “For you. My wedding gift to you.”

“Isn't this supposed to be given during the ceremony?”

“I will give you another ring then, but this one is special. It belonged to the first Grand Duchess.”

Roselyn stood transfixed, staring at the ring inside the velvet box. The ruby gleamed, catching the dim light of the room.

Yet, the one thing that made it impossible for her to look away was the color of the gem. It was the exact shade of Kaelus’s eyes, as if his gaze was captured right inside it.

“This jewelry is far too precious, Kael.”

“And it is yours now.” The Grand Duke slipped the ring onto her finger with absolute care.

Kaelus did not withdraw his hand immediately. His fingers lingered for a moment on the back of Roselyn’s hand, as if ensuring the ring was truly where it belonged.

It was a perfect fit. It was as though this symbol of power had been custom-made for Roselyn all along.