Chapter 4: The First Public Appearance

“Are you ready?” Duke asked while he adjusted his sleeve buttons in front of the mirror.

Celine looked at her reflection and replied, “I do not know if I am ready, but I will do it.”

He looked at her briefly. “You only need to stand beside me and answer their question without feeling nervous. Do not overthink. Just... answer anything you're comfortable with."

“I will try,” she said. Her hands were slightly cold, and she rubbed them together. “Do you think they will like me?”

“That does not matter,” he answered. “They only need to understand that you are my wife.”

She nodded without saying anything else. The car ride to the event was quiet. After a few minutes, she glanced at him. “Do you usually attend these events?”

“Yes,” he answered. “It is part of my responsibility.”

“And now I go with you,” she said.

“That is correct,” he replied.

They arrived at the entrance of the grand hotel where the event was being held. Bright lights from cameras started flashing immediately. Duke stepped out first, then he offered his hand to Celine. She placed her hand in his, and he helped her step out of the car.

Reporters were already surrounding them. One of them asked loudly, “Mr. Austen, is it true that you secretly got married?”

“Yes,” he replied, keeping his posture straight. “This is my wife, Celine Rose.”

Celine forced a small smile. She could feel multiple eyes staring at her. Another reporter asked, “When did this happen? There was no announcement.”

“It was a private ceremony,” Duke answered.

A female reporter directed her attention to Celine. “Mrs. Austen, how did you meet him?”

Celine hesitated. “We… met by chance,” she said. She looked briefly at Duke, then continued. “It was unexpected.”

The reporter raised her eyebrows. “Can you tell us more? People are curious.”

Celine inhaled. “It was not planned. We met, we talked, and things moved forward.”

Another reporter immediately followed with a sharper tone. “Some people say your marriage is rushed. Is it for business?”

Celine’s chest tightened. “No. It is not for business,” she said, but her voice sounded unsure.

Duke stepped slightly closer. “That is enough,” he said firmly. “My marriage is not a subject for speculation. Please respect my wife.”

The reporters quieted for a moment. Celine looked at Duke, surprised by his tone. He placed his hand lightly at her back. “Let us go inside,” he said.

They entered the main hall.

“Duke, congratulations,” an older man greeted. “And this must be your wife. Welcome, gorgeous lady!

Celine smiled awkwardly. “Thank you.”

Another woman said, “You are very beautiful. How are you adjusting to married life?”

Celine replied softly, “I am still learning, but everyone has been kind.”

The woman nodded but her eyes seemed to study every detail. After a few more greetings, Duke leaned forward slightly and said to Celine, “We will move to our table now.”

They sat at a round table near the stage. Celine’s fingers rested on the edge of the napkin. She whispered, “I think I answered poorly earlier.”

“You answered honestly,” Duke said. “That is sufficient.”

“But I could not speak clearly,” she insisted.

“You did fine,” he stated plainly.

Servers walked around, placing glasses of champagne and trays of appetizers. Celine looked around the room to distract herself. “Everyone is staring at us.”

“That is expected,” he replied. “Ignore it.”

She nodded but her shoulders remained tense. “Why did you defend me outside?”

“Because you are my wife,” he said without hesitation.

Celine looked at him directly. “You usually do not say things like that.”

“It was necessary,” he replied.

They sat in silence for a few moments until another couple approached. The man shook Duke’s hand. “Congratulations again! We did not know you were planning to marry,” he said.

“It was a personal decision,” Duke replied.

The woman with him glanced at Celine. “You must be overwhelmed.”

Celine gave a small smile. “A little, but I am managing.”

After they left, Celine leaned closer and whispered, “Do they all think I am not suitable?”

“Do not worry about their thoughts,” Duke stated. “You belong here as my wife, Celine."

His words were simple, but they caused a slow shift inside her. She said quietly, “Thank you.”

He looked at her but did not respond. Instead, he adjusted the cuff of his suit again and focused on the people entering the hall.

Soon, it was time for the opening speech. A host stepped onto the stage and greeted everyone. Duke and Celine listened attentively. During the speech, Celine leaned in slightly. “Do I look alright?”

“Yes,” he answered.

“You are not just saying that?”

“No. You look fine, Celine,” he said.

She nodded and faced forward again. The host continued speaking about the purpose of the charity event, the funds to be raised, and the importance of support.

When the speech ended, dinner was served. Celine picked up her fork carefully. Duke noticed her hesitation. “You do not need to be nervous,” he said.

“I am trying so hard here, sir, she replied.

A few more guests came by to greet them during the dinner. Most smiles were polite while others were curious. Some questions were subtle, while others were more direct. One man asked, “Did your family approve before the marriage?”

Duke answered before Celine could speak. “Yes. There are no issues.”

Another person asked Celine, “Are you prepared for the responsibilities of being Mr. Austen's wife?”

Celine hesitated again. “I am doing my best to learn, Sir."

The guest looked slightly amused. “That is good.”

Duke’s jaw tightened slightly. He said, “She will fulfill her role properly.”

Celine glanced at him again. She felt confused by his consistent support. “You keep defending me,” she said quietly when the guest left.

“I just don't want any suspicions from them, or else all our arrangements and plans will be ruined," he said.

“But, there is no need to try harder for them,” he said. “Just be yourself.”

The music played in the background. People were now standing, walking around, and some were near the bar area talking with drinks in hand. Duke stood up. “We should greet the host.”

Celine stood as well. They walked together through the crowd. As they walked, she whispered, “What if I say something wrong again?”

“Then I will handle it,” he said.

They approached the host, a man in his fifties. “Thank you for coming,” the host said warmly. “And congratulations on your marriage. Your presence means a lot, Mr. and Mrs. Austen."

Duke shook his hand. “Thank you for inviting us.”

The host smiled at Celine. “You must be adjusting to your new life.”

“Yes,” she replied. “It is new to me, but I am thankful.”

“That is good to hear,” the host said. “You both look well together.”

Celine glanced at Duke briefly. “Thank you,” she said.

After a short conversation, they stepped away. Celine asked softly, “Does it bother you to pretend we are comfortable?”

“We are not pretending,” Duke answered. “We are married.”

She looked aside. “Yes, but I still feel like I do not understand you.”

“You do not need to understand everything now, Celine, I told you not to overthink,” he said.

They returned to their table. He nodded slightly.

“Finish your food.”

They ate quietly for a few minutes. Eventually she asked, “Do you regret marrying me?”

“No,” he said simply.

She looked surprised. “You do not?”

“No. Do you?” he asked.

“I… I do not know yet,” she said honestly.

“That is fine, after all, everything will end, six months from now,” he responded. Celine suddenly feels a surge of sadness she doesn't know where it is coming from.

After dinner, some guests started dancing. Duke looked at Celine, feeling the sudden change on her face. “Do you want to dance?”

She hesitated. “I do not know how.”

“I will guide you,” he said.

She placed her hand in his. He led her to the dance floor. He placed one hand on her waist and held her hand with the other. She looked up at him. “Do I follow your steps?”

“Yes. Just follow me,” he said quietly.

They moved slowly in time with the music. Celine was tense at first, but as they continued, she relaxed slightly. “Is this okay?” she asked.

“You are doing fine,” he said.

She looked at his face. His expression was serious, but his eyes were softer than before. “You are different tonight,” she said.

“In what way?” he asked.

“You are… more protective,” she said.

He did not respond immediately. “This is part of being married,” he finally said.

She nodded, but confusion remained in her eyes. “I still do not understand you,” she whispered.

“You will, eventually,” he said.

They continued dancing in silence. After a while, he said, “People are watching.”

“I know,” she replied.

“Do not let it bother you,” he said.

“I will try.” She gently lowered her gaze. Their hands were steady, and there was no space for uncertainty in his movements.

When the song ended, they stepped away from the dance floor. Duke said, “We can leave soon.”

Celine nodded. “Alright.”

As they headed toward the exit, Celine suddenly felt like someone was watching her. She turned her head slightly. At the far corner of the hall, near the balcony, a woman in a black dress stood with a glass in her hand. She was looking directly at them. Her lips were curved in a small smirk, and her eyes were sharp.

Celine stopped walking. Duke noticed her pause. “What is it?”

She did not take her eyes away from the woman. “Someone is watching us.”

Duke followed her gaze. The woman did not look away. Instead, she continued to smirk as if she knew something.

“Do you know her?” Celine asked quietly.

Duke’s expression hardened. “No... Let us go.”

Celine nodded slowly, but the image of the woman’s smirk stayed in her mind.