The morning was filled with whispered gossip in the beautiful garden of House Graham.
Under a large arch covered in colorful flowers, the sweet scents of roses and jasmine floated through the air. Butterflies fluttered gently among the petals, their wings catching the sunlight. Birds sang softly from the trees above, adding a peaceful soundtrack to the gathering.
"Norielle Graham?" a lady sneered. "Did His Grace Evander really choose that foolish woman over Lady Panzy?"
"Be careful of what you say," another noblewoman warned quietly. "If Lady Cristina or Duchess Cerin hears you, you might find yourself punished."
Groups of guests dressed in fine clothes talked quietly beneath the blooming branches. The garden seemed alive, watching silently as the event unfolded. Every glance and whisper added to the growing tension in the air.
In the decorated gazebo, Evander stood tall and confident. He wore a sharp white suit with black details and shining silver ornaments. A rich red cape trimmed with black fur rested on his shoulders, making him look even more regal.
With just one sharp look at the crowd, the whispers stopped, and everyone fell silent, a chill running through the gathered guests at his powerful presence.
At the corners below the gazebo stood his knights, their lips curled with quiet amusement as they exchanged knowing looks.
He is nervous, they thought together in silent agreement.
Despite the confident front Evander wore, the slightest tremor in his posture betrayed the tension beneath. His eyes scanned the crowd and briefly met Norielle's. She walked carefully through the crowd, her arm linked with her father's. Her heart beat fast, full of worry as many eyes watched her.
Her golden blonde hair shimmered softly in the morning light, falling in gentle waves that framed her pale face. Her floor-length white gown, adorned with jeweled floral accents on the bodice and delicate silver details at the short sleeves wrists, sparkled subtly. A pearl necklace graced her neck, completing her elegant look.
All eyes were on her and not with judgment, but with pure astonishment. Everyone's eyes followed her, drawn to the quiet strength she showed. For a moment, the tension in the garden eased, replaced by an air of solemn admiration.
Norielle took deep breaths to steady herself, even though her heart was still racing. She reminded herself to stay calm.
The garden seemed to welcome her. Butterflies danced nearby, and birds sang softly, adding a peaceful feel to the moment. Hidden behind a tier of dessert platters, three small, thrilled fairies watched Norielle intently, their eyes shining with excitement at the unfolding scene.
"Is this the wedding?" Aelindra whispered, her voice filled with wonder.
"It's not, silly," Thalior teased softly. "It's only the engagement ceremony."
The two fairies continued their playful bickering, while Nymeria watched Norielle silently as she walked toward the gazebo, her expression a mixture of quiet curiosity and hidden worry. Meanwhile, Evander's heart pounded heavily, and his breaths came unevenly as he focused solely on Norielle. To him, everything else faded, the steady presence of her father walking beside her, and the intense stares from her brothers barely registered. In that moment, only she existed in his world.
"Look, the commander might pass out from the lady's breathtaking beauty." Wafed whispered to the other knights.
Samuel who was holding his laughter elbowed Wafed. "After all, that young lad of ours is helplessly in loved with his fiance. Though he wouldn't admit it himself"
Revan who kept glancing around, nodded. "He already showed his feelings when he decided to give the heirloom to her." He smiled.
Trina shot them a sharp glare. "Settle down, you fools. This is the ceremony, not the party," she scolded firmly.
Despite Trina's stern words, a flicker of amusement lingered among the knights, who had long appreciated Evander's rare and vulnerable moments.
Norielle's steps grew firm and graceful as she neared the gazebo, the jeweled details of her gown catching the sunlight with every movement. At the center, Evander adjusted his cape, struggling to steady his racing heart.
As Norielle reached the steps, their eyes locked once more. With tension thick in the air, Evander extended his hand. Norielle hesitated, shooting him a sharp glare that only deepened his anxiety. Then she sighed softly, setting aside his past mistake, and accepted his hand with quiet resolve.
"It's been a while, hasn't it. Evander," she whispered.
A shiver ran down Evander's spine. The weight of those simple words held more power than any grand declaration he could utter. He swallowed hard, unable to detach his gaze from Norielle's steady eyes.
He gently helped her onto the gazebo platform, and a hush fell over the crowd. The vibrant garden seemed to hold its breath, even the soft flutter of butterflies and distant birdsong faded into silence.
The tiny fairies hidden among the dessert platters buzzed with anticipation, sensing the significance of the moment. Guests leaned forward, their attention and respect palpable. The knights gathered, their usual smiles replaced by solemnity. Even Trina softened, clearly understanding the gravity of this union.
At the garden's edge, Duchess Elodie knelt beside a tearful Lady Cristina, offering comfort with gentle words and a soothing hand upon her shoulder.
"My friend... Oh, Ielle," Cristina sobs quietly.
The crowd settled, a warm golden light spilled through the floral archway, casting a soft glow over the couple. The morning's whispered gossip faded into distant echoes, drowned by the promise of new beginnings beneath House Graham's blooming canopy.
The ceremony began with Evander presenting Norielle a mesmerizing ring that shimmered with an evergreen glow, its brilliance capturing the light and the awe of all who watched. After exchanging vows, the gift-giving to House Graham began, highlighting the importance of the engagement between the two noble families. Evander offered Norielle both exquisite jewelry and legal documents granting her rights to a portion of land in the North.
Representatives of the absent Grand Duke and Duchess of Valios presented a finely crafted banner bearing the Valios crest to Norielle's family, symbolizing respect and the strengthening bond between their houses.
After the ceremony, the next part of the gathering began. Norielle and Evander split up to greet the guests. Ladies quickly surrounded Norielle, while Evander was joined by gentlemen, the Count, and Norielle's brothers.
After greeting several ladies, Norielle noticed Cristina nearby, tears still shimmering in her eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she approached the lady, holding two glasses of champagne and handed one to Cristina.
"Thank you," Cristina said softly, raising her glass to clink with Norielle's. "Congratulations on your engagement. May your journey with His Grace be full of blessings."
Norielle smiled, thinking how adorable it was that the poised dignified lady could cry like this at her friend's engagement ceremony.
Norielle nodded. "Thank you," she replied.
"When will you go with him to the north?" Cristina asked, her eyes swollen from tears.
Norielle stared at her with concern, gently placing her cold glass of champagne against Cristina's swollen eyes. Her heart swelled with amazement at how deeply Cristina cared for her, enough to cry until her eyes were puffy and red.
"I can't say for sure," Norielle replied softly. "Though he mentioned before that after the engagement ceremony, we'll stay at his manor near the capital for the meantime."
At that moment, Elodie arrived carrying a plate of desserts, which she gracefully handed to Cristina.
"Perhaps your departure to the North will be after the Emperor's birthday banquet," Elodie suggested.
As their conversation continued amid the bustling garden filled with noble guests engaged in quiet whispers, a graceful lady noticed the shimmering green diamond adorning Norielle's finger, the engagement ring Evander had given her earlier.
Curious, she approached the trio and curtsied gracefully before them.
"Duchess Elodie, Lady Cristina, Lady Norielle, Lea of Viscounty Cuvan greets you." she greeted warmly. Her eyes widened as she examined the ring. "Oh my, is that really the Fairy Tears of Love? And those gems are Desdren? Such rare and precious stone from the North and the treasured heirloom from the first Grand Duke."
Norielle furrowed in confusion, her mind swirled by the informations. She knew the gems value, but she had never heard about the ring's history as an heirloom.
"This ring was owned by the... first Grand Duke?" Norielle questioned then returning to Elodie.
Elodie stared intently at the ring, a conflict flickering across her eyes as she noticed how different it appeared from before. Meanwhile, Norielle was caught in turmoil, her mind recalling the moment she had witnessed Evander deciding to alter the heirloom's design.
Elodie shrugged. "It was, but that no longer matter. The ring is yours now, and soon you will stand beside him as Grand Duchess. Consider this your portion." She said indifferently.
Cristina nodded. "The Valios family holds four heirlooms. Giving one to the newest member, the future lady of the house, is nothing." She added calmly.
Norielle and Lea exchanged a brief glances, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
Norielle let out a deep breath. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be back shortly," she said before departing.
The others nodded in quiet acknowledgment, watching as she disappeared into the crowd of guests.
As Norielle navigated through the sea of attendees, brief conversations and congratulations slowed her progress, and it took nearly half an hour before she reached Evander. He stood in the corner, engaged in conversation with Revan and a tall, slightly tanned man whose slicked-back brown hair caught the light.
Norielle stood frozen for a moment as soon as she saw the man. The Grand Duke Mariun el Theron of South, the second male lead of the novel Night of Morning Glory. She thought. A surge of conflict flooded her mind, leaving her uncertainty again whether the novel was real or merely a fragment of her fragmented memories from previous lives.
Lost in deep thought, Norielle remained still as Evander, who had been listening to the talkative Mariun el Theron, caught sight of her frozen figure staring at the Duke. A frown crept across Evander's face as his mind raced with questions. Did Norielle know the young Grand Duke of the South? And did Mariun know her as well?
Revan, who had been silently enduring Mariun's endless chatter, noticed how Evander's gaze stayed fixed on Norielle, who was lost in thought as she stared at his unwaveringly speaking companion. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Evander approached Norielle with one hand casually tucked into his pocket. Mariun, sensing the change in atmosphere and noticing Evander's movement got confused and finally stopped talking.
Norielle snapped back to her senses after seeing Evander approaching her, she frowned.
"Do you need me?" Evander casually asked.
Norielle blinked, forcing herself to push aside the swirl of thoughts.
"Yes... I, I wanted to asked about something, but I just asked about it later." She replied, voice laced with hesitation.
Evander's frown deepened, thought he masked it behind calm expression.
"If that's what you want, I will see you later." He said voice lowered.
Norielle was about to leave when Mariun approached and stood beside Evander. He smiled at Norielle, waiting for her to greet him. Norielle, however, stood still and stared back, making Mariun look confused and a bit awkward, wondering if she doesn't recognize him as the new Grand Duke of the South.
In truth, Norielle had simply forgotten to greet him until a voice in her mind, Zilda's remider that proper etiquette meant greeting those of higher rank first.
Norielle quickly bowed and curtsied.
"Norielle Graham, greets the ruler of the South, Your Grace." She said with respect.
Mariun's smile widened with relief and a hint of approval.
"Please rise, you don't have to greet me like that." He said quickly, sounding a bit flustered as he received a sharp, sidelong glare from Evander.
Evander walked and stand besides Norielle, while Revan approached, bowing his head respectfully to Norielle before stopping next Mariun. Mariun, however, was left in deep thought, he already received his title yet Evander still seemed to hold his position as a friend, a presence far more formidable than anyone else around.
"I apologize for the late greeting, Your Grace." Norielle said, slightly lowered her head.
Her mind raced, overwhelmed by anxious thoughts. She imagined how Mariun might react to her perceived disrespect, would he order her head to be cut off, or exile her family burdened with debt, all for showing insufficient respect to a higher noble?
"You don't have to lower your head because of that," Evander said. "You won't do that after our wedding afterall.
Evander's words caught everyone off guard, including the curious onlookers nobles and servant nearby, who exchanged surprised glances at his unexpected reassurance.
The obedient and strict traditionalist is bending his beliefs, many nobles and his knights thought in unison.