Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 122: Now You Have My Attention Too

Chapter 122: Now You Have My Attention Too

Melania fixed her big eyes on the opened guest book, placed before her by her lady-in-waiting, and began the slow task of perusing the names inscribed there. Assigned by one of the wedding planners to ensure that all guests who had accepted their invitations were duly listed there, the princess felt a pang of insignificance and even mockery.

’I feel like a troublesome child given a trivial task just to keep them occupied with something," she mused inwardly. ’I do not even know who most of these people are, and I could not care less if some of them are omitted. Just as they could not care less about me. Even if none of them comes in the end, it does not matter at all.’

Once more, she idly scanned the lines of unfamiliar names carefully outlined in black ink, her brown eyes filled with a growing sense of overwhelming melancholy.

’So many people... Yet not a single one of those I truly long to see. Neither my family nor my friends. Mother’s illness renders her unable to travel, and Father would never depart her side. I had hoped that the presence of others would ease my adjustment to this place, but instead, I find myself perpetually alone. It is as if I am a captive within my own mind. My head is my own prison.’

As the wedding date drew near, the princess found herself engulfed in idle solitude within the Royal Palace. Each passing day seemed to stretch into an eternity, the hours elongating beyond comprehension.

No matter her efforts, Melania could not shake off the persistent boredom that enveloped her. Despite receiving numerous tea party invitations from noble ladies, she could not muster the courage to attend. Melania dreaded the inevitable: the pitying glances of those who sought to curry favor with her, and the falsehoods she’d have to perpetuate in return for their feigned affections.

To the, she felt, she was nothing but an exotic doll, something to play with because she was royalty. She missed her true friends dearly and did not believe she could find them in Geraldion as well.

’It will all change once I am married. I will have no choice but to engage with them and their families. I can only hope that among them, I will find a genuine friend.’

As she continued to look through the guest book, comparing names to the replies, one name stood out, remaining a complete enigma to her.

’King Yuraon of Davoor?’

Her astonishment held merit. Melania was familiar with the rumors surrounding Davoor and the peculiar "illness" afflicting its rulers. What added to their mystique, at least in her eyes, was their infrequent appearances in other kingdoms, though this was not entirely their fault.

Now, the new King’s positive response lay in her hands, his name meticulously inscribed in the guest book alongside other noble invitees.

’How intriguing. Could the new King be seeking to forge connections with other kingdoms? I have heard he is young, yet it seems he is more astute than his predecessors.’

Loraline, previously occupied with arranging the princess’s jewelry—sent as a gift from her friends in Lafad—finally noticed her lady’s inquisitive expression and approached to discern the source of her fascination.

As she noticed the familiar name elegantly written on the envelope, the woman smiled and remarked,

"Young King Yuraon? What a surprise! Who would have thought he would accept the invitation."

Melania, still fixated on the king’s name inscribed, most likely, in his own handwriting, responded with a long, contemplative "mhm," prompting her attendant to take a seat beside her and make another attempt to engage her in cheerful conversation.

"It is truly wonderful news that he will be attending your wedding banquet, Your Highness! I have heard that King Yuraon is an incredibly handsome young man... Tall, muscular, with sparkling blue eyes and long dark blue, almost black, hair that cascades down his broad back..."

The lady-in-waiting paused, seemingly delving further into her burgeoning imagination, a gesture that only served to raise Melania’s thin eyebrows in confusion. She had no inkling that Loraline harbored a penchant for attractive young men, let alone that she would be audacious enough to share such musings with the princess. She found that fact strangely entertaining.

"Goodness, Loraline, I had no idea your mind was filled with fantasies about young and handsome kings. That is slightly embarrassing, I must admit."

The woman shot Melania a somewhat offended look before shaking her head and continuing,

"It is mostly the mystery of his lineage that adds to his innate charm! They say all men in Davoor are exceedingly handsome, strong, and incredibly loyal... Wouldn’t you like to discover if that is really true? You could be the first princess in decades to meet the King of Davoor! What an honor! You could even become friends, exchanging your insights about politics and such. I would probably faint on the spot if he so much as uttered a word to me!"

Observing the dreamy look of admiration on Loraline’s face, Melania could not help but giggle, slightly embarrassed by her sincere words. She had to admit, her attendant had painted quite an intriguing picture of the young king, and now her curiosity was truly piqued.

But what was the point of it anyway? Was it to be the first to forge a genuine friendship with him, thus demonstrating to the Royal Family that she was not merely a pretty face but also a shrewd and strategic politician?

’Perhaps that is not such a bad idea after all... We are similar in age and both find ourselves alone. At least, while he is in Geraldion, our circumstances might seem aligned.’

Shifting her big brown eyes from Loraline back to the envelope still clasped in her tanned hand, Melania read Yuraon’s name a few more times before curling her lips into a subtle smile, her thoughts now softening.

’A young and handsome king whose mysterious lineage intrigues so many noble ladies... Well, now you have my attention too, Your Majesty.’