HIFH | Chapter 10

Episode 10

“I didn’t get a good look yesterday, but now that I see them properly, all these dresses are so beautiful, my lady!”

Mardi exclaimed as she organized the wardrobe.

“How did you manage to pick only the ones that suit you so perfectly? Your sense of style is amazing!”

“…I didn’t pick them. Lu chose them all.”

Mardi’s eyes widened.

“Master must really like you, my lady.”

How did she reach that conclusion?

“Otherwise, how could he pick out dresses that highlight your adorable looks so flawlessly?”

Wasn’t it more likely that Lu, being an obsessive fashion maniac, just couldn’t tolerate my lack of taste?

It seemed like a reasonable suspicion, but I chose to keep quiet.

On the surface, we were a loving couple, after all.

“Haha, at this rate, Master might even pick out your wedding dress.”

Now that I thought about it, we were supposed to have the wedding before the season changed.

Did we really need to go that far?

— Of course, we have to hold the wedding.

— Everyone knows that Charles is in the capital, yet I still keep receiving letters.

— Only once the wedding is done will they back off. We have no choice.

…And so it was decided.

I let out a deep sigh, feeling a strong premonition of another stomach cramp.

“The wedding is being planned step by step, so don’t worry too much.”

“Oh, I’m not worried.”

“More importantly, we need to get ready for today’s party!”

Mardi clapped her hands enthusiastically.

Then she picked out one of the neatly arranged dresses and held it up for me.

“This navy-blue dress would be perfect. The off-shoulder design isn’t too excessive, and it has an elegant touch. Plus, it comes with a choker! The butterfly-shaped ribbon decoration will make it look like a matching set with you.”

“…Sure. I’m fine with it, so just dress me up.”

“Yes!”

And so began the long, grueling ordeal.

Wearing the dress itself wasn’t too bad.

But the makeup and hairstyling that followed…

Fighting outside would be much more fun.

Sitting still and being adorned without doing anything was a fate worse than death for me.

Eventually, what felt like an eternity passed.

By the time the sun had slanted down from its midday position, the preparations were finally complete.

“You look so beautiful, my lady…”

“For tonight, you’ll be the most stunning person in the entire Empire!”

I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

I suppose I looked slightly better than usual.

“…Yeah. Thanks. You guys are the best.”

I gave them a thumbs-up, and the maids blushed with delight.

“I’ll just do a final touch-up on your skirt—”

“No, I’ll handle that. Could you all leave the room for a moment?”

The maids seemed puzzled, but they simply tidied up and exited the room.

Click.

Once the door closed and I was alone, I reached under the mattress.

I grasped the musket and knife that I had taken out of the wardrobe and hidden there last night.

“Good thing the skirt is wide.”

Tonight wasn’t just about attending the marquis’ party.

The alchemist, Themis, was definitely under Vice Captain Henry’s watch.

That kid knew about Themis’ existence, after all.

With so many uncertainties, I had to be fully prepared.

I strapped the knife and musket securely to the garter belt on my thigh.

Let’s hope I won’t have to use these.

After finishing my preparations, I straightened my skirt and opened the door.

“…Lu?”

And there he was, standing right outside.

“Damn, you scared me. If you were waiting by the door, you should’ve said something.”

I spoke to him, but Lu just kept staring at me as if frozen in place.

Feeling slightly awkward, I added an explanation.

“I was delayed because I was packing a gun. You never know what might happen.”

Even then, Lu didn’t respond.

Did I say something strange? I started to feel uneasy.

“Lu? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Finally, Lu blinked.

Shifting his gaze away slightly, he muttered under his breath,

“…It suits you well.”

He sounded somewhat embarrassed.

“Oh, uh… thanks.”

Feeling oddly awkward myself, I hastily linked my arm with his.

“Let’s go. We’re going to be late.”

For some reason, Lu’s arm felt stiff.

Hmm.

Maybe I was imagining it?

The Marquis of Bydon was a classic case of a nouveau riche.

Originally, his family had lived as border counts in the far north of the Empire.

But after they were lucky enough to discover a diamond mine, they made an enormous fortune.

By offering the diamond mine to the Imperial Family, they secured a marquisate and settled in the capital.

Because of this, they were subtly ostracized in noble society.

‘They say he bought his title with money.’

No one cared that his family had once dedicated themselves to defending the country as border lords.

That’s why they throw parties every month.

Honestly, I didn’t quite understand.

I had long since accepted that no matter what I did, people wouldn’t like me.

So I couldn’t really relate to how desperately the marquis and his wife sought recognition.

But I suppose everyone has their own way of surviving.

I glanced out the window.

A pointed spire came into view—the mansion was in sight.

“We’ve arrived, Lu.”

I spoke to Lu, who had remained silent throughout the carriage ride.

Slowly blinking, Lu turned to look at me.

“…Ah. We’re here already.”

His gaze felt slightly different than usual.

Normally, he looked at me as if studying me.

But now, it seemed like he was subtly avoiding my eyes.

“What’s with you today?”

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“You’ve been out of it since earlier. Is something wrong?”

Lou blinked slowly again.

“Yes. Something’s wrong.”

“…What?”

For real? I was taken aback.

Then—

“You look beautiful, Charles.”

…What nonsense was this?

“This is strange. I’ve never thought so before. But suddenly, you look beautiful, and I was feeling down, wondering if something was wrong with my eyes.”

I tilted my head back and stared up at the carriage ceiling.

I really just want to punch him.

Just once.

“You’re doing this because you actually want to fight me, aren’t you?”

“I only stated the truth.”

“Just because it’s the truth doesn’t mean you’re forgiven. Forget it. There’s no point talking to you.”

At that, Lu shrugged.

“Regardless, I meant what I said.”

Then, he looked straight at me.

His eyes, as deep and blue as a lake, were locked onto mine. But this time, it wasn’t the usual gaze of scrutiny or suspicion.

“You look beautiful today.”

And for some reason, it felt sincere.

Even though I knew it absolutely couldn’t be.

“Good evening, Marquis Bydon. Thank you for inviting us.”

The moment we arrived at the party, Lu immediately led me to the host.

The marquis, upon seeing Lou, greeted him with great enthusiasm.

“Oh! Duke Vansen! You’ve arrived!”

It seemed he had invited Lu in an attempt to increase the number of guests, given Lou’s current status as the most famous figure in high society.

So, of course, he was overjoyed to welcome him.

“I should be the one thanking you for the invitation. By the way, is this the rumored fiancée?”

“Yes. Charles, introduce yourself. This is Marquis Bydon.”

I felt his gaze land on me. Keeping a gentle smile on my lips, I gave a polite bow.

“Good evening, Marquis. It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Charles Courtney.”

At that, the marquis exclaimed loudly, as if to make sure everyone heard.

“Oh my, oh my! With such a lovely fiancée, no other woman could possibly compare! Hahaha! Now I see why you’ve remained single all this time!”

I could feel the attention of the room shifting toward us.

It seemed I had also been part of the reason Lou was invited.

Sensing the stares directed at me, I subtly glanced around.

“I spent my time alone, longing for Charles. That’s why I brought her to the capital.”

“If it were me, I would’ve done the same! A pleasure to meet you, truly!”

The marquis extended his hand, and I grasped it with a bright smile.

Even more gazes gathered upon us.

But among them, there was one person who wasn’t looking at me at all.

That person was—

“There he is.”

Lu whispered.

“I’ll go. Stay here and keep the conversation going.”

I whispered back before taking two steps backward.

Then, using the excuse of adjusting my attire, I quietly slipped away.

Themis.

I was going after him.