I told Marchioness Celestine, who had held the cultural festival on my behalf, that I would prepare this festival. According to Marie Anne, who personally delivered my letter, she asked me ten times whether this was true. Marianne’s face was flushed as she relayed her reaction.
“Everyone is very interested in Madam’s change. But isn’t that a bad thing, rather it feels like everyone is genuinely curious?”
“You don’t have to wonder that much, but it’s burdensome.”
“The eyes of the social world are already focused on you.”
As expected, my transformation garnered social attention. Everyone was curious to hear that the Duchess, who had been living alone in her mansion and not being seen, was participating in social events. And it seems that the residents of my mansion were aware of my changed attitude and spread the word, and party invitations came from some unknown noble families. My external reputation seemed to be slowly increasing, and needless to say, the reactions of the people living in the mansion were good. I was curious about what Pervin thought about my change. Did my change elicit a positive response from him, and did his thoughts about me change in a positive way? But you have to meet him to see his reaction. I couldn’t see Tong Pervin at home. As the emperor’s right-hand man, he was always called in for important matters, and after having dinner with me, he never even had dinner at home. As a late-night sleeper, I dozed off in front of the front door and waited for him, but I always woke up in bed. Last night, I crouched on the front steps until late at night and waited, but I ended up falling asleep without seeing him. Late in the morning, as soon as I opened my eyes in my cozy bed, I could only sigh, ‘I’m failing again.’
“Stop waiting on the front door all night, ma’am. You are harming your body.”
This was what Mrs. Tilly said every morning when she came to wake me up. I got up with her support and asked as I busily got ready.
“How does he feel these days? Do you think you still hate me?”
Mrs. Tilly pursed her lips with a curious look on her face. Her head seemed to be full of things she wanted to say, and all kinds of expressions flashed across her face. Then she spoke carefully.
“In vain she told me not to make the effort… It’s the same.”
After hearing Mrs. Tilly’s report, I bit my lip with regret.
“I still have to work harder.”
“Ma’am, I don’t think we need to do it this way. The master has already…”
When our eyes met, Mrs. Tilly gasped and closed her mouth. She looked like she was receiving orders from someone and was trying hard to swallow what she wanted to say, but she had no intention of forcing it out. However, nothing could be done.
“All right. Then tell him that you won’t make a fuss in front of him anymore. I will never be seen around him like before.”
“I don’t think so, ma’am.”
“I heard you told me not to make any wasted efforts.”
The more she listened to me, the more pale Mrs. Tilly’s face became. In the end, she pretended not to be able to win and quietly spoke out.
“You will be back late all week, and your wife said that no matter how much you wait, it will be of no use.”
“Then my efforts were of no use.”
“Ma’am, do you really not know why you always sleep in the front door and wake up in bed in the morning?”
When I answered that Alfred, the butler, must have moved it, Mrs. Tilly interjected as if she were frustrated.
“Every time, the master carried the lady in his arms and carried her to the bed. “I couldn’t leave my wife on the cold floor for a long time, and I couldn’t leave her in the hands of others, so I always left work during overtime.”
Her unexpected report made me suspect that Mrs. Tilly might be lying. But looking at Mrs. Tilly, who was looking at me with relief, I didn’t think she was lying. Still, it’s really strange. Surely Per Vin didn’t hate me? You said she didn’t want anything to do with me? But why are you treating me like this behind my back?
* * *
Gorgeous imperial palace. Pervin and the Emperor, who were busy processing various documents spread out on the marble table, were sitting facing each other. The Emperor, who was looking at him with his chin resting, made a clicking sound with his fingers. Pervin paid him no attention and busily played with his quill. In the end, the emperor opened his mouth first.
“There’s been an interesting rumor going around these days. This is the first time I’ve heard the Duchess of Carlisle’s name so often in social circles. Did you know?”
“They are talking like that, how could I not know?”
Pervin recalled the countless whispers behind his back over the past few days. It had been a long time since he heard rumors about ‘Irwen’ heard throughout the imperial palace and at various social gatherings.
“Have you heard from the Duchess of Carlisle? Until now, I had handed over the cultural festival that was supposed to be hosted by me to Marchioness Celestine, but this time, the Duchess is said to be hosting the cultural festival herself!”
“It’s not just that. The servants who work at the duke’s residence say that the terrible harsh words have stopped and, above all, the stinging and nasty attitude has changed to a more graceful manner.”
“I heard you fell and got back up. Is there something wrong with your head since then?”
“From the rumors I heard, there was a change in appearance. They say the face itself has changed, but what does that mean…?”
“Changes like this are always welcome. I can’t wait to attend the cultural festival held at the Duke of Carlisle’s residence. Only then will you be able to see the Duchess with your own eyes.”
“More than anything, I am curious about the reaction of Your Majesty, the Duke of Carlisle. When I saw him at the palace, I asked him about it, but he didn’t say anything.”
Conversations about the rumors that Irwen had changed always ended with the question of what her husband, the Duke of Carlisle, really thought. Pervin thought this every time. Why do you want to know what I think? He didn’t even know his true feelings. No, to be precise, he did not want his shaky true feelings to be discovered.
“Pervin. It looks like something has changed in Verma’s princess, right? Should I now call him a loving wife instead of a bad wife? Are you saying that the vitriol has stopped now? And what? Waiting at the front door for you every night?”
The Emperor, full of laughter, tilted his head crookedly. Pervin said she unconsciously fiddled with the wedding ring on the ring finger of her left hand. She was a strange woman. My wife, Irwen, who fell and woke up and everything seemed to have changed. Her cherry-like lips used to spit out only vicious words, but now soft words began to come out. She always gave off a ferocious look that said, “If you touch me, I’ll die!” with her thick makeup, but now she dozes off in front of the front door every night. She is always sitting on the front steps with her mouth slightly open and dozing off. So each time she herself picked Irwen up and carried him into her bedroom. She had her servant move her, but before she knew it, she was moving her with her own hands for some reason. When she is busy with work, why does she ride her horse on her way to her mansion, carry her to her bed, and then go back to her imperial palace and repeat the hard work? Maybe it was because she was so sleepy that she didn’t want anyone to see her pouting and pursing her lips in his arms. Was it because she didn’t want others to see her seductive appearance, with her lips slightly parted as if she was disheveled, every time he lay down on her bed? Pervin’s face turned slightly red as she recalled Irwen’s actions. He didn’t know why this was happening. Was this a new tactic to harass him? Or really… Had the woman herself changed? The Emperor, who was watching him from the side, stuck his tongue out in disbelief.
“Your expression has completely changed. Not a boy in love, really.”
He was surprised because, even though they had been together for many years, she rarely saw Per Wien like her own younger brother. But she was not an unfamiliar face, nor was it the first time she had seen it. Many years ago, the Emperor had seen this face of her Pervin. Even on the day when she first met the Princess of Verma, she had been at a loss as to what to do. The Emperor spoke lightly to him, who looked uncharacteristically embarrassed at her slender figure.
“I heard that the cultural festival that was supposed to be held at Marquis Celestine’s residence has now been decided to be held at your house.”
“I heard so.”
“So…”
The Emperor spoke as if nothing had happened, but his eyes were fixed on him with unusual liveliness.
“I decided to attend too. Of course, the Empress will also be present.”
“Your majesty!”
The Emperor’s visit was not originally scheduled. In particular, it is a great honor and favor for the emperor to visit a place other than the imperial palace. Of course, to the emperor Pervin was more than a friend, more than a brother. The Emperor, who had often visited the Duke of Carlisle’s residence during his bachelor days, had not been there once since Pervin married. He was worried that it might interfere with Perwin’s married life, and he was worried that I might offend his wife Irwen after hearing about her unusual personality. Pervin’s sharp green eyes met her Emperor’s playful eyes. The Emperor shrugged her shoulders and responded.
“Is it rude or not, I’m just curious about how Verma’s princess has changed. In particular, this cultural festival is the first event that she has personally hosted.”
“Irwen may be rude. She was born and raised in a foreign country, and even after her marriage, she had no social activities and stayed at home, so she may have committed acts of disrespect that did not conform to imperial palace etiquette.”
“Well, I guess you can look forward to it. “It is essential to hire the best pianist, and they say they have prepared the best songs.”
“…”
Pervin gave a strange expression that said that couldn’t be possible. And soon, he became secretly indignant at the fact that he knew less about this information than the emperor. Why didn’t Mrs. Tilly tell me these things? Did she even swear an oath of allegiance to Irwen? The emperor gave Pervin a strange look.
“No, her husband, who lives in the same house, knows more than anyone else?”
“…sorry.”
“Why should you apologize? You should apologize to your wife!”
“I don’t think so. I don’t know why Irwen is doing that now, but I’m sure she’s acting on a whim.”
“Look, Pervin! That’s not it.”
The Emperor, who prided himself on being an expert on women’s hearts, confidently gave advice.
“This is her handshake of peace, saying that she will treat your wife well from now on. How fortunate is she that she, who had been acting viciously and spewing out harsh words until now, has finally won over her heart? “She said that God had heard her prayers.”
“…”
The Emperor smiled in anticipation.
“So, try your best, Pervin. Do you know anything? Will a child be born with the blood of the Duchy of Verma and the blood of Carlisle? Then it will be auspicious both nationally and diplomatically. Of course, our bond becomes stronger…”
Pervin, who was quietly listening to the emperor’s excited words, blinked his eyes in silence. He was silently fiddling with the wedding ring on his left hand. I was distraught, but at the same time, my feelings were complicated. He was still wondering how to accept his wife trying to open up his tightly shut feelings.
* * *
Preparations for the cultural festival to be held in three days are almost complete. Invitations were sent out to various noble families, and I was glad to hear that they all willingly came. And even the emperor and empress are said to be in attendance, so what could be better than this! I will show the world Irwen Carlisle, not a bad woman, but a likable person. He was busy writing a letter of gratitude in his room, and several servants came in and out and made reports.
“Ma’am, we have finished setting up the stage in the grand banquet hall. I covered the piano with a large cloth to prevent dust from settling on it.”
“Is it so? I’m always thankful, everyone.”
I just said hello because I was really grateful, but the servants were shocked and everyone left. It seemed like he was still not used to my changed appearance. Mrs. Tilly came rushing over.
“Ma’am, the dress you ordered a few days ago has arrived. Shall I take you to my room?”
“Do by that way.”
“Then please wait in your underwear. I can try it on soon. “If it is too tight or too loose, we will repair it on the spot.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Tilly.”
“…I am more grateful, ma’am.”
I thought I’ve said thank you to her over 300 times now, but it seems like Mrs. Tilly still can’t get used to it. Mrs. Tilly bowed her head sheepishly, helped her take off her dress easily, and left. Once she left, I started taking off her clothes. As I was being served, I became accustomed to taking off my clothes and waiting. Before I knew it, all I had on my body was a pure white slip. I looked at myself in front of the large mirror with my back to the door. It’s embarrassing to say, but no matter how many times I look at my appearance in the mirror, I never get tired of it. This beauty contrasts even more with her white skin and wavy black hair down to her waist. A perfect body that goes in and comes out wherever it goes in. It’s absolutely perfect. While I was immersed in myself in the mirror, someone knocked on the door. I said without taking my eyes off the mirror.
“Come in.”
Squeak. A large seal seen in a mirror. The door opened and Pervin came into my room.
“Irwen.”
I turned around. In his hands was the simple white dress I had ordered. Pervin had just returned from the imperial palace and was dressed in the same black uniform he wore in the morning. My eyes turned to his pale face. I don’t know if it’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen this face. After seeing him for a long time, his face looked even more handsome. Slightly fanned cheeks, a high nose, and his green eyes became sharper. He glanced at my clothes. No, was I just looking at my bare skin exposed by the thin slip? His gaze slowly moved down my face, neckline, collarbone, and chest. I was so embarrassed that I didn’t even notice that his face was getting redder and he was clearing his throat for no reason. I hurriedly covered myself with both arms and pointed toward the door with my chin.
“Isn’t it rude to come in while you’re getting dressed?”
“As your husband, I think it’s okay to break this level of courtesy.”
“Even if it’s just my husband, I have to protect what I have to protect.”
“With Mrs. Tilly always by your side, this is the only time you two have time to be alone. Otherwise, you can’t hold on to a sleeping person and talk next to them.”
I had no choice but to agree with Pervin’s words. It is true that after I woke up, Mrs. Tilly was right next to me as I learned new things about the mansion. When she nodded as if to continue, Per Vin’s red lips touched.
“It’s been a few years since the Duke of Carlisle’s house has been so excited about an event. But, something occurred to me.”
She lightly placed the white dress she was holding on the chair next to the dressing table. She placed her hand on his chair and brushed his hair from his forehead. His lips, the only color on his pale face, were as red as if he had bitten into an apple. He leaned his long body, which was well over 180 centimeters, on a chair and immediately turned his head towards the window. As the setting sun fell lazily on his face, it seemed as if color had returned to his sculpted face. A sculpture is truly a sculpture. In the original work, he wasn’t called the most handsome man in the empire for nothing. Even though I felt like I was dying of nervousness about being left in the room alone with him, I couldn’t take my eyes off him the moment I saw his handsome face. The person who kept biting his lip. Out of frustration, he unbuttoned the button that neatly fastened his neck. The wind exposed my collarbone, which was shaking with strong emotions.
“What the hell are you…”
Pervin, who had been kissing his lips for a while, took a step closer to me. I swallowed dry saliva without realizing it.
“Irwen, why are you doing something you haven’t done before? Are you doing this because you want to be nice to me?”
“No, you’re doing well, so you’re saying such nonsense…”
“Nonsense?”
Suddenly he fixed his sharp, angry eyes on me. Before I could understand the situation, he interrupted me first.
“I don’t know why they bother to do this. There was no need for you to hold a cultural festival. As before, I will leave it at Marquis Celestine’s residence…”
“You said you would fulfill your official duties as a duchess. I will do my duty, but I don’t know why you are saying this. By any chance, do you want me to go back to the way I was before, not working and acting like an asshole? “Your tastes are really strange.”
Although I spoke confidently, I slowly moved backwards. I saw Pervin wipe his face as if he was shocked by what I said. He felt that it would be safer to hide in the bed with the large curtain, so he quickly backed away. I quickly took a step back to avoid him approaching me, but my leg got caught on the edge of his bed. As soon as Per Vin reached out to me, who was falling backwards, his vision instantly turned over.
“Oh!”
The moment I fell flat on my back on the cozy bed. As Fervin reached out to me, a large shadow appeared over my body. I could feel the warmth and weight of the man on my body. Before I knew it, his face was closer to mine. His gaze wavered as if wandering, then he met my eyes directly as if he had made up his mind.
“I think you’re mistaken, but my tastes aren’t strange.”
“I prefer makeup like makeup to a bare face, and I told you not to do that when you said you would do your duty as a duchess. And, let’s get up, it’s heavy.”
When I gently pushed his chest, Pervin stood up. He wasn’t pressing my body, but he was still in a position where he had his legs wrapped around me and his arms wrapped around me. When I looked at him as if asking why he was like this, his eyes shook greatly.
“If I don’t do this, you’ll avoid me, just like before.”
Seeing his face burning red, I thought he said the words without realizing it. As if a stone had been thrown into a quiet pond, the waves shook. Why was he making that face? He hated me anyway. I tried to swallow my trembling voice and responded calmly.
“Since you have no expectations, I guess it won’t matter if I avoid you.”
He let out a heavy sigh.
“You really don’t know anything. It’s difficult to think that I don’t expect anything from you just because I’ve hidden my feelings all this time.”
“So I’m saying I’ll do it, what you expect of me. I will do my job as a Duchess, so why are you dissatisfied?”
“You really don’t know me. Do you really not know what I expect from you?”
Of course, I strained my eyes as if I didn’t know, and he let out a drowsy breath. At that moment, he buried his lips deeply on my neck. He rubbed his lips on my neck as if biting into an apple, and then slowly came up to his face. For a moment, I almost fell in love with the man who showed his sculptural face so seductively, but then I grabbed his collar, frowned, and made eye contact. I could see that his neat uniform was completely disheveled by my touch.
“Why are you suddenly doing this?”
Pervin was looking at me intently. As he lowered his head, a captivating scent passed his nose. As he faced those green eyes staring at me, his heart began to pound uncontrollably. As I looked down from my eyes to my lips, a deep, deep voice came out.
“I heard you are carrying out your official duties as a duchess. Isn’t this what you ultimately want to achieve under the pretext of your mission?”
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
If you like my work please support me with Ko-fi or Patreon. Next post will be released on November, 3.
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