Ian raised an eyebrow in confusion at my words.
“Escort?”
“Escort.”
Even so, Ian asked again, as if doubting his own ears.
“Are you asking me to accompany you to the season party at the Duke of Brilluze’s estate?”
“Yes.”
Realizing he hadn’t misheard, he tilted his head with an indifferent expression.
“And the reason?”
“It’s part of the lessons, of course.”
I smiled calmly and explained, having already anticipated the question.
“What I need is an ‘image makeover’ for public appearances. There’s nothing more effective at quelling rumors than a couple appearing amicable together at social events.”
“…”
“You promised, remember? First, to act like a proper husband to me.”
You haven’t forgotten already, have you?
Ian rubbed his forehead briefly, looking tired. His expression seemed to say, Why am I going along with this, and what do I get out of it? He closed his eyes for a moment and then reluctantly nodded.
“…As long as there are no other pressing matters, I’ll do it. But I can’t change any prior commitments, so let me know the date and time first, and I’ll confirm.”
‘What’s he going to schedule this time, another business meeting?’
He really never gives a straightforward answer. His wife is clearly a lower priority than his personal agenda.
‘Of course, I don’t care how he treats me, but if he did this to Diana, he wouldn’t escape unscathed.’
I hid my clenched fist behind me and smiled coolly.
“Fortunately, it’s next Sunday, a week from now. You promised to give me your time on weekends, so even if you’re not thrilled about it, you have to escort me.”
“…I suppose that’s true.”
“The day before the party, we’ll be busy picking out clothes, and we won’t have time to spend together after the party either, so… Let’s consider the party as our meeting for that week.”
I shrugged at him.
“I think that’s quite a favorable deal for you, Your Grace. You’re saving time by combining it into one event.”
At my gentle suggestion, Ian briefly lowered his deep blue eyes before lifting them gracefully. As usual, his good looks annoyed me even more.
“Very well.”
Most people would disagree with the notion of ‘saving time’ out of respect for the other person. But not him. Predictable.
“Alright, oh… right.”
“What is it now?”
“Before that, you’ll need to make some time during the week too.”
“I’ll decide after hearing the reason.”
“It’s an extension of the party. I was thinking of calling a jeweler.”
“I heard you already ordered several pieces of jewelry and dresses from the atelier.”
As expected, his reply was sharp.
“Yes, but I need something different this time.”
“And what might that be?”
“I want to match brooches with Your Grace.”
“Is there a reason?”
“To make a fuss.”
“What?”
At his bewildered question, I smiled sweetly.
“To make a fuss. While being escorted by Your Grace.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Naturally, the Duke and Duchess hadn’t worn any couple items, including wedding rings, even once since their marriage.
Ian never understood the point of exchanging such tokens, and Eloise found it bothersome. Most likely, at this very moment, their wedding rings were buried somewhere in a drawer, collecting dust.
‘That’s fine for them, as they’re perfectly matched.’
The real problem would come when Diana returned. Ian would maintain the same attitude even after her arrival. This was an important part of the original story.
About halfway through the plot, Diana returned home after completing her studies abroad and gave Ian a brooch that matched her own as a gift. But this infuriating Ian didn’t spare her feelings and dismissed the brooch as useless.
Ian genuinely thought that the brooch was an ‘unnecessary’ gift.
“I don’t see why I should wear a matching brooch.”
I won’t even bother describing how hurt Diana must have been in that moment.
‘Even now, just thinking about it makes my blood boil.’
And to make things worse, Ian never wore that brooch, not even once before the story ended. His character was truly something.
Because of this, some of Diana’s small but passionate fanbase even made replicas of the brooch, wearing them themselves to make up for what Ian didn’t do.
For the record, I bought ten of them.
‘But now that I’m in this world, over my dead body will I let that scene play out.’
So, I planned to use this opportunity to train him in advance. Sharing a brooch once makes it easier to do it again, right?
“Shall we go with my plan?”
“…So it wasn’t a suggestion, but an order.”
“Of course.”
I smiled shamelessly. Ian looked as if he was at a loss for words.
“Then I’ll send word to the jeweler and let you know once I get a response. Thursday sounds good.”
Just as I was about to pass by him with a parting word, Ian stopped me with his flat voice.
“My lady.”
“Yes?”
His lips remained tightly sealed before he finally spoke.
“The dress… it suits you well.”
…What?
I blinked rapidly, pausing for a moment. Then it dawned on me—he was mimicking what I had said to him earlier.
“When this happens, you’re supposed to say it suits me or that I look beautiful.”
Ian, who had been locking eyes with the air just beside me, gave a short nod.
“I gave you the response you wanted.”
With that, he turned away from me without hesitation. Watching him walk off into the distance, I let out a faint chuckle a beat too late.
‘…Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?’
❖ ❖ ❖
I had Vivi send a message to the capital’s renowned jeweler. The reply came back in less than half a day.
The jeweler would visit the ducal estate around 11 a.m. on Thursday.
A little after the promised time, I left my room to find Ian already waiting for me.
When our eyes met, he spoke in a mechanical voice.
“…Did you sleep well last night? The weather is pleasant.”
I glanced out the window after hearing that. There was no rain, but the sky was dull and overcast for the morning.
“…”
I could already feel the downsides of rote learning setting in.
‘Still, getting him this far is progress.’
I let the minor details slide and smoothly changed the subject.
“Yes, I hear the jeweler is waiting in the reception room on the first floor.”
“…”
“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to take my hand?”
As if it were the most natural thing in the world, I held out my hand to him. After a brief pause, he took my hand, and I led us downstairs.
When we entered the reception room side by side, the jeweler, who had been waiting inside, bowed at a 90-degree angle.
“Your Grace, and Your Highness the Duchess! It is an honor to be summoned!”
“Enough, raise your head.”
“Y-Yes!”
“As I mentioned earlier, I’d like to see brooches that can be worn as a matching pair. Have you prepared them?”
“Of course! Right this way!”
The jeweler hurriedly led us over to the display of jewelry.
“All of the items here are sets designed for couples. Although you asked for brooches, I’ve also prepared necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks, earrings, and rings, just in case. Feel free to browse.”
It was as if he had moved an entire jewelry store here. I couldn’t help but be quietly impressed and tugged Ian closer.
“Your Grace, do you see anything you like?”
“No.”
Ah, if only something could drop from the ceiling and smack him on the head every time Ian gave such short answers.
♧♧♧
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