If I was Going to Regret It Anyway

“Will you be okay?”

 

“Huh? What do you mean?”

 

“I mean, will you be able to attend? You… you’re not well.”

 

Daryl spoke with a hint of discomfort. There was indeed a possibility that the same thing could happen again if she appeared in front of many people.

 

“…I’ll be fine.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“Yes. It’s an invitation sent directly by Her Majesty the Empress, I can’t refuse.”

 

“You have a valid reason not to go. Her Majesty the Empress saw you collapse last time…If you explain, she will understand.”

 

“No, I can go. It’s been months since that happened, and I’ve been fine lately.”

 

“…Are you sure?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Eleanor said with a smile. It wasn’t a baseless claim. Compared to that time, her physical condition was better now, and she was much more stable mentally.

 

Moreover, the seizure happened when she started dancing with the Crown Prince in front of many people after separating from Daryl. When she was with Daryl before that, there was no problem even if she received attention. Especially when she was on good terms with Daryl like now.

 

Above all, Eleanor wanted to go to the banquet that day.

 

Maybe Daryl would give her the aquamarine necklace that day. Saying happy birthday… Then she could wear that necklace to the banquet.

 

Realizing that she had such a hope in her heart, Eleanor was surprised. Despite promising not to expect anything, she was so excited about just one birthday present…

 

Contrary to Eleanor’s feelings, Daryl still looked unconvinced.

 

“But if you collapse again…”

 

“I’ll be fine. I started feeling unwell when I was dancing with His Highness the Crown Prince… Everyone knows that I collapsed while dancing that time, so if I ask for understanding in advance and don’t dance, I’ll be fine.”

 

At Eleanor’s words, Daryl made a strange expression.

 

“…You started feeling unwell when you were dancing with the Crown Prince? It wasn’t because you were dancing with me?”

 

“Huh? Yes. That’s why I told you that time. I said I’d rest a bit and then dance…”

 

She explained with a puzzled face, but it seemed that Daryl didn’t hear the rest of her words. Daryl was murmuring to himself with a thoughtful face.

 

“What is it, was that so… then… no, still…”

 

“Daryl? What’s wrong?”

 

When Eleanor spoke, Daryl suddenly came to his senses.

 

“Oh, no. It’s nothing.”

 

“It’s okay. I can go. If I feel unwell again, I can rest in the lounge.”

 

Seeing Daryl looking worried, Eleanor emphasized again. Daryl was silent for a moment, his eyes downcast.

 

“…Then let’s see the doctor first. If Hardy says it’s okay, then we’ll decide to go.”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

Eleanor said with a broad smile.

 

****

 

Fortunately, the family doctor, Hardy, gave permission to attend the banquet.

 

“For ultimate treatment, some training is necessary. I think it would be better to get used to smaller gatherings gradually… but if you feel unwell, go to a place without people and rest immediately. I will prescribe medicine for emergencies.”

 

When the decision to attend the party was made, she could feel her heart fluttering uncontrollably. Suddenly, a concern she had never had before came to mind.

 

‘What should I wear that day?’

 

She didn’t expect to regret not buying a new dress since the wedding. After a few days of restlessness, Eleanor finally decided to seek professional help.

 

“It’s been a while, Eleanor. What’s the rush for inviting me today? Oh, I’m not complaining. I’m just happy. You know that, right?”

 

Marianne, who she hadn’t seen in a while, was as cheerful as ever.

 

“Well, actually, I decided to go to a party at the palace next Saturday.”

 

“Oh, is that so? Are you feeling better now?”

 

Marianne had also expressed concern about Eleanor collapsing at the palace party before. Eleanor smiled with a slightly embarrassed expression.

 

“Yes, I’m fine now. Anyway, so…”

 

“Yes, Eleanor. Go ahead.”

 

“I’m embarrassed to ask, but could you help me choose a dress to wear that day?”

 

“Oh my.”

 

Marianne’s eyes widened for a moment, then she grinned.

 

“You’ve come to the right person. Of course, I’ll help. You said next Saturday? If we get it tailored today, we’ll have plenty of time. Let’s go to a boutique right away.”

 

“Huh? Aren’t we choosing from the dresses we already have?”

 

“Of course not. What are you talking about? You haven’t bought a new dress since your wedding, except for the ones you had tailored for the wedding. Even then, you insisted on doing the bare minimum. You have… what, five dresses for parties? It’s absolutely unacceptable for the Duchess of Griffith to wear a dress she’s worn before to a place like a palace party.”

 

“But I’m a bit hesitant to go out all of a sudden…”

 

“Then let’s call the tailor to the mansion like last time. If it’s a request from the Duchess, they’ll come running in a month. Just wait a moment. I’ll contact them right away.”

 

Without giving Eleanor a chance to stop her, Marianne immediately took action. A few hours later, the tailor Marianne had called arrived at the mansion. It was the same tailor who had made the dress for the wedding. After a heated discussion with her, Marianne decided to tailor three dresses.

 

“Um, Marianne. It’s just one day, do we need to tailor three dresses?”

 

“Oh, of course. You never know what dress you’ll want to wear on the day. If you think about it, three dresses are not enough. I only tailored three this time because you insisted so much.”

 

Marianne said sternly.

 

“Now that we’ve decided on the dresses, we need to choose the jewelry. The jeweler will be here in a moment.”

 

At that, Eleanor’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

“Huh? No. I don’t need to buy new jewelry. I already have plenty.”

 

“But I’ve already called…”

 

“I’m sorry, but please contact them again and tell them it’s okay not to come. Besides, I already have some jewelry in mind…”

 

Eleanor inadvertently said that and blushed. Oh my goodness. What did I just say?

 

“Oh, is that so? What is it?”

 

“…..”

 

Why did I say that? It’s not even confirmed that it’s my gift yet. When Eleanor didn’t answer, Marianne tilted her head in confusion.

 

“Duchess?”

 

“…It’s an aquamarine necklace. Decorated with several layers of gold chain and small diamonds…”

 

Despite that, the reason Eleanor told Marianne was because she wanted to avoid the situation of wearing a dress that didn’t match the necklace if she received it by any chance.

 

“Oh, aquamarine. That’s a good choice. It matches the color of your eyes and the atmosphere as well. Can you show it to me?”

 

“Ah, I don’t have it yet…”

 

“Is that so? It seems you haven’t placed the order long ago. Show it to me as soon as it arrives. Let’s see, what should we do with the dress…”

 

Marianne began to ponder with a serious expression. Eleanor cooled her hot cheeks with her hands.

 

****

 

June 18th arrived. Eleanor began to get ready in the afternoon. Marianne had been helping Eleanor every few days since that day. Today, she was also checking each step of her transformation process.

 

“Thank you so much, Marianne. For helping me so much…”

 

“Don’t mention it. It’s only natural. You’ve shown enthusiasm for the first time in a while, how could I not help?”

 

Marianne winked at Eleanor in the mirror.

 

“Miss Pattinson. Please tailor a dress for Lady Jennings here as well. It’s not enough for a return gift, but I want to express my gratitude in this way.”

 

Eleanor spoke to the tailor who was checking the fit of the dress. The tailor looked up and smiled.

 

“Yes, I understand. Duchess.”

 

“Oh, you didn’t have to… But I can’t refuse such a thing. Thank you, Eleanor.”

 

Eleanor also smiled at the cheerful Marianne.

 

“It’s done. Take a look.”

 

The tailor stepped back.