INSCM 12

Chapter 12: Wedding Preparations (3)

“I have no intention of doing that.”

Aracila firmly denied it. She didn’t seem to have any thoughts of canceling the marriage over the dowry.

“I can provide the dowry as they demand. It’s quite a lot, and it stings a little, but it’s not like I don’t have the money.”

As Damian silently stared at her, she held up two fingers.

“There’s something else that bothers me.”

She folded one finger down.

“First, do we absolutely have to live in the Vandermir estate after marriage? Let’s just find a new house.”

“That’s not possible. I’ve been away from the ducal territory for too long, and my influence within the family is weak. At the very least, I need the Vandermir mansion in the capital under my control.”

It wasn’t as if Damian insisted on living in his current residence simply because he wanted to.

It was a necessary move to secure a minimum foothold within his family.

For instance, Albert, his current butler, was from a lineage that had served as butlers to the Vandermir Dukes for generations.

Once he inherited the ducal title, people like Albert would be invaluable allies.

“Well, fine. That’s a reasonable explanation.”

She folded down her second finger.

“Then, second. If I comply with their demands too easily, they’ll think I’m an easy target. What do you think will happen after we give in to this dowry demand?”

Even if the dowry issue was solved with money, yielding too easily would only invite more trouble.

The Vandermir family wasn’t financially struggling, so once the dowry was settled, another unreasonable demand would surely follow.

“Besides, I have to handle all these marriage-related issues alone. If my family finds out, they’ll oppose the marriage, saying they can’t send me into such a family. They all love me too much.”

This wasn’t a marriage where the Hugo Marquisate or Aracila stood to gain nothing.

There was no reason for them to endure excessive demands just to marry off their beloved second daughter.

Besides, hadn’t her family already accepted that Aracila had no intention of marrying in the first place?

If things continued like this, they would try to persuade her to remain single rather than go through with the wedding.

Aracila had no intention of facing opposition from both the Vandermir family and her own.

“Prepare only half of the dowry, the house, and the dowry gifts. I’ll take care of the rest.”

After a moment of contemplation, Damian spoke in a subdued tone.

Aracila wasn’t wrong about anything she had said.

The Vandermirs weren’t the type to show mercy just because one played nice.

If anything, they would exploit that kindness to torment her even more.

If this contract marriage was to remain intact, he needed to protect Aracila proactively.

“From now on, if any issues arise, inform me immediately. I’ll take care of them. You don’t have to do anything.”

Damian wanted to make sure she had no room to change her mind about the marriage.

However, her response as she casually prepared to leave was unexpected.

“Why do you keep telling me to do nothing? Aren’t we now comrades on the same ship? We should face difficulties together.”

It was an offhand remark, yet it struck a chord within him.

Especially for someone like Damian, who had always fought alone.

Just as he found himself pausing, lost in thought, Aracila spoke again.

“Besides, I’m not the type to sit back and let things happen to me. I can’t rest easy unless I pay back everything I receive twice over. So don’t take away my fun of putting people in their place.”

“…I won’t.”

Feeling strangely drained, Damian rubbed his temple with his palm.

Aracila flashed a bright smile.

“Still, don’t worry. I’m not the kind of person who charges in recklessly. As long as it’s within what I can tolerate, I’ll cooperate accordingly.”

“And how much is that?”

“Let’s see… maybe about as much as your level of rudeness?”

“You must have very little patience, then.”

“It’s actually overflowing. My heart is so soft, I don’t know how I’ll survive in this world.”

Aracila spoke without the slightest blink of an eye, her words dripping with shamelessness.

Damian let out a small, incredulous laugh.

“I’ll be going now. Next time, make sure to keep your subordinates in check. And clean your ears better.”

With a small nod, she clicked the door shut behind her as she left.

Left behind, Damian muttered under his breath.

“She really is something else.”

Meanwhile, at the Hugo Marquisate

The Marchioness of Hugo had always had a romantic vision for her daughter’s wedding.

A warm, joyful atmosphere where they leisurely chose a wedding dress and accessories together, visited venues to pick the perfect location, and stayed up late at night discussing how the ceremony would unfold.

However, with her wild second daughter being the first among her children to get married, that dream had been completely shattered.

Instead, she was scrambling to prepare the wedding as if being chased by debt collectors, all while having to nag her indifferent daughter into participating.

“It’s your wedding, at least show some enthusiasm.”

Today, once again, she had dragged a reluctant Aracila to the boutique and sighed in exasperation.

“If you appear the slightest bit lacking at your wedding, people will tear you apart with gossip.”

“Then I’ll go and tear them apart myself.”

From behind the curtain, where she was trying on a wedding dress, Aracila’s voice rang out.

Hearing her carefree response, the Marchioness clutched the back of her neck and sank onto the sofa.

“Oh dear, what am I going to do with you? I always thought Iris would be the first to get married.”

Her gaze, filled with regret, turned toward her eldest daughter, who had accompanied them.

She had planned to marry off her composed and dignified Iris first while keeping Aracila by her side.

But with the situation having flipped completely, she found herself worrying in a whole different way.

“She only talks like that playfully, but Ari will do well, Mom.”

“Yes, I should believe that. Still, once you get married, that will be all my children settled. Do you have a young man in mind? Or should I contact Madame Kelly?”

Madame Kelly was a renowned matchmaker in the capital’s social circles. Countless couples had been brought together by her hands.

Iris hesitated for a brief moment before smiling gently and shaking her head.

“I’ll start looking slowly. If I don’t find anyone suitable, I’ll let you know.”

“Alright, alright. Iris, you always handle things well on your own, even without saying anything.”

“Wouldn’t it be hilarious if in the end, my sister doesn’t get married?”

At the teasing voice, the Marchioness’s gaze sharpened.

“Aracila, I told you to watch your words. Don’t jinx your sister’s future.”

At the stern warning, silence fell behind the curtain.

The Marchioness then turned back to her eldest daughter, taking her hand.

“Iris, you’re all I have. You know that, right? I have the highest expectations for you.”

“Yes, I know. Don’t worry.”

“I can’t tell you how relieved I am to have you.”

Her youngest son was still far too young, and her second daughter had never been one to listen.

Without Iris, who was always mature and considerate of her parents’ wishes, the Marchioness would have found things unbearably difficult.

“Mom, stop putting so much pressure on my sister.”

The curtain parted, revealing Aracila in a wedding dress.

The Marchioness narrowed her eyes and stepped toward her.

“Then why don’t you try being at least half as responsible as your sister? You never listen to me, but you sure have a lot to say!”

“Ouch.”

Aracila winced as her mother smacked her lightly on the back.

Straightening her daughter’s shoulders, the Marchioness carefully examined the dress.

The tube-top neckline suited Aracila’s long, elegant neck well.

A boutique employee clipped the excess fabric at the waist, adjusting the fit.

“It’s nice, but the neckline is too low. Wedding dresses look best when they are modest.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I do, so don’t argue. Let’s look at another dress.”

As the Marchioness walked off with the staff to find a new dress, the sisters were left alone.

Iris approached her younger sister.

“Seeing you in a wedding dress makes it feel real—you’re actually getting married.”

“How do I look? Am I okay?”

“Yes, you look beautiful. It suits you well.”

“Thanks, Sis. But honestly, I look good in anything.”

At her sister’s confident response, Iris chuckled softly, but her gaze carried a touch of melancholy.

“I’m glad it’s a love marriage, but… it feels a bit strange. You didn’t even tell me about it until now.”

“Sorry. Secret romances are best kept completely secret—it makes them more thrilling.”

Aracila blatantly lied with an easy, shameless expression.

But given her personality, it was believable enough that Iris didn’t find it strange.

“Well, at least it’s not a political marriage. If it were, I’d be the one wearing that dress, not you.”

“Why? I could’ve been the one in a political marriage.”

“I wouldn’t have let that happen. There’s no way I’d sacrifice you to a political marriage.”

At those words, Aracila stared at her sister.

She, too, was against sacrificing family for the sake of arranged marriages.

But because Iris had always lived by yielding to her siblings, her words carried a different weight.

“So, it’s okay if you’re the one sacrificed?”

“That’s not what I meant, Ari.”

“Yes, it is. Otherwise, why would you be the one to marry in a political arrangement instead of me?”

“Because… you have dreams.”

Iris gently stroked her younger sister’s shoulder as she spoke in a quiet voice.

“As your older sister, it’s my job to help you achieve them.”

“Don’t you have dreams too? You must have something you want.”

“…I don’t really know.”

Iris took a small step back, smiling faintly.

Ever since childhood, Aracila’s dream had always been to become a mage.

In contrast, Iris had never had a clear dream of her own.

Perhaps that was why her younger sister, who ran forward with a clear goal, always seemed to shine so brightly.

“If I had to choose, I suppose marrying well could be considered my dream.”

“That’s not your dream—that’s Mom’s dream.”

Aracila’s immediate retort left Iris unable to refute it.

Holding onto her now visibly conflicted sister, Aracila spoke firmly.

“You should find your own dream. You’re still young. You’re at an age where you can do anything, not just get married.”

Iris was only a year older than Aracila.

If she wanted, she could challenge herself to do anything.

“My own dream…”

It was an unfamiliar thought for Iris, who had always lived as the daughter fulfilling her parents’ expectations and the elder sister supporting her younger siblings.

“Aracila, try this dress on.”

Just then, the Marchioness returned with the boutique staff, holding a new gown.

Their conversation naturally faded away.

But for the rest of the time spent shopping for Aracila’s wedding dress, Iris couldn’t fully focus.

 

 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ✧: *. ꕥ .* :✧ﾟ. ───