Episode 7
“What… wait, what are you saying?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know.”
“Pretend? Whether I know or not, it doesn’t matter!”
“Knowing that I regard Apollion as a thorn in my side, intentionally…”
I hadn’t even heard a single word, but my spine already felt like it was being pulled.
“Hey, let’s step aside for now. Let’s not stand in the middle of the road and talk.”
I grabbed Sonode’s wrist and led him to a place where there were no people. I smiled reassuringly at Selena, who was rolling her eyes from afar. The quick-witted servant started moving the carriage to the side of the road.
Feeling a chill down my spine, I turned back and saw Sonode looking down at my hand that he was holding, smiling. I quickly pulled my hand away from him.
“Sonode, I won’t beat around the bush. I told you not to misunderstand back then. But why do you keep doing this?”
“Why am I doing this? Because it’s what I want to say. Why are you suddenly doing things you didn’t do before?”
“Things I didn’t do before?”
“Why are you so different from usual?”
“How should I react then?”
“…”
“Do I have to cry, beg, or cling to your coattails like I used to?”
“…”
He had no answer to what stung him. There’s nothing certain in this world, but Sonode, who took Petunia’s clinging for granted, annoyed me to no end.
“Sonode, our relationship ended long ago. If there’s any regret, it should be you begging and pleading, not me.”
“Huh, regret? From me? To you?”
“That’s why you’re annoyingly begging, isn’t it? Going as far as blocking the carriage?”
Sonode let out a mocking laugh as if he found it amusing. Who’s the ridiculous one here?
“It’s been how long since we broke up, and now you’re marrying someone else?”
“Who I marry and when is none of your concern.”
“You were my fiancée.”
“Not anymore.”
In noble circles, every betrothal required the approval of the royal family. The same applied to a breakup, and our relationship ended cleanly when I submitted the breakup documents signed by me to the royal family.
“Don’t you have any manners? It’s been less than a month since we broke up. Even decent noble ladies observe a period of restraint.”
Restraint? Like I’m some celebrity caught drunk driving.
Is this like writing a heartfelt reflection letter to return to society? Someone might think I’ve committed some serious crime.
“And to top it off, it’s not just anyone, but Apollion Theabrite. Do you even have any thoughts… Incladove’s customs are a complete mess.”
“What are you saying?”
Even in a street brawl, you shouldn’t bring up family matters. Of course, my true identity had nothing to do with the Incladove family, but I had formed a bond during my nearly two-month stay here.
If it weren’t for the kindness of the Count’s kind-hearted people, I wouldn’t have been able to adapt to this world. I couldn’t just sit quietly and listen to them curse the entire family when I had received their kindness.
“It seems like Quentin educates its people in proper manners? Your sarcastic remarks are quite top-notch. Very cultured.”
“…”
An eye for an eye. As I mocked the Quentin family, Sonode’s eyebrows twitched uncomfortably. Does someone who knows they’re being offensive speak like that?
Approaching him, I said, “Sonode, sorry, but I have no feelings for you. Without feelings, there’s no lingering attachment, and certainly no desire for revenge like you’re deluding yourself with.”
“In that case, why marry the Duke?”
“That person, I like them.”
“Nonsense. Are you insane to marry that monster?”
Again, the irritating talk of a monster.
“He’s a grotesque human with a decaying face. Oh, perhaps he’s not even human. With that face and power, he’s closer to a demon than a human.”
How can they speak such nonsense when they’ve never seen his face behind the mask?
“Aren’t you scared? What are you going to do if that disgusting curse spreads?”
Oh, so this is what they mean by hearsay. Even in a world without the internet or TV, rumors spread so quickly and exaggeratedly.
“Watch your words. Stop spreading baseless rumors.”
“Did I say something wrong? How do you know if it’s baseless or not?”
In truth, Sonode was right. There was no way to explain that Apollion wasn’t a monster, that the curse wasn’t a plague. It was something only I could be certain of because I knew the original work.
In the end, there was only one answer.
“…We’ll find out if it’s baseless or not when we live together.”
At that, Sonode’s face stiffened. It seemed more like he was taken aback by the unexpected response than angry.
“…Were you always this ambitious for power?”
This time, he seemed to think I was coveting the position of the Duchess.
“Sonode, I have no interest in hating you or in the power the Duchess holds. So stop spreading ridiculous rumors about me going mad from heartbreak or seeking revenge by partnering with him. It’s unpleasant.”
“…Fine.”
“The manners you didn’t learn in Ingledove, you can learn them in Theabrite. I have a schedule, so I must be going.”
“Wait,”
Sonode, who had been stupidly frozen, suddenly blocked my way. I had come out earlier than planned, but now I really didn’t have time to delay.
“If you have anything else to say, can you send someone to the mansion? I’m really busy right now.”
Because the wedding is coming soon. His expression cooled at my remark.
I took out a pocket watch from my bosom and checked the time. If I left now, I could arrive at the boutique without being late.
“One last thing I’d like to ask.”
“Why, again? What!”
“Do you really have… no feelings at all? Not even a little bit of lingering affection?”
“What have you heard up until now?”
If you can’t hear, you should dig your ears, seriously. Seeing that he didn’t seem to understand anything, it seemed like it might be necessary to dig his ears with a ladle. Surely a big lump of earwax would come out.
“How can a person suddenly…”
“Suddenly? Sonode, think with your heart.”
I took Sonode’s hand and personally placed it on his chest.
“Think about what you did to me. Being caught cheating with other women, always putting our promises second, and whenever you got scolded by the elders of the family, you took it out on me. Until I cried and begged.”
“…”
“After going through all that, why would I like you?”
I let go of Sonode’s hand and walked past him. Then, as if suddenly remembering something to say, I turned my body with exaggerated gestures.
Approaching Sonode stealthily, I whispered softly in his ear.
“Seeing you go this far, it seems this plan… has failed miserably.”
“…!”
Sonode’s eyes widened as if he had been caught revealing an important secret.
I’ve read the original work and even the R-rated side stories, so how could I not see through such shallow tricks?
“Don’t use our family for your plans to ruin Theabrite in the future. Well, I won’t have to face you anymore anyway.”
After giving him a cold stare, I turned towards the carriage.
For a moment, Sonode’s pupils were shaking restlessly.
I got into the carriage with the escort of the knights. Perhaps because time was running out, the coachman drove the horses quickly.
“Miss, you must be tired. Lean back a bit.”
Selena placed a cushion behind my head and said.
“Thank you.”
She’s such a thoughtful person. I admired Selena’s consideration and leaned my head against the soft cushion.
It hadn’t been long since I came out, but fatigue overwhelmed me already. I had a feeling that today was going to be a very long day. I closed my eyes for a moment, clearing my mind of the rising distractions.
* * *
“Young lady, I’ve been waiting for you.”
As I stepped out of the carriage, all the staff from the boutique were waiting for me in front of the store.
“Yes, it’s nice to see you.”
Although I greeted them as if everything was normal, it wasn’t. I wasn’t some chaebol heiress from a drama. The first-time treatment as a guest was quite overwhelming.
Guided by the staff, I entered the boutique, which was empty. It seemed like a place only for the upper class. It was decided that no other guests except me would be received today.
Indeed, the Duke of Theabrite. The taste of capital through his name was incredibly sweet.
Madame Venus, the owner and chief designer of the boutique, sat in front of me and chattered for a while. Frankly, it was annoying, but I didn’t show it. This was also a kind of service spirit to attract customers.
Knowing that it was all about eating and living, I played along at the right timing. Although it was a soulless response, Madame Venus seemed quite satisfied.
“Oh my, I’ve been rambling unnecessarily. Shall we take a look at the dresses now?”
“Yes.”
Please. Please let me confirm.
The words I was eagerly waiting for came out only after a long time passed. Already drained by Sonode’s influence, I was almost physically exhausted.
When Madame clapped twice, the curtains rustled and parted from the center. Hanging on the mannequin in the center was a stunning wedding dress.
“Wow…”
I was so captivated that I forgot I was halfway fed up with Madame.
The dress I had ordered was a strapless design with a voluminous ball gown skirt. Made of organza silk, the dress had an overall lush and airy feel.
Dozens of transparent diamonds were delicately crafted around the chest, changing colors depending on the angle of light, which was incredibly beautiful.
Honestly, with this level of beauty, I felt like I could get married three more times, even if it cost me nothing. Moreover, the dress was free of charge.
If it’s free, I’ll go crazy again.
“Would you like to try it on?”
“Oh, yes.”
Thanks to Madame leading me to the fitting room, I snapped out of it. I hadn’t even reported the marriage yet, and I was thinking of doing it three more times. What a blasphemous thought for a new bride.
Pull yourself together. If marriage is four times, divorce is three times.
With that thought echoing in my mind, I entered the fitting room.
