Episode 8
As I changed into the dress in the fitting room, I abandoned the thought of getting married three more times.
It was understandable because the process of putting on a wedding dress was so complicated. It was nothing like wearing my usual Schmiz dress or Empire dress; it was far more complex.
I was completely absorbed in the process of putting on the wedding dress, adjusting the waist, adding and removing volume.
“It’s tailored perfectly to fit your body. Would you like to see yourself in the mirror?”
Venus turned the full-length mirror that had been set aside toward me. For a moment, the reflection in the mirror was dazzling, causing me to squint slightly. It wasn’t just a figurative expression of being blinded by beauty; it was physically dazzling due to the reflection of light.
The diamonds and soft silk on the dress sparkled like a midsummer beach, reflecting light. I admired my reflection in the mirror as I turned this way and that.
“If you feel the exposure is a bit excessive, you can put on the bolero.”
It was Venus who quickly caught on to me unconsciously feeling around my neck, apparently because this daring exposure was new to me. At her words, another attentive staff member brought over a lace bolero.
“This one wraps around from the shoulders to the wrists, so it’s more seductive, and this one just lightly drapes over the shoulders for more comfort…”
Venus chattered excitedly while trying various things on over the dress.
It’s pretty, but… it would take quite a while to put that on, wouldn’t it…? And it’s lace, so I’d have to be careful not to tear it…
I think I’d just be more comfortable walking around naked.
Ah, now’s the time to try it on once. When will I ever indulge in such exposure again?
“Since it’s summer, it’s fine to just go with this and stay cool.”
“Right? Your shoulder line is so beautiful, Young Lady.”
Venus adorned her neatly tied hair with the wedding veil and spoke.
After putting on lace gloves and a headband with small jewels, all the preparations were complete. The headband was adorned with delicate forget-me-not flowers along with jewels, emitting a purple hue similar to Apollion’s eye color.
Oh… Even though getting married three more times might be a stretch, two more times would be fine…
As I beheld the lovely lady in the mirror, my thoughts changed as swiftly as turning over my hand.
When Venus dampened the curtain on one side of the fitting room, Selena, who had been waiting in place, widened her eyes. Even among the staff, there was a short burst of admiration.
“Oh my goodness! Miss, you’re so beautiful!”
Selena exclaimed, full of admiration.
“Am I? Thank you.”
“Aren’t you an angel? You might just fly up to heaven like this!”
“Stop it, it’s embarrassing.”
Although I said that, I couldn’t help but smirk. Selena, who was teasing me with a spirited expression, really appealed to me. I felt like I should give her a bonus in this month’s paycheck.
It’s delightful banter, think of it as overtime pay and accept it.
After spending the whole day wearing the dress, I collapsed like a freshly harvested seaweed as soon as I arrived at the mansion.
* * *
The heavy footsteps echoed through the mansion corridor. The sound of the footsteps was quite loud, as if it was intentionally disturbing.
“Young Master.”
At the familiar voice, Sonode turned around. The butler of the marquis was standing there.
The fact that he called Sonode meant that the marquis was not in a good mood.
“What is it?”
“The master is waiting for you.”
“…I see.”
Sonode roughly untied his cravat and spoke. Then, along with the butler, he headed to the office of Marquis Quentin.
“my lord, Young Master has arrived.”
“Come in.”
The voice from inside the office was heard as the door opened.
Inside the office, Marquis Quentin’s chief, Lexion Quentin, was focused on his work without even glancing at Sonode entering the office. It was a clear disregard.
“I will prepare some tea.”
“No need, just leave.”
“Understood, my lord.”
The butler, bowing his head respectfully towards the Marquis, also nodded to Sonode and then left the office.
With only the two of them left in the office, the sound of a fountain pen scratching against paper filled the air. In the stifling atmosphere, Sonode spoke first.
“…You called for me.”
The Marquis, laying down his fountain pen slowly, looked at Sonode.
“I heard you met Young Lady of Incladove.”
“….”
“So, what happened?”
The Marquis’s cold eyes were fixed on Sonode. There was no trace of affection for his son in his gaze.
“…I apologize.”
Sonode’s head bowed, and before he could react, the Marquis grabbed a candlestick from the desk and threw it. The candlestick, missing Sonode, made a sharp crack as it hit the wall.
“Do you think I called you here to receive such a half-hearted apology?”
The Marquis snapped. The pressure weighed heavily on Sonode’s shoulders.
“Not only did you fail in this plan, but you also let your fiancée be taken by the Duke. How can you handle any responsibilities like this!”
It was clear that any retort here would only bring further anger. All Sonode could do was close his mouth and bow his head even lower.
“You were so confident. Now you just look pathetic.”
“I have no face.”
Sonode clenched his fist so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Petunia’s protesting period lasted no more than two weeks. After that time passed, she would usually cling to Sonode again.
But this time was different.
Even though she sent letters and visited him in person, the response she received was a rejection. To make matters worse, a few days later, he mentioned that he was planning to marry Duke Theabrite.
“You fool. Didn’t the government say to bring her in after the marriage? You couldn’t wait and had to meet another woman.”
The Marquis clicked his tongue as if Sonode was pitiful.
Meeting other women was not uncommon for Sonode. However, it wasn’t as if he stooped to the level of hiring prostitutes or fooling around. He had his own standards.
Nevertheless, this time was somewhat better than usual. It was only because he got caught exchanging letters with a young lady, Petunia.
Since he never intended to deceive her thoroughly, he didn’t feel particularly sorry. In fact, he made Petunia seem like a strange person.
The excuses and flattery from Sonode’s brazen face were part of Petunia’s daily routine, and she, misunderstanding, once again clung to him, apologizing. Up to this point, everything was as usual.
After all, Sonode wasn’t really interested in Petunia. Petunia was merely a useful tool for bringing down the ducal family, nothing more or less.
If this plan succeeded, he could sever ties with the Viscount Incladove, whom he had to hold hands with. If the plan failed, as always, he could return to her. Petunia was nothing more than insurance for him.
However, reality was different from his expectations. She didn’t accept Sonode, and in the short time since, she was on the verge of marrying Duke Theabrite.
Since the fault lay with Sonode, and he was the one who first sent the divorce papers, it was natural that he had nothing to say.
Nevertheless, despite all this, the reason he shamelessly sought out Petunia was one: he knew that her love for him over the years had been blind. That’s why he could be confident.
But the words that came out of Petunia’s mouth were too unexpected.
‘Sorry, but I have no feelings for you. Without feelings, there’s no lingering attachment, and there’s no such thing as revenge you think I’m strongly pursuing.’
Her behavior, which he had interpreted as an attempt to provoke him, was nothing but his misconception.
For some reason, her sudden change of heart infuriated him.
“When is the wedding?”
“It’s going to be held at the palace outdoor banquet hall in a week,” the Marquis said, stroking his chin with his hand. It was a habit of his when lost in thought.
“Have you received an invitation?”
“No… I haven’t.”
“Well, it’s not like it’s someone worth inviting to a good day.”
“…”
“Without an invitation, you won’t be able to get in. Even if you had one, it’s not easy to enter the palace…”
A smirk appeared on the Marquis’s face.
“You’ve lost a good opportunity.”
“…”
“Well, there are plenty of other influential families that could be of help to us, even if it’s not Incladove.”
“…”
“It’s just that it bothers me to see the enemy grow stronger. If it were Incladove, he would surely be a reliable ally.”
“Sorry…”
“It’s done. It’s no use crying over spilt milk.”
“… “
“We may not be able to pick up what’s spilled, but we might be able to make amends.”
“… This time, I’ll handle it properly.”
“I’ll trust you.”
“Thank you.”
The Marquis didn’t respond to Sonode’s words. He just picked up the fountain pen he had temporarily put down.
In response to the familiar cue, Sonode greeted appropriately and then left the office. Betrayal towards Petunia was brewing in his heart.
