The Archduke’s Gorgeous Wedding Was a Fraud

“… … !”

“I want to have you for twenty-four hours all by myself, without anyone else.”

“Ah… … .”

My pledge not to fall for him more didn’t work out the way I thought. The feelings that have begun to grow once keep trying to grow in size. But wait, is he trying to shake my heart knowing my feelings? Lacius was pouring water over and over again as if…

Wanting my feelings to grow more.

‘However, he would fall in love with the female protagonist just like in the original story.’

I’m not foolish enough to suggest starting a relationship that will only end with me getting hurt.

So I just nodded and didn’t say a word. I did not advance, nor retreat. However, Lacius smiled softly as if that was all right.

* * *

“Do you all know? That girl who showed up out of nowhere was actually a slave.”

A flower garden in full bloom. The young ladies were sitting around a long table topped with a white tablecloth. Everyone, all beautifully dressed, widened their eyes at the whisper of a young lady.

“What?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Are you saying that Sir Lacius got engaged to such a woman?”

“That’s ridiculous.”

The first reaction was negative. However, the person who brought it up did not seem to have any intention of stopping.

“It’s true. Unfortunately, Sir Lacius was tricked. By that woman who hid her origins.”

A firm declaration. There must be evidence to give such a strong affirmation in a society where it is natural to speak in a roundabout manner.

The ladies who opened their fans quickly exchanged glances.

“I can’t understand what you’re saying. How could a former slave hide her identity?”

But no one dared to set foot in the muddy mess recklessly. They are obviously curious about the content, but they can’t attack unless they’re certain. Because the opponent is a person who will soon become the archduchess.

“Of course there is evidence. She is a slave captured in the desert by human traffickers. Everyone, don’t you know who my father is?”

The lady, who threw the topic, raised her voice and fanned. When the word ‘father’ came out, the eyes of the young ladies sitting around changed to acceptance. This young lady’s name is Isabella Genteri. Her father, Viscount Genteri, was a prosecutor. So if he caught a human trafficker, she would have heard about it.

This gathering was different from the gathering of the young ladies whom the princess called dolls and kept by her side; It was more vulgar, uneventful, and inconsequential. They liked unconfirmed rumors and even spread them themselves.

“If that is true…”

“We will bow down to a slave.”

“I can’t stand that.”

Dark, twinkling eyes glanced at each other. The raised corners of their mouths reveal wickedness.

Until now, they have been staying still because they were afraid of the position of future archduchess, but if that’s not the case, there’s no need for that.

“You have to spread rumors like this.”

“For the public good.”

“Right. It’s for the sake of all the nobility of Terran.”

“Again, our shoulders are heavy*.”

*(Shoulders are heavy because of a [heavy] responsibility. The audacity–I can’t)

The whispering lips got busy. What kind of rumors will be spread and how will they be spread?

That was the main focus of those sitting at this table. And a woman listened to their conversation from beginning to end without intervening. Peridot Crisiona, the young lady with her elegant blonde hair, drank her tea in silence.

In fact, this place had a different name.

A regular meeting of the young ladies from the families under the Duke of Crisiona.

Their marriage, life, and divorce are all in the hands of the Crisiona family. A mere accessory to make the brilliance of the Crisiona family last longer.

Peridot held onto all the daughters under her household and regularly checked their loyalty. If they say something wrong here, the repercussions will go right back to their family. Knowing that, the young ladies acted like tongues in Peridot’s mouth.

“A slave has a rightful place.”

“No wonder, she doesn’t look like she’s from Terran.”

“It makes me want to tear out all of her hair. If she were my slave, I would have hung her up and whipped her right away. Ah, how disappointing that I will not be able to teach her of her rightful place.”

The young ladies carefully looked at Peridot and added a word or two.

The biggest predator in this crowd. Reading how Peridot’s expression changes is one of their most important tasks. If no sanctions were imposed, that was a good sign.

“Then, at the masquerade…”

“I look forward to it.”

“It’s a masquerade, so we won’t be recognized.”

In fact, everyone was shocked when Peridot, who was thought to be the future Archduchess, was pushed by a woman who they did not know where had come from.

Of course, Archduke Lacius de Schweiden was not the only man in a great position. There is also the prince. It was still unknown who Peridot would marry, so everyone was careful.

But even so, Archduke Schweiden was officially engaged to another woman. No one thought that would happen.

‘I hid my love for nothing!’

Some young ladies secretly bit their lips. Suppressed jealousy is bound to flare up even with trivial reasons. Titania Oberon was now a public enemy.

* * *

After all the young ladies left, a man walked behind Peridot, who was still enjoying tea alone. The tall man, dressed in clothes made of very luxurious material, was relaxed in his every move. His lips, wearing a soft smile, were red. It was strange as if its redness would smear in your hand if you touch it.

“So did the story end well?”

Beyond the man’s monocle, deep purple eyes shone darkly. Peridot nodded her head without even looking at him.

“Good. Then we just have to wait.”

The man reached for a new teacup and the teapot but a beautiful hand with a ring on it stopped him. It was Peridot.

“Don’t forget, Sir.”

“What?”

“I’m just following my father’s request to listen to what you want.”

“Ah, of course.”

The man, Sir Aragon, narrowed his eyes and laughed.

“Our goals are the same, my lady. You don’t have to be so vigilant.”

“You are wrong if you think I’m being vigilant. It’s just that I’m not happy with this whole situation.”