The rumor spread quickly. So quickly, in fact, that as soon as Diana returned to the mansion after parting ways with Kayden, Madam Deshu was waiting for her.
“You’re still here, Madam.”
“The viscount has filled my schedule until Milady’s wedding! We’re starting on the wedding dress today, so come on in!”
“…Wedding? Whose wedding?”
“Whose else? Of course, your wedding with His Highness the Third Prince!”
Madam Deshu laughed merrily as if she had heard an amusing joke and grabbed Diana. Just before Diana was plunged into the tub brought by her assistant, Melli, she urgently protested.
“Madam Deshu, could it be that you’ve heard some mistaken news? I just met His Highness for the first time a few hours ago.”
“Time is not important. What matters is that the third prince, who has ignored all women until now, proposed to you with a flower!”
“No, I’ve never been proposed to—”
“You will be soon. Starting tomorrow, the courtships will begin. I swear on my name.”
Despite Diana’s earnest protests, she was entirely ignored. In the end, she resigned herself and allowed them to take care of her. Madam Deshu chattered about adding a purple ribbon to the flower Kayden had given her and only left late at night.
Finally alone, Diana sat on the bed in a guest room that the viscount had arranged for her with a smile that reached his ears.
Perhaps it’s thanks to the viscount’s preparations, but it seems most people believe our meeting was a coincidence.
The viscount had hired some people in advance to spread the word. By the afternoon, newspapers with headlines like ‘Is the illegitimate child of Sudsfield becoming Cinderella?’ were circulating the streets. On top of that, the nobles, excited by Kayden’s uncharacteristically affectionate behavior, spread the rumor like wildfire.
By the time she woke up the next morning, the entire capital would likely be fooled by this romance masquerade. Diana sighed lightly, thinking of this.
Of course, Rebecca won’t be easily deceived. She will continue to suspect.
So, while staying at the imperial palace as the third prince’s wife, she had to appear as if she knew nothing and was deeply in love. The thought that Kayden was the object of this ‘love’ made her shiver involuntarily.
“…”
In the dim room lit by a faint reddish candle, she sat curled up on the bed, gently touching the hair ornament made from the flower Kayden had given her, now adorned with a ribbon.
“Let’s say I fell for you at first sight. It’s closer to the truth, I think.”
“From now on, I look forward to our time together, Diana.”
The sunlight, the breeze, the faint warmth she felt right beside her. Remembering the events of the day made her feel dizzy.
She carefully placed the hair ornament on the nightstand and blew out the candle.
* * *
The next morning, at an hour so early to the point it was almost embarrassing to call it morning, Diana was woken by Madam Deshu after only a few hours of sleep.
Barely awake, she was dragged to the bathroom, muttering, “Madam…”
“Yes, yes. I’m here. Do you have a favorite scent? I forgot to ask yesterday.”
“Please, let me sleep a bit more…”
“Unfortunately, no. Melli, bring the oil over here.”
With Madam Deshu’s firm tone, Diana had no choice but to get into the bathtub, almost in tears. When she finally finished bathing and emerged, the sky was already bright.
Why does it seem so noisy outside?
Sitting at the dressing table, Diana tilted her head in confusion. She perked up her ears and realized that the commotion seemed to be coming from the front gate of the mansion. As she was pondering this, there was a knock on the door, followed by the voice of a maid.
“Milady, may I come in?”
“Come… in.”
As Diana replied clumsily, a maid she had never seen before entered with a flushed face, bowing. “His Highness the Third Prince has sent flowers and asked if Milady would join him for tea on Parmangdi Street today!”
“Oh my, oh my!”
“Oh my goodness! Milady, didn’t I tell you? The proposals would start today! Good thing we were prepared, or we wouldn’t have made it in time!”
Melli and Madam Deshu clapped their hands in delight.
Feeling extremely embarrassed, Diana stood up. “Where are the flowers?”
“They’re piled up near the entrance. There were too many to bring into your room.”
“Piled up? What…?”
Expecting only a bouquet, Diana was stunned as she stepped out of the room. She leaned over the railing and lost her words for a moment.
“…What is all this?”
Blue mini delphiniums, pale pink catalina roses, white starflowers, and countless other types filled the first-floor hall. People carrying armfuls of flowers were still coming through the wide-open front door.
Noticing this, the viscount, who had been supervising the servants with a satisfied expression, looked up and spotted Diana. Smiling broadly, he waved at her. “What are you doing up there? Come down. All of these were sent by His Highness for you.”
Reluctantly, Diana saw Millard standing next to the viscount, scowling. Though she didn’t want to go down, she had no other choice. It seemed better to leave the mansion quickly and wait for Kayden, even if it meant waiting for a long time.
“Good morning, Patriarch, Milord.”
Diana greeted them politely before examining the flowers. She noticed many of them matched the colors of her hair and eyes, which made her feel oddly moved despite knowing it was all an act to deceive others.
Even though it’s a marriage of convenience, he’s very considerate… He must be a kind person at heart. Feeling slightly flustered, Diana fiddled with the petals.
Millard, who had been watching the scene with an unpleasant expression, finally couldn’t hold back and spoke. “Father, why haven’t you thrown out these gaudy things yet?”
“Gaudy? We should not disregard the sender’s sincerity.”
“The problem is the sender is the third prince! He’s our enemy!” Millard, with his face flushed in anger, shouted.
Viscount Sudsfield waved the servants away and placed a hand on Millard’s shoulder, whispering softly. “Son, the third prince is blinded by ridiculous love and is making a big mistake. Isn’t it fortunate for us that he’s wasting the chance to build reliable allies?”
Diana, who had heard everything thanks to her enhanced senses, admired the political acumen.
“Of course, we’ll have to give him the nominal dowry, but that won’t overturn the game.”
“But…”
“The victory belongs to the first princess. So, be nice to her for now, and don’t let her have any foolish ideas.”
Millard eventually agreed with a nod.
Diana thought the viscount resembled a chameleon, flitting from side to side. Moreover, he was skilled. By explaining the situation to Millard in such a way, he avoided telling the truth, which could have easily reached Rebecca.
Strangely, he can see through people in situations like this.
Shaking her head, Diana wondered if there were still more flowers arriving and peeked outside. At that moment, a young man in a different outfit entered through the open door.
“Is anyone here? The first princess has sent a letter to Viscount Sudsfield.” The young man tipped his hat slightly and handed over a letter.
Hearing the first princess’s name, the viscount’s face stiffened briefly before he smiled and took the letter. After the messenger left, he opened the letter.
“What is it, Father?” Millard asked with anticipation.
The viscount forced a cheerful smile as he answered. “The first princess congratulates us on the possibility of becoming in-laws and suggests we have a meal together with Diana today at lunch.”
“Really? We need to start preparing right away. I’ll go get ready.” Millard, blushing with excitement, rushed upstairs.
Diana, upon hearing that the first princess had invited her, froze for a moment. Time seemed to slow, and her heart pounded louder and louder. So fast…
To overthrow Rebecca, she knew she would have to confront her eventually. Marrying Kayden and entering the imperial palace only made it more inevitable. But this was too soon and sudden.
Perhaps because she had spent most of the previous day thinking about Kayden, hearing Rebecca’s name felt like being thrown from a warm dream into a cold reality. The contrast was stark and jarring.
Viscount Sudsfield cleared his throat and tentatively spoke.
