Chapter 7
The bride’s waiting room was only open to female family members, and as expected, Amanda came to see me.
“Remember when I said we should meet soon? Lady Diana.”
“It’s good to see you again, Diana,” she said, linking arms affectionately with Ella.
‘Their relationship wasn’t bad in the novel either.’
Amanda valued beauty above all else, and Ella was described as the most beautiful woman on the continent. With a solid reputation in high society, Ella was probably a satisfying match for her son.
“I still don’t understand why someone who used to chase after Kaiden is marrying Harold, but I guess it’s better that it’s you.”
Amanda pulled a crisp white piece of paper out of her clutch and handed it to me.
“There’s no way you genuinely love Harold instead of Kaiden.”
“It’s upsetting, but I really do care for Harold.”
“You? The one who just a month ago couldn’t stop chasing after Kaiden? Even if Harold seems sincere, you being sincere is hard to believe.”
She had a point, if I were the real Diana, that was hard to believe.
“If you’re marrying Harold for money, don’t worry—I’ll make sure you get plenty. So just stay out of Kaiden’s way and sign this.”
I grabbed the paper and checked out what it said. It was a document giving up any claim to Harold’s inheritance after he died. You could just smell the greed behind it; the whole idea of not wanting to share a single penny was pretty obvious.
I frowned slightly. The greed based on someone’s death was not a pretty sight.
“Lady Diana, I hope you don’t enjoy getting into dirty fights.”
It was a thinly veiled threat—if I didn’t sign, I’d better be prepared. I paused for a moment, then spoke.
“How much are you offering?”
“I’ll make sure you get 500 gold coins.”
“2,000. I won’t settle for less.”
Amanda’s eyes twitched for a second.
“Fine.”
She scribbled “2,000” on a blank check and handed it to me.
“Go to the bank and collect it yourself.”
“Sure. Oh, could I borrow a pen?”
Without hesitation, I signed the document.
“Here you go.”
“Straightforward, I like that, Lady Diana.”
Amanda smiled with satisfaction. I smiled back, thinking about the useless paper I had just signed and the easy money I had just gotten.
“Mother, would it be alright if I talked to Diana for a bit before you leave?” Ella asked as Amanda was about to leave, her goal accomplished.
“Of course, dear.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
After Amanda left, Ella stood in front of me.
“The Duke isn’t a bad choice for someone in your situation. Congratulations on the marriage.”
“Thanks.”
She clasped her hands over her chest and smiled sweetly.
“Starting today, I’ll be praying for you. I’ll ask God to let the Duke live a bit longer for your sake.”
The way she said it, it was clear she thought Harold living longer was impossible. As the reader, I knew exactly what she meant.
When I didn’t react, Ella pushed some hair behind her shoulder and opened her mouth again.
“There’s something I want to tell you before it’s officially announced.”
“What is it?”
“I’m going to be formally adopted into the Garcia family soon. The Count wants me to be his daughter.”
Ah, so this is when that happens.
In the original novel, it was mentioned briefly, so I didn’t know when exactly it occurred.
“Congrats, Ella.”
“…You don’t mind if I become the Count’s daughter?”
I smiled and nodded.
“Of course not, it’s fine.”
Ella pursed her lips, clearly dissatisfied with my lack of reaction.
She thought Diana was easy to manipulate. Even though she played the role of ‘kind-hearted Ella’ to others, she always acted a bit differently toward Diana.
Diana’s quick temper made her easy to manipulate as the villainess, and she also boosted Ella’s sense of pride. After all, Ella could feel superior to Diana, who was born as an illegitimate child of a great family.
If it hadn’t been for Diana’s tragic past, I doubt there would’ve been any readers who supported Ella as the female lead.
“You… Never mind.”
Ella quickly composed herself and pulled out a pocket watch.
“It’s already this late. Kaiden’s probably looking for me. I’ll be off now.”
“Take care.”
“Oh, and Diana.”
She turned back, her golden eyes softening as she smiled.
“Thanks for signing the document. I’m glad we won’t have to argue over inheritance later.”
***
It was time for the bride to make her entrance. The maid behind me adjusted my wedding dress, and the flower girl stood ready to scatter petals.
The moment I entered the party hall, the eyes of the noble guests all turned toward me, sharp and judgmental.
“…Why is that villainess here?!”
“Shh. She’ll hear you.”
The crowd stirred, recognizing who I was. But I stayed calm and walked toward Harold, who was waiting for me at the beginning of the aisle.
Harold extended his arm to me, and I rested my hand on it.
Through the veil, I could see the shocked and confused faces of the guests. There were many familiar faces in the crowd.
At that moment, my eyes met Kaiden’s. His expression was frozen, and the intensity in his gaze made it even scarier. He didn’t take his eyes off me.
“Diana,” Harold murmured.
He noticed right away that I’d looked.
“Are you looking at another man while standing beside your groom?”
“No. I was just watching a mosquito flying by.”
“Hmm. I like that comparison, so I’ll let it slide.”
We whispered in voices low enough to be drowned out by the music. I glanced up at Harold, then squeezed his arm tightly.
“Harold, are you okay?”
Harold looked flawless under the glittering chandeliers. Especially his muscular build, which somehow remained despite his illness, made the black formal suit look great on him.
But since I was so close, I could see the tension in his jaw as he gritted his teeth.
“…I have to be.”
His complexion was rapidly worsening. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, exposed by his slicked-back hair.
I bit the inside of my cheek.
Of all times…
Imperial wedding gowns required gloves.
‘I can’t let this go on.’
Just as I was about to take off my gloves, Harold interlaced his fingers with mine.
“I’ve endured worse pain than this. Don’t do anything that might look suspicious.”
“…”
Harold smiled, pulling his lips into a calm grin. He still looked composed and kept walking with perfect posture.
It was insane how strong his mental fortitude was. If I hadn’t been right next to him, I wouldn’t have noticed anything was wrong.
Suddenly, I thought of Amanda and Ella, who had visited me earlier. The look in their eyes, full of greedy anticipation for Harold’s death, was still fresh in my mind.
‘They’re not the only ones.’
At Harold’s future funeral in the novel, so many people congratulated the male lead behind his back. Most of the nobles attending our wedding probably wished for Harold’s death too.
From the moment he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, it was as if his fate was sealed. His life was destined to be taken from him, and many were just waiting for it.
Despite that, Harold fought to protect what was his until the very end, ultimately facing his predetermined demise.
In the novel, Harold was a charismatic supporting character, but now his life has become my reality.
The man who looked so perfect under the chandelier now seemed like a knight fighting alone, surrounded by enemies.
I couldn’t help but feel pity for the overwhelming misfortune that had been handed to him. Before I knew it, we had reached the altar.
“Do you, as her husband, vow to love her unconditionally, in happiness or sorrow, in sickness or in health, until death parts you?”
“Yes, I vow.”
“Do you, as his wife, vow to love him unconditionally, in happiness or sorrow, in sickness or in health, until death parts you?”
“Yes.”
Now, all that was left was the bride and groom’s kiss.
I turned to face him.
‘His complexion has gotten even worse.’
But as his face drew closer to mine, he wore the same calm expression, as if he wasn’t in pain at all. Seeing him mask it so well made my heart ache even more.
I swallowed a sigh and thought to myself, ‘I can’t bear this anymore.’
We had already agreed beforehand to only pretend to kiss, but I reached out and held his cheek.
His narrowed eyes flickered with surprise, his dark blue eyes reflecting confusion.
“I’m sorry. I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
“What are you…?”
I whispered as I looked straight at him and kissed Harold directly, hoping it would bring him even the smallest bit of comfort.
