“Mom, Dad.”
After a night of tossing and turning due to my pounding heart, morning finally arrived.
As soon as I entered the dining room for breakfast and saw my parents already seated and eating, the words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.
“I’m in a relationship.”
The statement caused an immediate uproar. My father, who had been gracefully cutting his food, was so shocked that he sprang up from his chair.
“R-R-Relationship?!”
“Yes.”
I did feel a bit embarrassed, considering that just a few days ago, I had stubbornly insisted to the Duchess that Armin and I were merely friends—just friends, nothing more.
But I was never good at keeping secrets. The change in my life was too big to keep bottled up, and I was practically itching to tell someone.
“Oh my goodness! What? A relationship?!”
“With who?! Who on earth are you dating?!”
My father looked as if he was about to cry. It was hard to believe that this was the same man who had been pestering me about marriage all this time.
“It’s Armin Grey, the Young Duke.”
Before I could answer, Sasha—who had just arrived at the dining room looking perfectly put together, unlike my still-in-pajamas self—answered on my behalf.
“Oh.”
In an instant, my father regained his composure, his face returning to perfect calm. I, on the other hand, was left utterly baffled.
“…What’s with that reaction?”
“Well, if it’s Armin, then I have no complaints.”
“Honey, who else could Vivi possibly be seeing? She only ever spends time with the Young Duke.”
“Still, she takes after you. What if she has an irresistible charm that men just can’t refuse?”
“Oh, you!”
And just like that, my parents slipped into their usual affectionate banter.
Dad started telling stories about his youth, convinced that Mom was the most beautiful woman in the world.
“When you were around Vivi’s age, I remember just how many men lined up to ask you out.”
“Oh my, you still remember such things?”
“I intercepted countless love letters before they even reached you, you know. Hmph.”
As he nodded proudly, Dad turned to me with a slightly disappointed look.
“When I was your age, I was in a passionate romance. But with you… it’s hard to tell if there’s even a spark or not. It’s all so lukewarm.”
“Exactly, exactly. Your father is right. I was starting to wonder if you two were really just friends, like you claimed. I worried so much!”
Mom didn’t seem the least bit surprised. She had apparently expected this outcome all along.
The dramatic reaction I had anticipated from my parents turned out to be surprisingly short-lived. Feeling a little deflated, I sat down at the table.
“I thought you’d all be more shocked…”
“Vivi, I’m more surprised that you thought we’d be shocked.”
My mother spoke gracefully as she spread jam on her bread.
“Did you really think you could marry into another family after everything that’s happened?”
“…What do you mean?”
“As long as you refuse to give up the newspaper business, our family and the Grey family are practically bound together. Which noble house do you think would dare propose a marriage to you now?”
“Oh…”
Come to think of it, ever since I met Armin, my parents had stopped pushing me to attend social balls. Was I really the only one in this household who had been oblivious to the situation? Feeling awkward, I reached up to rub the back of my neck.
“Phew. It’s customary for the eldest son to marry first, but considering that Sasha is still single, it wouldn’t be too unreasonable to arrange your marriage first.”
Excuse me, Mother? I just started dating!
“Dear, have you settled things with that dress shop we discussed last time?”
What are you talking about, Father?
As the conversation sped along at an incomprehensible pace, I could only blink and look between my parents in confusion.
“Oh, you mean Madame Dewey? Of course. When I explained the situation, she said that as long as we gave her six months’ notice, she could make the most exquisite dress.”
“…What is going on?”
“We had already reserved your wedding dress with Madame Dewey.”
Sasha answered for them, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. My jaw dropped. I had just announced that today was my first day of dating, yet my overly eager parents had apparently been planning for this moment for who knows how long.
“Did you all already know that Armin and I would end up together?”
“Well, we thought it was only a matter of time.”
My mother smiled kindly as she spoke.
“But that’s not why we made arrangements with Madame Dewey. We actually made the reservation back when we ordered your last dress. At the time, we were determined to get you married off no matter what.”
Suddenly, I recalled my brother mentioning André that one time. So it hadn’t just been an empty threat after all.
Excited by my confession, my mother suddenly rose from her seat.
“There’s no time to waste! We must visit Madame Dewey’s salon today.”
“Go ahead, dear.”
“Madame Dewey suggested both a wedding dress and a reception dress.”
“Well, of course! We can’t be frugal when it’s a marriage with a Duke’s family. In fact, dear, you should have a dress tailored as well.”
“Oh my, do you think so?”
“Of course. Though I fear you might end up outshining the bride.”
“Oh, you! Hohoho!”
The conversation had taken off like a runaway train, completely disregarding my own feelings. Watching them, I lost my appetite and could only manage to swallow a single piece of bread with milk before retreating to my room.
Marriage? Me?
For someone who had just begun their first romance, marriage felt like a distant and overwhelming concept. I had merely mentioned that I was dating, yet my parents had already decided I would be living in the Duke’s estate six months from now.
My heart pounded with confusion as I paced around my room, trying to wrap my head around the situation.
That was when—
“My lady, I knocked, but you didn’t hear me.”
I had been so deep in thought that I hadn’t even noticed the door opening. Before I knew it, Michelle was standing beside me, holding onto my shoulders.
Meeting my startled eyes, she immediately understood my state of mind—perhaps a testament to how long we had known each other.
“Just accept it, my Lady. It’s easier that way.”
“…Accept what?”
“The wedding, of course. In six months, the flowers will be in full bloom. You’ll be a May bride.”
“Wait a minute! I’m not mentally prepared yet—”
My timid protest was met with Michelle’s firm words.
“You can’t just jump off a running horse, my Lady.”
Then, with a mischievous smile, she added,
“You’ve already been caught, hooked, line, and sinker.”
She handed me an envelope.
“What’s this?”
“What else? A letter from your beloved.”
Beloved.
The word, which had once felt so foreign to me, instantly melted away all my previous confusion.
The letter was sealed with red wax, bearing the Grey family’s crest.
It really was from Armin. My heart began to pound.
“My lady, why are you smiling so slyly?”
Michelle teased me with a playful tone. I couldn’t stop the corners of my lips from curling upward.
The letter started with a gentle and warm greeting, asking if I had slept well. It was a formal note, inviting me on a date this afternoon.
I had exchanged letters with Armin many times before, but somehow, reading his handwriting now made each word feel like a soft feather tickling my heart. The more I read, the more my lips stretched into an uncontrollable smile.
Beside me, Michelle watched on, clearly pleased.
“Michelle! I—!”
I glanced at the clock. Only four hours remained until Armin’s arrival.
My feet started tapping impatiently on the floor as I turned to Michelle with urgency.
“Yes, yes, my lady. I’ll make sure you look absolutely stunning today.”
With a determined voice, Michelle beamed at me, ready for the challenge.
* * *
I had finished getting ready in a pale yellow dress and a short white coat, an hour earlier than the scheduled meeting time.
With an anxious heart, I kept pacing back and forth in the room, staring out the window.
I wondered when Armin would arrive at our house and had checked the window so many times that it felt like my neck had grown a little longer.
It was already past 1 PM, but I hadn’t even thought about lunch while waiting for Armin. The more I waited, the more irritable I became.
“Why does it have to be at lunchtime? Couldn’t the one who’s ready just wait at home after having breakfast?”
I now understood why my college roommate was always so busy. So, this was how it felt to be in a relationship!
Despite my anxious feelings, Armin arrived exactly on time.
Before he even opened the door, I was already standing in the hallway. He seemed a little surprised when he saw me, fully prepared.
“What’s going on?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You’ve always said you weren’t ready and made me wait.”
What is he talking about? That was from a long time ago.
“When have I ever done that?”
“Always. You’ve always been like that.”
Didn’t you remember? Armin lookingly asked, his face full of playful mischief.
“I should have met you earlier.”
His teasing tone sounded good, though.
“I thought you’d sleep in today since you cried a lot yesterday.”
“Armin!”
I pretended to cover his mouth as if worried someone might overhear.
Armin looked at me with amused eyes. Finally, our gazes met, and we both burst into laughter.
Though he was pretending not to care, Armin looked very stylish today. He was usually neat, but today, his hair was neatly styled with pomade, and he wore a blue suit that matched his hair color so well, he could easily pass for a model.
“Let’s go.”
“Just a second.”
But as usual, Armin didn’t leave the house immediately.
