Chapter 15…
The Reason Behind the Bold Choice
Aileen was the first to voice exactly what I was feeling.
“Your Grace, please save me.”
“…Pfft.”
Lloyd burst out laughing as he realized the situation, but even as he laughed, Aileen’s teary expression didn’t change. If he didn’t help her, she wasn’t sure how she’d survive this. Lloyd, still with traces of laughter in his eyes, looked at her.
“How should I save you?”
“Please tell me how to make a decision every three seconds.”
Lloyd glanced at the catalog placed in front of him — a sample book that Jaetan, a merchant from the Harium Trading Company, had slipped toward Aileen for her to browse. Even at a glance, there were far too many choices to make. Understanding why Aileen looked overwhelmed, Lloyd asked,
“You’ve never done this before?”
“I’ve never had to make this many choices at once.”
At the Claudia estate, merchants did come by from time to time, but usually she only had to choose between one or two items they brought. Since Claudia wasn’t a particularly wealthy house, merchants often selected and brought a reduced number of goods themselves. There were even some merchants they had to send for in advance.
The apothecary merchant was a prime example. When Aileen mentioned she wanted to sell medicine, he was the one who set the date of his visit himself. Of course, he could act so boldly because he had noble families backing him.
As Aileen stood awkwardly watching, Lloyd sighed, clearly dissatisfied.
“Why?”
Thinking it might somehow be her fault, Aileen looked at him. Lloyd gestured toward the teacup in front of her. He meant for her to take a sip first. Once she had, he swept his eyes over the items laid out before them.
“From now on, this sort of thing will happen as a matter of course.”
Aileen nodded softly. Becoming the Grand Duchess meant her life would no longer be the same as before.
“Watch me carefully. Next time, you can do exactly as I do — or if you have your own ideas, act on them as you wish.”
Aileen widened her eyes and focused intently on him, as if determined not to miss a thing. Lloyd met her gaze with ease. When Jane brought the merchants back in, Lloyd pointed to the catalog on the table.
“Who brought this?”
“It was me, sir. Jaetan from the Harium Trading Company.”
“Explain.”
“I was asking what kind of curtains would be best. As you can see here, lace curtains are light and allow air to circulate well, but they don’t block sunlight. Still, the way they cast shadows in the room is simply beaut—”
“Bring lace curtains that block sunlight as well.”
“Pardon? But…”
For the first time, the merchant was at a loss for words.
“The sun will start rising earlier soon. Should I be forced awake against my will? If I lose sleep, my efficiency drops. Who would take responsibility for that?”
“I’ll make sure not a single ray of sunlight gets in.”
“And make sure they have lace.”
“…Yes, sir.”
The merchant, who had been brimming with enthusiasm just moments ago, shrank his shoulders and quietly packed up his things. He’d been so eager to praise the beauty of his lace curtains, and now he had no choice but to design elegant, functional lace ones that blocked light completely.
“Next.”
Lloyd’s firm call made all the merchants, who had been excitedly chattering earlier, hesitate to step forward.
“What a waste of time,” he murmured quietly. Watching the merchants inch forward, Aileen nodded slightly, as if understanding.
‘Ah, it’s intimidation.’
She was impressed — simple, yet effective. She couldn’t believe how naturally he could use such intimidation.
“So you’re telling me to use glass teacups?”
“No, sir, this teacup here is a new product. It’s crafted with such precision that it’s one of a kind in the entire world.”
“And if it breaks and I cut my finger by accident, will you take responsibility?”
“I’ll bring something sturdy.”
“Make sure it’s finely crafted as well. And nothing too common.”
He returned the item while simultaneously pressing the merchant to meet high standards. He really was quite petty in how he piled on the pressure.
Next was Phyllis, the jewelry merchant. Just as he began explaining his pieces one by one, Lloyd raised his hand to cut him off. Aileen, who thought she’d have to sit through all the explanations from the beginning, let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“One.”
“…Sorry?”
“Only bring pieces that are one of a kind. I’ll buy them all.”
“Yes, sir.”
There was nothing more to explain. Phyllis hurriedly packed his jewelry box and left. It felt a bit anticlimactic that none of them had managed to strike a proper deal.
Aileen looked at the merchants with apologetic eyes. As she made eye contact with each one, Jane spoke to her.
“My Lady, you seem to be in a better mood again.”
“Hmm? Me?”
“Yes. You’re smiling…”
Jane pointed at Aileen’s mouth. Surprised, Aileen raised her hand to her own lips.
Me? No way…
The grand wedding held at the Grand Duke’s estate drew countless people. Aileen swallowed nervously as she watched the endless line of carriages through the window. The thought of standing before them all made her heart race.
Of course, they had all come to see Grand Duke Rihast, but their curiosity about her would also be immense. Aileen lowered her eyes to her wedding dress. Though it had been made in only a week, it was flawless. Everyone would be shocked when they saw her — they’d say her face was ordinary, but the dress was stunning. The thought of how much gossip she’d spark after today made her stomach twist.
As long as one thing is dazzling, it’s enough, she tried to reassure herself.
Did my brother think like this too?
She tilted her head, then shook it. She could barely remember what her brother’s tuxedo looked like that day — that’s how radiant he’d been.
No.
Aileen shook her head again, refusing to compare. What mattered was that she’d made it this far. The best thing to do was not care what anyone said.
“My Lady, are you feeling unwell?”
Jane entered the bridal waiting room and immediately adjusted the hem of Aileen’s skirt.
“I’m fine.”
“You must be nervous. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime special day.”
Jane spoke soothingly, as if she understood everything. But in truth, Aileen wasn’t nervous at all. Others would misunderstand if they heard, but she’d been married before.
“I really am fine,” Aileen protested softly, but Jane didn’t believe her. She carefully checked whether the bouquet was crushed and examined the veil for any loose spots.
“You’ve been so busy with all the wedding preparations, but now it’s finally over.”
At Jane’s gentle words, Aileen fiddled with her bouquet. She was right — preparations had been relentless. From morning until night, she had to make dozens of decisions and check each result with her own eyes. She’d had fittings for the dress, matched jewelry…
“It does feel real now,” Aileen murmured.
It wasn’t being a bride that struck her most — it was that the preparations were finally done. She no longer needed to pick out furniture for the rooms. The rooms were decorated. There would be no more standing like a mannequin for fittings.
“You’ve worked hard,” Aileen said, turning to Jane, who had been by her side throughout.
“It’s nothing, my Lady.”
“No, really. I…”
She paused for a moment, wanting at least to express her gratitude.
“I told myself not to expect anything since I knew I wouldn’t be welcomed here. But you were kind to me. I’m truly grateful.”
“Oh, Grand Duchess…”
Jane trailed off, startled.
She looked at Aileen with a pained expression, realizing perhaps for the first time the sincerity behind her words.
“I wouldn’t dare claim to have been kind to you, my Lady. I was only doing my duty.”
“Your duty doesn’t require you to speak kindly or encourage me.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“Jane. I have one favor. Please, until the day I leave here, don’t let me be too lonely. Be someone I can talk to.”
“My Lady…”
Jane’s voice rose in surprise. Her eyes widened, blinking rapidly. She was clearly flustered.
“Why would you say such a thing…”
Once the Grand Duke left, Aileen would likely become even more isolated. She would fulfill her role as Grand Duchess, of course, but as a Beta unable to bear children, her position would be fragile.
But she accepted that. She’d proposed to the Grand Duke knowing full well the weight of that choice. Still, she hoped there would be occasional moments like this, chatting with Jane.
Jane seemed to sense a fraction of Aileen’s thoughts. She hesitated, glancing at Aileen repeatedly, biting her lip as if debating whether to speak.
“My Lady, there’s something you don’t know. There are actually many people besides me who wish to speak with you.”
“Really?”
Aileen responded more like she was humoring her than believing her. Not a single visitor had come to the bridal room so far.
Almost unconsciously, she glanced around the spacious room. It was large enough for ten people to fit comfortably, but being alone in it made the loneliness wash over her again. She turned back to Jane.
“By the way, has Ethan—my brother—and my parents arrived yet? Could you check?”
“Yes, my Lady.”
Jane bowed politely and hurried out, eager to fulfill the request.
Left alone again, Aileen absentmindedly adjusted her bouquet. Pale pink Juliet roses were wrapped delicately with light purple clematis, with the occasional white tulip tucked in — it was elegant and lovely.
“You’re the prettiest one here,” Aileen murmured, lifting the bouquet to eye level. It was far more beautiful than she was in the elaborate wedding gown, highlighting the flowers’ charm.
Knock, knock.
“Come in,” she called out cheerfully, assuming her family had arrived.
