CHAPTER 32…………………………………………………..
After traveling for a while, the carriage slowly came to a stop in the shopping district.
It was the first time Ivelina had come down to the shops since arriving in the North.
Having spent all her time in the mansion without covering her eyes, coming to such a crowded place made her feel nervous.
Fidgeting anxiously with her hands, she flinched slightly when the carriage stopped.
Karina, who was sitting across from her, took Ivelina’s cold, tense hand and gently patted it.
“Are you all right, my dear?”
“Ah, yes—yes, I’m fine.”
“If it’s too difficult to get down, just tell me. We can call Lania to the mansion instead.”
“No, um… I can do it.”
Straightening her posture, Ivelina looked at Karina.
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Karina gave a soft smile and nodded.
“All right, dear. Just remember—no matter what, I’ll always be behind you.”
“…Yes.”
Ivelina answered in a small voice.
Karina had always been her steadfast shield, supporting every decision she made.
Soon after, the carriage door opened and Karina stepped out first.
Taking a small, steadying breath, Ivelina took the coachman’s hand and descended.
The cold wind immediately wrapped around her, and she instinctively hunched her shoulders.
“Oh dear, are you very cold?”
“I was just startled by the wind, that’s all.”
Ivelina replied with an awkward smile.
She turned her gaze to look around.
Perhaps because of the chill, there weren’t many people in the shopping district.
Or maybe it was just because this was the North, not the capital, and everything felt emptier.
A woman who had been sneaking glances at Ivelina suddenly froze when their eyes met, then hurriedly bowed her head in greeting.
There was no fear or disgust in the woman’s eyes—only pure curiosity.
When Ivelina blinked in surprise, Karina whispered softly,
“The people of the duchy have been very curious to see who their Duchess would be.”
“Oh…”
“They’ve been waiting for you just as much as we have, my dear.”
Karina gave a quiet laugh.
Even with her words, it still didn’t quite feel real to Ivelina.
With a hazy feeling, she walked past a flower shop on the way to Lania’s atelier.
Then, a tiny voice called out to her.
“Um, D-Duchess…!”
It was so soft that she almost missed it completely.
When she turned around, she saw a very small child holding a rose.
The child flinched when their eyes met but then took quick little steps toward her.
The knight standing behind her moved to stop the child, but Ivelina shook her head slightly.
The child was far too small to pose any threat—and the look in those eyes held no hostility, only innocence.
Ivelina smiled gently and crouched down.
“What is it, little one?”
The child hesitated, then carefully held out the flower.
Ivelina’s eyes widened, and a small voice followed.
“This is… a gift for you, Duchess.”
She blinked, looking at the flower.
It was a fresh, dew-kissed rose.
Still a little dazed, she accepted it.
Then the child spoke again, in a shy whisper.
“You—you’re so beautiful… I-I’m sure you’re the prettiest person in the whole Empire.”
Though stammering, the child spoke clearly, then blushed furiously and bowed before running off like the wind.
Ivelina coughed awkwardly, her cheeks burning with embarrassment at the unexpected compliment and gift.
Karina chuckled at the sight.
“I told you, my dear. The people here have been waiting for you.”
Ivelina gently touched the carefully wrapped flower.
She handed it to the knight behind her and made sure to tell him to keep it safe from harm before she and Karina hurried toward the atelier.
Inside, Lania greeted them warmly.
“You’re here! It’s quite cold outside—please, come warm yourselves.”
An assistant took their coats and hung them up.
Rubbing her flushed cheeks, Ivelina approached the softly glowing stove radiating gentle heat.
The warmth came from a special ore that generated heat on its own, so there was no need for fire.
After thawing her frozen hands and face, Ivelina followed Lania further inside.
“The wedding dress is over here. I do hope it’s to your liking, Duchess.”
Pulling aside a curtain, Lania entered the inner room, with Ivelina and Karina close behind.
Ivelina looked around in wonder.
From the outside, the atelier hadn’t seemed that big—but inside, it was much larger than she’d imagined.
“This way.”
At the very back stood a mannequin draped with a cloth.
With her heart trembling, Ivelina looked at it.
Lania slowly pulled away the cloth—and the wedding dress was revealed.
Ivelina’s eyes widened gradually.
“How is it?”
“….”
With a proud smile, Lania stepped closer.
She looked at Ivelina with expectant eyes, but the young woman was too astonished to speak.
The wedding dress was far more beautiful and dazzling than anything she had imagined.
Made from immaculate white fabric, its hem was studded with tiny jewels that shimmered under the light.
The shoulders were sheer and delicate, layered with thin, flowing fabric.
The cinched waistline would surely make Ivelina’s slender figure even more graceful.
Carefully, she reached out and brushed it with her fingertips.
Lania laughed softly.
“The fabric is soft, but it’s not fragile—unless you pull with all your strength, it won’t tear easily.”
At that, Ivelina gripped it a little firmer.
The smooth texture and faint roughness of the embedded gems pressed against her hand.
After touching it for a while, she finally murmured,
“It’s… it’s so beautiful… I don’t even know if I deserve to wear something like this…”
“Oh my, what are you saying? This dress was made entirely for you, Duchess. Of course you’re the one who must wear it.”
Lania smiled brightly.
“Please try it on. We need to make sure it fits you perfectly.”
“What if… I rip it while putting it on?”
“Then I’ll fix it, no matter what—so don’t worry. Go ahead.”
Lania clapped her hands twice, and her assistants approached.
Ivelina entered the fitting room with them, while Karina smiled contentedly.
“It’s even more beautiful than I expected.”
“Thank you. I must have poured extra care into it without realizing, knowing the Duchess herself would wear it.”
Lania laughed.
Karina and Lania both waited eagerly for Ivelina to come out.
From the moment Lania had begun designing it, she’d felt this dress might be the masterpiece of her life—and seeing Ivelina in it would prove her right.
After a short while, the fitting room curtain opened, and Ivelina lifted her head.
Karina and Lania’s eyes widened—they could only stare blankly.
Sensing their silence, Ivelina spoke softly.
“Um… Mother? Lania?”
Her voice snapped them back to their senses.
Karina hurried to her side.
“I’m sorry, dear. You’re just so much more beautiful than I imagined. They say beauty can leave one speechless—and that’s exactly what happened.”
Lania quickly added,
“You look absolutely stunning, Duchess. I had a feeling this would be my life’s masterpiece, and I was right.”
Her eyes shone as if she were gazing at something truly divine.
Flustered by their endless praise, Ivelina smiled shyly.
At Lania’s signal, her assistants brought over a large full-length mirror and placed it in front of her.
Ivelina slowly turned to look.
Her eyes widened again.
She stared at her reflection for a long time, almost dazed.
When she blinked, the woman in the mirror blinked too—it had to be her, but it hardly felt real.
Even objectively, she looked breathtaking in the dress.
Beside her, Lania continued to lavish praise.
“I made it with you in mind, Duchess—and it shows. How can someone look so beautiful? I’ve crafted many wedding dresses, but none as radiant as you.”
Her words were filled with genuine awe.
At any other time, it might have sounded like flattery—but not now.
Lania had truly never seen a more beautiful bride.
She even felt grateful just to be alive to witness it.
Then Ivelina hesitated and said softly,
“Do you… think others might say it’s too much?”
“Oh, heavens, who would think that? On your wedding day, you and the Duke are the ones who must shine brightest. There’s no need for modesty here. You should be the most splendid of all.”
Karina nodded firmly in agreement.
“So don’t worry, dear—just relax and enjoy it.”
Afterward, Lania bustled around, asking if anything felt uncomfortable and adjusting the fit with pins.
Only when everything was perfectly set did Ivelina change back into her regular clothes.
As they prepared to return to the mansion, Karina and Ivelina put on their coats.
At the door, Lania spoke.
“The Duke’s suit is nearly finished as well. Could you tell him I’ll visit the mansion in three days?”
“Yes, Lania. Please don’t overwork yourself.”
“Making clothes is what gives me life. But don’t worry—I’m pacing myself so it doesn’t harm my health.”
She smiled brightly, and she truly looked happy.
Feeling reassured, Ivelina left the atelier with Karina by her side.
