WARDV 10

CHAPTER 10

‘Now that I think about it, I don’t really have any proper dresses to wear for formal occasions.’

I didn’t own many dresses from the Duke of Farnese’s household to begin with, and I’d left most of them behind when I left.
They were all old-fashioned or just plain outdated in design.

‘I kept the wedding ring as an emergency fund.’

It felt a bit awkward to accept clothing as a gift, but…

Considering the attention I’d be attracting from now on, it made sense to purchase some in advance.

‘I’ll just pay him back later.’

Because I never expected favors for free.

With that thought in mind, I stepped into the boutique alongside Idris.

“Welcome, Your Grace! And the lady with you is…?”

The boutique’s madam, recognizing Idris and approaching with a warm smile, froze in shock when she saw me.

Idris, seeing their stunned reactions, smiled with deliberate amusement.

“She’s my lover. I’m sure you all know who she is.”

A scandal between the still-not-divorced Duchess and the Grand Duke who had constantly clashed with her husband.

The shock on everyone’s faces was evident, but no one dared to speak up recklessly.

While the atmosphere stiffened, Idris remained relaxed as he continued.

“We’re here to get a few dresses fitted for Leticia.”

“I-It would be an honor if you’d entrust us with that. I’ll do my best to ensure nothing falls short of Your Grace’s refined taste.”

The boutique staff quickly composed themselves and resumed their work, welcoming us like any other prestigious guests.

At the madam’s suggestion, Idris disappeared to try on a tailored suit he’d ordered earlier.

Meanwhile, I headed upstairs with her to browse dress designs.

But as we were about to go up, the madam suddenly suggested something else.

“Ma’am, before choosing a dress… would you mind looking at some necklaces first?”

“Necklaces?”

“There’s a particularly fine one that just came in, and I’d hate for someone else to snatch it up first.”

Her nervousness seemed a little odd, but I didn’t mind—after all, I needed accessories too.

Just as we were about to browse the necklaces—

Footsteps echoed from the stairs.

I turned toward the sound—and immediately understood why the madam had tried to stop me from going upstairs.

“Oh my, Duchess?”

There stood Élise.

‘So this is another reason the staff were so shaken.’

They were clearly trying to avoid the awkward collision between us.

“To think I’d run into you here… If I’d known you needed a dress, I would’ve brought you myself.”

As always, Élise approached me with a bright, innocent demeanor.

“When you suddenly left the estate like that, we were all so worried. Come on, let’s shop together and return to the mansion today.”

Her green eyes shimmered with concern.

To a stranger, it might’ve looked like genuine compassion.

‘In my past life, that face alone helped her create the image of a poor girl mistreated by me.’

But now, I was no longer naïve enough to be swayed by that act.

I smiled back.

“Is that so?”

“Of course. His Grace has been quite worried. He’s even reconsidering your monthly allowance.”

‘Worried about his new business going up in flames, more like.’

I barely held back a scoff and continued listening.

“I actually asked him to raise your allowance to a million gold. I know that’s still quite lacking for a lady of your status…”

So that’s what this is.

‘She’s trying to paint me as some extravagant, greedy duchess.’

In her mind, I wouldn’t be able to counter this narrative.

To refute her, I’d have to reveal the real reason I left—which the old me would’ve hated doing.

Because I wouldn’t have wanted to let go of Feydan.

But now—

“So you’re saying I left the house because I wasn’t given a larger allowance?”

—I wasn’t that woman anymore.

“No matter how much you dislike me, let’s at least stick to the truth, Élise.”

I saw her flinch at my unexpected response.

“D-Dislike you? How could I ever—”

“I left because I accepted Feydan’s proposal for a divorce. You saw it in the papers, didn’t you?”

“The papers…?”

She looked completely bewildered, as if this was the first she’d heard of it.

‘Don’t tell me she hasn’t read the news?’

It was still before noon. If she’d been out shopping since morning, she might’ve missed it.

“You haven’t read them? How strange, Élise—everyone else in the world seems to know about it.”

My guess must’ve been right, because she didn’t have a word to say in response.

Just then, staff came down from upstairs.

“My Lady, we’ll load these dresses into your carriage.”

As I watched them carry down several boxes, I said calmly,

“Looks like you’ve been busy—since before the papers went out.”

A jab at how she’d spent her morning shopping instead of checking the news.

“Why don’t you use the allowance yourself, Élise? Seems you need it more.”

I returned the label of “extravagant” she’d tried to pin on me, and I saw her expression twist ever so slightly.

Then, wanting to move the situation along, I turned to the madam.

“Madam, can I see that necklace you mentioned earlier?”

“O-Of course. This way, please.”

Leaving the visibly shaken Élise behind, I followed the madam to the display case, where a staff member brought out the necklace.

“This just arrived this morning—it’s made from pink diamonds mined in the southern mountains! A true gem among gems.”

It certainly sparkled golden, making it seem like the “rare jewel” claim wasn’t a lie.

But it didn’t really speak to me.

‘What matters more than value is whether it suits me.’

My eyes were blue—so matching the gem color might be better.

“The design is lovely, but the gem doesn’t suit me. Do you have anything with blue diamonds?”

“We don’t have anything pre-made, but if you’re willing to wait, we can custom make one. However…”

“However?”

“It would be ideal if you could try on a blue diamond piece before we start production, but they’re so rare… We don’t currently have any in stock.”

Just then, a familiar voice chimed in behind me.

“Would you like to try mine?”

Élise, now wearing her usual mask of sweetness, stepped forward.

“I was actually planning to get a new necklace.”

And around her neck—of course—was a necklace set with blue diamonds, just what I had been looking for.

‘I really didn’t want to make a scene here…’

The madam already looked painfully awkward again, thanks to Élise’s reappearance.

But Élise clearly had no intention of backing down—perhaps thinking that leaving first would be admitting defeat.

“I can’t give it to you since it was a gift, but I’d be happy to let you try it on.”

She didn’t say who gave it, but it could only be Feydan.

And the staff would know that too.

She’d mentioned him on purpose.

‘Feydan loves me enough to buy me blue diamonds. So forget the soon-to-be ex-duchess and treat me—the next duchess—well.’

That’s what she was trying to say.

As I was thinking about how to shut her down—

‘Huh?’

Élise’s necklace began to emit a dark, shadowy aura.

The corners of my lips lifted into a smile.

“Thank you, Élise. Then I’ll borrow it for a moment.”

I readily accepted her “kindness,” and the madam carefully removed the necklace from Élise and placed it around my neck.

Seeing it on me, Élise spoke with interest.

“Wow, it suits you so well. Both the blue diamonds and the design.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. How about having one made in the same design? Since you’re already here, I’m sure they still have the blueprint.”

If I made the exact same piece, it would look like I was copying her.

And that thought clearly delighted her—she wanted to feel superior.

Suppressing a scoff, I nodded.

“Madam, could you check if there’s a design blueprint for this necklace?”

All boutique items have a tiny serial number.

The madam began inspecting the necklace—but her expression darkened the more she looked.

“I-I’m terribly sorry… but this necklace’s serial number doesn’t exist in our records.”

Élise’s eyes went wide.

The boutique’s logo was engraved on it, but the serial number was fake…

Which meant—

It was a counterfeit.