Chapter 83……………………………………………….
That night, Evelina, having finished getting ready for bed, entered the couple’s bedroom.
However, Arsen was perched on the edge of the bed, reading something with a serious expression.
Evelina tilted her head in curiosity and approached him.
“Arsen, what are you reading?”
“Ah…”
Arsen looked up and met her gaze.
Evelina’s eyes fell on the object in his hands.
The moment she realized what it was, her pupils trembled violently.
“That’s…”
“Yes, it’s a marriage proposal.”
“I… threw them all away…”
“There was one under the bed.”
When Evelina looked unsure of what to do, Arsen spoke.
“You haven’t done anything wrong. Why are you like this?”
“B-But still…”
“The person who sent a proposal to someone already married is the one who’s crazy.”
Arsen chuckled lowly and took her hand, pulling her closer.
Evelina stumbled and sank fully into his arms.
“Though I admit, I am a bit jealous. Seeing someone audaciously send a proposal when they know you’re married is absurd too.”
“Doesn’t it… make you feel bad?”
“Well, I’m not upset. I know you won’t be swayed by such proposals.”
Arsen kissed her lips briefly, several times.
Evelina, who had been pondering something, suddenly exclaimed, “Oh!” and spoke.
“Now that I think about it, one of the invitations I received was for a couples’ party.”
“A couples’ party?”
“Yes. Until now, I’ve only attended official balls hosted by the royal family, like the Foundation Festival or the Harvest Festival. I’ve never been to private couples’ parties. That must be why they sent a proposal, thinking our relationship isn’t good. If I attend such a party with you, no more proposals will come.”
“Hmm…”
Arsen rested his chin on her shoulder and thought deeply, then nodded.
“That’s a good idea. You choose which party to attend. I’ll go with you.”
“Alright.”
Evelina smiled brightly and nodded.
She had actually wanted to go to a party, but was nervous about going alone and didn’t know what to do.
It was a relief that Arsen said he would accompany her.
“Oh, I’ve decided to attend the Marchioness of Monterri’s tea party.”
“When is it?”
“In three days.”
Evelina chattered nervously about being excited and anxious, as it would be her first tea party.
Her eyelids began to droop slowly, showing she was getting sleepy.
“I… I hope I’ll do well…”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
She looked very worried because it was her first tea party.
Arsen chuckled and hugged her, gently patting her back.
Reassured by his words, Evelina soon drifted off to sleep.
Three days later, Evelina prepared to attend the tea party.
Being her first, Berry helped her prepare thoroughly.
The dress Evelina wore was both splendid and elegant.
Her hair was neatly arranged, flowing down gracefully.
She wore the accessory Arsen had given her in the past and, lastly, put on a thin white lace glove.
The gloves were embroidered stitch by stitch by Rania.
“How do I look?”
“You’re absolutely beautiful!”
Berry clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling.
Evelina smiled sheepishly.
“Isn’t it too much?”
“No! This is just perfect.”
Berry shook her head emphatically.
After a final check of her outfit, she stepped outside.
The carriage was waiting, and as expected, Arsen was standing in front of it.
As Evelina approached, he smiled and extended his hand.
She reached out, and he kissed the back of her hand.
“You look beautiful today as well.”
“Thank you.”
“Be careful and enjoy yourself.”
“I will.”
Seeing Arsen off, Evelina’s carriage set off toward the Marchioness of Monterri’s residence.
Inside, she took deep, steady breaths.
After some time, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
Evelina instinctively held her breath for a moment, then exhaled slowly.
“Phew… it’s okay. It’ll be fine.”
Her heart still racing, Evelina knocked on the carriage door.
The door opened promptly, and she stepped down, escorted by the driver.
As she looked around, a maid approached.
“We’ve been expecting you, Duchess Rockfelt. Please follow me.”
“Ah, okay.”
Nervously, Evelina followed the maid.
Inside, a spacious garden spread out.
It was slightly smaller than the ducal gardens but still expansive.
“This way, please.”
“Thank you.”
The maid paused, bowed, and quickly left.
From afar, a faint sound of laughter reached Evelina.
Hesitating, she slowly moved toward the sound.
The closer she got, the clearer the laughter became.
A wide table came into view.
A few chairs were empty, likely because it was still early, but most seats were occupied.
Then, a lady’s eyes met Evelina’s, and she widened hers in surprise, lips sealed.
The unusual reaction drew everyone’s attention, and all eyes turned to Evelina.
After a few seconds of silence, the lady at the head of the table stood.
The others quickly followed suit.
“Welcome, Duchess.”
“Thank you for inviting me, Marchioness of Monterri.”
Evelina smiled politely and spoke smoothly.
“This is your seat, Duchess.”
It was customary for the host to sit first, followed by the others in order of rank. Evelina’s seat was at the front.
As she carefully sat, the others took their seats.
While everyone glanced at each other, the Marchioness of Monterri spoke.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation.”
“Oh, Marchioness, it’s my first tea party, so I’m a bit nervous. I hope I won’t be a bother.”
Evelina shook her head slightly.
Following the Marchioness’ lead, one by one, others began to speak to Evelina.
“Your dress is lovely. Which boutique made it?”
“Madame Rania made it. Her boutique is in the north.”
Evelina answered politely and kindly.
“So all the dresses you’ve worn to previous parties were made by her?”
“Yes.”
Evelina nodded proudly at the question.
“I always thought they were beautiful… Is she always in the north?”
“I’m not sure, but probably. She seems to prefer it there.”
The other ladies looked a bit disappointed.
The conversation then moved on to other topics, and Evelina gradually joined in.
Though she had worried, things seemed to be going well, and her heart began to calm.
Suddenly, the topic shifted to marriage.
“The Marchioness of Monterri, you had a love marriage, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. It’s a bit embarrassing.”
She smiled shyly and chuckled.
Then she suddenly looked at Evelina.
“I’d like to hear about Duchess Rockfelt’s marriage.”
“Ah…”
Evelina looked flustered.
Looking around, she saw everyone was curiously staring at her.
Eventually, she smiled awkwardly and began to speak.
“The Duke… first sent me a marriage proposal.”
“Oh my, really? Had you met before?”
“No, never. That’s why I was so surprised.”
She still wondered why Arsen had sent her a proposal.
Then, the Countess of Rikel, who had been quiet, suddenly interjected.
“Then, Duchess, are you close with the Duke?”
“…Yes?”
“I’m just curious. It’s not a love marriage. At the balls during the Foundation or Harvest Festivals, you seemed close, but maybe it was just acting.”
“…”
“Or… was it really just acting?”
Her voice was tinged with a sneer.
Evelina’s faint smile stiffened slowly.
She pressed her lips together and stared at the Countess of Rikel.
Seeing no answer, the Countess quickly tried to recover.
“If it’s difficult to answer, you don’t have to. I spoke without thinking.”
“…It’s not a difficult answer, but Countess, you’re acting as if you want us not to be close.”
“Huh? M-Me?”
Rikel looked flustered at Evelina’s words.
In truth, the Countess had envied Evelina—her beauty and the fact that she was blessed, not cursed.
Even the Duke, thought to be insane, was handsome and wealthy.
So she intentionally tried to speak harshly.
Though the time was short, Rikel had assumed Evelina was meek and unable to speak up.
And today was her first tea party, so any remark would be gently received.
But that was Rikel’s misunderstanding.
Evelina smiled brightly and said,
“Unfortunately, Countess, it seems that’s not what you hoped for. The Duke and I are close, so what can we do about your disappointment?”
At her words, the Countess’ lips trembled.
“Close… that’s fortunate. I only said that out of worry.”
“Then you can just worry. But there’s no need for concern anymore.”
“…Yes.”
The Countess replied shortly and turned her head sharply.
The Marchioness of Monterri widened her eyes, then smiled happily.
She had thought Evelina weak, but she wasn’t at all.
The Marchioness, genuinely pleased, then asked Evelina a question.
