CHAPTER 66…………………….
Diana was quite curious about my closest friend. I vaguely confirmed that I had such a friend and then listened to the tailor Miranda’s explanation.
“She was certainly a remarkable woman… Ah, that must be her coming now.”
“Vineta is Edel’s closest friend?”
Vineta, just entering the room, answered Diana’s question nonchalantly.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Since when?!”
“From the moment we first met.”
No, that’s a bit odd. Who becomes your closest friend from the first meeting? It’s not love at first sight either.
“Wow! Miranda… isn’t she the one with the shop on Bellux Street?”
To divert Diana’s attention, I tossed out a random answer.
“I’ve seen it a few times while passing by. The dresses in the display were just so beautiful! I’ve always wanted one.”
Miranda seemed genuinely touched.
“Yes! My goodness. Even though my shop isn’t famous, you remembered…”
It wasn’t a complete lie. I had never actually been there, but I had wanted to try on one of her dresses for quite some time.
‘It’s the dress that got high praise in the novel.’
Miranda had been a tailor discovered by Riena in “Walking Only on Flower Paths After Returning”. This was slightly later in the timeline.
In the novel, it’s described that Miranda’s dresses were unique and beautiful, even to Riena, who knew all the future dress trends as a regressor.
‘Did Terrence discover her first this time?’
Vineta had commissioned Miranda, but it was likely on Terrence’s behalf. In other words, this was his congratulatory gift for my divorce.
“I heard you noticed the dress at the shop while walking down Bellux Street.”
While Miranda was talking to Diana, Vineta approached me and confirmed the speculation.
“She thought it would suit you perfectly, Edel.”
“Terrence really has a keen eye.”
“If it were him in the past, he wouldn’t have paid any attention to a dress shop.”
“Eh?”
Before I could ask further, Miranda got straight to the point.
“I’ll do my best to create a dress that meets your expectations, Edel. Besides the ones on the mannequins, there are many designs to check in the book as well.”
And so, I had to wade through waves of dresses.
“How about this one? Oh, no… maybe that one suits Edel better…”
Like me, Diana tried on several of Miranda’s dresses and spent quite some time deliberating over mine after choosing hers.
“I think this one looks better.”
“No, dear. Edel has fair skin, so I think this one suits her more.”
The ambassador couple, excitedly helping their daughter choose a dress, now offered opinions for me.
“The current trend seems to favor voluminous lace, according to magazines.”
“Suitability matters more than trends.”
Even Laura and Vineta, staying at the embassy with me, joined in.
“I’ll try each one on individually…”
I spent the time endlessly trying on dresses. And then, suddenly, I realized I was happy.
Yes, happy. Unlike when I tried on a wedding dress under similar circumstances, this time I was laughing among good people.
Ten days later, the Emperor’s birthday banquet took place. In the evening, the official start was still some time away, but the palace banquet hall was already crowded.
“Duke Edmon Cassius, Viscount Leandro Cassius, Prince Rehaim Cassius, and Princess Riena Cassius are entering.”
At the servants’ announcement, the crowd’s chatter shifted to the doorway. Soon, the doors opened, and a family appeared.
“Wow, look at that beauty. Truly Cassius.”
“Is the Duke of Cassius really the father of those three? How are they all so youthful? I’d believe they were brothers to the two sons.”
“Today, Riena’s cuteness is sky-high as usual. I wonder if a baby angel fell from heaven by mistake?”
“Excuse me! Compared to the baby angel, our Riena is a thousand, ten thousand times cuter!”
But not everyone responded favorably.
“Oh my, Viscount Leandro Cassius has arrived.”
“I thought he’d be more careful after what happened.”
“By the way, what really happened back then? The claims made by the Viscountess?”
“Either way, it’s not a topic to discuss here. But I do worry—there shouldn’t be any problems with the Cassius heir.”
Amidst the feigned worry, sneers, and curiosity, Leandro hunched his shoulders.
“Brother, straighten your shoulders.”
At that moment, Riena, escorting Leandro, spoke softly.
“You did nothing wrong, brother. You must show confidence. Soon all the nonsense will fade. I’ll make sure of it.”
“…You’re right.”
Leandro straightened his shoulders and scanned the hall with a sharp gaze, as Riena instructed. Those who had been whispering about him awkwardly avoided eye contact.
“Riena, long time no see!”
“How have you been, Viscount?”
Their close acquaintances rushed to greet them, as they always did, pouring out their flattery with sincere energy.
“I heard about your divorce. It must have been hard.”
“Oh, a divorce is no blemish for the great Leandro. Since you’re starting anew, forget the past completely!”
Initially, comments comforted or congratulated Leandro, but gradually, they began to sour.
“I think the Viscountess went too far, making such unreasonable claims.”
As one person started, others quickly chimed in about Edel.
“Exactly. I read an article saying the Viscountess has no health issues at all.”
“The public is foolish, repeating old rumors.”
“They must be held accountable for defaming the Viscount. Never let it slide.”
“Really, why would she do that?”
“Let’s change the topic.”
Noticing Leandro’s discomfort, the crowd quickly diverted conversation.
“Oh, we were tactless.”
“By the way, your sister grows cuter by the day.”
But in a slightly distant area, people continued discussing the former Viscountess of Cassius.
“To have once been a Viscountess and now defended so kindly… truly remarkable.”
“Yes. I heard her family was poor and in debt.”
“The Wallace family, right? My maid saw a family arguing about a cheap inn’s lodging fee recently. They loudly claimed to be the Wallace family.”
“Aren’t they ashamed to be nobles? If she’s from that family, it figures.”
“No wonder she avoided society so long. How unattractive must she be.”
“Really? The portrait in the newspaper looked fine.”
“My friend who attended the trial said she was plain! That was her best-dressed appearance—so she must really be plain.”
“Also, at the wedding two years ago, she never lifted her veil once.”
“Even a beautiful woman would seem humble next to the Viscount; for a plain one, how much more so?”
Among the enthusiastic Cassius supporters, the former Viscountess was public enemy number one.
As they gossiped, a servant announced a new arrival.
“Ambassador Leocq and entourage are entering.”
The Leocq family entered with Edel.
“Isn’t that… Edel Cassius?”
“Did she really get invited too?”
“Is this through Ambassador Leocq’s connection?”
Whatever the case, it was intriguing: the protagonists were meeting in public for the first time since the divorce.
Almost everyone in the hall focused on the Leocq entourage. The ambassador couple led, followed by two young women. One resembled the ambassador closely—likely his lost daughter. The other was…
Many were shocked, looking at the woman presumed to be Edel. Her appearance differed from what they had known.
First, her ivory-like skin reflected the lights. Her dress, stylish and fresh, fluttered gracefully with every movement. Her delicate features exuded elegance.
Could this really be the former Viscountess of Cassius? The woman who had stayed hidden in her estate, deemed unremarkable.
‘Seems effective…’
Feeling all eyes on me, I exhaled a sigh of relief. Everyone’s attention was clearly positive.
I could have been wronged. After all the effort—polishing and preparing myself—what if it hadn’t made a difference?
From a few days ago, I had been treated by the skin care specialist brought from Leocq, Miranda kept revising the dress design for new inspiration, and then brought it for fittings. Truly… so much had gone into this.
‘Even if I had to do it again, I never could!’
