Chapter 60
“Once the applause dies down, go in and change into your other outfit.”
That wasn’t really what needed to be said, but Cayente, as usual, spoke something completely off-topic. Reluctantly, he stood beside Yulia and greeted the guests. The person who had clearly been looking at her with admiration just moments ago now looked even colder than when they first met.
“Understood.”
Even though the lace covered her, seeing it up close, he probably didn’t like how her shoulders and upper chest were still exposed.
Feeling frustrated, Yulia intended to return to the parlor as soon as the applause stopped, but Cayente didn’t let go of her hand, insisting she change her outfit first.
“Brother?”
“…We’ll go together.”
“Together?”
“Yes, we have to go together.”
His behavior was truly impossible to understand.
While the guests continued dining before the reception, Yulia had to put on an impromptu fashion show.
“No, change it.”
“This isn’t good either?”
She hadn’t eaten in the morning, worried her face would swell and ruin her look if she ate, yet the smell of food made her hungrier. Although separate meals had already been prepared in the dining hall, it seemed she might not even get there before heading to the reception.
“Do all the outfits just expose the chest? Weren’t they always covering up to the neck before?”
“When they’re younger, yes. But after debuting as a debutante, it’s customary to wear outfits exposing the upper chest.”
“That’s strange. Isn’t it proper for a woman who has a husband to cover more?”
“I think it’s to find a good husband while entering high society.”
“So after marriage, shouldn’t it change again?”
No matter what outfit she wore, it was either “no” or “not good,” and the tailor’s expression grew darker with each change. This was already the seventh outfit she had tried. As she moved to lower the shoulder straps before entering behind the partition, Cayente, sitting leisurely in his chair, suddenly stood up and grabbed Yulia’s hand draped over her shoulder.
“What are you doing!”
“Ah… I didn’t mean to… Anyway, I can’t do this anymore. Do whatever you want later, but let’s eat first, okay?”
Yulia was startled by the unconscious action, but even more so by Cayente’s inexplicable possessiveness. It had been the same when the shoe discussion came up, and before that, he had always been disgusted by her showing her body, yet now he seemed pleased by it.
But it made sense. He wouldn’t act this way toward a woman he didn’t care about. It was not because she was someone he had invested heavily to acquire, but because he loved her and feared losing that love. Despite that realization, Yulia couldn’t help but feel a little pleased.
“Very well, Count. The reception will continue for hours; you might collapse if we delay any longer.”
“Shall we bring the food from the dining hall? You can eat here comfortably.”
“No, we’ll go there. It’s fine, Lucy. You should go eat something too. Henry as well.”
“I had a hearty breakfast, so I’m fine.”
Just as the atmosphere was beginning to warm while taking care of each other’s meals, Cayente sighed softly and tried to leave the parlor.
“Keep the outfit you’re wearing now.”
“What about the meal!”
Yulia called out loudly to stop him, realizing that if he left, he would probably go elsewhere and eat nothing.
“Let’s eat together. I don’t want to eat alone.”
“…Fine.”
Cayente paused, looking at Yulia silently for a moment, then sighed and stopped walking. Yulia finished putting on her outfit and led Cayente’s hand as they left the parlor.
“Take off your gloves.”
“Excuse me?”
“Take them off and eat comfortably. This is your home now; you don’t need to keep them on at the table.”
Moving to the dining hall, Cayente and Yulia sat at a table already set with food. The servants were busy attending to outside guests, and Henry and Lucy, having urged Yulia that she didn’t need assistance, had to eat on their own.
“Ah, yes.”
Yulia struggled to cut a large piece of meat. She seemed to be having trouble because of her gloves, so Cayente told her to take them off. Even then, she couldn’t cut the meat properly, so Cayente, unable to bear it, took over and cut it for her.
“Here, eat.”
“Thank you.”
Cayente placed appropriately-sized pieces of meat onto Yulia’s plate, feeling utterly absurd about what he was doing.
He had been stunned seeing Yulia at the dining hall, furious at the idea of anyone else seeing her, chased her while she changed, and now even cut her meat for her to eat comfortably.
It was as if he had completely forgotten why they were getting married or what awaited them afterward. Anyone witnessing this might think he was marrying Yulia purely out of lifelong love—just like the gossip magazines claimed.
“Brother, you should eat too. We’ll have to head out soon.”
“No rush. Dessert for the guests won’t be served for a while.”
Even more maddening for Cayente than wondering what he was doing was that seeing Yulia eating peacefully in front of him didn’t provoke any anger. The way she savored her food, unaware of what might happen next, wasn’t foolish or irritating.
Instead, for the first time since hearing she wished for misfortune, he found himself wanting Yulia to continue smiling peacefully in front of him.
“Why do you keep checking outside if you’re so relaxed?”
He was distracted by the thought that uninvited guests could soon arrive and disrupt this peaceful atmosphere. They would trample on the carefully chosen flowers and ruin everything.
Watching Yulia’s soon-to-vanish smile, a question he had never considered until now arose in Cayente’s mind:
Am I justified…?
“Eat while I take care of something.”
“What kind of something?”
“Just… something.”
Cayente gave up trying to force down the uneaten food and stood. As he left the dining hall, Mark, lurking in the shadows, approached.
“Where is Baron Ruper?”
Thanks to the Baroness spending excessively and Yulia’s meticulous planning, the wedding and subsequent reception proceeded smoothly. The reception continued in the main garden, where they had received applause and a kiss. The Baroness wanted a greenhouse for the reception, but Yulia opposed it, wanting to keep that place a private, secret spot.
“The bulbs finally shine as the sun sets.”
“I thought only Count Clue was meticulous, but it seems the future Countess is as well. She planned even this, I suppose?”
The table, previously set for meals, was now arranged with snacks and drinks for casual enjoyment. The white tablecloth was replaced with wine-colored fabric. As the sun began to set, the previously faint lights in the garden illuminated, setting a lovely ambiance.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Lady. Now I suppose I should call you Countess?”
“Thank you, Marquis Dayton.”
No sooner had they stepped into the garden than congratulatory greetings poured in. Although a priest’s declaration was required to formally become Count Clue’s wife, it was merely ceremonial. People already referred to Yulia as Countess Clue, and she tried to get used to it, though awkwardly.
“You’re stunning, my lady. Even as a woman, I almost fell for you on the Virgin Road.”
“You flatter me.”
“Not at all. Our gentleman couldn’t take his eyes off you. But where was the Count? You came out alone.”
“I thought he came out earlier, but he had urgent business.”
Feeling unsure of herself, Yulia was reassured when Cayente slowly appeared behind her and placed a hand on her waist. The title of Countess Clue only felt complete with him by her side.
“Busy again today?”
“I’ll be away for more than a week.”
“That’s quite a long honeymoon. Where are you going?”
“I’ll be visiting the Duchy of Esacudia. I have matters to settle and want to show Yulia my hometown.”
Even though she had worried that Cayente might ignore her in front of the nobles, he behaved politely. Surprisingly, her family also remained quiet, allowing Yulia to enjoy the congratulatory greetings without worry.
“The two of you shine so brightly, I wonder if I should have dressed more elaborately. Congratulations on your marriage, Count and Countess.”
Once the congratulatory greetings subsided, the Emperor appeared leisurely, linking arms with his husband.
