Chapter 33
“Pardon? Really?”
“Yes, really. He asked for it to be yellow, but when I wore it, he said it was boring.”
“He doesn’t seem like someone who’d say that…”
Kallima blinked at my grumbling, but soon turned her thoughts in a positive direction. She smiled brightly.
“His Grace must really like you, Young Madam. They say a father-in-law’s love for his daughter-in-law runs deep.”
“No, I’m telling you, he said it was boring.”
“But His Grace isn’t one to express emotions easily. The fact that he expressed anything—like or dislike—is already huge! And he even bought you a dress! Isn’t that amazing?”
When she put it that way, it did sound plausible. I hadn’t expected Duke Luke to ever buy me clothes.
Since my mother passed away, the only person who had ever given me clothes for no reason was Cerulean.
And even then, it had felt more like he was just providing “necessary equipment” for fulfilling our contract.
I fiddled with my fingers and mumbled quietly,
“…You’re right, I guess. Maybe he does like me… a tiny bit. Just a teeny, tiny bit.”
“What?!”
Instead of agreeing, Kallima’s eyes widened in shock.
When I looked at her in confusion, she clapped a hand over her mouth and said,
“I didn’t mean it seriously! But you really feel that way? The Duke’s actually being kind to you?”
What kind of reaction was that? Was this a trap? A setup?
Who jokes like that?!
“That’s it. I’m done talking to you, Kallima.”
I sighed deeply, but she just laughed and pushed at my back playfully.
“Ahaha, I’m sorry! Since you’re all dressed up anyway, shall we stop somewhere before heading back, My Lady?”
“Is there somewhere you want to go?”
“Not really, but let’s go out to clear our heads! Anywhere you want!”
“Hmm.”
Anywhere I wanted to go… nothing specific came to mind.
But she’s right. It feels like a waste to just go home dressed like this.
After a moment’s thought, I turned slightly.
“Then let’s stop by a flower shop. It’s the perfect season for primroses.”
“You like flowers, My Lady?”
“My mother owned a flower shop.”
She had always suited flowers perfectly. Her short golden hair and petite figure made her look like a little fairy.
Once again, I found myself talking about my mother. I smiled awkwardly and said,
“I must sound like such a mama’s girl, huh?”
Kallima quickly shook her head. Then, with a gentle tone, she asked,
“Forgive me for asking, but… how did she pass away? I mean, the details. It seems like it still pains you deeply.”
Ah, right. Kallima didn’t really know what had happened between me and Vanerinne.
So, I explained.
How I had been a palace scribe for just a year before being falsely accused and dismissed.
And how that subject had come up when I first met the Duke.
After I finished summarizing everything, Kallima nodded solemnly.
“Hmph. That makes perfect sense.”
“…What makes perfect sense?”
When I tilted my head, she suddenly clenched her fist and shouted,
“It makes perfect sense that someone deserves a beating! I’ll go flip the whole thing over right now! Give me five minutes—I’ll drag her out by the collar!”
“W–wait, Kallima! What are you saying?!”
Did she even realize who she was threatening to grab by the collar?!
I instinctively grabbed her wrist, but the woman—who was shorter than me—started dragging me forward.
Where is she getting this strength?!
I was so shocked I hiccupped. It took several meters before I finally got her to stop.
Then she suddenly pulled me into a hug.
“My poor Lady! How did you endure such humiliation? To be alone, with no one believing you…”
Her voice trembled with emotion, and then she cried passionately,
“With such a cruel connection between you two, we’ll just have to outshine her completely! Let’s make your wedding dazzling—utterly perfect! We’ll start by fixing that dress today!”
She bit her fingertip thoughtfully, muttering,
“No wonder the Commander started dancing and acting out of character… So that was his plan all along.”
That last bit made me blink.
“What do you mean, ‘out of character’? Cerulean dances beautifully.”
Sure, I had stumbled a bit trying to follow the waltz steps, but Cerulean had been so graceful that my clumsiness barely showed.
Standing close enough to hear his heartbeat, following the elegant arcs traced by his arms and legs…
I could understand why, when the waltz was first introduced, people had considered it too indecent.
Oh no, what am I thinking…
My cheeks flushed just remembering him. I fanned myself awkwardly while Kallima went on nonchalantly,
“He’s good at anything physical, sure, but being good at it doesn’t mean he enjoys it.”
Then she giggled mischievously.
“His Grace the Duke is actually famous for letting go of his bride’s hand right after their first dance at their own wedding. The Duchess must be fuming!”
“What? Really? I’ve never heard of that!”
As a gossip reporter, how could I have missed such a juicy story?
Kallima shrugged casually.
“He’s a proud man. He must’ve kept things tightly under wraps. They say the reception was extremely private—only a few esteemed guests invited.”
That wedding had taken place before I joined The Newcastle Times.
The thought of it swirled in my head while Kallima smiled in satisfaction.
“The two of you dancing together will definitely make headlines—especially compared to the Duke’s old behavior. The Duchess will be seething. I love it. I can’t wait.”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
What exactly was she expecting? A no-holds-barred catfight between me and the Duchess?
Fine. Whatever she’s expecting, I’ll exceed it.
I clenched my fist with determination. Kallima burst into laughter.
Meanwhile…
Father Leofried buried his face in his hands.
Before him lay a single, elegant card: a wedding invitation.
And the names written on it were the problem.
Edel’s getting married… to Cerulean Luke?
Honestly, he couldn’t care less whom Cerulean Luke married—whether it was for love or contract.
But why did it have to be Edel Azhian?
That part gnawed at him.
She’d just started doing better…
He already knew Edel had been searching for Roher.
He hadn’t stopped her because, while doing so, she had gradually regained her old bright, cheerful self.
Roher’s under media restriction anyway. I figured she wouldn’t find much even if she kept searching…
But now—of all people—she was marrying the Roher Hunter.
He could only gape at her sheer determination.
What if she ends up like before?
Leofried squeezed his eyes shut. The memory of that day flashed vividly in his mind.
When he had first opened the door to Edel Azhian’s house—
The stench.
The thick layer of dust that had begun to settle everywhere.
And deep within, a frail figure crouched in the dark.
Her crimson pupils and pitch-black sclera made her eyes look grotesque. She looked straight at him as black smoke drifted from her body like mist.
“Death…”
Her voice was so thick and hoarse that his ears rang and his head spun.
Leofried staggered, clutching the doorway.
Then—thud!
Something collapsed. When he looked again, the black miasma was gone, and a skeletal woman lay on the floor, her red hair fanned out like a pool of blood.
That woman… had been Edel Azhian.
And even now, I can still feel Roher’s energy around her…
Just recalling it sent chills down his spine.
He shook his head violently.
It’s her choice. I don’t have to watch over her. Forget the wedding—what’s it to me?
He bit his lip. But within minutes, he stood up abruptly, ruffling his hair in frustration.
“Fine! I’ll go! I’ll attend, alright?!”
He should never have entered that house alone back then.
Now, he couldn’t just turn a blind eye anymore.
Elsewhere…
What an interesting woman.
Kallima glanced sideways at the tall figure walking beside her.
Thick, curly red hair. Pale green eyes.
Aside from her long limbs, nothing about her features stood out—but those eyes sparkled with infectious liveliness.
Kallima’s gaze darkened.
No wonder Princess Vanerinne’s been so on edge lately… now it makes sense.
Recently, it was said that the Duchess of Luke had attended Count Harmon’s tea party—a small gathering usually meant only for young ladies. It was completely unlike her to go.
And among the Countess’s circle are several ladies who secretly admire the Commander.
No doubt the Duchess had dropped a few “casual” words to them.
I hope it’s just my imagination…
Still, being careful couldn’t hurt.
