Chapter — 48
The Fake Bride
Julia showed Adeline around her dressing room and then served her tea. The imperial princess’s dressing room was filled with all kinds of shoes that were popular not only across the Empire, but even abroad.
“You know the saying that good shoes take you to good places, right?”
“Of course.”
“But then why doesn’t the Bluesiel Atelier sell shoes? Everything else is great, but that part feels like a shame.”
“We don’t have shoes yet, but we do sell precious gemstones to decorate them.”
“I really want a brand-new, finished pair of shoes. That’s too bad.”
With a lukewarm response, Julia placed the gift Adeline had brought on the table without even opening it.
She really doesn’t like me, does she? Is it because of Violet?
Violet had been the one who started the trouble. Adeline didn’t know what she had said, but Julia’s cold attitude felt unsettling. Drake’s words came back to her.
“People in high places are all nasty, regardless of gender.”
Since she was royalty, she must be used to acting however she pleased. Just like that man. The image of Winston turning away sharply flashed in her mind.
Whatever. Do what you want. Honestly, it’s easier for me if she dislikes me.
Just as Adeline was grumbling inwardly—
“Miss Adeline?”
“Yes, Your Highness Princess Julia.”
“Is it uncomfortable for you if I call you Miss Adeline?”
“No, not at all. Please call me comfortably.”
“Hmm. That’s a relief, then. I couldn’t decide whether Frenchia or Primrose would be better.”
“Either one is still me, so please call me whatever is easier.”
“But…”
With a troubled look, Julia lightly tapped her chin.
“I’ve heard rumors that you were married once and changed your family name…”
She deliberately trailed off, revealing Adeline’s supposed weakness, then watched her reaction. Adeline looked neither surprised nor offended.
“I suppose misunderstandings can happen since I use a surname different from my original family’s.”
“It’s certainly not common.”
“That makes me wonder who’s spreading such stories.”
“……Indeed.”
“There aren’t many decent people among those who gossip about others so easily. Of course, a noble imperial princess like you wouldn’t associate with such low-quality people.”
“Of course not. I’m not interested in gossip. Oh, then is the rumor that your fiancé is Count Hamel also false?”
“That’s right. And that marriage is something my younger sister wants even more than I do. I think it would be much more fun to discuss that topic with her.”
Adeline’s flat reaction quickly killed any interest in probing gossip. It was only fun to tease someone if they looked flustered or embarrassed.
Now, Julia’s curiosity shifted to why Adeline had attended the banquet with Winston.
Does Winston really intend to marry this woman? Or is he putting up a fake to hide the real one?
Either way, it doesn’t matter.
If there was even a slight chance she could interfere with my plans, I’d crush it at the root.
“I heard a rumor that Bluesiel recently hung an incredibly expensive painting.”
“I was lucky enough to acquire it through an auction.”
“Do you like paintings, Miss Adeline?”
“Yes, very much. Looking at beautiful paintings makes me happy.”
“I heard you donated an expensive painting to the temple as well.”
“Yes.”
“I’m curious why.”
“I wanted all the imperial citizens who visit the temple to feel happy when they see it. It’s such a beautiful painting.”
Julia tilted her head and muttered softly. Her quiet words didn’t reach Adeline.
“…A fake.”
Winston choosing a woman who likes paintings as his bride? Impossible. Why would the Grand Duke bring such a sloppy fool? Just because she’s pretty?
She’s not as good as me, but she’s passable.
Julia slowly scanned Adeline, judging her silver-shining hair, flower-like eyes, lips that naturally curved upward, and her slender neck. What annoyed her most was how soft and gentle Adeline’s voice sounded, like the feather of a water bird.
“Your Highness, what did you just say?”
“Oh, nothing. People have been making a fuss lately because there are so many fake paintings. Apparently, they sell imitations pretending they’re real. Sigh, it upsets me so much.”
Violet let out a deep sigh. Then she took out a necklace from among the gifts Adeline had brought.
“By the way, I’ve been so worried lately.”
Julia fiddled with the necklace, then dropped it onto the table as if tossing it away.
“Sigh, it seems our Winston has suddenly lost interest in marriage.”
“…?”
“I asked him about marriage earlier, but he wouldn’t say a word.”
“Is that so?”
“He’s always been fickle since he was young, so I understand.”
“……”
“Yes. I even wonder if he’ll ask His Majesty for a completely different wish.”
“Did His Highness really say nothing at all about marriage?”
“No. He announced publicly that he would marry, so I had high hopes, but now I wonder what kind of whim this is.”
Holding her teacup, Adeline wore an awkward smile.
“Oh dear, this kind of talk is boring, isn’t it?”
“Not at all. Please speak freely.”
“No, no. Conversation should be enjoyable for both sides. Winston losing interest in marriage doesn’t really mean anything to us, does it? Shall we talk about something else?”
For the first time, Julia laughed out loud. Adeline simply smiled as she had from the start.
She’s really boring. Is she being careful because she thinks she’s been found out as a fake bride?
Even if she was fake, coming all the way to the imperial palace with the Grand Duke should have stirred at least some foolish hopes. But there was no such sign at all. Whether she was stupid or clever, Julia couldn’t decide yet.
Well, there’s nothing to worry about. At least she seems to know her place.
There was no way Winston had a woman he truly wanted to marry. So, as planned, all Julia needed to focus on was crushing Adeline’s impudent pride.
The conversation with Julia started off terribly but ended on a relatively pleasant note. At one point, it even seemed like she had thrown the necklace Adeline gifted her, though it was hard to say for sure that she threw it.
That day, as Adeline was leaving after receiving an invitation to Julia’s tea party—
“Don’t worry about what my father—His Majesty—said. He jokes like that all the time.”
Julia patted Adeline’s shoulder, telling her not to take the “niece-in-law” comment to heart. She also added that Winston hated paintings and would never like a woman who merely dabbled in art auctions.
What on earth is going on?
Sitting at the desk in her office, Adeline spent the whole day circling the same thoughts. In front of her lay the letter paper meant for Gilbert, whose reply was taking longer than expected.
She tried to start again with a greeting. Her hand slipped across the paper, knocking over the ink bottle beside her.
It was strange. Even as she looked at her sleeve stained pitch black, she felt neither angry nor flustered. All she could think of was Winston’s equally black hair.
So annoying.
Adeline couldn’t write a single word. The man named Winston, who had suddenly appeared so often, had completely vanished for a while now. The last time she saw him was when he escorted her home after the imperial banquet.
“Honestly, this is for the best.”
She crumpled the letter and threw it into the trash. After muttering to herself, Adeline stood up and went to the window. Yes, this was a good thing. She no longer had to suffer among the protagonists of this world. Just like she always had, she only needed to focus on her own work.
Once she sorted out her thoughts, she felt lighter. Knock, knock. The door opened, and a gentle voice followed.
“Boss, a reply from Mr. Gilbert has arrived.”
As soon as she finished reading the letter Ian handed her, Adeline grabbed her hat.
“I’ll go see Mr. Gilbert right away.”
“Now?”
“Yes. I’ll head straight home after, so don’t worry.”
As Adeline stepped outside, Ian’s voice stopped her.
“Boss.”
“Yes?”
“Did you take the medicine your stepmother prepared for you? Miss Kyla asked.”
“Ah, well…”
Adeline trailed off.
“If you feel uneasy about it, should I look into its ingredients?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve taken it since I was young, and I still take it every night before bed.”
Waving broadly at Ian, Adeline left the Bluesiel Atelier.
She arrived in an instant at a small orphanage in the slums. Adeline lay down on a bench shaded by a small tree.
At this rate, my heart might actually burst.
She breathed roughly, pressing a hand to her chest. She should have taken a carriage, but instead she had overused magic again. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.
“Well, well. Look who it is?”
