~Chapter 83~
“…That’s how it happened.”
I finished my story nervously.
After getting permission for the engagement from Baron Garnet, Lysa came right away when I called her.
The last scandal was nothing compared to this.
When I tried to talk about the contract engagement, my fingertips were wet with cold sweat, and my breath got stuck in my throat.
Even though I forced myself to speak calmly, inside, my feelings were already tangled and complicated.
Lysa widened her eyes and then quickly smiled brightly.
“Wow, really? As expected of Richard. He used his head well.”
I expected Lysa’s reaction, but I was still amazed that she was so casual about it.
Instead of being surprised or hurt, she laughed lightly. The worry that she might look sad was pointless.
Since she seemed relieved that it was a “contract” engagement, I felt at ease.
“…Don’t you feel upset that I suddenly told you I’m getting engaged?”
I asked carefully, but Lysa only shrugged.
“Well, I was surprised since you said you’re getting engaged tomorrow. But in this situation, that’s the best choice. If you and Richard get engaged, Her Majesty the Empress or Wudian won’t be able to make other moves.”
“That’s true. That’s why I accepted this ridiculous situation of a contract engagement.”
“But even if it’s a contract, it feels a little exciting.”
Lysa moved her finger in the air as if drawing her imagination.
“Tomorrow, the temple chapel will be filled with flowers, right? White roses, of course. With golden ribbons, it’ll look beautiful. If you hang white cloth from the ceiling, the bride—you—will stand out even more.”
“…Why are you so excited, Lysa.”
“Because it’s fun! Helping with your engagement and wedding was one of my dreams. Did you choose your dress? I think silver embroidery would suit your skin perfectly. Or maybe a veil with pearls would be great too.”
As if she had thought about it before, Lysa listed all kinds of dresses and veils that would suit my engagement ceremony.
Her sparkling eyes showed she was truly enjoying this.
“Richard already prepared the dress.”
“I wanted to do that… Then I’ll help you pick shoes. But honestly, Amelie, you’ll look beautiful no matter what you wear.”
Can I really hear such words from the most beautiful woman in this world?
I was one thing, but Lysa’s compliments weren’t ordinary either.
Still, having such a friend happy for me made me feel secure, and I almost couldn’t stop smiling.
“You really look more excited than me.”
“Of course! I’m your best friend. If I don’t take care of you, who will?”
Lysa, the spreader of emotion.
Hearing her words, I decided.
From today, I withdraw my support of “favorite character Lysa.”
From today, Lysa and I are one body, and any attack on Lysa will be considered an attack on me.
“Thank you, Lysa. I was worried, but thanks to you, I feel stronger.”
“No need to worry. You don’t just have me and Richard. You also have His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Oh… Hearing it that way makes me sound like someone really powerful.”
With such strong backing, confidence naturally came.
“But about the engagement token Baron Garnet gave you. That necklace. How did it end up with Her Majesty the Empress?”
“Originally, it was given to the late Count Montorre. For some reason, it ended up in the Empress’s hands.”
Remembering Baron Garnet’s words, I answered Lysa.
Baron Garnet seemed shocked that the late Count Montorre had given the token to the Empress without warning.
He never expected that from his respected and trusted teacher.
“So that’s when things really got twisted. But from tomorrow, it won’t matter anymore.”
Knock, knock, knock.
As I agreed with Lysa and imagined how satisfying tomorrow would be, Sophia knocked and entered.
“My lady, there’s a letter from Count Montorre.”
“A letter?”
It was obvious it would be filled with nonsense, but I opened it to see what he had written.
The letter said he would visit in two days to formally discuss the engagement.
He must not know the situation yet. For him, this must be the happiest moment.
“Ridiculous.”
I sneered and crumpled the letter.
Tomorrow he would find out. That he had been completely careless.
I imagined Wudian’s face when he saw tomorrow’s engagement and the news splashed on the front page.
The next day, the engagement day.
From early dawn, a prayer room the temple had lent as a preparation room was bustling.
Maids pressed the dress and lit incense, filling the space with a soft fragrance.
Sitting in front of the mirror, I was being dressed by dozens of people, even more than the noisy last time.
Pearl powder dusted my eyelashes, a faint blush was applied to my cheeks.
My hair was softly curled up and decorated with olive leaf ornaments.
A thin lace choker wrapped my neck, white gloves covered my hands.
The dress, embroidered with silver on silk, sparkled with every step.
Maybe because she was my friend, Lysa’s eye was right. I brushed over the silver embroidery once and then lifted my head.
With this much preparation, the reflection in the mirror was so beautiful that it felt unfamiliar.
“Makeup skills here or in reality are amazing…”
While I admired myself, Baroness Garnet suddenly held my hand tightly.
“I’m sorry, Amelie.”
“What do you mean?”
“This isn’t what you wanted. It’s all our fault things turned out this way.”
I quickly shook my head.
I wasn’t used to such a mood, and it felt awkward.
“No, it’s because I cried as a child saying I liked Wudian.”
At my reply, the Baroness looked at me with eyes full of love.
“My daughter, Amelie. You were always a lovely child. I wanted to give you anything you wanted. Your father too—he’s just clumsy at showing it, but he actually treasures you more than anyone.”
Her words made my chest ache.
In reality, I didn’t even know my parents’ faces and had been left at an orphanage.
I never knew what parental love was.
But seeing Baron Garnet and his wife, I realized how warm that love must be.
Maybe that’s why Baron Garnet so easily allowed my engagement with Richard—because he loved his daughter, and if it was for her, nothing else mattered.
It wasn’t full love meant for me, but it was enough to touch me deeply.
‘No, don’t cry. Hours of makeup will be ruined if I cry!’
As I lifted my face and held back tears, the door opened and Richard entered.
The moment he saw me, he stopped, unable to even blink.
“Why are you staring like that?”
Seeing an expression I had never seen before, my tears vanished, and I asked with a smile.
Richard quickly shook his head and turned his gaze away.
“It’s nothing.”
Ah. So I must look prettier than usual.
The tips of Richard’s ears turning red confirmed it.
“Be honest. I’m pretty, right?”
“…Yeah, you’re pretty.”
Richard said it briefly, but clearly.
My heart dropped, but I forced myself to smile calmly.
After a short silence, he came closer and held out his hand.
“Let’s go. Everything’s ready.”
At that moment, the bell of the temple’s tower rang, echoing through the ceiling, announcing the start of the engagement ceremony.
“Yes, let’s go.”
I took a deep breath and held Richard’s hand.
The warmth spread through my skin.
Walking down the hallway hand in hand, the tension and fear faded away.
At last, we reached the front of the chapel.
The doors slowly opened, and light poured in all at once.
It was the beginning of the contract engagement.
