Extra Story 2
“Are you trying to say that His Majesty intends to take a concubine?”
Perhaps she hadn’t expected such a blunt question. The Countess flinched and avoided the Grand Madam’s gaze.
“And?”
A chill Anje had never seen before settled over the Grand Madam’s face. When her sharp eyes fixed on her, the Countess’s complexion turned pale.
“You thought something of that level could disgrace the House of Side?”
“N-No, I only… thought it would be good for you to know.”
Overwhelmed by the pressure, the Countess shrank back. Though her merchant guild had recently grown in scale, the House of Dreiko was nothing compared to the prestige of the ducal House of Side.
Carried away in her agitation, she had momentarily forgotten that fact—and now silently berated herself for her loose tongue.
“I shall be sure to relay today’s events to my Duke. I will tell him how deeply concerned you were for our family.”
“T-That’s not what I meant… My apologies, Madam. As compensation, would you grant us the honor of creating the wedding dress for Her Ladyship the Marchioness, who is to become the new Duchess?”
“Do you take Side for a joke? You exaggerate trivial matters to threaten me and my daughter, and now you expect my daughter-in-law to wear a dress made by you? That won’t be necessary. We have no need for such a dress.”
Just then, the knights Josh had summoned entered the room.
“Well? What will you do?”
Would she prefer to be dragged out disgracefully by the knights?
The Grand Madam’s silent question made the Countess’s face burn red. Such humiliation was something she had never experienced before.
After casting one last glare at Anje—who had done nothing—the Countess bit her lip and stepped toward the door.
“I will not forget this.”
“Nor will I forget you.”
The door shut behind her. Once even the servants who had tidied the room withdrew, the Grand Madam staggered slightly.
“Are you all right?”
The ducal matriarch, who had stood so firm before Countess Dreiko, now looked pale.
“What are we to do? When she should still be basking in newlywed bliss, talk of a concubine arises. I wonder whether delicate Mariana can endure this.”
“Her Ladyship is stronger than you think, Mother.”
Don’t you remember? She once disciplined an arrogant suitor with her fan until the ribs snapped.
“She’s no longer the timid girl who only endured in silence.”
“If you say so… but when it concerns one’s child, it’s hard not to worry.”
Her wrinkled, icy hand clasped Anje’s.
“Shall I call a physician?”
“No. I am merely a bit tired.”
“Are you truly all right?”
Anje gently rubbed the cold hand, concern written across her face.
“I said I am fine. I cannot be shaken by something like this.”
The Grand Madam’s gaze turned meaningful.
“The House of Side has many enemies. Becoming its Duchess will not be easy.”
“Yes…”
That was why I tried not to. I denied the feelings growing for Joseph and even tried to run away—but in the end, here we are. Anje lowered her eyes shyly.
And then she thought of what she must do.
She needed to learn more about Ilya Baht. Was she truly as beautiful as rumored? And what exactly was a princess plotting by coming all this way?
“Then I’ll return to my room. I have work piled up.”
“Wait, my dear.”
That ticklish term of endearment made Anje’s shoulders twitch again.
She had lost her father before she came of age and borne the responsibility of caring for her sick mother and household. Being called “my dear” felt almost embarrassing to her.
“You called, Mother?”
The Grand Madam’s smile brightened at her response. She pointed toward a wardrobe in the corner.
“Would you open that for me?”
“Here?”
Anje grasped the ebony handle and pulled the doors open—then her eyes widened.
At the very front of a row of dresses in soft spring hues hung a splendid wedding gown in a pale golden shade, almost white.
“This is…”
The elegance of the dress itself was stunning—but what moved Anje most was the fabric.
It was made from the newly imported silk of the Crow Merchant Guild.
The very fabric she had feared would languish unsold in storage—dismissed as a troublesome loss after arriving too late to catch the trend—now stood before her transformed into a breathtaking gown.
“Grey came to see me, somehow having heard that I wished to gift you a wedding dress. He said the newly imported silk was proving difficult to move.”
“But I never imagined you would do this much…”
“It seemed the most reasonable solution. Even the finest fabric loses value if it misses the fashion. So no matter what happens, the grandest event of this social season must be your wedding to Joseph.”
Not some woman named Ilya.
No matter what it took, Anje had to become the most beautiful and radiant bride. And the Grand Madam had both the ability and power to make that happen.
“Thank you, Mother.”
“It benefits us both, so there’s no need for thanks.”
Confusion flickered in Anje’s eyes. It benefited her—but who else?
“Then why did you call that lady earlier?”
A faint sneer touched the Grand Madam’s lips.
“I anticipated the Countess might come in person, but I did not summon her. I merely called for Dreiko’s dressmaker.”
As expected, the Countess herself came running. It perfectly reflected her meddlesome nature.
“I heard she had been spreading needless talk lately. I summoned her to give a warning.”
“But judging from her expression earlier…”
“Indeed. Even you could tell she won’t remain quiet, could you?”
Nursing a grudge, the Countess would likely seek revenge openly.
The Grand Madam intended to issue a true warning then—before many witnesses. There needed to be an example made of what happens when one looks down on the House of Side.
Though it might be tiresome, she had to clear away such insolent climbers before entrusting the family to her daughter-in-law.
“This was done with that in mind, so do not worry. Focus on your own affairs.”
She smiled serenely.
But hadn’t she just staggered from the shock? Concern lingered on Anje’s face.
“After Joseph went to war, I nearly withdrew from society altogether. I had forgotten how women like Countess Dreiko swarm there. She is truly exhausting. I was only briefly dizzy from the strain of dealing with her.”
“Mother… at least have some water.”
As Anje offered a glass, a weary smile crossed the Grand Madam’s face.
“I have long known about the Princess of Nayan. Joseph even sought an audience with His Majesty regarding the matter.”
“What did he say?”
“I was told His Majesty dismissed it outright as nonsense. The princess is merely the representative of a delegation seeking friendly ties.”
“She seems too exceptional for that. And whether it’s true or not, people will spread strange rumors even if His Majesty and the princess merely cross paths on a stroll. I worry for Her Majesty the Empress.”
“It is concerning, but what can we do? We must trust that Their Majesties will handle it wisely. More importantly—do you like the dress?”
“It’s incredibly beautiful. Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. This is only the beginning.”
“The beginning?”
A cold sweat slid down Anje’s back at the ominous tone, and the Grand Madam continued.
“Did I not say? You must become the highlight of this social season. That is the only way for both Mariana and you to survive.”
“I don’t quite understand…”
“You said you have work piled up? I’ll give you one hour. Finish it and return. We’re going shopping. Shoes and jewelry—let’s see, I wrote down a list somewhere.”
“Mother?”
Ignoring Anje’s furrowed brow, the Grand Madam retrieved a densely written list from somewhere and smiled with satisfaction.
“Here it is.”
“All of that… Ah!”
Why did her bad premonitions never fail?
A sigh escaped Anje.
“Before men go to war, don’t they prepare? Polish their armor and sharpen their blades. The social world is a battlefield for women. So we must prepare as well.”
