Chapter 52 – Let Me Take That Envelope of Money
It happened then.
“Your Grace… Oh, dear.”
Adrian’s voice rang out from behind, snapping me back to my senses.
I instinctively shoved the Duke away and began fanning my now flushed cheeks. Then I spoke to Sir Adrian.
“Ahem. How is Lady Vanessa doing?”
“Ah, yes. She’s much better now. But more importantly, she said she has something she wants to tell His Grace…”
So that’s why he came. I tried my best to act natural and looked at the Duke.
“You should go. Quickly, Your Grace.”
“…Right. Sure. Ha. I wonder what she has to say that she had to call for me now. I’m really curious.”
Though he was smiling, it didn’t look like a smile at all. With that, the Duke walked out.
I considered following him, but then Adrian cleared his throat.
“Lady-to-be of the Duchy, may I have a moment of your time?”
“Huh? Oh, sure. What is it? …Huh?”
Before I could even finish, Adrian knelt down on one knee before me and lowered his head.
For a moment, I panicked, thinking of Marquis Pennian and Count Bolani.
“P-please don’t swear fealty!”
“Pardon? Oh, no, it’s not that. I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude.”
“Really?”
Phew. Thank goodness.
It was already overwhelming to have two people pledging loyalty like that, and imagining a third nearly gave me vertigo.
“To be honest, I’ve wanted to thank you properly for a while. But as both of us are still unmarried, I hesitated to visit alone, and so my greeting was delayed. I apologize.”
Count Bolani did complain about his son being too uptight. I guess this is what he meant.
“No, no need to apologize. And really, I don’t think I did much—Lady Vanessa overcame everything on her own.”
And more than that…
“I think the one who gave her the most strength was you, Sir Adrian.”
“…Me?”
Adrian shook his head.
“No. I merely watched as she suffered. I was no help to her. Even though I claimed to be her fiancé… I did nothing.”
“But I heard that even when Lady Vanessa said hurtful things to push you away, you still stayed by her side. That must’ve been hard.”
Now that I thought about it, I was curious.
I carefully asked Adrian, “Didn’t you resent her for treating you that way?”
“Not at all. I knew she was doing it on purpose. I was just afraid… afraid that someday she wouldn’t want to see me at all.”
That made my heart ache just a little.
If Adrian had truly wished she wouldn’t come back, the best way would’ve been to ignore her completely. Yet, Vanessa chose to meet him and say harsh words, and Adrian listened in silence.
“Thank you, truly. Though my loyalty lies elsewhere, I promise that should anyone attempt to tarnish your honor, I will be the first to draw my sword.”
“Ah… Um… Thank you.”
…At this rate, will I ever be able to leave the ducal estate safely after taking the envelope of money?
I could already imagine hordes of pursuers shouting, “You deceived us all!”
‘Whatever, I’ll figure it out somehow.’
As I mentally escaped reality, a good idea suddenly popped into my head.
I turned to Adrian, who was just getting up.
“Sir Adrian, do you happen to know the dance called ‘Blooming Fever’?”
“Ahem… Yes, I do.”
Maybe remembering the earlier scene, Adrian’s ears turned red and he let out a small cough.
“It’s a dance often used to show that someone is in a serious relationship or to ward off other suitors. Usually, engaged or married couples dance it to show affection. Most young nobles learn it.”
“Oh… So it has that kind of meaning?”
So the Duke had wanted to dance it just to provoke the Grand Madam.
“And why do you ask about that dance…?”
“I was wondering if you’d dance it with Lady Vanessa at the ball.”
“W-with Lady Vanessa?!”
Adrian’s face turned bright red.
“I danced it with the Duke earlier. If you lean into your partner, you only need to move your feet.”
If the two of them danced a sweet, romantic waltz in front of all the vassals, it would surely annoy the Grand Madam.
It was a shame to give up that chance, but I had made up my mind.
“If the two of you danced it, it would also be easier on Lady Vanessa’s stamina, wouldn’t it?”
Right now, her survival was the priority.
* * *
Preparing for the ball was no simple task.
Queen Rose Hall had begun its decoration a full week in advance. Every gardener at the ducal estate had been mobilized to trim trees and pull weeds from the corners.
On the day of the ball, the guest lounges and rooms were cleaned and organized. Wagons piled high with ingredients went in and out of the kitchen dozens of times.
I followed the Grand Madam around, checking whether the preparations were complete and if anything had been overlooked.
At the same time, I was sorting RSVP replies, practicing dance steps, trying on my dress after alterations—it was a whirlwind of busy days.
And at last, the day of the ball arrived.
“Your makeup is complete. Now, slowly open your eyes, Lady-to-be.”
As I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a stunningly beautiful young lady looking back at me.
“…Is that me?”
“Ahaha! What kind of romance novel line is that?”
“It is from a novel. I just wanted to say it once.”
I replied to Alicia with a laugh, but truthfully, I was only half joking.
With professional help, I had been transformed to the point that I barely remembered how I usually looked.
“How do you feel, my lady? Do you like it?”
In the mirror, I could see maids anxiously waiting behind me, eyes filled with nervous anticipation.
Their faces were full of solemn resolve, makeup brushes and jewelry boxes in hand, ready to start all over if I said I didn’t like it.
“I love it. Thank you for making me look so beautiful.”
Everyone broke into relieved smiles at my response.
“You’ll be the most beautiful lady at the ball today!”
“Even the Duke will fall for you all over again!”
With tension eased, the maids giggled and joked.
“Oh, no way.”
I waved off their words, but Alicia grinned and shoved me gently.
“Let’s see if that ‘no way’ turns into oh my god. The rascal’s been waiting an hour now. If you make him wait longer, who knows what kind of tantrum he’ll throw?”
“Wait, wait! I’ll go on my own!”
‘He’ll say I look beautiful for the sake of the engagement role…’
Regardless of what reaction he gave, I had to brace myself. And yet, before I knew it, I was already standing before the Duke.
“Here we are! Sorry to keep you waiting! But waiting is a gentleman’s virtue, right? No complaints?”
Alicia’s teasing voice echoed through the hall. The Duke, who had been peering into a case of silk plums, slowly turned toward me.
Nervous, I couldn’t meet his gaze. I just fidgeted with my hands.
Then I heard footsteps approaching.
I lifted my head slightly.
At the same time, long fingers gently cupped my cheek. My head tilted upward ever so slightly, and just as my eyes widened in surprise, something soft touched the corner of my lips.
“My love, you’re so beautiful.”
Right in the same spot where we’d shared our not-a-kiss kiss before.
