Chapter 31
The fierce voice of the Baroness made Ariana’s snorting defiance falter.
The Baroness let her gaze slowly sweep over Hezenne once more.
It seemed the seamstress, hoping to profit, had overextended her skill.
Though she had promised generous payment, the result was beyond even the Baroness’s imagination—a dress of such breathtaking design, its peculiar hues blending innocence and allure in a way no one had foreseen.
That boast about making every man in Byron fall head over heels for Hezenne—perhaps it hadn’t been such idle merchant’s chatter after all.
And that face… so uncannily like that detestable woman Claire—
The Baroness felt as though she had been dragged back into the wretched mire of her past, wrapped in suffocating disgust.
“Today, we go to the crown prince’s wedding at the palace. If you make a scene and cause any uproar, neither your father nor I will forgive you. Do you understand?”
“…Yes.”
When the Baroness sternly warned Ariana, the girl grumbled but grudgingly answered.
“Come now, we must go. Any further delay and we will truly be late.”
The Baroness, regaining her composure, urged them on. The Baron, lost in his own thoughts, nodded silently.
When Baron Sevish turned to leave, Ariana and Helen followed, pouting as they went.
Hezenne remained standing still, which made the Baroness tilt her head sharply.
“Well? Why are you standing there gaping instead of coming along?”
“…”
Moving reluctantly, Hezenne was yanked by the arm. The Baroness leaned close and hissed in her ear.
“If you misbehave and cause trouble at the crown prince’s wedding today, remember this well: you will not be sleeping in your bed tonight but on the cold floor of the cellar. Do you understand?”
“…”
Hezenne stared straight into the Baroness’s face, which only tightened the Baroness’s grip on her arm.
“Answer me!”
The Baroness’s shrill voice echoed through the drawing room, and at last, with lips pressed tight, Hezenne forced herself to reply.
“…Yes.”
Only then did the Baroness release her roughly toward the door.
“…What did you just say? I’m meeting… who?”
In the rattling carriage, Hezenne’s eyes widened slowly.
Her expression, incredulous as if questioning her own ears, faced the Baroness squarely.
The Baroness, however, remained perfectly composed.
“At the crown prince’s wedding today, you will finally see the man who is to be your husband. Have I not already said this? Must I repeat myself so many times?”
Her voice sharpened with irritation, brows knitting.
Hezenne was struck dumb.
All this time, whenever she asked about her betrothed, they had evaded and hidden the matter like a shameful secret. And now, in the carriage on their way to Isabelle’s wedding, the Baroness tossed it out so casually.
Though she had clearly heard, Hezenne couldn’t help but ask again.
She had never once set foot in society.
Other young noblewomen, upon reaching adulthood, would be escorted by guardians to the Empress and go through the rite of passage before their social debut. To Hezenne, even that ordinary step was utterly foreign.
Even as Ariana and Helen each made their debuts, Hezenne had been excluded, never once allowed to experience the same.
Thus, she was an unknown ghost within noble circles.
So when they suddenly dressed her up so extravagantly for this royal outing, Hezenne had wondered why. Now she saw the hidden truth behind it.
“So… I’ve been dressed like this just to be shown to him?”
To Hezenne, it felt humiliating—as if she were adorned like merchandise to be appraised by the one who would buy her.
The Baroness replied without so much as blinking.
“You should be grateful. Many noble girls marry without ever seeing their husband’s face until the wedding day. Yet you are fortunate enough to meet him beforehand.”
“…Do you truly think I should be grateful for that?”
Hezenne’s voice twisted with bitterness.
“Do not be insolent. No matter what schemes you contrive, you will walk the path we have laid out. You will become the mistress of that household, and through that marriage alliance, the value of the Sevish barony will rise. That connection will ensure fine matches for Ariana and Helen.”
“…Not once… have you ever thought of me as your daughter, have you?”
“….”
Hezenne’s voice wavered as she forced down a surge of emotion.
It was something she had long yearned to ask but had never dared.
The Baroness, who was used to Hezenne’s defiant eyes and sharp tongue, seemed momentarily struck dumb by the unexpected question.
Silence fell heavy in the carriage.
Clunk—
“We have arrived, madam.”
The driver’s voice announced their arrival as the carriage stopped.
At that cue, the Baroness finally spoke.
“Every time I see your face—the spitting image of that wretched woman—I tremble with loathing. Tell me, how could I ever think of you as my daughter?”
Her vicious words carried the weight of an old, festering hatred.
The crown prince’s wedding was held in grand splendor.
Before a multitude of guests, Crown Prince Herzen and Isabelle knelt in the sanctuary, received the archbishop’s blessing, and were proclaimed husband and wife.
Afterward, the couple stepped onto the terrace to greet the throngs gathered outside the palace.
Crowds had swarmed to glimpse the beautiful new crown princess. Herzen and Isabelle, radiant with joy, waved to them in return.
Inside, nobles and ladies of rank buzzed with chatter, marveling at the beauty of the crown princess.
When the couple returned to the hall, guests quickly swarmed around them.
“Congratulations, Your Highness, Your Grace.”
One after another, they showered the couple with well-wishes, their eager expressions betraying their desire to gain favor with the future empress.
Isabelle looked over them calmly, smiling with poise.
“Thank you.”
The crown prince, face glowing with joy, was first to respond to their congratulations.
When he finished, Isabelle smiled brightly and added her own greeting.
“Thank you. To show my gratitude, I will soon host a tea gathering at the palace for you ladies. I hope you will all come.”
At those words, the noblewomen’s faces lit up with delight.
They had already been scheming ways to draw close to the future empress. For her to extend the invitation herself—nothing could be more welcome.
“Oh, how gracious and thoughtful you are, to host a tea for us personally.”
“Indeed. For Byron to gain such a beautiful crown princess is blessing enough, but for her to be so kind-hearted as well—this is truly a joyous day for the kingdom.”
As the lofty ladies scrambled to lavish praise upon her, Isabelle secretly sneered to herself.
