Chapter 56
“Ugh, I miss him…”
Because my wedding had been scheduled so suddenly, there were countless things I had to handle. As a result, despite my busy days, there weren’t many chances to see Chester. I was busy, yes, but Chester was far busier.
I had visited the duke’s residence a few times to see him, but each time I only found him working. It felt like I was disturbing him, so I hadn’t gone recently. The last time I saw him was when we were taking the wedding portraits.
“Your Highness, once the wedding dress is finished, you’ll have more free time. The Duke will also be available then, so don’t worry too much.”
“Mm…”
“Now you just need to choose the wedding shoes, earrings, and necklace.”
“Which do you think is the prettiest, nanny?”
“Everything will suit Your Highness beautifully, no matter what you choose.”
Madam, who had handled everything from the wedding dress to all the small details, had arrived and now began laying out countless pieces of jewelry. Still, today felt relatively easy—choosing and altering the wedding dress had been the most hectic part.
I selected the necklace and earrings without difficulty and took a brief moment to breathe.
“Your Highness, the dance instructor has arrived.”
“…I suppose we should start?”
“Yes. From now on, you are not the princess but the Duchess, so it’s necessary.”
The hardest part by far was the social dance. It made me acutely aware of just how pampered my life as a princess had been. I had been lucky to have avoided society until now. Was Julia in the novel not clumsy like me?
Since I would no longer live as a princess but as the Duchess, I had to learn the social dances belatedly. My body felt foreign, uncoordinated. The awkwardness lessened after repeated practice, but stepping on my partner’s feet didn’t improve at all.
“Your Highness…”
No matter how much I practiced, mistakes were frequent. Perhaps the instructor felt pity for me, as he didn’t say a word. Or maybe he was simply speechless.
“Let’s end today’s lesson here.”
“Yes…”
“You’ve improved a lot compared to the beginning.”
“But—!”
“It’s fine. No one does everything perfectly the first time.”
The instructor was kind—though only in words. My toes ached from repeating the steps over and over. For two hours, I danced with no talent at all.
When I finally collapsed onto the bed, I indulged in a sweet, restful break. Nanny told me to wash up and lie down properly, but everything felt bothersome. I just wanted to do nothing and let my exhausted body relax.
“Chester…”
The longer I went without seeing him, the stronger my desire grew. The small doubts I once felt unconsciously faded, replaced by the overwhelming certainty that I loved him.
“I miss you.”
On the day of the wedding, I didn’t see Chester’s face at all. I woke early, bathed in fragrant oils, put on my wedding dress, and had my makeup done. I closed my eyes and entrusted my face to the attendants.
“Your Highness, you’re all finished.”
When I opened my eyes, I was captivated by my reflection in the mirror. I wore a snow-white dress, my shimmering silver hair neatly pinned up, and a necklace and earrings crafted from transparent diamonds. My skin was smooth as porcelain and translucent like glass.
Even I couldn’t help but marvel at how beautiful I looked.
“You are absolutely stunning, Your Highness!”
“You look like an angel sent from heaven!”
Even the attendants praised me, so my eyes weren’t deceiving me. I wondered how Chester would react. How would he look at me?
“Now all that’s left is the veil!”
The attendants quickly placed the veil over me and helped me into my wedding shoes. My preparations were finally complete. Since I couldn’t lift the dress by myself, two attendants helped me stand and move to a comfortable sofa.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
“Your Highness, the Emperor and the Crown Prince are here.”
“Let them in.”
As the door opened, I saw my father and older brother. Today was the last day I would face them as ‘Julia Beatrice.’ From now on, I would live as ‘Julia Ziegbert.’ Though my royal blood wouldn’t change, I would no longer be part of the imperial family but a member of the Duke Ziegbert’s household.
“Julia… I never thought you would really get married.”
“From the royal family’s perspective, there couldn’t be a better match than the Duke Ziegbert, right?”
“Julia, this father only wants your happiness.”
“Yes. I’ll live happily.”
“You once said you wouldn’t marry and would stay with me forever… and yet, here we are.”
“But… if it’s Chester, you can be satisfied. A man of noble rank outside the royal family, handsome too!”
And he was perfect in every way—appearance, status, and character. Perhaps his personality was slightly lacking, but compared to when I first met him, he was kind and gentle to me now, so it was fine.
“Even if Chester lacks wealth or title, he’s a suitable husband for a princess!”
I realized that Chester had allowed me to continue living my life without giving up on it. Even if he didn’t remember, I was almost certain he was him. Black hair, orphaned at a young age, the same age as me, and the location where I had run away from the royal palace was near the site of the former Duke Ziegbert couple’s funeral.
I understood why he didn’t remember. If it was Chester, he had spent all those years surviving on the battlefield.
“And I don’t mind. I actually like it. Honestly… Chester is incredibly handsome!”
“Yes, Julia. If you’re happy, that’s all that matters. If you’re ever dissatisfied, you can always return to the palace.”
“Yes! I will!”
“Your daughter… is really getting married.” My father looked somewhat sad, so I hugged him tightly. I knew that after today, seeing him wouldn’t be as easy as it had been.
“I’ll come visit often.”
“Yes. Don’t just say it, you must come. Our beloved daughter…”
I could feel his concern deeply. No matter how ideal Chester might be, or how much he loved me, a little anxiety was natural. I understood my father. After all, I had just let go of the past and was about to get married.
“Brother.”
“…”
“You have nothing to say?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Is that it? Really nothing more to say?”
His comment about my looks made me smile, but I had hoped for congratulations on my marriage. My father treated me as a daughter he would part from forever; I felt no such emotion from my brother.
“Have you changed after getting married too?”
“Of course not.”
“Really? Nothing to say?”
“…Make sure to visit often.”
“Yes! I will!”
Good. Even though my brother had married, he wouldn’t stop at a simple compliment.
Another knock followed.
“Your Highness, the wedding preparations are complete… Your Majesty? And the Crown Prince? Why are you both here?”
“I am here to see my one and only daughter.”
“…It would be better if the Crown Prince went ahead.”
My brother left first, then my father and I stepped outside. The preparations were done. My hand, which had been holding my father’s, now moved into Chester’s. Together, we walked to the officiant’s stand.
Up close, Chester was incredibly handsome—no, his beauty seemed almost otherworldly. He looked at me briefly, and my heart raced uncontrollably.
“Julia.”
“Yes…?”
He whispered my name with a gentle smile, and I stammered.
“Is there something on my face?” Uh… well… his handsomeness?
Truly, he was handsome, but today, he was impossibly so, and I couldn’t look away.
“I-it’s nothing at all!”
My voice faltered. I glanced at him, and his smiling face filled my vision. Was he smiling out of joy?
“…Chester.”
“Yes, Julia.”
“Don’t smile like that in front of everyone.”
Even though I told him not to, Chester smiled the brightest smile in the world.
“If that is your wish, I shall comply.”
