Chapter 35
“Miss!”
Aila stormed in with a terrifying energy. I instinctively backed away, half-expecting her to grab me by the collar.
“You were invited to the engagement party, weren’t you?!”
“Uh, y-yeah.”
“You should’ve told me sooner!”
“W-Would that have been a big problem…?”
I asked cautiously. I was scared.
It was the weekend. I had just returned to the duke’s estate with Readmore.
When I had written a letter last time, I briefly mentioned that I was invited to the engagement party—and this was the result.
Aila had barged into my room the moment I arrived, giving me no time to rest. She grabbed my hand and hurried off somewhere.
“Of course it’s a problem! Even starting now, there’s not enough time. Hurry, come on!”
I was dragged along, resisting weakly.
“But it’s just a simple gathering. I’m not even having a debutante ball. They said it’s just a casual party including the academy students, so why…”
The rest of my sentence—“why go this far”—was swallowed back into my mouth.
Aila flung open a door and turned to me triumphantly.
Inside the room, unfamiliar maids and women I’d never seen before were waiting.
Countless fabrics and accessories filled the spacious room.
“Come in. There’s no time.”
I stared in a daze at the surreal scene before me, and Aila gave me a shove from behind.
“Wait, what is all this?”
“What do you mean? It’s preparation for your attendance at the party.”
She shut the door and led me to the center of the room.
As soon as Aila stepped away, the women rushed forward to measure my body, hold fabrics and jewelry up to me—it all happened at once.
Hands and arms I didn’t recognize held me tightly in place.
I barely managed to turn my head to call out the only ally I had.
“Aila. Aila?”
“You have fair skin, so I think this would suit you. Something lighter, not those dark neutrals.”
She didn’t seem to hear me, passionately discussing fabrics with the others.
“Not that one, give me the one from Hecharima. Yes, that one.”
“Aila!”
“Yes? What is it, miss?”
“Come here for a moment.”
“I’m busy right now…”
Worried others might hear, I gestured to her.
She glanced longingly at the fabrics, then reluctantly waved the others away.
The maids and dressmakers stepped aside, still sorting through fabrics and chatting.
I found myself somehow standing on a footstool. I leaned down and whispered into Aila’s ear.
“What is all this? These fabrics, the jewels, all these people. Isn’t this way too expensive? Is this really okay?”
“Miss, what are you talking about? His Grace the Duke gave the orders himself!”
Her eyes went wide, and she let out a small laugh, as if I’d said something funny.
“The duke did?”
“Of course! He said, ‘Don’t worry about the cost,’ ‘Use only the highest quality,’ ‘Make sure nothing is lacking.’ He told me all of this himself!”
I felt strange. A little itchy inside, like butterflies in my stomach.
“So don’t worry about anything and leave it to us. I’ll make sure you’re the most dazzling person at the party!”
She clenched her fist in determination.
Before I could say another word, she called the others back and resumed the lively discussion, comparing every type of fabric under the sun.
I just stood there, watching as if this were someone else’s life.
Aila’s passion didn’t stop there.
“That’s all you ate? That can’t be right. Eat more, quickly.”
It was during a tea break when I was reading in my room.
Tiny biscuits, custard-filled cream puffs, and cakes topped with strawberries were elegantly arranged for tea.
Ever since the Duke, Lord Obed, and Readmore began showing me favor, even the staff of House Desmier had started treating me differently.
This tea set had also been specially prepared when the head chef heard it was for me.
I had enjoyed a few bites and stopped once I was full, but Aila wasn’t having it.
“I’m full. I ate a big lunch—you know that.”
“That wasn’t a lot,” she said firmly.
“You need to eat more. You’ve only just started gaining weight. When I first saw you, you were so skinny I was shocked.”
“Eat more, please.” She handed me another biscuit.
She was so insistent that I couldn’t refuse and took it reluctantly.
This same routine played out every weekend leading up to the engagement party.
Finally, the day of the party arrived.
From dawn, I was led around by many hands in a flurry of preparation.
By the time I was fully dressed, the sun had already risen high in the sky.
“My goodness, miss…”
Aila clutched her handkerchief, eyes brimming with tears.
I stood awkwardly on the pedestal, fiddling with my dress.
“Turn around, please.”
One of the maids, who I had grown familiar with during fittings, suggested.
I spun slowly. The hem of the dress fanned out like a gentle wave.
“Wow…”
“You look so beautiful, miss!”
“It suits you perfectly.”
The maids and seamstresses all chimed in with praise.
They were especially moved, having worked hard to complete this dress, as well as two more for formal outings and three for casual wear.
Even to someone like me, with no eye for fashion, the dress looked stunning.
The pale blue dress was like the sea.
The square neckline was modest yet refreshing. Around it hung my mother’s necklace.
The sleeves ended in short ruffles dusted with shimmering pearl powder.
A silver silk ribbon lightly cinched the waist, and the skirt flowed generously below.
I wore ivory gloves that reached up to my elbows.
My hair was styled half-up, half-down—neither too mature nor too youthful.
Pearl earrings from the Hysen Sea completed the ensemble.
It was the work of many hands.
“Thank you, everyone.”
I said, bashfully. The maids exchanged glances and smiled warmly.
As I glanced at the full-length mirror, I saw a girl unfamiliar with her reflection.
My dark hair gleamed. My lightly made-up face looked healthy and vibrant.
That girl looked nothing like the person I had seen in the mirror just months ago after I returned in time.
Time had passed quickly.
Knock knock.
I was lost in reflection when someone knocked at the dressing room door.
“Who is it?”
Aila called out. She was wearing a cheerful yellow dress as my guest for the event.
“It’s me. Readmore.”
Aila looked at me, silently asking if she could open the door. I nodded.
“I’ll open it now.”
She called out and pulled open the door.
Outside stood Readmore, oddly tense, dressed impeccably in formal wear.
His eyes widened when he saw me.
“Wow.”
The word of awe quickly disappeared back into his mouth. He smiled and strode over.
When he offered his hand, I gave him mine, and he leaned down to brush a kiss over the back of it.
“You’re beautiful, Kalia.”
“Thanks.”
He didn’t forget to compliment Aila too.
“You’re beautiful too, Aila.”
“Thank you, young master.”
Aila gathered her dress and gave a graceful bow.
“Shall we go?”
“Mm-hmm.”
I leaned on Readmore as I stepped off the pedestal. He linked arms with me and escorted me out.
As we walked to the carriage waiting at the main gate, his tone turned playful.
“At first, I was nervous about showing up at a party with you all dressed up like this… But seeing you now, I wonder why I ever worried.”
“Exactly. You’re being silly.”
I answered flatly.
“I think I’ll do fine. I’m officially your escort today, right? Just trust me. This big brother will take care of everything.”
Ugh. I quickly turned and wagged a finger at him with a warning.
“If you act like you did in the middle of the academy again—pulling stunts or being weird—I won’t forgive you!”
“Don’t worry.”
He helped me into the carriage, stepping onto the footstool with ease. Yet, even with his bold words and strong arm, I couldn’t shake the unease inside me.
Strangely, the girl reflected in the carriage window was smiling faintly—even though she’d just scolded him.
“Up we go.”
After helping Aila inside, Readmore climbed in last.
I quickly wiped the smile from my face and looked out the other window.
But I caught Aila watching me with a pleased grin. My face flushed a little.
“We’re departing!”
The coachman shouted, and the carriage jolted forward.
For a while, I listened to the rhythmic clatter of hooves and wheels until Readmore spoke again.
“Nervous?”
I clutched the fan on my lap. Judging by how quickly he reacted, it must’ve been obvious.
He clearly thought I was nervous about running into Helena at the party.
“There’s no need to worry. What happened last time won’t happen again. I’ll stay right by your side.”
“He’s right, miss,” Aila chimed in.
I smiled gratefully and turned my face back to the window.
The closer we got to the marquis’ estate, the colder my mood became.
Unlike Readmore, I couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause of my anxiety.
Was it because of Helena—or…
From far away, I thought I saw him—turning away coldly as always, golden hair catching the wind.
