Chapter 6
“Not only did you dress her in such a cheap gown, but you also lied in Duke Concl’s estate? Remove those rags from the young lady immediately!”
The maids rushed toward Diarin.
Though it wasn’t the finest dress, the gown with Monsieur Limud’s label was ripped off and thrown to the floor without mercy.
“Miss, choose again. I’ll stand here myself this time, so choose properly.”
“Yes.”
Diarin already knew the head maid wasn’t doing this out of affection.
But that didn’t matter.
In the end, this situation benefited her.
So, as always, she acted obedient and calm.
‘As expected… this one is my favorite.’
It was the same luxurious dress she had first wanted.
While Monsieur Limud himself was unpleasant, his masterpiece was undeniably exceptional.
It was embroidered like blooming spring flowers, covered with diamonds and crystals, with soft silk sleeves like drifting spring clouds.
Most importantly—
It looked absurdly expensive.
That alone greatly satisfied Diarin.
‘This was definitely meant for Elise.’
But now it was hers.
“I’ll take this one.”
“Good choice. Monsieur Limud, dress her.”
“Y-Yes…”
Monsieur Limud couldn’t oppose the head maid of a great ducal house.
He personally helped dress Diarin, humiliated.
‘Arrogant girl! She’s not even a true duke’s daughter! How dare she disgrace me like this?’
Filled with venom, Monsieur Limud secretly jabbed her back with pins.
Prick.
Diarin’s body twitched.
Prick. Prick.
He repeatedly stabbed her skin with hidden fitting pins.
Painful, but usually leaving almost no trace.
It was a technique he had perfected over ten years.
Today, he wanted her back covered in punctures.
Then—
Smack.
Diarin slapped his hand away.
He feigned innocence.
“What is it, Lady Diarin? Are you uncomfortable?”
“Are you done?”
“Ah, only the ribbon remains.”
The moment he said that—
Diarin shoved him away.
“L-Lady Diarin?”
But she didn’t even glance back.
She tore off her robe ribbon and walked straight toward the head maid.
“What is it?”
Without a word, Diarin threw off her robe.
“Monsieur Limud…”
That bastard.
“…has done this to my body. What should we do?”
Everyone froze.
Her shoulders, chest, arms, and back were exposed.
And her skin—
Was covered in wounds.
Red pin marks covered her body.
Some spots were even bleeding.
Ol and Lor commented calmly.
<He’s dead now.>
Monsieur Limud nearly fainted.
‘Why?! My pinwork never leaves marks!’
What he didn’t know—
A mage’s body, filled with strong mana, was extremely sensitive.
Even tiny wounds would react intensely.
Diarin said evenly:
“The Duke will be very angry, Head Maid. What should we do?”
The head maid snapped.
“MONSIEUR LIMUD! Have you lost your mind?!”
She was furious.
Diarin’s body was being carefully maintained for political purposes.
This wasn’t random beauty treatment.
It was Duke Concl’s direct order.
“To insult House Concl this way?! You are merely a designer! Do you think you can survive after this?!”
“T-That’s not—!”
“Silence!”
She slapped him hard.
Monsieur Limud’s legs trembled.
He had assumed Diarin was just a lowly branch noble.
He never imagined the matter would be reported directly to Duke Concl.
But the head maid was merciless.
No matter how desperately he begged—
He was thrown out.
Expelled from a ducal estate.
The scandal would ruin him.
The head maid immediately ordered a new designer.
A New Designer
“Greetings, Lady Conclister. Oh my, how beautiful you are.”
“Hello, Madam.”
“I believe I’ve found a new muse! Your light brown hair is as sweet as brown sugar.”
The new designer was kind, passionate, and professional.
And thanks to that—
Diarin finally got exactly what she wanted:
An unbelievably expensive dress.
Three Days Later
There was a reason Diarin had dressed herself so extravagantly.
‘I’m nervous.’
She resisted wiping her sweaty palms on her skirt.
The jewelry, dress, and accessories she wore were worth nearly an entire mansion.
Her hands, neck, and ears glittered with gold.
She had intentionally chosen gold above all else.
“Greetings, Lady Conclister.”
“Hello, Sir Ramd.”
Red eyes.
Red hair.
Ramd Veston, Ezet’s knight.
He was the only knight Ezet had brought to the capital.
At the previous imperial event, his hostility toward Diarin had been obvious.
Though she pretended not to notice, she definitely had.
“His Highness has sent me to escort you.”
“He sent you personally? He must be very considerate.”
Ramd gave no response.
Only cold silence.
“Let’s go.”
He turned sharply.
Though the pairing of lady and knight sounded romantic—
They merely walked in cold silence.
The imperial palace was enormous.
As they walked, Diarin thought:
‘Is Ezet still using his old palace?’
Originally, the Eighth Prince’s residence had been on the outer edge.
If Ezet had been given a grand new palace, her plans might be disrupted.
Eventually, when no one else was around—
Ramd spoke.
“Lady Conclister.”
“Yes?”
“Were you serious at the dethronement ceremony?”
Diarin understood immediately.
He was referring to her claim about withdrawing from the engagement.
She calmly checked their surroundings.
No one nearby.
“Yes. I was serious.”
“…Ha.”
Ramd stopped walking.
Then turned sharply.
Towering like a mountain.
“Do you think we are fools?”
“Pardon?”
“Breaking the engagement? I could say the same thing myself. Pretending disinterest to manipulate His Highness—it’s such an obvious strategy.”
His anger exploded.
“Is His Highness a toy to you? You discarded him when he was worthless, but now that he has returned with glory, you want him again?”
Diarin simply looked at him.
Ramd’s fury only grew.
“Do you have no shame?”
He was restraining himself only out of courtesy.
But before he could continue—
“I understand.”
“…What?”
“I understand your concerns.”
Her answer was so calm that Ramd froze.
“After what happened two years ago, I’d distrust me too. That isn’t your fault.”
Then Diarin pulled a paper from her pale blue handbag.
A temple-issued oath contract.
Silver patterns shimmered on it.
She handed it to him.
“What is this?”
“Read it.”
Ramd read.
Then read it again.
His face twisted.
“Did you finish?”
“…No, I must be mistaken.”
He frowned deeply.
“This says…”
He looked at her in disbelief.
“If the engagement is not fulfilled… I am permitted to kill you.”
