IBGM 7

chapter 7

“Rebellina!”

The moment Tartenon left, the marquis rushed into the reception room, preventing her from continuing her thoughts. Since the topic had already been brought up, she had wanted to make a decision here and then return to her room—but that was no longer possible.

‘How did I forget Father…?’

She had been so shocked by her conversation with Tartenon that she forgot the marquis hadn’t yet gone to the imperial palace. The moment he saw her face, he began questioning her.

“What happened? What’s going on? Why did the Grand Duke come to see you?!”

“It was nothing.”

“Nothing?!”

“We just happened to run into each other at the banquet yesterday, and I dropped something. He returned it to me.”

“You?”

“Yes.”

Normally, Rebellina was meticulous about her belongings. It sounded suspicious that she would drop something, but the marquis didn’t press further. Sensing she was hiding something, he decided it was better to step back for now.

“It really wasn’t anything.”

“If you say so, then it must be.”

“I’m tired, so I’ll go upstairs.”

“Alright, go rest.”

As Rebellina left the reception room and climbed to her room on the second floor, the marquis watched her back with concern. Unaware of his gaze, she entered her room and locked the door.

Once she was alone, she collapsed onto her bed. The moment she closed her eyes, memories of yesterday became vivid again.

‘Of all people… that man had to be the Grand Duke of the North.’

He had heard everything—Inferno’s nonsense and harsh words. Not only that, he was the one who had caught her when she nearly fell, preventing her from hitting the ground.

She recalled the firm chest she had felt beneath her at the time.

‘It was broad… and warm.’

It had only been for a brief moment, but she had felt protected by him. And that feeling was unfamiliar.

When she was with Inferno, she had never once felt protected. He always told her to act for the dignity of the imperial family. He had never once said he would protect her as a woman.

She had once heard in passing that Tartenon had silver hair and blue eyes. But even after seeing his face, she hadn’t immediately recognized him as the Grand Duke—because he was far more handsome than she had imagined.

The Grand Duke of the North, in her mind, had been a rough, muscular man. But Tartenon was different.

‘He was beautiful.’

Yes, “beautiful” suited him well. He wasn’t bulky, but his body was firm and well-built. His silver hair shimmered like it could sway with the wind, and his blue eyes sparkled like sapphires.

In the dim hallway, his eyes had looked almost dark navy. But in the light, they shone like a clear blue sea.

His sharp nose looked almost cutting, and his cold gaze seemed capable of freezing anything that stood in his way.

‘Still… he looked different when he smiled.’

It had only been for a moment, but when he smiled, the sharp upward curve of his eyes softened. It was such a mesmerizing smile that it reminded her of the ice fairies said to enchant and lure people away in the North.

Though his tall frame was imposing, he had carefully protected her when she stumbled, placing a hand behind her head so she wouldn’t hit the ground. That contrast made her heart flutter.

“No! That’s not the point!”

Rebellina shook her head while lying on the bed.

“This isn’t the time to be thinking about that.”

She sat up abruptly and began thinking about what to do next. That 고민 continued deep into the night.

“My lady, it’s Sandy. I’m coming in.”

Standing outside Rebellina’s door, Sandy spoke softly. She had even brought a key, determined to get her out of the room no matter what today.

She couldn’t bear to see the precious young lady of the marquis household doing nothing but sighing in her room. Rebellina hadn’t come out or eaten since yesterday, and the head chef had been brought to tears.

Cooking delicious meals for her lady was his greatest joy, and now he had declared he wouldn’t eat either if she didn’t. With his plump body, he had begun fasting.

He wasn’t the only one. The butler had also been affected. Since Rebellina wouldn’t come out, he ordered a full cleaning of the house so everything would be perfect when she finally did.

Even the head maid had tried every possible method to enter the room, only to be met with resistance. After all those failures, it was now Sandy’s turn.

With a determined expression, she pumped her fist outside the door, encouraged by the servants gathered behind her, and turned the key. With a click, the door opened, and she peeked inside.

“…What is it?”

Rebellina’s voice was hoarse from barely eating or drinking. Sandy rushed toward her, nearly in tears.

“My lady!”

“Yes, I’m your lady. What is it?”

“….”

Seeing her condition only strengthened Sandy’s resolve.

‘No matter what, I’ll get Lady Rebellina out today!’

“The dress shop designer sent word that your measurements need to be taken again.”

“The dress?”

“Yes.”

Rebellina thought for a moment.

She remembered now. After the banquet, once her marriage to Inferno was decided, she would have needed dresses suitable for entering the imperial palace and not being looked down upon by other noble ladies.

“Tell them I’ll go another time.”

“They said you must come today. New decorations have arrived, and the madam is saving them especially for you.”

“Do I really have to go?”

Sandy cleared her throat. This was the crucial moment. If she pushed too hard, Rebellina would only resist more.

“Then… should I tell them you’ll come another time? The latest decorations might end up on another lady’s dress, but since that’s your decision, I’ll just—”

“….”

Rebellina knew exactly what Sandy was doing. She didn’t care about decorations going to someone else—but she appreciated Sandy’s effort. And she noticed the worried faces of the other servants peeking through the door.

Seeing their concern, she let out a small laugh.

“…Fine. Shall we go out, then?”

“That’s a great idea! Getting some fresh air will make you feel much better!”

“And buying something pretty will make me feel even better, right?”

“Of course!”

Sandy’s enthusiasm wasn’t unpleasant. Smiling brightly, Rebellina told them to prepare for her outing. As if they had been waiting, the maids rushed in.

Before she knew it, after being fussed over by their hands, she found herself standing in front of the empire’s most famous—and expensive—Shekh Dress Shop.

The grand doors opened, and a staff member immediately bowed upon seeing her.

“Welcome, Lady Asilius.”

“I came after receiving your message.”

“The madam has been waiting for you. This way, please.”

Following the attendant, she entered a private room reserved for only a select few.

This was a special place accessible only to noble ladies of both high status and great reputation. Even with fame, one couldn’t enter without status—and even with status, one couldn’t enter without reputation.

“Welcome. I’ve been expecting you.”

The shop’s madam, Brua, greeted her with a smile and led her into a dressing area to take her measurements.

Though she was used to such attentive service, Rebellina knew it wouldn’t last. Once news of her broken engagement spread, this very shop would likely change its attitude overnight.

The measurements were quickly finished, and Brua suggested moving to another area for refreshments.

“We’ve just received Golden Tips tea today.”

“You managed to get that?”

“Yes.”

Rebellina looked at her in surprise. Golden Tips was a rare tea made from leaves picked by hand at high altitudes and dried on velvet cloth. As they dried, the leaves turned from silver to gold, making it extremely expensive—something most noble ladies couldn’t even enjoy.

“I prepared it especially for you. This way, please.”

As Rebellina followed her, a loud voice came from the direction of the general fitting rooms.

“Oh my! It suits you so well!”

Her brow twitched at the overly enthusiastic praise. Noticing this, Brua gestured to quiet the staff—but the attendant didn’t see it and continued speaking.

That was when Rebellina turned her gaze.

“Does it really suit me?”

“Of course! You look absolutely stunning.”

Bella Rus Jeraon stood before a mirror, dressed in a dazzling gown.