IBGM 13

 Who Is the Winner (4)

“Your answer?”

Only then did Lebellina come back to her senses at Tartennon’s question. She also realized she had kept him waiting far too long.

“Our contract… means we won’t reveal it to anyone, right?”

“There’s nothing to gain from it being exposed.”

“Then that’s fine. We should announce it to high society.”

“I’ll have the imperial palace banquet hall reserved under the Grand Duke’s name.”

The imperial palace had two banquet halls. One was used for official state events, while the other was rented out to nobles for a high price. It was quite a profitable source of income for the imperial family. Nobles who held banquets there received the highest level of treatment—an obvious scheme by the Emperor to increase royal revenue.

That hall was more splendid than any other place in the palace, and banquets held there were considered special. While members of the imperial family could use it freely, nobles could not. Without sufficient status or wealth, it was impossible to even dream of hosting an event there.

Hearing that Tartennon would rent such a place for her, Lebellina felt slightly moved.

‘Why is he going this far?’

At the same time, she felt suspicious. No one had ever shown her such favor before—especially not for a mere contractual marriage.

Was it really necessary to spend this much on something that was just a contract? From her perspective, it was an extremely irrational investment. Still, Tartennon’s actions undeniably raised her value.

‘I can’t let this go on—it weighs on my conscience.’

Knowing how expensive it was to rent the palace banquet hall, Lebellina finally spoke.

“Do we really need to rent the imperial banquet hall?”

“Of course. This is a marriage announcement by me—the Grand Duke of Speraum. It wouldn’t make sense to do it in some shabby place.”

His confident reply left her speechless. Thinking about it, he was right. It would be absurd for the ruler of the North to announce his marriage in an ordinary venue.

“You just need to wait for the day of the banquet.”

“When are you planning it?”

“In two days.”

“…Two days? What did you say?”

“I said two days. So prepare immediately.”

The color drained from Lebellina’s face.

From that day on, the servants of the Asilius Marquisate moved busily—and Lebellina was no exception.

Although she had already commissioned a custom dress from the Shekh Dress Shop, it had been intended for her marriage announcement with Inferno. She needed a new dress, but she didn’t even have time to visit the atelier. So she summoned Madame Broua to the estate instead.

Guided by the butler, Madame Broua passed through the bustling servants and headed toward the drawing room. It was her first time visiting the Asilius estate, and it lived up to its reputation—elegant and refined in every detail.

As someone who loved beautiful things, she looked around with a satisfied, cat-like smile. The estate itself was a source of inspiration.

“The residence is truly beautiful.”

“It is all thanks to the young lady’s taste.”

Even the butler treated her with great courtesy.

Madame Broua carefully observed the servants’ faces. One could often tell the strength of a household from its servants—and here, they all looked bright. At the very least, it meant Lebellina was not a bad master.

Their pride and affection for the marquisate were evident.

Standing before the drawing room door, she felt once again just how powerful the Asilius family was.

“My lady, Madame Broua has arrived.”

“Let her in.”

As the door opened, Broua stepped inside—then froze in place.

A silver-haired man stood beside Lebellina.

‘The Grand Duke of Speraum!’

He was one of the most talked-about figures in high society. Many noble ladies had refused to believe the rumor that he was engaged to a minor noblewoman like Belarus.

To them, her family was far too insignificant to stand beside him.

Then came rumors that the imperial family planned to marry him to a princess, and the nobles all nodded in agreement. It made sense—they assumed Belarus was merely a placeholder until a proper royal bride took her place.

To them, Belarus was nothing more than a decorative accessory.

‘Then why is he here?’

“Welcome, Madame Broua.”

“It’s an honor to be called, Lady Lebellina.”

Pushing aside her confusion, Broua responded politely. She was now relieved she had chosen Lebellina’s side back at the atelier instead of Belarus.

‘If Belarus was just a stand-in… then Lady Lebellina is the real one.’

The power of the Asilius marquis—who served as the empire’s chancellor—was not something to ignore. And neither was Lebellina, who managed the family’s internal affairs.

There were even rumors that ever since she took charge of the finances, every one of her investments had succeeded, earning the family immense wealth. Other noble houses were said to be following her lead.

She was remarkable even without her family’s backing.

“Ren, this is Madame Broua—the most famous designer from the Shekh Dress Shop in the capital.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”

“The honor is mine, Your Grace.”

‘Ren?’

Though surprised that Lebellina used a nickname not even permitted to Belarus, Broua calmly bowed. Years of dealing with nobles showed in her composure.

“I’ve heard you make the finest garments.”

“I am confident I can create clothing that suits anyone in the empire better than anyone else.”

“As Lina said. I like that confidence.”

When the Grand Duke called her Lina, Broua nearly lost control of her expression. Once she could endure—but twice was difficult.

Seeing her stunned, Lebellina smiled brightly.

“I think Ren’s words surprised you.”

“A designer close enough to call you by name… you must be truly skilled.”

“Broua is well-recognized.”

“More than that, I trust your judgment.”

Tartennon lifted Lebellina’s hand and pressed his lips to the back of it, never taking his eyes off her. To Broua, he looked like a man deeply in love.

“I called you because I’d like you to make the outfits for our engagement ceremony.”

“E-Engagement ceremony?”

“Indeed.”

Though the question was directed at Lebellina, it was Tartennon who answered.

“Forgive me, but… I was under the impression that Lady Lebellina was already engaged.”

Broua spoke carefully. It took courage to say such a thing in front of the man known as the cold-blooded Grand Duke of the North.

But she had a principle: she would never design clothes for those involved in adultery. That was the rule she upheld, and it was why her atelier was so respected among noble ladies.

“Broua.”

Lebellina called her with a sorrowful expression.

“Yes, my lady.”

“It’s embarrassing to say, but the Second Prince asked to break off our engagement. I had no choice but to accept.”

“…What?”

“He said he loves someone else.”

“My goodness!”

“I couldn’t hold on to someone who said he never loved me.”

It was a devastating story.

What would it feel like to hear such words after more than ten years of engagement? Broua, who had experienced something similar, reacted immediately.

“He said that to you?”

“That’s why the engagement had to be broken.”

As Lebellina looked downcast, Tartennon gently brushed her cheek.

“You shouldn’t make that face in front of me, Lina.”

“Ren…”

When he pulled her into an embrace, she did not resist.

“Because of that, I also discovered my own fiancée’s betrayal.”

Broua’s eyes widened.

“My goodness!”

If that was true, then the woman involved with the prince must be Belarus.

The constant revelations left her dizzy.

“Then… you two…”

“We met while dealing with our unfaithful partners—and found fate instead.”

Tartennon’s sweet voice filled the drawing room.

What a romantic story.

Two betrayed people meeting and falling in love.

Broua barely managed to cover her mouth to suppress her gasp.

“I want you to make our outfits for the engagement, which will be held in the imperial palace banquet hall.”

“Of course! If not me, then who else!”

Broua declared firmly.