Chapter 14
Grace stared blankly at the busy servants and maids rushing around, as well as at Sally, who was beaming at her. She had no time to say anything.
When they finally finished tidying up and left the bedroom, Grace shouted at Sally, who was still smiling beside her:
“Sa-Sally! Why… why did you do that?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“All of… all of that stuff! You told them to make everything into dresses and shoes! And even the jewelry! How… how am I supposed to accept all of that?”
“Oh, Madam! What are you saying? You’re the wife of Duke Arthur Felix, the Emperor’s cousin and the Empire’s greatest knight! You should be delighted to receive such treasures! You deserve even finer things than this!”
“…I-I suppose, but isn’t this a little excessive, Sally? One dress would have been enough…”
“One dress, enough? Once you’re officially recognized as the Duchess Felix at the wedding celebration banquet, invitations from royals and nobles will pour in! Do you intend to attend all those parties with only one dress?”
“…Will that many people even invite me?”
“Of course they will!”
Grace wanted to argue that she didn’t know whether so many nobles would really invite her—or whether she’d even be staying long enough in the mansion to attend so many parties—but she stayed silent.
Thinking her persuasion had worked, Sally beamed with satisfaction and pulled Grace’s hand.
“Now, you understand, right? Come on, stretch your arms out wide. We need to measure you so the dresses can be made.”
“…Ah, okay.”
“I’ll go fetch the measuring tape! Just stay still!”
With Sally tugging at her arms excitedly, Grace finally rose and stretched out her arms. Sally dashed to the dressing table in her usual lively manner, and Grace, watching her with a mix of disbelief and amusement, couldn’t help but smile.
Even though it was just a matter of preparing her, Sally’s excitement made it feel as if she were doing something of great importance herself. Grace found it both cute and endearing.
They spent the time trying on the dresses and shoes sent by the artisans, adjusting jewelry to fit Grace perfectly, until the morning of the wedding banquet finally arrived.
Grace woke earlier than usual, bathed with Sally’s help, and changed into the soft rose-pink satin dress.
Sitting before the dressing table, Sally carefully pinned Grace’s hair into an elegant updo with a silk rose decoration, then fastened a diamond necklace around her neck and said:
“Oh my, you’re truly beautiful.”
“You flatter me, Sally.”
“Flatter you? No, everyone will think a goddess has descended!”
Grace’s cheeks tinged pink at Sally’s exaggerated praise, and she awkwardly fiddled with the necklace.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door, and Arthur’s voice called out:
“Are you ready, Madam?”
“Yes! Just a moment, Duke! …Now, please take my hand and help me stand.”
Sally gently took Grace’s hand and helped her up in response to Arthur’s call.
Grace stood obediently, supported by Sally, and walked to the bedroom door. Sally stopped just slightly away from the door and carefully opened it.
“…!”
There, standing before her, was Arthur.
Not wearing his usual black uniform but a navy coat adorned with pearl buttons and dozens of epaulettes across his chest, his hair swept back, he looked even more dignified than usual.
His hair styled elegantly backward, his exposed mask revealing his striking blue-and-red heterochromatic eyes, he appeared more mysterious than intimidating today.
‘Is this how it feels to be bewitched by a demon?’
Grace found herself unable to look away.
Arthur, too, was different from usual. His eyes, which normally shone so intensely, now carried a hazy, almost dreamy light as they fixed on her.
As the two of them stared at each other, unfocused yet captivated, Sally quietly laughed, then smirked mischievously and said:
“Oh my, Duke, no matter how beautiful Madam is, staring so intently will make her embarrassed.”
“…!”
“And Madam, no matter how handsome the Duke appears today, if you gaze like that, people will tease you for being an unseemly lady.”
“S-Sally! Th-That’s not what I’m doing!”
Grace’s face flushed crimson as she shouted at Sally.
Sally, hiding her laughter at the sight of Grace’s embarrassment and Arthur’s unusually stiff expression, released her suppressed amusement.
She then took Grace’s hand from hers and placed it on Arthur’s arm, saying:
“I’ll go finish packing Madam’s belongings, so Duke, please escort her to the carriage.”
“…I could carry the luggage myself, if you prefer.”
“Oh, how could I possibly let a noble Duke do that? …Now, now, come along, Duke. We’ll be late if we dawdle.”
With Sally practically shoving them out the door, Grace was guided outside the bedroom, leaving her alone with Arthur in the hallway.
Alone again, she felt awkward, tense, breathless, and twisted inside.
Arthur seemed similarly affected; he silently stared down at her arm, which rested lightly on his. Grace felt his intense gaze and thought:
‘If you don’t want me touching you, just say so… But didn’t you hold me by the waist a few days ago without any problem?’
Was it that he disliked her initiating contact? Feeling strangely irritated, Grace slightly pouted and withdrew her hand from his arm.
Before her hand fully left, Arthur gripped it firmly.
“…!”
Startled, Grace looked back at him. He deliberately avoided her gaze, cleared his throat quietly, and held her hand firmly on his arm, saying:
“…It’s late. Let’s go.”
“…Ah, yes.”
Prompted by his firm voice, Grace nodded absentmindedly. Arthur took the lead, walking slowly, seemingly considerate of her heels.
Grace instinctively gripped his arm, matching his pace.
It felt odd—embarrassing, yet she didn’t want to let go.
‘I’m holding on so I don’t fall. That’s it.’
Yes, that’s why.
That’s why my heart feels so fluttery, she reassured herself.
Walking side by side, Arthur and Grace exited the mansion and passed through the garden toward the main gate.
There, attendants of the Felix household awaited by the carriage. Upon seeing Arthur and Grace approaching, Leon ran toward them.
“Brother! Sister-in-law!”
“Leon! Slow down! Watch your step!”
Grace quickly stepped forward as Leon wobbled, nearly stumbling. He hurried even faster and buried himself in the wide folds of Grace’s dress.
Seeing his adorable gesture, Grace laughed aloud and smoothed his long hair. Leon lifted his head from the dress, eyes sparkling, and exclaimed:
“Wow, you look so, so beautiful today!”
“Really?”
“Yes! Like a newly bloomed rose! …No, wait, like a sparkling jewel, no, like the Fairy Queen!”
“Oh, I’m honored, Prince Leon.”
Grace, slightly embarrassed by Leon’s honest praise, bowed politely.
Leon giggled and hugged her legs tighter, as if refusing to let go. Arthur reached over and gently ruffled Leon’s hair.
“Alright, Leon. Let go of Madam now.”
“Can’t I stay like this a little longer?”
“Sorry, not today. Your brother and sister-in-law must attend the Emperor’s banquet.”
“…About that, can’t I go along too?”
Leon lifted his head and pouted at Arthur, as if pleading. Arthur, however, shook his head firmly.
“I’m afraid not. Only your brother and sister-in-law were invited.”
“…Does His Majesty dislike me because I’m cursed? Is that why I wasn’t invited?”
Leon looked down, sullen and disheartened.
Arthur’s expression tightened, pained, as he watched him. Grace frowned slightly at the exchange.
‘That’s odd. I thought Leon would be on the guest list.’
Yet Arthur insisted that Leon could not attend. Grace moved her hand slightly on his arm to silently ask for an explanation. Arthur turned to her and covered his eyes with his hand.
‘…Ah. I understand.’
Grace finally comprehended everything.
