🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 43
Frea rested her chin on her hand and lowered her gaze as she spoke.
“Honestly, it still doesn’t feel real. I never thought this would happen.”
She had tried to stay as inconspicuous as possible because she didn’t want to get involved with the original story, but in the end, the plot had twisted anyway, and she had become entangled with the male lead.
The change in the original story was something even Frea hadn’t expected, and entering into a contract engagement with Raiden had been the best choice for the sake of her future.
‘As long as I have no intention of going back, I can’t let my life be ruined.’
Even though both were political marriages, there was a huge difference between this and a marriage arranged by Marquis Balche and his wife. If she had gone through with that, she would have lived her entire life like a puppet until the day she died.
What’s more, Raiden’s feelings for her were firm. The emotional exchange, something rarely found in political marriages, was still unfamiliar to her, but his deep affection worked in Frea’s favor.
“Well, you really didn’t want to get engaged or married, miss. You wanted independence so badly—so this must be a bit disappointing for you.”
“No. It’s not like there’s no way out yet. This engagement might become a breakthrough. At the very least, I can escape my father’s and mother’s interference.”
“That’s true. Duke Bethelheim will be a strong supporter for you.”
“But I’m not going to rely solely on the duke. This engagement is a contract, after all. Remember that, Greta.”
“Yes, miss.”
Even if she became Raiden’s fiancée, Frea’s goal wouldn’t change: to find a way to become fully independent within the contract period.
To avoid being trapped by Marquis Balche and his wife and turned into a scarecrow, she had to prepare thoroughly.
“We’ve had a short break, so let’s get back to it. Please sort out the new invitations.”
Stretching, Frea picked up her pen again. As she finished the letter she had been writing, Greta handled the invitations and grumbled.
“They’ve come in droves, even from families who’ve never sent anything before. Honestly, you can see right through them. You’re not going to invite them all, are you?”
“Of course not. There’s no need to invite so many people. We’ll focus on the major influential families.”
If just anyone could attend the engagement ceremony, not only would the prestige of House Bethelheim be diminished, but its exclusivity would be lost as well.
The reason people were so curious was precisely because it was the Duke of Bethelheim’s engagement.
“I discussed it with Savanna and made a decision. Official invitations will be sent out to each family soon.”
“I see. Then all these people who sent letters must be getting their hopes up for nothing.”
“It can’t be helped. This isn’t a society where everyone is equal. Still, people will look for other ways.”
“What ways?”
“There’s the imperial palace banquet coming up soon. Invitations for that are relatively easier to obtain, so people will flock there.”
“Oh! That’s right. It’ll be a chance to see you and Duke Bethelheim before the engagement ceremony.”
To reduce friction among nobles, the imperial palace emphasized fairness and, at least for banquets, guaranteed freedom of attendance regardless of status.
In reality, it was more about pretending to be equal to avoid criticism that they discriminated between lower and higher nobles, but thanks to that, almost every noble based in the capital attended the palace banquets.
With so many people gathering, incidents, rumors, useless information, and reliable information all popped up everywhere. Because there was more to gain than expected, even Raiden—who didn’t particularly enjoy such events—always attended the palace banquets.
Those who knew this wouldn’t miss the opportunity. Since Frea would attend with Raiden, for those who couldn’t go to the engagement ceremony, it was the perfect way to see the two of them in person.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
Frea answered while opening another invitation. Soon the door opened, and two butlers entered.
“Miss, Duke Bethelheim has sent you a gift.”
“A gift from the duke?”
A sudden gift from Raiden. The boxes the butlers were carrying looked anything but ordinary.
There were three gifts placed on the table: one large box and two small ones. She untied the ribbon on the largest box first, and inside was a dress that sparkled beautifully at first glance.
Greta gasped along with Frea.
“Oh my, it’s so pretty! I think this is a new dress from Renelora?”
“That’s right. Judging by the design and the seal on the card, it must be.”
“Just making a reservation takes months because it’s such a popular boutique… As expected of House Bethelheim.”
“They have a different level of authority compared to ordinary noble families. Even the proud owner of Renelora wouldn’t be able to refuse a sale.”
Renelora, which used luxurious, high-quality fabrics and led fashion trends with ahead-of-its-time designs, was practically the standard-bearer among noble dress shops.
However, since it branded itself as a high-end label, not just anyone could buy from it. They evaluated customers themselves and assigned reservation and purchase priority, so unless you were chosen, you couldn’t wear a Renelora dress.
“To think the day would come when you’d wear a Renelora dress, miss! I’m so moved.”
“It really is different from other dresses.”
Even to Frea, who wasn’t particularly interested in dressing up, the Renelora dress had a special quality that naturally drew the eye.
The design itself was simple, but without any excess, making it look comfortable, while the decorated lace and sparkling jewels gave off an air of luxury.
After examining the dress, Frea checked the other boxes as well. Seeing the shoes and accessories that matched the Renelora dress perfectly, Greta clapped her hands in delight.
“To even send shoes and accessories as a set—he really is the duke.”
“Yeah. I think he sent them for the palace banquet. We promised to go together.”
“Please try it on, miss.”
“Alright. Will you help me?”
“Yes!”
Greta moved quickly to help Frea change. After taking off her everyday clothes and putting on the Renelora dress, Frea stood in front of the mirror.
As if tailored for her long silver hair, the bodice down to the waist was white, sprinkled with soft silver shimmer, and from the hips to the hem brushing her ankles, a bluish-purple hue spread like a gentle dye.
At the beautiful sight, Greta flushed and made a fuss.
“It suits you so well! The color of the dress matches your fair skin perfectly.”
“It’s not just pretty—the fit is really comfortable. I can see why it’s so popular.”
It was truly worth the high price. She could confidently say it was the best dress she had ever worn.
“If you go to the palace banquet dressed like this, everyone will be looking only at you, miss!”
With a sapphire necklace and earrings, and bluish-purple shoes matched to the dress, she looked more than twice as radiant as usual.
“I’d rather not. I don’t want that much attention.”
“What are you saying? You’re going to be the future mistress of House Bethelheim in public now! People are bound to focus on you. You have to step forward confidently!”
Greta’s passionate words were right. People were already sending invitations in droves, eager to learn about her relationship with Raiden—how many more would pile up after the engagement ceremony?
Thinking about being harassed in so many ways, Frea let out a sigh.
After finishing trying on the outfit, she took off the dress and put her everyday clothes back on. As Greta was carefully putting away the shoes and accessories, she asked cautiously,
“Will the marquis and madam be attending this banquet as well?”
“No. Only young heads of families, young ladies, and young gentlemen were invited. After all, the host is Her Highness the Princess.”
“Oh, right. I forgot.”
After hearing Frea’s answer, Greta’s lips parted slightly, then her expression stiffened.
“Miss, will you be all right?”
Her reaction was unusual. Seeing the worried look in her eyes, Frea spoke calmly.
“Are you worried because of Her Highness the Princess?”
“You know how she is, miss…”
“She certainly is someone hard to deal with.”
The host of this palace banquet was Helena Rineil Capfillia, the empire’s only imperial princess. Two years older than Crown Prince Jeiros, she loved social activities and, while actively participating in society, often held banquets herself.
At twenty-six, well past the empire’s usual marriageable age, Princess Helena didn’t care and continued to enjoy social gatherings.
Partly because of her very outgoing personality, and partly because she loved being in the spotlight, she strutted about everywhere like a fish in water.
The problem was that those traits of hers didn’t always work in a good way.
If you’d like, I can continue with the next chapter or refine the tone (more literal vs. more novel-like).
