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Chapter 16 …
“So beautiful.”
“Right? It was all decorated by the late Duchess, that is, Lady Diana.”
“The Duchess…?”
Could she be referring to the late Duke’s wife, his mother?
Elena’s eyes widened as she looked at her.
“Yes, she was the Duke’s mother. Come this way for a moment.”
Following her, they arrived at a gray tombstone set among crimson roses.
Trying to read it with her rudimentary Imperial language skills, she saw the name: Diana de Skulus.
“The Duchess loved roses. That’s why the garden is filled with them.”
“Ah…”
To have decorated this vast garden all by herself—so beautifully.
“She must have been amazing.”
“Yes, truly remarkable. And Diana—known as the Moon Goddess—was the only one to receive divine oracles.”
“Ah…”
Elena had heard of her.
The Empire’s only saint, Diana.
It was said that countless wars were avoided thanks to her prophecies.
She was renowned for her capability.
“Why… did she die…?”
Elena had heard that she passed away quietly, without anyone noticing.
Someone who had been healthy wouldn’t suddenly die.
“That’s a matter kept extremely secret, so I don’t know much about it either. She was such a gracious person…”
Jane’s voice trembled as she looked at the tombstone.
She gently patted Jane on the shoulder, offering comfort.
“It’s okay. She’s in a good place.”
Jane nodded, closed her eyes, and prayed.
Watching her, Elena also closed her eyes and silently prayed for her.
“Now, let’s continue looking around.”
The expansive garden was lined with irises, sunflowers, cosmos, and countless other flowers.
There was even a maze garden that made it feel like visiting an amusement park.
“Later, we should have tea in the greenhouse, Miss. It’s really refreshing.”
“Sure.”
Elena smiled and agreed with her.
After leaving the garden, Jane led her to the water’s edge.
“Wow, such a huge lake.”
Ducks wandered in a line on the lake, far from the mansion.
Sunlight danced on the water, and small rowboats floated gently.
Reeds and willow trees swayed in the breeze along the shore, creating a breathtaking view.
“Can we ride one of those boats?”
A large boat docked at the water seemed to beckon her.
“Unfortunately, there’s no boatman at the moment. I wonder where he went.”
“Boatman?”
“Yes, usually there’s one. I guess the Duke isn’t around today.”
“Ah…”
It was clear that everything in this mansion revolved around him.
Not a single thing operated without his touch.
“Come ride with the Duke another time. I saw the late Duke on the lake with his wife—it was beautiful.”
Jane clasped her hands together like a girl in love.
Elena, however, wasn’t keen on sharing a boat with him.
“Quack, quack—”
“Huh?”
At the sudden sound, she looked down.
Little ducks had gathered around her, quacking in circles.
“How cute…”
Elena loved animals and couldn’t believe she was seeing ducks here.
She squatted and gently stroked them.
“They don’t run away?”
“They usually do, but maybe they like you very much, Miss.”
“Is it because we’re wearing the same color…?”
She realized it might be because she wore a pale yellow dress like the ducks.
Jane watched Elena play with the ducks and smiled warmly.
“Jane, being with you makes me feel happy.”
“Really?”
Surprised by the sudden confession, Jane looked bewildered.
“Yes, truly. I feel at ease when I’m with you. Thank you.”
If asked who the kindest person in the mansion was, it would undoubtedly be Jane.
No one was as warm and gentle as her.
“I’m happy to be with you too, Miss.”
Jane’s bright smile looked angelic.
Elena felt her energy returning just from that faint smile.
“All right! I’ll regain my strength too!”
She would escape this mansion and fight against him, never to lose.
“Let’s go, Jane! Show me more!”
“Finally, that’s our Miss.”
Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong—
The clocktower in the distance chimed three times, blending peacefully with the flapping of birds’ wings.
“Oh, it’s already three, Miss. The tailor should be arriving soon.”
“Ha… already?”
“Yes, unfortunately. But we can explore more another time.”
“Okay…”
And so, Jane’s delightful tour of the Duke’s mansion came to an end.
Elena, holding Jane’s hand once more, reluctantly entered the mansion.
The thought of facing the tailor dampened her mood again.
Sensing this, Jane smiled slightly and reassured her.
“Miss, don’t worry. It’ll be over quickly.”
It wasn’t that simple.
It wasn’t the time that mattered—the problem was having to fit the wedding dress.
Being measured for the dress made it feel like she was truly marrying him.
Elena sighed and entered the room like a lifeless figure.
The familiar air of the room only worsened her mood.
Having to see his face tonight just made her imagine the worst.
“When will the tailor come?”
“Soon, Miss. Please wait.”
“Okay.”
After sipping her tea for a while, a knock sounded at the door.
Knock, knock—
“Come in.”
A short man poked his head through the door.
“Good day, Miss. I’m the tailor, Fabier. It’s an honor to meet you today.”
With a curly mustache, Fabier greeted her like a proper gentleman.
Elena almost laughed at his ridiculous mustache but quickly covered her mouth to avoid embarrassment.
“Nice to meet you, Fabier.”
“I’ve heard a bit about you, Miss Elena. You’re preparing for your upcoming wedding…”
“Yes.”
Her expression stiffened at the word “wedding.”
Noticing this, he cleared his throat and smiled gently.
“To be entrusted with the dress of such a beautiful lady is truly a joy for me.”
His flattery made her frown inwardly, but it wasn’t something she could refuse.
“All right, then. Let’s proceed.”
A woman carrying a long measuring tape approached to assist.
“Excuse me, Miss.”
With her hair neatly tied, she measured Elena’s height, bust, waist, and hips, calling out the dimensions to Fabier.
He stroked his mustache and scribbled something down with a black pen.
“All done, Miss. Now, let’s look at the catalog.”
He handed her a thick catalog filled with over a hundred dress designs.
The catalog was meticulously organized by color and style, reflecting his painstaking work.
Yet none of the dresses truly stood out.
“They’re all pretty, but none are exactly what I want.”
Compared to outfits from her past life, these dresses seemed plain and uninspired.
Even if made of expensive fabric, the designs didn’t appeal to her.
Still, it was a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, and she wanted a beautiful dress.
“Can I borrow that paper for a moment?”
The assistant quickly handed it to her.
Fabier glanced at it, curious.
“The dress I have in mind…”
It was a dress she had seen online many times before.
A mermaid wedding dress.
It followed the natural curves of a woman’s body, reminiscent of a mermaid—a dress she had always dreamed of wearing.
Though she couldn’t draw well, she roughly sketched her idea.
“Here, a dress with this shape, a flared hem, lace for a luxurious touch. The lining should be dobby fabric, the outer layer slightly sheer tulle, and tiny gemstones meticulously attached.”
All those lessons in etiquette were proving useful.
Going to college had been worth it.
“Yes… I’ll take a look…!”
He probably thought a young noblewoman wouldn’t know much, but when he saw the sketch, he was astonished.
“This… this design is entirely new! I never imagined a fitted dress like this…! This is revolutionary, Miss. If you wear this, every noblewoman will envy you!”
Though it was inspired by modern design, hearing praise after so long made her chest swell with pride.
“Hmph… well! I did it, right?”
“Yes! Miss! This dress shall be named the Elena Dress in your honor. It will be a stunning masterpiece. Truly remarkable.”
He admired her sketch as if it were the finest artwork of his life.
Perhaps he was more excited by the potential profit.
“It will be finished three days before the wedding, Miss. I, Fabier, promise to create the finest dress for you.”
He bowed politely like a gentleman and left with a satisfied expression.
“Ah, finally done.”
Even though she hadn’t done much, she felt exhausted.
She decided a short nap would be best.
“So tired…”
Elena quickly perched on her bed and stretched.
“How do you know so much, Miss?”
Jane, beside her, tilted her head curiously.
“Well, I’ve traveled a bit around the world?”
Jane laughed warmly at that.
“Then Miss, you seem tired. Go rest. I’ll step out for now.”
“As expected of Jane—quick to notice.”
“Of course. We’ve known each other for years.”
“Years?”
Elena raised an eyebrow at the odd phrasing. Jane looked flustered.
“Oh, no, Miss. Please rest.”
“Ah… okay. Bye.”
Jane quickly exited the room, unusually hurried.
“Hmm… probably nothing important.”
