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CHAPTER 23
Radian took one more step toward the ceremony hall and entered through the doors. It was only a single step, but the atmosphere changed instantly.
Soft music drifted through the air, along with laughter and murmuring voices that pierced Radian’s ears. Perhaps because she had arrived slightly late, most of the guests were already gathered. Among their conversations, she could hear people talking about her.
“My goodness…”
“How can such a dress even exist?”
“It’s truly beautiful. That must be the Marchioness of Skanan.”
“Is it a foreign-style dress…?”
“I didn’t know she was this beautiful.”
“It’s a bit strange…”
“Strange? I think it’s breathtakingly beautiful.”
“But she’s not wearing a corset… is she?”
“It’s not even a revealing design.”
“It kind of looks like sleepwear.”
“The most extravagant sleepwear in the world.”
“And that hairstyle—how did she even do that up like that?”
Under the sunlight-like mana crystal chandeliers, Radian looked like a goddess—like Vassana, the goddess of light itself. For a moment, everyone forgot what they were doing and stared at her.
A white silk jeogori embroidered with delicate blue flowers bloomed beneath a feather-like collar untouched by time. The uniquely styled ribbons of the outfit flowed down to the hem of the skirt, swaying gently. What captured everyone’s attention most was the skirt itself—layer upon layer of pale chiffon so thin it almost revealed the skin beneath, shimmering like polished diamonds under the light.
A hanbok dress.
It was a collaboration between Radian and Mensklisha. Radian provided the concept, and Mensklisha designed a corset-free dress that could still be beautiful. It was enough to shake high society to its core.
And her face—green hair neatly braided and swept to one side. Her makeup was light, but the rose-red lipstick made her features even more striking.
Several young noblemen stared at her, unable to even breathe. Though she was married for a year, Radian was still only twenty-one—still in that transition between girlhood and womanhood, like a June rose soaked in morning dew after a passing rain.
Every step she took revealed glimpses of her ankles beneath the flowing dress, sending a quiet shock through the crowd.
Radian walked calmly toward Shan, who stood frozen with his mouth open.
“Y-you… your clothes…”
“They’re… pretty, aren’t they?”
Her bright, clueless smile made the men quickly lower their heads. The flushed men drew angry glares from their female companions.
Shan had no words. The dress was unfamiliar, but undeniably beautiful—an exotic aesthetic of raw elegance. He forced out a comment.
“You wear something like that to the Crown Prince’s engagement ceremony? You’re dying to stand out, aren’t you?”
But his words rang hollow. Many guests were wearing equally bold or revealing outfits—off-shoulder gowns, plunging necklines, extravagant decorations. No one here was dressed modestly; this was a gathering of the highest nobles, each trying to display their beauty at its peak.
Even Shan, after speaking, felt his own argument was weak.
“Oh dear, Mother,” Radian replied with a bright smile. “Compared to your dress, which is covered in beautiful diamonds, mine is quite plain, don’t you think?”
Shan looked down at his own attire—the gown glittering with dozens of large diamonds. Each stone alone could feed dozens of refugees for a month.
Before he could respond, Aight Duke placed a hand on his shoulder and stepped forward.
“My wife is just worried because her daughter-in-law is too beautiful. Don’t worry. The future Crown Princess is a very composed lady. And Radian, you are truly stunning today. Ah, Madam, please don’t misunderstand—I merely mean she is the most beautiful here.”
He smiled pleasantly while gripping Shan’s shoulder tightly enough to bruise. Shan’s face briefly twisted in pain before he quickly forced a smile, feeling the Duke’s cold gaze.
A clear warning.
Do not cause trouble here.
“You are as affectionate as ever, Your Grace,” someone remarked.
“She’s always been adorable, that’s all,” the Duke replied smoothly.
Only Shan and Radian noticed the hidden violence. Shan stood stiffly, pretending nothing had happened.
Soon a voice rang out:
“The engagement ceremony of His Highness Crown Prince Leonard Irhen and Countess Irene Seth will now begin. Guests are requested to gather in the central hall.”
Nobles began moving toward the center.
“Father.”
“Oh, Iriett. You’re here.”
“Yes, I finished my duties and came late.”
Iriett approached in his uniform.
“We should head in. Mother, Sylvia, and you as well…”
He paused when he saw Radian.
“…Ah.”
He stared at her silently, a beat too late in reacting.
Has Radian always been this beautiful?
The Duke lightly tapped his son’s back.
“Is it the first time you’ve noticed your wife is beautiful? Let’s go. We’re late.”
“Y-yes…”
Even as he walked ahead, Iriett kept glancing back at Radian.
Just weeks ago, she had been a thin, depressed woman locked in the house. Now she was the most radiant person in the hall—walking confidently under everyone’s admiring and jealous gazes.
It was a strange feeling.
Radian ignored his gaze and reached the center. The ceremony began with a trumpet blast. She watched it with an indifferent expression.
It was long. Boring. Nobles struggled to suppress yawns to avoid disrespect. The high priest had been preaching for over an hour.
“…A wife must consider whether her husband’s infidelity is due to her own shortcomings and must not feel jealousy… she must always maintain her beauty and appearance…”
It was outrageously biased.
Radian forced herself to think of something else to calm her boiling frustration.
If she divorced, she would never taste the kitchen staff’s food again. The white chocolate macadamia cookies were incredible… and the pistachio macarons… and the cold jellies…
By the time she ran out of thoughts, the sermon still hadn’t ended.
She tried to recall something funny.
Ah—recently, during fire magic practice with Michael, she had accidentally burned a few strands of his silver bangs.
“…pfft.”
She let out a quiet laugh and quickly checked her surroundings. Thankfully, no one noticed.
Michael had been growing rapidly lately—not just in height, but in build as well. The once-boyish figure was becoming unmistakably masculine. Even his servant uniform looked like a tailored suit worth thousands of gold.
His face was often hidden by his hair, but Radian knew. When he pushed it back, the sharp line of his eyes was dangerously attractive. His silver brows and cool gray-blue eyes felt like a drawn bow—always tense, always ready to strike. Cold as ice when distant… yet when he looked at her, they turned warm like spring sunlight.
Radian flushed.
Get a grip.
Finally, the exhausting ceremony ended. Everyone sighed in relief.
Especially the Crown Prince’s fiancée, weighed down by heavy jewels, who exited gracefully beside him.
Radian’s resolve hardened.
If she didn’t divorce soon, she might have to sit through a wedding next time too.
The hall quickly turned lively again. Nobles moved between the main and side halls, enjoying food and drinks. The Duke headed to the side hall, followed by a crowd of nobles like a tide. Radian quietly followed behind, thinking he looked like a piper leading rats—though she kept that thought to herself.
