HST 48

Chapter 48

The hands moving over Roze’s closed eyes were still busy.

“Could you open your eyes just a little?”

Roze blinked as the servant lightly tapped under her eyes.

“All done.”

The servant removed her hands and gave a satisfied smile. The other staff exchanged glances and nodded.

“Good work.”
“You too.”

They both raised their thumbs and smiled contentedly.

Roze looked at her reflection in the mirror with no particular expectations—and her eyes widened in surprise.

Her pale skin stood out beautifully. Unlike usual, her complexion looked exceptionally pure and translucent, capturing Roze’s attention.

Wow… does that mean what I’ve been wearing all this time wasn’t really makeup?

The Roze inhabiting this body had a naturally beautiful face. Usually opting for subtle, almost invisible makeup, today’s look felt different. Roze couldn’t help but admire herself.

It wasn’t just her skin. Her eye line was striking and sparkling, and her normally limp eyelashes curled up like a doll’s.

Without realizing it, Roze stepped closer to the mirror. She tilted her head this way and that, examining her face for a long time.

At that moment, the duke who had gone to buy the dress returned.

Roze couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was no longer wearing a robe; instead, he was dressed neatly. People blushed as they looked at him. Though intimidating, he had a handsome face.

Behind him, the dress shop staff entered in a line, each carrying two or three dresses. Roze blinked at the sheer number of dresses.

“What’s all this?” she asked.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I brought everything,” he replied.

Roze blinked at the line of at least twenty dresses being held up in front of her. The staff held them up so she could see them clearly.

“How about this light blue one in the middle?”
“What are you saying? It has to be white,” she said.

The servants who were helping her dress narrowed their eyes and whispered among themselves.

“Let’s put aside the white dresses for now. I don’t want anything that looks like I’m holding onto Eric,” Roze said. A few servants lowered the white dresses they were holding.

Then the duke held up a dress.

“How about this one?”

Unsure which to choose, Roze looked at the dress in his hand and beamed.

“It’s perfect. I’ll wear this one.”

The dress, densely decorated with luxurious beads, shone subtly. Its mix of sky blue and white exuded sophistication at a glance.

Once Roze chose the dress, the shop staff who had accompanied the duke guided her in. They helped her change and adorned her with extravagant accessories, asking for her input as they placed expensive necklaces and earrings on her.

“You look absolutely stunning,” they said, each praising her. It seemed they wanted to give her confidence, knowing she would be attending her ex-husband’s wedding.

After finishing her preparations, Roze walked toward where the duke was waiting. Pulling back the red curtains, she spoke cheerfully:

“All done. Let’s go.”

The duke, sitting on the sofa, was speechless at the sight of her. He had known she resembled Rivera and was attractive, but Roze’s fully prepared appearance was breathtaking.

I only thought she was cute…

Unable to look away, he stared at her with unsteady eyes.

Seeing him silently staring, Roze’s voice faltered:

“Does it look strange…?”

She had thought she looked nice, but perhaps the duke didn’t agree? His pupils flickered, avoiding her gaze, before he murmured:

“…Beautiful.”

He absentmindedly touched his cheek and glanced at her.

“Shall we go to the temple now?”

Roze arched her eyes and smiled. The duke subtly extended his arm, and she carefully took it with a smile.

Outside the shop, a grand carriage awaited—not the one from the Serviat mansion, but a black carriage bearing the Artium family crest.

Roze’s eyes widened as she looked at the duke.

“Oh? How did you get a carriage here? It must take over two hours from the Artium estate.”
“It’s the one we used coming to the capital,” he replied.

Roze nodded, accepting the explanation. But she didn’t know one secret: this carriage was the same one she had ridden earlier. The duke’s magic had simply made it appear shabby before.

She boarded the carriage and was startled again. Boxes of dresses were stacked on one side, so tightly that there was hardly any space to sit.

What is all this?

The duke stepped in after her, speaking casually:

“All of it is yours.”

He extended his arm slightly, as if inviting her to take it. Roze, bewildered, took his arm and asked:

“…Excuse me?”

She had thought the dress she wore was merely rented from the shop, but apparently not.

Blinking, she looked at him, feeling overwhelmed by his generosity.

“Don’t feel burdened. Buying this much is nothing for me.”
“But…”

It was overwhelming. There were easily over twenty dresses—how could she possibly accept all of them?

Seeing her unsure, the duke said:

“You’re not trying to refuse out of pride, are you?”

“No, of course not.”
“I chose each one myself.”

“Ahaha…”

Somehow, his insistence made her uneasy. She avoided his gaze awkwardly.

“Or is it that you dislike receiving gifts from me?”

Roze’s eyes widened in surprise at his words.

“Of course not!”
“Then accept it.”

If she refused again… Wouldn’t I make the duke dislike me?

His blue eyes gleamed sharply. The slight curve of his lips intensified her discomfort.

“Y-Yes… thank you,” Roze finally said, nodding reluctantly. The duke’s satisfied smile appeared at last.

Well, it’s just a gift. I’ll take it with a clear conscience.

With only one dress previously, it was a fortunate situation.

The carriage, which had been swaying sharply, gradually came to a stop. Roze detached herself from the duke’s arm and looked out the window.

The temple was bustling with a lively, festival-like atmosphere.

“We’ve arrived.”
“Shall we get off?”

Roze spoke calmly, and the carriage stopped in front of the temple. Nobles whispered among themselves, amazed.

“Duke Artium?”
“To attend the Wens wedding?”
“I didn’t expect him to come.”

The Wens family and the Artium family were arch-enemies, so most were surprised.

All eyes were on the duke’s carriage. The duke stepped out first, impeccably dressed, followed by Roze.

“…My goodness.”
“The abandoned countess has arrived.”
“She’s not even a countess anymore.”
“What audacity to come here?”
“Is she here to cause a scene at the Wens wedding?”
“Hahaha, this will be interesting.”

The nobles murmured as they watched Roze appear with the duke.

Amid the commotion, Tersia, Cedric, and Eric also looked at her.

“My, where does she think she’s coming?” Tersia glared, exasperated.
“Persistent little thing,” Cedric sighed, equally troubled.

Only Eric smiled quietly to himself.

So, she comes crawling back after all that fuss…

Roze’s return, barely three days after leaving loudly, was irritating, yet impossible to hide the twitch of amusement on their lips.

At that moment, Marquis Dicar slowly approached.

“It seems an uninvited guest has arrived,” he said, frowning. Today was supposed to be his daughter’s spotlight—but the attention shifted entirely to Roze, Eric’s ex-wife.

That cunning fox came deliberately, he thought. Roze’s glamorous appearance rivaled that of a bride.

“Don’t worry, Marquis. I’ll have that girl thrown out immediately,” Tersia said, attempting to reassure him.

But Eric stopped her.

“Let her be. It’s a good day… causing trouble benefits no one.”

Cedric, displeased, left without further comment. Normally he would have scolded Eric, but this time he didn’t. Eric glanced at him briefly before turning his attention back to Roze.

She won’t cause any trouble anyway. Seeing that her escort is equal in status, she’s probably just here to make an appearance.

He couldn’t take his eyes off Roze, smiling brightly at the duke. It was the first time in a long while he had seen her smile—never like this when she was with him.

Her clear, flawless expression looked not just lovely, but beautiful.

The marquis noticed Eric’s gaze and frowned.

He said he hated the countess so much he had her kicked out…

But Eric’s look showed nothing of the sort. Dicar was glad he hadn’t married off his real daughter yet.

Roze, chatting amicably with the duke, felt Eric’s steady gaze on her. She met his eyes confidently, dignifiedly.

Their eyes locked in midair. Roze did not flinch; Eric looked away instead. Feeling victorious, Roze couldn’t help but smirk.

From behind her, a familiar voice called out:

“Madam…! No, Miss Roze!”

It was Jane. Roze turned to see her. Jane ran up, eyes glistening, having been worried that Roze might have been kidnapped.

Thank goodness. You’re safe.

Jane sniffled, wiping tears, but didn’t ask why Roze left without notice—too many eyes were watching.

“Jane!”
“You look so beautiful today.”

Jane complimented her instead of expressing her frustration. Roze also restrained herself from speaking, knowing it wasn’t the right moment.

The ceremony would start soon. Now it was time to meet Doana first.

“So, where is that girl, Doana?” Roze said, sweeping her wavy hair aside.

She was curious about Doana’s expression upon realizing she wasn’t Eric’s bride.

Will she look like she’s lost everything? Or gnash her teeth in fury?

Jane, who seemed about to cry, suddenly burst into laughter when she heard Doana’s name.

“Pfft!” She caught her breath and spoke:

“Doana… heh… is still in the waiting room.”

Roze frowned slightly but nodded.

She can’t accept that she’s not the bride and refuses to attend the ceremony today.

But Jane continued, and it was even funnier.

“No, she doesn’t know yet. Even on the wedding day, she was convinced she was the bride. Watching her belief was hilarious!”

How could she not realize it until the very day?

Still, if someone orchestrated this situation intentionally, it was entirely possible. Doana was merely a maid; as long as it was kept quiet within the Count’s mansion, no one else would know.

Tersia, Roze thought, looking at her among the nobles. Known for her obsessive love for her son, she must have been furious when Roze, from a fallen family, became pregnant. She must have been even more furious with Doana.

Things seem to be unfolding quite amusingly.

The duke, silently listening beside her, nodded slightly.

“Jane,” Roze said softly, calling the girl in front of her.

“Guide Doana. She was once a maid I cared for; she should understand her place before being humiliated in front of everyone.”

It sounded gentle, but there was nothing kind in her intent.

Jane nodded and guided Roze.

“Will you come?” Roze asked the duke, who nodded.

“Indeed. It seems a rare sight—I’d hate to miss it.”

Roze placed her hand elegantly on his arm and walked lightly. She wanted to be the first to give Doana a sense of shame.

Twirling the invitation in one hand, she smiled cheerfully.