IGBD 37

Chapter 37

In her previous life, Yuhan had said the exact same thing. That their wedding rings should be sapphire. Because he wanted them to match the color of Lady Innoheter’s eyes.

In that life, Serret had been so moved that she had nodded immediately. Foolishly so.

But because of Yuhan’s proposal—which she had thought was romantic—Serret became the subject of ridicule.

It was a few days after their wedding, when she was invited to a tea party hosted by Lydia.

“The Duchess of Prechtuster’s wedding ring isn’t a diamond? Don’t tell me that’s sapphire?”

Lady Simkins asked, eyeing the ring on Serret’s finger.

“Yes. It’s sapphire.”

Serret looked down at her wedding ring and smiled shyly. Just looking at it made her remember Yuhan’s words, which always lifted her mood.

He might have been a cold man, but at least he paid attention to such delicate details. If he thought about her this much, then maybe he didn’t completely dislike her—or so she had thought.

But when Serret finished answering, the gathered ladies exchanged glances and chuckled among themselves.

Their reaction unsettled Serret. It felt as though they were laughing at her.

“Why sapphire?”

Lady Simkins looked at her with disbelief.

“His Grace said he wanted the wedding ring to match my eye color.”

Serret spoke carefully, glancing at the women around her. At her reply, they began to giggle.

“That was Yuhan’s idea? Why would he do that?”

Lydia tilted her head as though it was strange.

“Exactly. There’s no way His Grace wouldn’t know.”

“He said he wanted it to match the Duchess’s eyes, didn’t he?”

“Oh my, now that you mention it, Lydia’s eyes are sapphire blue too, aren’t they?”

At Lady Grint’s words, they all burst into laughter.

Serret’s face flushed red. She couldn’t understand why they were reacting like this.

“That’s enough. You’ll upset Serret.”

Lydia stopped them, then gently stroked Serret’s shoulder, apologizing on their behalf.

Strangely, Lydia’s apology made Serret feel even worse. Still, she forced a smile and said thank you.

“Is it strange to have a wedding ring with sapphire?”

Serret asked timidly.

“Who uses anything but a diamond for a wedding ring? Unless it’s a fake marriage.”

“A fake marriage?”

Serret’s heart dropped at Lady Simkins’s words.

“Among the capital’s nobility, a wedding ring that isn’t a diamond isn’t even considered proper. It’s practically announcing to everyone, This marriage isn’t real.”

Lady Simkins said gleefully, watching Serret’s face stiffen.

Even after suffering that insult, Serret couldn’t say a word in protest. She couldn’t even confront Yuhan. Because the moment he admitted it, she knew she would be hurt.

“Sapphire is lovely. Truly romantic of you.”

Now recalling her past life, Serret gave Yuhan a sweet smile. His expression—like he was wondering how she knew—made her want to throw her tea in his face.

If he wanted to spread rumors that their marriage was fake, she couldn’t agree more. The more he did things like this, the better.

It just gave her more to write in her diary. Serret raised the corners of her lips and stood.

She was about to excuse herself when Yuhan spoke.

“Do you not like it?”

“What do you mean?”

“The wedding ring. Being sapphire.”

Yuhan looked at her with his usual stoic expression.

“No, it doesn’t matter.”

Whether sapphire or a pebble, what difference did it make? The ring had no value or meaning anyway. Serret wore a disinterested look.

“Your expression says otherwise.”

“Please don’t misunderstand my expression. I’m so moved by Your Grace’s words, I could cry.”

Clasping her hands together, Serret put on the sweetest, most loving face she could.

Yuhan gave a short laugh. For someone claiming to be moved to tears, her expression was far too sharp.

“Do you dislike it because it’s not a diamond? If you wait a little—”

“Not at all. I love it. Sapphire is perfect.”

Serret cut him off and stood.

Yuhan looked up at her. Those sapphire-like blue eyes that shone brighter than jewels met his gaze, and his throat went dry.

When he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbed. Desire pooled low in his body, and a hushed sigh escaped.

“Since I love it so much I might go mad, I’ll be leaving now. Have a pleasant evening, Your Grace.”

With a polite smile, Serret excused herself and left the tea room. Once the door closed, Yuhan was left alone.

Leaning back in his chair, he tilted his head. Serret’s blue eyes lingered in his mind.

The more his fiancée pulled away from him, the more his desire grew clearer. A twisted craving to break and conquer a woman who screamed with her whole body that she didn’t want to be his.

“I must be abnormal.”

Yuhan muttered to himself, covering his face with his large hand. Even with his eyes covered, the image of Serret’s sapphire eyes wouldn’t fade.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Lydia calmly tore apart the letter she had just received. The shredded pieces scattered across the floor.

It was from a maid she had planted in House Prechtuster. The letter reported that today, Serret and Yuhan had chosen their wedding rings.

“So they’re really getting married. Him, and not with me.”

Yuhan Prechtuster—whom she had believed to be hers without question—was going to belong to another woman. Lydia let out a cold chuckle.

Their wedding wasn’t far off. Reagan had said it might be at the end of the year, but for some reason, it had been moved up to spring.

Too little time to break off their engagement. She would simply lose Yuhan to that pitiful woman. The thought only made her laugh more.

“Anita.”

Lydia rang the bell pull to summon her. Soon, Anita rushed into the room.

“Write a letter asking if I may visit soon.”

Lydia spoke as she watched Anita’s nervous face.

“Pardon?”

Anita blinked, not understanding Lydia’s abrupt order.

Lydia motioned her closer. When Anita stepped forward, Lydia gestured again, silently telling her to bend down.

The moment she did, Lydia’s hand lashed out, slapping her across the face.

“Write the letter, Anita.”

Lydia’s cold voice pierced her ears.

“T—to whom should I write…?”

Anita trembled as she looked up at her mistress.

“Anita, who just sent me this letter?”

“It was from a maid of House Prechtuster.”

Anita answered breathlessly.

“Then where do you think I intend to visit?”

“Th—the Prechtuster estate…”

Anita stammered, face tense.

“Anita, you said you would be my hands and feet. But if you keep moving this slowly, I might start to hate you. I promised not to hit you again, yet look—I’ve struck you once more.”

Lydia wore an expression of genuine disappointment.

“It’s my fault, Your Highness. All my fault.”

Anita shook her head frantically.

“Bring stationery and write to Serret. Tell her I’ll be visiting soon.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Anita hurried out of the room.

“She’s so frustrating. I only keep her because of her talent…”

Lydia sighed as she looked at the door.

Anita possessed the gift of flawlessly imitating others’ handwriting. Lydia often had her write letters on her behalf when she couldn’t be bothered.

Sometimes, when Crown Prince Henderson or Crown Princess Christine irritated her, she had Anita forge their handwriting for petty letters—sarcastic, critical things—then presented them to the Emperor as though they were addressed to her.

Every time, the Emperor would be furious, while Lydia would plead with tears not to punish them. Please, just ignore it. I don’t want to be hated more.

The Emperor, distressed, always yielded to her request.

And so, bit by bit, she drove a wedge between father and child.

“I want to drive a wedge between Yuhan and that woman too.”

Lydia muttered, her angelic face at odds with the venom in her words.

Since Serret had stolen Yuhan, shouldn’t she be punished with misery? One shouldn’t take what belongs to another.

Serret, who had stolen Yuhan, deserved the punishment of misfortune. And Lydia would be the one to deliver it. Her lips curved into a soft smile.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The finished wedding ring lay before Serret. It looked exactly the same as the one from her previous life.

An oval-cut sapphire surrounded by tiny diamonds. The deep blue sapphire seemed to hold an entire ocean within it.

Staring at the ring, Serret felt uneasy. It was as if the chains of fate had bound her once again.

She let out a heavy sigh. The sight of the identical ring dragged back memories she hadn’t wanted to recall. Lydia had once snatched the wedding ring from Yuhan’s hand and flung it to the floor.

It had been when Lydia was staying at the ducal estate. Late winter, just before the child was born. Serret had been restless and melancholic, so she had gone to the greenhouse, hoping flowers would soothe her.

Would the child be born safely? Would her relationship with Yuhan improve after the birth?

Those thoughts had plagued her daily. The flowers offered a small comfort.

But as she walked among them, Serret froze. Not far away, she spotted Yuhan and Lydia.

Lydia’s face was contorted with rage as she shouted at him.

“Throw away that wedding ring!”

She snatched it from Yuhan’s hand and hurled it to the ground.

Yuhan didn’t pick it up. He only looked at Lydia with a blank face.

“Throw Serret away too. Get rid of her from my sight.”

Tears streamed down Lydia’s face. Yuhan gently wiped them, then leaned close as if to kiss her.

Serret couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Turning away, tears welled in her own eyes.

Shaking off the memory, Serret snapped the ring box shut. Just then, a knock came—her butler announced that Lydia had arrived.

Ah yes, Lydia had said she would visit today.

Serret sighed, then went to the drawing room, masking her reluctance with a bright smile.

“Lydia.”

She greeted her old friend warmly. Lydia’s reaction was much the same.

Jumping up from the sofa, Lydia beamed.

“Serret, did you enjoy your time in Moselier?”

She asked in her sweetest tone.

“I did, thanks to you.”

Serret replied cheerfully.

Inside, she seethed with irritation, but she forced herself to hide it behind her smile. How long would she have to keep pretending to be close to this loathsome woman? The act was exhausting.

Still, with a gentle expression, Serret sat with Lydia and shared tea. They chatted pleasantly, until Lydia subtly brought up marriage.

“Is the wedding preparation going well?”

“Yes, thanks to my aunt, it hasn’t been difficult. I just received the wedding rings today.”

“The rings are ready? May I see them?”

Lydia’s sapphire-blue eyes sparkled as she asked.