On the day of the engagement ceremony.
I woke up early in the morning to get my makeup done by Lily and Laura. Waking up much earlier than usual made it hard to stifle my yawns.
“What earrings should I wear?”
“I think red would be good. By the way, did you prepare the necklaces?”
“Yes, here they are!”
Lily and Laura were bustling around, chatting beside me in my white dress. It was just an engagement ceremony, but maybe they were going all out because my fiancé is Abel.
Who is Abel, anyway?
The duke known as the Iron-Blooded Duke.
With his cool demeanor and handsome looks, he was said to be so popular that noble ladies would inevitably fall in love with him at least once.
His looks were indeed exceptional. If a god were to sculpt a statue solely for good looks, wouldn’t it be him?
But that cold atmosphere…
‘…That’s a bit much.’
The guy who always teases me has a cold vibe? I may have felt that way the first time I saw him, but not anymore. As I was lost in thought, Lily spoke to me.
“Adele, which necklace do you prefer, this one or that one?”
Suddenly faced with a choice, I looked at the necklaces. The left one had a large ruby, which would probably suit me, but…
The ruby was too big. In contrast, the right one had a simpler design with a moderately sized ruby.
“Um… I think I like the right one.”
At that, Lily’s expression darkened slightly. Laura stifled a laugh and whispered to me.
“Just so you know, the left one is Lily’s choice, and the right one is mine.”
“…Is that so?”
“I’ll comfort Lily, so you don’t need to worry.”
“…I understand.”
Laura smiled and took Lily’s hand, whispering something in her ear. Lily, who looked gloomy, suddenly had a determined expression.
‘…What did she say?’
“Then I guess we should wrap this up?”
“Yes! Master!”
Lily answered Laura and began picking out brooches and accessories to complete her look.
‘…I’m tired.’
Fatigue washed over me as I struggled to stifle another yawn.
“Adele, we’re all set!”
At Lily’s words, I turned to look in the mirror.
‘…Wow.’
In the mirror sat a beautiful woman. Pure white skin and eyes that sparkled like rubies. Ruby accessories contrasted beautifully with the white dress.
My sharp gaze had softened into a gentle impression, and the dark circles under my eyes had vanished. Compared to my previous villainous appearance, I looked like an innocent lady now.
“Of course, it’s Adele! Your makeup is perfect!”
“Are you satisfied, Miss Adele?”
“…I’m definitely satisfied.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Laura spoke with a relieved expression.
“Now, let’s go meet Abel!”
Lily said excitedly, opening the door. I was a bit tired, but I guess I should meet him at least once before the engagement ceremony. I followed her as I thought that.
We passed through a lavish hallway and stopped in front of the office, where Lily knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
Upon hearing Abel’s voice, she boldly opened the door. Abel, fixated on some papers, spoke up.
“What is it?”
“I brought Miss Adele!”
At her words, he looked up and stared at me, seemingly forgetting he was holding papers.
His reaction seemed different from usual. I didn’t know why. Maybe I was too tired to think straight.
“What do you think of my appearance?”
“…It’s better than I expected.”
His unexpectedly frugal compliment made me tilt my head. I put on a dress and accessories, and he reacts like that? A little disappointed, I swallowed a sigh that threatened to spill.
I didn’t even know why I felt this way. After all, we were engaged through a contract. Maybe I just wanted him to say something nice, even if it was insincere.
I stifled my feelings and said, “Well, I’m heading out first.”
“…Okay. You go ahead. I’ll be there soon.”
As I left the office with Lily, she started humming happily. Curious, I asked her.
“Why are you so excited?”
“I think the Duke really likes your appearance!”
“…I don’t think that’s true.”
Abel usually lays on the compliments so thick that it makes me cringe. If he wasn’t doing that, it probably meant he didn’t like how I looked at all.
Lily shook her head vigorously. “No way! The Duke certainly likes it!”
“Really… then let’s go with that…”
Honestly, it felt better to cling to that little delusion. Lily took my hand and led me forward. Is the engagement ceremony about to happen soon?
Nervousness crept in. How far can I change my bad ending with this engagement? Since this morning is now my save point, there’s no turning back.
‘I just hope this goes well.’
*
Red carpets on white marble. Silver candlesticks on the walls. The ballroom, adorned more lavishly than usual, was a bit chaotic with the gathering of nobles.
The nobles gathered here were attending an engagement ceremony.
The engagement between Duke Abel von Hardenberg and Countess Adele Este was the hottest gossip in the Empire of Arye. From tales of their love at first sight on a journey to the fact they even held an engagement ceremony that didn’t need to happen.
The stories had spread like wildfire among noble ladies, and the number of nobles attending had easily surpassed a hundred.
Of course, most of them were local nobles who didn’t know the details of Adele’s misdeeds.
“Seriously… I can’t believe this is happening.”
Among them, Countess Aite’s daughter, Luna, was not pleased with the situation. She couldn’t understand what kind of charm this villainess had that would make the Iron-Blooded Duke want to marry her.
Beside her, Estelle von Louis merely scratched her cheek and chuckled.
Though a direct victim of Adele’s wrongdoings, Estelle knew they stemmed from misunderstandings; thus, she didn’t harbor deep hatred for Adele.
She had wanted to take a moment to clear the misunderstandings, but every time she tried, Adele seemed to vanish. This was her chance to do so by attending the engagement ceremony.
“Sigh… what does he see in that woman?”
“Luna.”
Luna paused at Estelle’s cold voice. Turning her head, she saw Estelle smiling icily at her.
“Watch your mouth.”
“…Understood.”
Luna nodded slightly, looking a bit scared, and Estelle sighed in relief.
Though Luna was a fine noble, her mouth was veering too far, and her temperament too hasty.
If someone followed her out of curiosity, who knew what kind of trouble would arise? Estelle often had to remind her this way. Luckily, Luna seemed to realize her words could be dangerous and quietly lowered her head.
“There are quite a few people here…”
An aristocrat seated next to Luna remarked, and Estelle nodded in agreement. The ballroom was spacious, which was a relief; otherwise, it might have felt cramped.
Time passed, and it was almost time for the engagement ceremony to begin.
“Duke Abel von Hardenberg and Countess Adele Este will now take their entrance!”
A soldier at the ballroom’s main door shouted as he opened it. A man and woman entered, arm in arm. The crowd’s chatter fell silent as all eyes focused on them.
Duke Abel, standing on the left, showcased the looks he was known for. The scar on his face was a flaw but could easily be overlooked because he was so handsome.
On the right stood Adele, and it was hard to believe she was the same villainess. Her slightly softer gaze and crimson eyes gave off a different impression.
As Estelle observed them, she heard a biting sound nearby. It was Luna, gnawing on her nails.
Estelle considered stopping her but figured Luna wouldn’t do anything crazy in such a setting, so she let it be.
With all eyes on them, the engagement ceremony commenced.
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