All I Wanted Was the Alimony - Chapter 15

Paello and Lucienne’s journey to the capital went smoothly. They even made better time than expected.

The Empress Dowager had requested that they stay at the palace, and the Marquess of Dellas had also urged them to do so. But from the beginning, Paello had intended to stay at the Ronatere family’s townhouse and had already sent word to the capital’s servants.

The servants were proceeding with the preparations to welcome their master right on schedule.

They just hadn’t expected their arrival to be moved up to the day before.

“I apologize, Your Grace.”

The townhouse chef, who had baked bread and roasted chicken, kept bowing his head.

It was because the meal setting was simple compared to the grand ducal castle. Apparently, quite a few premium ingredients were required to match the standard of the Grand Duke’s table, but those weren’t due to arrive until dawn the next day.

“This is more than enough.”

After finishing a light meal, Paello left, saying he would stop by the Information Guild.

“I’ll go deliver some useful items to Enpadu and Softbread.”

Joad also went out. Enpadu and Softbread had decided to stay in the forest near the capital.

It was obvious people would be shocked to see a demon and a wolf walking around the capital.

It would only be for three or four days. There was no need to create a troublesome situation. He would deliver the necessary supplies for their stay himself.

Joad had advised this from the start.

Lucienne was a bit concerned that Enpadu might feel left out. But upon hearing the message, Enpadu quickly agreed with Joad’s suggestion.

Though he had followed Lucienne, heading straight into the capital had made him uneasy as well.

Thus, Lucienne was left alone in the drawing room, leisurely drinking tea.

‘Ah, the tea is delicious. Must be because it’s the capital.’

Lucienne calmly recalled the things she had to do in the capital.

Boat parade, hunting competition, birthday banquet, and a tour around the city.

At that moment, a maid entered and bowed her head.

“Your Grace, the owner of Colte’s Boutique requests an audience.”

“Colte’s Boutique? With me?”

“Yes!”

“……”

The maid’s eyes sparkled, and her tone was curiously excited.

“For what reason?”

“She said the Empress Dowager sent her.”

Lucienne let out a soft sigh. It seemed the Empress Dowager was keeping tabs on Paello’s every move.

“Let her in.”

A middle-aged blonde woman entered and greeted her elegantly.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Grace. I am Mary Colte, owner of Colte’s Boutique.”

Mary had poured her efforts into crafting elegant formalwear for high society, and her designs had quickly gained popularity among imperial women.

As a result, noblewomen were desperate to get their hands on her dresses. With so many lining up, Colte’s Boutique became the most prestigious brand in the capital.

In other words, it was nearly impossible to meet Mary for a clothing request these days.

So Mary thought Lucienne must be very lucky.

After all, she, the Grand Duchess of the North, was casually meeting with her.

Thanks to the influence of none other than the Empress Dowager.

‘How boundless must Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s grace be? How pleased she must be to see me.’

At the same time, she recalled the information shared just before coming here by Princess Verdi.

“There are all sorts of nasty rumors about Grand Duchess Lucienne being a mixed-blood demon with a terrible personality. A drunkard, addicted to gambling, incredibly extravagant, and so on.”

Verdi was not one to speak ill of others. That a princess like her would say such things meant it was more than gossip.

It sounded like crucial information. Because the content was so unsettling, Mary had paid even more attention to Verdi.

“Oh my, what should I do? What if I’m mistreated?”

To that, Verdi had smiled kindly, as if to say there was no problem.

“That likely won’t happen. But if she meets you, she’ll probably light up and demand all sorts of dresses. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has instructed that no expense be spared in supporting the dignity of the Grand Duke and Duchess. And Colte’s Boutique is the most prestigious in the capital.”

The most prestigious.

Princess Verdi’s praise was truly sweet.

“Be as polite as possible and give her whatever she asks for.”

“Oh? Is that really all right?”

“That way, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will see the Grand Duchess’s true nature for herself, won’t she?”

It was something that benefited everyone.

The Empress Dowager would come to know the Grand Duchess’s vile extravagance, and Mary would boost her sales.

She was anxious about how Lucienne, a mixed-blood demon, might behave, but when she thought about it, there were plenty of eccentric nobles.

All Mary had to do was cater to their whims and make good money.

Then Verdi had said:

“Oh, but if she ever behaves rudely or violently, don’t endure it.”

“Pardon?”

It was an unexpected piece of advice. Verdi brought her hands together and smiled like an angel.

“I’m behind you. The imperial family is behind you. So in any such case, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

It was very reassuring.

As if Verdi would step up and punish Lucienne the moment she misbehaved.

That gave Mary the courage to confidently go meet Lucienne.

‘Yes, the princess is behind me.’

But upon meeting her, Lucienne seemed no different from any other noble lady. Well, aside from being stunningly beautiful.

Then Lucienne calmly responded, “I’m Lucienne Ronatere. Have a seat.”

Soon, a maid served tea.

As Lucienne sat across from her, she began observing Mary closely while sipping her tea. Mary, sensing Lucienne’s gaze, felt quietly pleased.

But she began to feel uncertain.

Lucienne was extremely composed.

With her glamorous looks and catlike features, she did seem strong-willed, but there was no trace of the familiar stench of a spoiled brat.

‘There’s no way Princess Verdi lied.’

She had no reason to make up such things.

‘This woman must be putting on an act. But why?’

While sipping her tea and pondering, Mary soon figured it out.

‘Ah! Even a high-ranking mixed-blood demon Grand Duchess must recognize me as the empire’s top designer!’

Then Lucienne raised a suspicious corner of her lips.

Her expression was unmistakably scheming, which snapped Mary back to her senses.

Lucienne was also scrutinizing Mary, running her own calculations.

The owner of the boutique personally sent by the Empress Dowager had a refined air and seemed confident.

‘Why would the Empress Dowager send her?’

After pleading several times for Paello to attend her birthday party, he had finally accepted and come to the capital. The Empress Dowager had promptly sent a fashion designer.

‘So logically…’

The designer had likely come to deliver clothes for the Grand Duke and Duchess.

Things like dresses and formalwear to wear at the party.

The Empress Dowager was probably expressing her welcome and sincerity to Paello for agreeing to attend her birthday celebration.

Lucienne recalled what the Marquess of Dellas had let slip on the way.

The Empress Dowager merely hoped for Paello to grace the event with his presence. She wouldn’t approach him, just observe from a distance.

‘But she never said anything about not giving gifts. She also wanted him to stay at the palace.’

At this point, the Empress Dowager’s obsession was far from ordinary. If Lucienne asked for a few dresses, she’d likely receive them all.

‘Normally, Paello might refuse, but not now.’

These were, after all, gifts from the Empress Dowager.

If it were the Ronatere territory, a tactful refusal and slow delivery might be possible.

But now they were practically next door to the palace. Any rejection would be delivered instantly, and the Empress Dowager would either take offense or fall into gloom.

In other words, Paello couldn’t refuse the gift.

‘Then what if I refuse?’

That would be a serious discourtesy to an old woman about to celebrate her birthday.

It would trouble Paello.

‘Wait, if I play this right, this could be grounds for divorce, no?’

The prospect made her lips curl up involuntarily—and Mary, seeing that, grew extremely tense.

Lucienne leaned back against the sofa. “So, what brings the owner of the boutique here?”

Her surprisingly indifferent tone made Mary flinch inwardly, but she conveyed the Empress Dowager’s message.

She also made sure to emphasize that Colte’s Boutique was the most prestigious in the imperial capital.

“Ah, is that so?”

“Yes, and we also have many pre-made dresses. When schedules are tight like this, you can wear them with only a few simple adjustments.”

Mary opened a catalog and laid it out. Lucienne leaned back on the sofa and looked down at the catalog.

‘Oh my God!’

No matter how many times she looked, the formalwear and dresses were stunning.

So this was what it meant to be the capital’s best boutique. The designer sent by the Empress Dowager seemed like a genius.

‘Honestly, what even is the Empress Dowager?’

Lucienne suddenly felt the urge to perform a full three-step prostration toward the palace where the Empress Dowager resided.