The Perfect Bride - Chapter 22

The baroness, though overjoyed, remained anxious. Seeing that her mother looked like she needed an explanation, Natalie simply told her she was too tired to talk and would explain the next day, then shut the door.

Mechanically tossing aside her dress and jewelry, she changed into a thin nightgown and hurried into bed, burying herself under the covers.

Today was undoubtedly one of the worst days of her life.

All day long, she had been tormented by people. Her helplessness as a victim made her feel wretched, and she was furious at herself for being so pathetic. Breathing heavily, she threw off the blanket in frustration and sat up straight.

“What choice do I even have? Death or being a divorcee? That’s no choice at all.”

Glaring into the pitch black, she finally lost her temper and punched the innocent pillow.

“So what if you’re a prince? Yes, you’re special. But you’re human too. One day, you’ll cry as well.”

Natalie muttered curses while picturing the smiling face that had been directed at her.

“…Hmph.”

She continued glaring into the void, sniffled once, and then quietly lay back down. Under the covers, she cried silently.

But the next morning, there was no need for the three women of the Warfield family to visit the dress shop.

“……”

With her arms crossed and a scowl on her swollen face, Natalie glared at the growing pile of boxes filling the sitting room of their hotel suite.

Drawn out by the early morning commotion, the baroness and Dorothy couldn’t take their eyes off the colorful boxes now covering the parlor table.

“As I wasn’t familiar with Lady Warfield and the two young ladies’ preferences, I prepared a variety.”

A man who introduced himself as Marcus Peeble, the prince’s aide, spoke politely in a calm voice. He had a neat appearance and a rather sharp expression.

“However, the dress personally chosen by His Highness for Miss Daus is in the white box, so please take note.”

While the baroness and Dorothy were preoccupied with opening the boxes in a daze, Marcus added in a hushed voice to Natalie.

Natalie swore to herself that she would never wear the dress in the white box. She knew it was a meaningless act of defiance, but she couldn’t help it.

“Then I shall return to escort you at around nine o’clock in two days. Lady Warfield, and the two young ladies.”

Having delivered the storm, Marcus quickly disappeared after completing his task. Natalie was utterly offended by his parting words.

Receiving dresses and jewelry without warning had already unsettled her. And now, the aide’s declaration that he would come to escort her in two days was the final straw.

Apparently, the prince hadn’t even considered that she might reject his offer.

‘Just because it’s a prince, does he think every woman should consider it an honor—even if it’s just a one-year position?’

If that were true, she might really explode.

‘I don’t want to die. That doesn’t mean I’m fantasizing about flowers blooming in my head.’

“Oh, this dress is so pretty.”

At that moment, Dorothy murmured as she opened another box. Her voice, full of excitement and anticipation even when talking to herself, was pleasant to hear, and Natalie unconsciously looked toward her.

Dorothy was staring at the white box. The very one Marcus had whispered was chosen for Natalie.

“This color wouldn’t suit me. You should wear it, sister.”

No. Absolutely, positively not. Natalie shouted internally and headed straight to her room. But she didn’t get to be alone for long.

Hardly had she entered her room when a tailor, sent by Prince Ian, arrived. The tailor measured the three women from head to toe and said she would return with the altered dresses once a selection had been made for the ball.

“Then I’ll take this dress.”

Prince Ian’s certainty and confidence were truly unbearable. Completely drained in such a short time, Natalie pointed half-heartedly at the pink box.

“What? But Natalie, that’s…”

“I like that one.”

It was a rare moment of stubbornness.

***

The day she had hoped would never come arrived quickly.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and the day of the ball had dawned. The entire day flew by, and before she knew it, the sun had set, and preparations were in their final stages.

“How would you like your hair accessories, Miss Daus?”

Donna, a young maid assisting the three women during their stay in Dwan, asked Natalie.

She had been sent by Bianca. Perhaps feeling guilty for not helping Dorothy this season, Bianca had been delighted upon hearing the news of the invitation to the royal ball. She immediately sent a letter to the Rutherford family’s townhouse in Dwan, requesting that a maid be dispatched.

Since they had to keep it from the Earl of Rutherford, they couldn’t send someone highly experienced. As a result, a young girl with little background arrived at their hotel room with a letter of introduction.

Donna looked to be about sixteen or seventeen, but she was surprisingly capable with tasks like hairstyling and makeup. Though not particularly wealthy, she was still a noble, and to the three women who were unaccustomed to such things, Donna had become an invaluable help.

“…How do I keep from standing out?”

“Hmm. Then I’ll finish it with small pearl pins.”

Even when Natalie said strange things from time to time, Donna was never flustered.

“Miss Daus, it’s done.”

“Natalie, are you ready?”

Just as Donna spoke, the baroness knocked on the door, urging Natalie to hurry.

“Coming! Thanks, Donna.”

“Enjoy yourself, Miss Daus.”

Donna murmured to herself as she watched Natalie dash out.

“Such a rare beauty among the ladies I’ve served. That dress ruins it, though…”

Donna had a talent for styling. But even she couldn’t overcome that dreadful, aging dress.

***

“We’ve been expecting you, Lady Warfield, and you two young ladies.”

The carriage carrying the three women of House Warfield stopped at the rear entrance of the ducal mansion. Waiting for them was, surprisingly, the Duchess of Horace, Catherine.

“This must be Miss Dorothy Daus. My goodness. Why am I only now discovering such a charming young lady? May I call you Dorothy?”

“It would be my honor, Lady Horace,” Dorothy answered with a dreamy expression.

“If Lady Warfield permits, I would love to act as your younger daughter’s chaperone,” Catherine said smoothly.

Dorothy, as if enchanted by Catherine’s mysterious eyes, took a moment to understand what she had said. She covered her mouth in surprise, while the baroness, less overwhelmed, bowed deeply in gratitude.

From a step behind, watching the scene unfold, Natalie heard the prince’s voice ring in her ears, as if it had been predetermined.

“A year as my wife can get you a lot.”

She immediately understood what he meant.

She hadn’t given an official answer yet, but the reward for participating in this absurd scheme was indeed extraordinary.

“Then come, take my arm and let’s enter together. I’ll introduce you to my friends.”

Catherine offered her arm to Dorothy. As Dorothy hesitantly took it, Catherine began walking ahead with poise and grace. Natalie quietly followed behind with her mother.

Dorothy, unable to believe that the famed Lady Horace had become her chaperone, kept stealing glances at her. Though it was poor manners, she couldn’t help herself. Noticing the glances, Catherine met Dorothy’s eyes and smiled gently.

“No need to be nervous, everyone. It’s a relaxed gathering of my close friends. All are people of good manners.”

That was probably her way of saying everyone here was carefully chosen to be in her good graces. At least, it meant no perverts looking down on the Daus family would be present. Natalie felt a small sense of relief.

As they stepped into the hall, it was a sight to behold. True to her title as queen of high society, the duchess’s ball was more than splendid.

The hall was lit by wax candles throughout, and the chandeliers sparkled like stars. With the warmer weather, all the windows had been removed, making the space feel open. The cool breeze carried the sound of flowing water and the graceful orchestra throughout the hall, while sheer white curtains fluttered in the air, creating a breathtaking scene.

It felt like a midsummer night’s gathering of fairies. The magical atmosphere helped ease some of Natalie’s tension.

As soon as Catherine appeared, all eyes turned to her. And with her arm linked with a young, lovely lady like Dorothy, she looked every bit the center of attention.

The baroness watched her youngest daughter being introduced to guests with the duchess’s help from a short distance away. Then she turned and looked at Natalie, who stood quietly at her side.

Her eyes seemed to ask: Is this really not a dream?

Natalie’s lips curled into a slight smile.

She nodded softly to her mother.

‘Yes. If seeing this expression means going through all that, then it’s worth it.’

Even as her heart swelled with emotion, her fingers felt ice cold. She clasped her hands tightly and braced herself.

Just then, a commotion rose near the entrance. A crowd surged toward it, accompanied by cheers and gasps.

‘He’s here.’

It could only mean the prince had arrived.

“Oh my, Prince Ian must have arrived. Natalie, you should greet him too, shouldn’t you? Surely Lady Horace’s kindness must be thanks to him.”

“He looks awfully busy, though.”

She offered a weak smile and tried to excuse herself, but she felt the murmuring draw closer. With a bad feeling, she turned her head.

“……”

That handsome man, the one who could crush someone’s spirit with his looks alone, spotted her from afar and waved like they were old friends, striding directly toward her.

‘Why are you smiling…’

It was truly overwhelming.

The moment their eyes met, all sound faded. It felt like the curtain was rising on a stage, and she could hardly breathe.

She couldn’t move.

‘No. Don’t come. I said don’t come.’

At the very moment her last bit of reason screamed, the prince crossed the distance with his long strides and stopped before her.