The Perfect Bride - Chapter 31

Natalie couldn’t immediately make sense of what Dorothy was saying. What in the world was she talking about? Natalie blinked in confusion.

“Some conservative nobles, especially our mother, would never understand. But I support you seeing the prince.”

“…Oh. Well, thank you.”

“After going around with the duchess, I realized something. The higher the nobility, the less likely they are to have a normal household. I’m really grateful to her. She shattered my naive—no, foolish—fantasy about marriage.”

Whatever her reasons, the duchess seemed to have shown Dorothy only the rawest parts of the world.

“Still, I want to become a lady like Lady Horace, someone others envy. If anything, I’m more determined than ever. My dream is still to marry the perfect suitor.”

“…Yes. I think you can do it.”

With that kind of mindset, she could certainly become a model young lady.

“And there’s one more thing I realized. People enjoy tearing others down, but really, it’s because they’re envious. And in front of power, no one says a word.”

“Did someone treat you rudely?”

“I’m a Miss Daus too. No one really thinks of me as a respectable young lady.”

“Dorothy, I’m really sorry…”

“It’s fine. I didn’t bring it up for an apology. Anyway, our family’s reputation isn’t something we can salvage anymore. What I mean is…”

Dorothy’s eyes gleamed with a solemn light as she continued, “Now more than ever, the Daus family needs a cold, bold choice.”

Dorothy seemed to have gained tremendous insight over the past week. Though she’d seemed like a typical girl when bickering with little Alex, now she showed the poise of a young lady seasoned by high society.

“…What kind of choice are you talking about?”

“I don’t need to explain how I was treated last season.”

“Right…”

“But this time, it was different. The moment the duchess took my hand, everything changed.”

Society shifted positions with embarrassing speed. Natalie recalled how, three years ago, all her relationships had vanished like foam.

“They still whisper and point at me. But at the same time, they look at me with envy and try to find a reason to talk to me.”

Then Dorothy reached out and gently took Natalie’s hand.

“The fact that Prince Ian has feelings for you—it’s hope for all of us in the Daus family.”

“……”

“Like I said earlier, let’s be honest. Your chances for marriage were already gone.”

Their mother might still be clinging to hope, but to be realistic, Dorothy wasn’t wrong. Natalie herself had given up on marriage long ago.

“What is there to hesitate about? Maybe he is crazy, but one thing is clear, he’s definitely interested in you.”

‘He is crazy, but he’s not interested in me.’

Unable to say the truth, Natalie quietly avoided Dorothy’s gaze.

“Prince Ian is undeniably a stroke of luck. If you choose him, I’ll be really happy.”

“…Would that really make you happy?”

“Of course. And wouldn’t you be happy too? It’s Prince Ian, after all.”

The image of his dazzling face, which had lately gone from lightly irritating to maddeningly frustrating, flashed in her mind, and Natalie reflexively grimaced.

Regardless, Dorothy went on dreamily.

“If we’re happy, Mother and Father and even Bianca won’t have to worry anymore. And if we tie ourselves to the royal family, it’ll help Alex in the future too, don’t you think?”

“Probably so.”

“If you keep your connection with the prince strong, our lives will drastically improve. I already have four suitors, and even Aunt Heaton, whom we’d cut ties with, has written me a letter. That alone tells me everything I need to know.”

“I understand, so that’s enough, Dorothy.”

“Hang in there, Natalie. You can definitely become Prince Ian’s mistress.”

Dorothy must have thought Natalie was simply lacking confidence. She clenched her fists and gave her an encouraging look.

“I’m cheering for you.”

Cheering for her to become someone’s mistress. Natalie felt her mind go numb.

‘If word got out that I ran away with the prince, this girl would probably applaud. And Mother really might faint for good this time.’

Natalie didn’t have the nerve to carry out this deception. She felt horrible knowing she was deceiving not just her family, but the whole nation. She could no longer meet Dorothy’s eyes.

Before she knew it, the carriage had arrived at the duchy.

Taking advantage of their mother’s absence, Dorothy had said all she wanted and now looked refreshed as she stepped down from the carriage.

“By the way.”

Not far from the steps, Dorothy suddenly came to a halt.

Natalie, who had been hoping for a moment of peace, felt her heart sink again under the weight of guilt. Just the sight of Dorothy opening her mouth was enough to make her panic.

“Isn’t the Heaton family being shameless? They were the first to cut ties, yet now they’re also the first to reach out again,” Dorothy muttered bitterly, clearly growing more indignant the more she thought about it, then sharply turned her back.

“Don’t even think of accepting them out of some sense of gratitude. It’s not like you stayed there for free. Father gave Aunt quite a bit of money over those three years, didn’t he? We don’t owe them anything.”

Natalie quickly nodded.

Even without Dorothy’s warning, she had no intention of reconnecting with the Heatons. What happened three years ago had shown her just how meaningless the word ‘relative’ could be. The humiliation she suffered from them was not something she could forget.

“And don’t even get me started on that so-called first love!”

Exactly—Roger, who hadn’t sent a single word since, was out of the question.

After that, Dorothy had no time left to nag. She had to attend another party with Catherine today.

Though it was only the end of the morning schedule, Natalie already looked hollow-eyed from being worn out by her mother and sister.

Still, an even greater mountain awaited her inside the Duke of Horace’s residence.

Natalie didn’t want to go in. Her steps naturally slowed, and she was soon left standing alone at the entrance, unable to keep up with Dorothy.

The door suddenly swung open, and the annex manager, Mrs. Bate, appeared. Usually expressionless to the point of being intimidating, she offered Natalie a mechanical smile.

It was such a contrived smile that Natalie found dealing with her difficult.

“You’re back, Miss Daus. Madam is asking for you.”

Natalie instinctively took a deep breath. It was time to deal with the madman.

***

“Madam, I’ve brought Miss Daus.”

“Let her in.”

Catherine’s voice came from inside. It was, as always, sweet and charming. The moment the thick door opened and Natalie stepped into the drawing room, she let out a quiet sigh of admiration.

Though she had been staying at the duchy for over a week, it was her first time being invited to the hostess’s drawing room. She found herself glancing around without meaning to.

The room, decorated in beige tones, was elegant rather than showy.

At its center stood a long tea table, a couch accentuated with an intricate tapestry, and two single armchairs. Beyond the silk curtains woven with silver and gold thread, a small garden for outdoor tea parties could be seen from the balcony.

Catherine was seated not on the couch, as might be expected, but on one of the armchairs. Her voluminous green dress and black lace accents suggested she was already dressed for tonight’s ball—she looked striking.

And taking full ownership of the duchess’s couch was the man Natalie had seen yesterday, the day before, and every single day for the past week—Prince Ian.

He was reclining lazily on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, but as soon as their eyes met, he smiled sweetly.

‘His shell is still angelic, as usual.’

It was a stunning sight, but the moment she thought about what was inside, she couldn’t help sighing.

As he had warned during the banquet last night, Ian had been staying at the duchy, waiting for her. Not that it stopped him from focusing more on his conversations with the duchess.

Even with Natalie’s arrival, their conversation didn’t pause.

“I’d love to see Fiona again. It’s been over three years, I think. I hope she’s well.”

“I was actually planning to invite you and Aster to Huntington this summer. Do you already have plans?”

“Oh my. Just the invitation is delightful. No matter the plans, your invitation takes priority.”

Fiona? Whoever that was, perhaps the rumors of lovers in every country weren’t entirely false.

Their softly whispered conversation was too cozy. Even at a glance, the duchess seemed more like a secret lover of the prince.

“Then, Your Highness, please make yourself comfortable.”

Catherine finally rose and, with a few more gentle parting words, left the drawing room to the prince and Miss Daus. It was a widely known topic among the servants that she willingly offered her own drawing room for their meetings.

Catherine gave Natalie a quick smile in place of a farewell, then slipped out while Natalie bowed to her.

As she had felt many times before, Catherine seemed to have no interest in her whatsoever. One might expect curiosity from someone aware of her identity as David, but she was treated like air.

‘And yet, she does seem interested in the prince.’

In any case, her kindness toward Dorothy and indifference toward Natalie were, if anything, a relief.

Raising her head, Natalie shifted slightly, and Ian gestured for her to come closer. With a sour look, she approached and chose the seat furthest from him on the couch.

Understanding her intentions, Ian let out a soft snort. He watched her sly little evasions through narrowed eyes, then slowly lifted his back from the couch.

At the same time, Natalie instinctively leaned her upper body back, maintaining the distance.

“Ha.”

Ian finally let out a dry breath.