The Perfect Bride - Chapter 39

As they returned to the room from Queen Violet’s greenhouse, Countess Lange, Sophia’s nanny, spoke in a disapproving tone.

“There’s no need for Your Highness to endure such humiliation. Since there hasn’t even been an official engagement with Prince Ian, I believe it would be wise to return to Fossa and proceed with another match.”

“No, Sarah. After speaking with Her Majesty, I understand now.”

“Your Highness, what do you mean?”

“My, how beautiful and dignified Queen Violet is.”

Whether she understood Sarah’s concerns or not, the princess, who until this morning had refused food and prepared to return to Fossa, now seemed not just calm but rather cheerful.

“You’re the one who can steady Ian’s heart in a storm.”

How could words resonate so deeply? Moved by Violet’s warm encouragement, Sophia decided to stay strong.

She paused in her steps and looked up at the sky.

“This is my destiny. To save the one who is lost.”

Ah. I was fated to be Prince Ian’s savior.

Then, like a prayer, she clasped her hands and whispered with a sorrowful smile.

‘Natalie Daus, daughter of Baron Warfield.’

Sophia slowly closed her eyes in thought. In the past few days, she had investigated that woman and found her nicknames to be ‘notorious wanton,’ ‘a disgrace to womanhood.’

According to a prominent newspaper, her reputation made her unfit for marriage, so she had allegedly decided to seduce the naive prince and become his mistress.

If, by any chance, she had truly clouded Ian’s eyes with such intentions, then Natalie was surely a wicked woman of the highest order.

To deal with such a woman, she would have to build connections with powerful ladies, just as Queen Violet had advised.

Sophia opened her eyes wide. Her blue irises sparkled with determination.

‘My prince, who fell into a temptress’s snare during a moment of weakness. I’m the only one who can save him.’

She was deeply immersed in her fairy-tale-like role.

Based on past experience, this story was destined to have her happy ending. After all, that’s how the world had always worked.

With a confident smile, Sophia set off with a determined step.

***

“Welcome, Mr. Wald.”

“It’s been a while, Madam.”

Benjamin Wald, his friendly looks on full display, greeted the head maid of the Marquess of Maybelle’s residence with a polite nod.

“The young lady—no, the young madam—is waiting for you in the study.”

She promptly led Benjamin to the young madam of House Maybelle, Christina Dowe. Just last year, she had still been the young lady of the house, so the maid still made occasional slip-ups.

“Young Madam, Mr. Wald has arrived.”

“Come in.”

At the end of breakfast, Christina, who had been lounging on the couch with a book over her face, straightened her posture at the sound of Benjamin entering. She spoke loudly enough for the whole floor to hear.

“Did you, by chance, run into the stupid man who leeches off this house on your way up?”

“Haha. Lady Dowe, you remain sharp as ever about your husband.”

Last autumn, during the hunting season full of gunshots, Christina quietly married her cousin Gregory at a nearby estate on the outskirts of the capital.

The Dowe family, who held the title of Marquess of Maybelle, possessed vast wealth—not from their game-filled but poor estate, but from a string of successful investments. As the heiress to that fortune, Christina maintained unshakable power even after her marriage.

The Marquess of Maybelle had attached two conditions to the inheritance of that enormous wealth.

First, she must marry her cousin Gregory and become the next Marchioness of Maybelle.

“If you didn’t run into him, you’re very lucky. Just seeing his face kills my appetite.”

Thus, Christina had to marry a lackluster man. She knew full well her father had chosen Gregory as her husband precisely because he was an unambitious nobody.

“Have a seat. I don’t have much time today.”

“It’s rare for you to be going out.”

Benjamin’s eyes widened in surprise. Her appearance was a bit disheveled from lying down, but Christina was dressed unusually formally for an outing.

“I’ve been invited to some boring gathering. Her Majesty should know that being invited to that garden is no great honor, especially when it’s just to keep an eye on someone else’s niece.”

Since marrying Gregory and becoming the young madam of the marquess household, Christina rarely left the estate unless it was for an important family event. And yet, the future Marchioness remained extremely popular.

There was an obvious unspoken pressure behind the invitation—one that all but demanded she become a follower of Princess Sophia. But even Christina couldn’t ignore a summons from the queen.

Benjamin was reminded once again that the slightly eccentric lady before him was of a rank high enough to receive a personal invitation from the queen. In truth, Christina was someone far beyond the reach of a humble businessman like himself.

“Of all days, it had to be today. I won’t even be able to offer a meal to the one who brings me my only joy.”

“Don’t worry about it. I only get to bring you joy because of your support. I haven’t done anything special.”

“……”

A complicated smile appeared on Christina’s face.

“Second, you will cut all ties with the daughter of Baron Warfield and anyone associated with her. That is the condition for maintaining your inheritance rights. Christina.”

Three years ago, Christina had yielded to her father’s ultimatum: if she did not sever ties with Natalie, who had become embroiled in scandal, he would hand over the inheritance to Gregory. Christina gave up all contact and obediently went down to the estate, securing her inheritance by agreeing to marry Gregory.

She said she had done nothing, but in Christina’s view, the same applied to herself.

She had not yet inherited the fortune. Christina had no choice but to keep a low profile and rely on Benjamin as her front.

There were only a few things she could do in the meantime.

She had found Benjamin Wald, David’s former editor, and helped him establish a publishing house for female authors called White Pen, anonymously supporting it.

It was possible only because Christina’s annual allowance alone exceeded the yearly income of a small estate.

As she lost herself in thought, Benjamin suddenly held out a paper envelope.

“Please read this. I didn’t come today just to deliver the next installment. I came to borrow your judgment.”

“You need my opinion?”

“Yes. Please choose which of these two works to serialize first. We don’t have enough staff to run both at once.”

Christina took the envelope without hesitation and replied cheerfully, “That’s a delight for me. But I’ve been going out more lately, so I won’t be able to read it as quickly as usual.”

“Ah, is it the dedication ceremony you mentioned before?”

“The Itman Station dedication ceremony. Our marquess insisted I show my face there.”

She shrugged lightly as she spoke. The Marquess of Maybelle was the second largest investor in the construction of Itman Station, after Prince Ian.

“I had originally planned to make an excuse and skip it.”

At her typically blunt remark, Benjamin gave a soft laugh.

“But I’ve decided to go. Natalie might be there.”

“…Ah.”

In Benjamin’s mind, the image of Natalie, who he had once thought was merely a young errand-runner for David, flashed vividly—the day she took off her hat in front of him.

“Mr. Wald, David won’t be writing anymore.”

He had sensed that David was trying to lay low due to increasing curiosity around his identity, but the sudden announcement still caught him off guard.

Benjamin had dropped to his knees, clutching her trousers, pleading that she could stop the serialization if needed—but not to retire completely.

Then, looking deeply troubled, Natalie had taken off her hat and revealed her long hair.

The shock had been immense.

“This is why I can’t write anymore. If they find out I’m David, you’ll lose your job too, won’t you?”

He remembered how she had looked down at him calmly while he was still in denial, unable to accept the reality.

She hadn’t tried to prove herself.

She had simply worn a look of sincere regret and distress.

“I’m truly sorry. If anything goes wrong, I’ll do my best to make sure you’re not affected.”

And shortly after, as if it had all been planned, David’s identity was revealed. The world turned upside down, and by the time Benjamin came to his senses, he was unemployed—just as she had warned.

Had she known it would come to this? But there was no way to ask.

Right after the news that she had been miraculously acquitted, Benjamin received an unmarked letter that simply said, “I’m sorry,” along with a bundle of cash. It must have been her own way of doing her best to make amends.

“You can’t trust a word from the newspapers or magazines these days, but it does seem true that Natalie is currently associating with Prince Ian. I think he might invite her to the dedication ceremony.”

And around that time, Christina had found Benjamin. That was the beginning of White Pen.

“Surely, Father wouldn’t transfer the inheritance to Gregory just for bumping into her by chance. In any case, it’ll take me a while to read.”

“Ah, of course. Please take your time.” Snapped out of his thoughts, Benjamin replied quickly.

“Oh, and you should come to the dedication ceremony too. It’ll be full of rich, idle people.”

“But isn’t it too late to get a ticket? I heard it’s very popular.”

“I can get you in. Use the opportunity to expand your network and secure more investment. Don’t go on about lacking manpower.”

If he went to the dedication ceremony, he might see her again. Benjamin didn’t hesitate. There was something he really wanted to say if he met her once more.

“Then I’ll take you up on that, Madam.”

A bright smile spread across his face.