The Perfect Bride - Chapter 42

“Why are you so embarrassed? It’s stranger to have never read a single line of such a popular book.”

“G-goodness, I haven’t read a single line! Are you doubting me now?”

At Christina’s words, the Countess of Gorton nearly screamed.

As her voice rose, the ladies glanced back and forth between the calm Christina and the Countess of Gorton who looked about to faint.

Christina, undeterred, poured out what she wanted to say to the countess.

“In any case, the reason the baron’s daughter was able to become David was simply because she read some sensual novels in her youth and had a better imagination than most. As you all know, an unmarried lady barely has time to slip away from her chaperone. How would she possibly meet all those men? You all know that.”

“Y-you’re right, Lady Dowe. But since Princess Sophia is present, perhaps we should end this topic…”

The lady sitting next to Christina whispered cautiously. Only then did the other ladies steal glances at Sophia’s face.

Oh no. The once lively princess had gone pale.

But Christina, whose pride had been thoroughly wounded, did not hold back.

“What part of what I said is so horrifying? Frankly, I don’t see how reading or writing sensual novels makes an unmarried lady possessed by the devil.”

Words she had held back many times, confined in the grand manor of the estate.

“……”

A dreadful silence.

The once cheerful atmosphere instantly turned to thin ice. The ladies, forcing smiles, inwardly regretted not joining the group who had gone for a stroll instead of staying at the table.

“Oh dear. Let’s stop with this boring topic. David was so long ago.”

A brazen voice shattered the uncomfortable silence. The ladies, who had all kept their eyes lowered and held their breath, looked up wide-eyed toward the source of the voice.

It was the Duchess of Horace, Catherine. She had led the conversation at the start of tea time but had fallen silent after asking Sophia for understanding, saying she had a slight headache.

She had her reasons.

The Queen was displeased with the duchess for looking after the daughters of barons, but had no choice but to invite her for the dignity of the party.

Catherine accepted the Queen’s invitation with grace, played along with her mood, and pretended to be sick to maintain some distance from Princess Sophia. She hadn’t planned to step in any further.

But judging by how things were unfolding, the party truly looked like it would fall apart. As the very symbol of Dwan’s social scene, she felt it her duty to save the sinking ship.

“I remember enjoying it too, though.”

Catherine’s signature light banter was perfect for softening the mood. As expected of the duchess! The ladies brightened as if they had seen their savior. At last, one by one, they began to laugh awkwardly.

“More importantly, you all know the inauguration of Itman Station is in two days, yes? Princess Sophia, I heard you would be attending the ceremony. Is that correct?”

Catherine skillfully changed the topic.

But Sophia, lost in thought since earlier, didn’t hear her name being called.

She hadn’t recovered from the shocking claim that the baron’s daughter’s indecent novel was all based on her real experiences. Since then, the Grand Batten ladies’ foreign chatter hadn’t reached her ears at all.

‘How dreadful… She’s a villainess of another level.’

Eventually, the vague image she had of the baron’s daughter turned into the wicked witch Sarah had once described.

“Your Highness.”

Sarah called to Sophia in a low voice. Startled, Sophia snapped out of it and turned to Catherine with Sarah’s help.

“Ah… Lady Horace. My apologies.”

“No need to apologize. So, what dazzling outfit will surprise us at the inauguration? Give us a hint. Will you be using the bustle you mentioned earlier?”

Catherine seemed genuinely excited as she asked, making everyone believe the duchess truly admired Princess Sophia’s fashion.

Despite Catherine’s intervention, word of the altercation between the Countess of Gorton and Lady Dowe spread quickly, and Christina was forcibly sent back to the estate by her furious father.

And Lady Dowe’s name was removed from the list of honored guests at the Itman Station inauguration.

***

“Feels like someone’s talking about me…”

Natalie muttered.

These days, was there anyone in Grand Batten not talking about Miss Daus? Donna thought so as she fastened the last pearl pin into the back of Natalie’s hair.

“…Hmm. I think it’s done, Miss Daus.”

“Thanks, Donna. I really like it. You can go now.”

“If there’s anything you want fixed, just call me.”

Even as she spoke, Donna’s eyes busily checked over Natalie’s outfit one last time.

“No, it looks perfect to me.”

“Then I’m glad. Please rest until it’s time to leave.”

Natalie gave a slight nod, and Donna bowed politely before leaving the room.

Once the door closed, Natalie turned back to the mirror and looked at her reflection.

Her hair was neatly parted in the center and braided low beneath her ears. The off-shoulder dress design left her neck and shoulders elegantly bare.

A slight twist of her body made the full white satin dress, woven with silver threads, glimmer like rippling water.

Though the silhouette was simple, the luxurious fabric made the pearl jewelry set feel perfectly appropriate. She wore no necklace. Instead, a black silk ribbon was tied around her neck, matching the decoration on the hat she would wear today.

Natalie suddenly realized that among all the gifts the prince had sent, not once had there been a necklace.

She remembered him saying he would propose when the season ended.

As a citizen of Grand Batten, Natalie was familiar with the royal tradition of gifting a necklace.

‘I might be getting one soon.’

With that thought, her mood sank. Was this that so-called pre-wedding depression, even in a fake marriage?

…No.

To be honest, she’d been feeling this way ever since Prince Ian started appearing in her dreams.

‘This strange nervousness and anxiety, it’s probably…’

Natalie quickly shook her head, slamming the door to her heart shut. As if she refused to look any deeper.

Then she deliberately turned her attention back to the mirror.

‘Don’t overthink it. Keep it simple. Right, the dress. When would I ever wear such a beautiful dress again?’

Though she hadn’t yet put on her hat, shawl, or coat, this was likely how she would appear at the party after the inauguration. Even to her untrained eyes, her reflection looked quite refined and elegant today.

‘Even I think I look…’

“Pretty good? Prince Ian has excellent taste.”

As she was thinking Not bad, someone suddenly chimed in. Startled by the presence she had completely forgotten, Natalie turned around in shock.

“You haven’t left yet?”

“I got ready too quickly and had nothing else to do. What’s this? You actually like your dress? I thought you had no interest in this stuff.”

It was Dorothy, who had eagerly finished getting ready since morning. The crinoline under her skirt made it look uncomfortable as she leaned back on the couch.

“You could go to the main building and wait for the gentleman escorting you. Why are you still here?”

“Sir Eason is coming at eight, and there’s still a whole hour left. I can’t bother the duchess, can I?”

So that means she can bother me? Natalie furrowed her brow slightly.

“Excellent taste and all—what could the prince possibly be lacking? I want to live as him for just one day.”

His personality? Natalie scoffed inwardly.

Funnily enough, his nickname was still ‘angel.’ But if you looked closely, the prince seemed to torment only her and Sir Peeble.

Dorothy went on chattering like always. To avoid her sister’s chatter, Natalie quietly leaned against the window, pretending to look outside. A passive escape.

“…Looks like rain.”

After a moment of silently gazing outside, Natalie murmured. The sky, heavy with gray clouds, didn’t look promising.

At her words, Dorothy sprang to her feet.

“What? It can’t rain!”

“We’ll be indoors anyway. So what if it rains?”

The inauguration and after-party were to be held in the indoor plaza of Itman Station. With its glass ceiling, it was said to offer a unique experience.

“How can you say that! If it rains, what about the fireworks?”

The reason the ceremony was scheduled for such a late hour was the clock tower lighting and the fireworks.

Dorothy had been especially excited for the fireworks. And Natalie, who had quietly looked forward to them too, glanced up at the sky with a disappointed expression.

But the weather didn’t seem to be on their side.

Considering how horribly unlucky she’d been lately—

‘Looks like the fireworks are a lost cause.’

“Miss Daus. Sir Peeble has arrived.”

Shortly after, Mrs. Bate appeared and informed her. She was also fully dressed and ready to accompany Natalie to the ceremony.

Natalie picked up her hat, shawl, and coat in turn. Dorothy watched her older sister leave earlier than herself with a look of envy.

***

“The central entrance is too crowded, so we’ll be escorting you through the second northern entrance, Miss Daus,” Marcus said from the carriage bound for Itman Station.

“Thank you for the consideration.”

Natalie, still not used to being the center of attention, replied with a slightly brightened expression, and Marcus nodded in response. As always, his demeanor was appropriately distant and professional.

“Ah, now that I think of it, I forgot to mention—your dress suits you very well.”

“You look quite dashing today as well, Sir Peeble.”

Thinking it was just polite flattery, Natalie replied with equal politeness.

“I’m sure the prince will be pleased.”

She had worn what he instructed, so of course he’d be satisfied—but pleased? It felt strange to hear it phrased like that, as if she were an actress wearing a costume.

Natalie glanced once at Mrs. Bate, who sat next to her with lips tightly sealed, then gave an awkward smile in place of a reply and turned her head to look out the window.