The Perfect Bride - Chapter 43

The north entrance of Itman Station was relatively less crowded, but by no means empty. A few reporters and illustrators, anticipating the arrival of certain guests through the back entrance, were waiting among the spectators.

Noticing them outside the carriage window, Natalie sighed and clenched her fists in an effort to quell her unavoidable anxiety. Still, having gone through several grand social events, starting with the royal ball, she no longer felt as though she might faint like she did at the Duchess of Horace’s ball.

“Quickly, quickly—let’s walk fast, Sir Peeble.”

Natalie muttered urgently as she stepped out of the carriage. Sensing her unease, Marcus responded swiftly, just as she instructed.

Since it was after sunset, and they relied on the glow of yellow gas lamps, not many people recognized Miss Daus without the prince. While the onlookers hesitated in doubt, Natalie and Marcus managed to enter the station without causing a stir.

But more people inside recognized her. As the stares pierced into her, Natalie reflexively flinched.

“…Goodness. Your face has become well-known in such a short time. I’ll escort you to the VIP section quickly.”

Marcus, now experiencing the kind of attention she usually endured, let out a sigh without realizing it. The pressure was intense—no less than what the person he usually served received—but of a completely different nature.

While the prince drew eyes filled with excessive, sticky curiosity, the gazes aimed at Natalie were sharp, like thorns.

It was a fresh realization, but it was enough to shake the professional detachment Marcus had always maintained around her.

“Miss Dorothy should be nearby.”

Feeling rather sorry, Marcus made more effort than usual.

“Ah. His Highness left a message.”

Whether this would offer comfort was uncertain.

“A message?”

“If a pervert bothers you, hit them in the vital spot.”

“……”

“…That’s what he asked me to relay.”

But the prince’s message had the opposite effect. Natalie stopped in her tracks and glared up at Marcus, her eyes full of irritation.

“He still hasn’t given up that ridiculous motto—‘If you want to hit, just hit’?”

“Hm. He seemed quite serious… but I believe it’s his way of telling you to relax.”

…How could anyone interpret it that way? Natalie thought she understood now how Marcus had managed to remain as Ian’s aide.

Unable to take the prince’s message in good faith, she muttered bitterly, “Well, how reassuring. Now I’ve got the added task of beating up perverts.”

“Haha. I’d be in trouble if you actually hit someone.”

He was smiling, but for a moment Natalie felt as if a wave of deep exhaustion crossed Marcus’s face.

“His Highness may issue the order, but the cleanup is always my job.”

“…Don’t worry. I wasn’t being serious.”

Natalie reassured him and began walking again. The absurd conversation had helped ease her nerves a bit.

“This is the indoor plaza of Itman Station.”

After only a short walk from the entrance, they arrived at a spacious plaza.

Natalie’s eyes widened in amazement. She stared blankly upward at the ceiling.

As someone had told her, the plaza’s ceiling was made of glass. Through the transparent roof, the cloudy night sky of Dwan and part of the clock tower’s classical structure could be seen. Lowering her gaze slightly, she saw a bustling crowd of inauguration guests in a space decorated like a grand ballroom.

‘And beneath this, trains are running.’

So this is what another world looks like.

Though tension remained, her heart fluttered at the sensation of her world expanding. It was dizzying, as if she couldn’t keep up with how quickly things were changing.

The more she learned, the more impressive he became.

“His Highness… really is amazing.”

Natalie murmured, the words escaping before she realized.

It sounded like a dazed confession, enchanted, or perhaps a quiet surrender. But it was undeniably sincere praise.

This time, Marcus’s eyes widened. His cheeks swelled with pride.

‘He has his quirks, but this is what makes serving him worthwhile.’

At the peak of job satisfaction, Marcus didn’t forget to observe Natalie’s expression. She looked a bit dazed, but much less tense than earlier.

“The VIP section is right in front of the stage. This way, please.”

Relieved, Marcus carefully escorted Natalie as if she were his actual lady.

They passed by a long refreshment table crowded with guests and a massive catering cake that looked like a Christmas tree, making their way toward the VIP area.

Just then, Natalie—walking with her eyes half-lowered to avoid accidental eye contact—glanced up by chance.

‘His Highness?’

It was because the man approaching from the opposite side had legs as long as Prince Ian’s. As their eyes met, it became clear he had also been looking at her.

But it wasn’t Prince Ian.

“…Ah.”

A sigh slipped from Natalie’s lips as she instinctively tried to avert her gaze out of habit. But she couldn’t take her eyes off the gentleman, and her steps naturally slowed.

“Miss Daus? Is something wrong?”

Marcus looked back at Natalie and asked in a puzzled voice.

“…Mr. Wald.”

Mr. Wald? Instead of answering, Natalie uttered someone’s name. Marcus followed her gaze.

At the end of her line of sight stood a tall, handsome man. His pleasant and approachable face made a good impression, but there was an unmistakable sharpness in his gray eyes.

Who is that? Marcus narrowed his eyes, quickly digging through his memory for a Benjamin Wald. Just then, Wald began approaching without hesitation.

“Do you remember me? Benjamin Wald.”

Ah, Benjamin Wald. As soon as Marcus Peeble, the capable aide to the prince, heard the man’s full name, he recalled who he was.

‘David’s editor.’

Marcus quickly checked Natalie’s expression. As expected, her face had gone pale, like someone who’d committed a crime.

“If any creep tries to chat her up, deal with him. You know Natalie—she scares easily.”

Marcus thought he finally understood why His Highness sometimes treated the baron’s daughter like a child left too close to water. He suddenly reached out and offered Benjamin a handshake, masking himself with a polite, professional smile.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Marcus Peeble, aide to Prince Ian.”

“Ah, apologies, Sir Peeble. I should have introduced myself sooner. I’m Benjamin Wald.”

Benjamin, who had approached with his eyes fixed only on Natalie, finally noticed her escort and apologized. Looking a bit embarrassed, he hurriedly took out a business card from his pocket.

“I run White Pen, a small publishing house that specializes in novels.”

At the word ‘publishing house,’ Natalie’s eyes widened even further. Her pupils visibly trembled, enough to startle Benjamin too.

“You must be surprised I approached you so suddenly. I didn’t think I’d ever run into you like this… I’m sorry. If I’m making you uncomfortable, I’ll leave.”

Natalie opened her mouth as if she had something to say in response to the man’s disordered words.

“It was a pleasure seeing you again, Mr. Wald. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

But Marcus, thinking Natalie was simply frightened, smoothly brushed Benjamin aside. Just as he smiled politely and tried to escort Natalie past him—

“Miss Daus.”

Benjamin called her in a desperate voice. The earnest tone made Natalie stop easily, and Marcus’s brow twitched with strained patience.

“Have… you been well?”

“Pardon? Yes, of course.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Natalie responded like she was reading from a textbook.

“Then I’m glad. I’m sorry again for calling out to you like that. I just…”

Though it was a rather formal greeting, Benjamin smiled brightly as if he were truly relieved.

His expression was wistful—like someone who’d run into a former lover they could never forget.

As if he were her only older brother, Marcus looked at Benjamin with clear displeasure. Even if it was fake, this woman was the one his master was fervently pursuing.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”

Benjamin’s voice came out tight, as if something were stuck in his throat.

Natalie blinked blankly. She couldn’t understand the words that had just come out of his mouth.

Sorry? Why would you be sorry? You know I’m David, that David is Natalie Daus, and that you got thrown into the street because of it—so why?

“Then.”

By the time she came back to her senses, the man had turned his back. Her heart pounded with sudden guilt. Instinctively, Natalie reached out, trying to stop Benjamin from walking away.

“Natalie.”

But a familiar voice stopped her faster.

Startled by the call, Natalie turned around. Cutting through the crowd, Ian was striding toward her. His angelic face was the same as always, but he wasn’t smiling.

Perhaps… yes. It was the same expression he had when he galloped toward her on horseback, saying he’d teach her to ride.

***

The day before the Itman Station inauguration, a formal banquet was held at Oberon Palace to welcome Edward and Eris.

At the small party following the banquet, Ian ran into Sophia. He politely told her he had no intention of marrying her, despite her constant chatter.

He had no idea that Sophia had already had her awakening.

Having firmly defined Natalie Daus as the worst kind of villainess in her mind, Sophia was relentless. She didn’t back down, only busied herself blurting out whatever she wanted to say.

I hear your opinion, but look at my lovely appearance and bright, positive personality.

It was, as feared, a case of being completely unresponsive to reason.