CH 42

Chapter 42

“…I made it.”

“I think it would be better for you to tell the truth, Your Grace, to avoid any scandal.”

Already, there was a lot of talk about Elysia and Damon’s marriage. Even if everything was perfect, it wasn’t enough. If something was wrong with her, it would all come back to her like arrows. Estelle’s reaction was natural, though at the same time, bitter.

There was nothing more difficult than going into battle with everyone turning against her as enemies.

“I really did it. I got help from someone, but…”

“Can you tell me that someone?”

“Well… I don’t think I can.”

She couldn’t say that Damon made the veil, no matter if it was Estelle. It would have been better to say that someone else had helped.

“There will never be rumors, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

There would never be rumors if only she didn’t open her mouth. Anyway, Damon would never open his mouth on his own.

“It’s so perfect that I don’t even have to finish it. That’s fortunate.”

“….”

Elysia was stabbed and couldn’t answer anything. In fact, even she knew that Damon had finished the finishing touches while she slept. After each choking embroidery class, she strangely collapsed as if she had taken sleeping pills.

“All the bouquets are ready, so I think you can rest for a while in the waiting room.”

“Yes.”

Although the reason Estelle was in such a hurry was because of the dress, she thought it was because of the veil.

“To commemorate the wedding today, we plan to distribute food and gifts to all the surrounding commoners, including the estate residents.”

“Estelle, wouldn’t the budget be short if that was the case?”

“The Grand Duke said that we should have a wedding comparable to that of the Imperial Family.”

She was surprised to hear that he was giving it not only to the estate but also to the surrounding commoners. It would cost an enormous amount of money, unimaginable at that size…

“I barely managed to stop His Grace from announcing to the whole empire about the wedding.”

It was too sincere towards the bride, who was going to be killed anyway. Did they have a wedding like this in the original story…?

Even though Elysia wanted to know, she couldn’t because there was no explanation about Damon and her marriage. As the money usually rots, she spent too much money on a formal wedding.

If it was Damon, he wouldn’t treat the bride whom he was going to kill so well. Also, he would not want to let the people around him know as much as possible. But now, he seemed like an anxious man, wanting to make it known to all the empire.

‘…Is it because it’s more fun?’

After all, Damon was an unpredictable person compared to normal people, so it was likely to be.

“I don’t mind the wedding, though there’s something important about the reception party.”

“At the reception party…?”

“I told you last time, the four Duchies. Today’s wedding is attended by all of the nobles of the highest rank, the dukes, with the exception of His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”

It was the wedding of Grand Duke Raphael. Unless it was a party or a meeting hosted by the imperial family, there were very few places where the four Grand Duchies gathered at once. It was Damon’s power to bring them all together.

“From the Imperial Family, a congratulatory message will come separately. His Grace the Grand Duke will take care of that, but it may not be a reception party.”

This reception party was nothing short of Elysia’s unofficial social debut. At that fact, she swallowed a gulp in tension, not sure if she could do it well.

“Today’s party will be attended by Lady Armando, probably to evaluate Your Grace. Not only that, but also a number of Her Majesty’s groups will be present.”

“What should I do?”

“Do not approach anywhere first.”

She already knew who would be the first people to notice her if she made her social debut. Lady Armando and the Empress would evaluate Elysia. They would decide whether she would be a help or harm to them.

“Anyway, it is difficult to call it an official social debut today. Regardless, the main characters of the party are The Grand Duke and Your Grace.”

The only advantage was that she was the star of today’s reception. Even if Elysia caused trouble, no one could speak ill of her… at least as for today.

“Everyone will be paying attention to Your Grace’s every single action today. Especially the faction on the side of the Empress. You’re very smart, so don’t worry. However, if you have any problems, you can call me through the maids around you.”

Just thinking about it gave her a headache. It wasn’t just the women, even the noblemen would just keep an eye on her like everyone at the party. She had to endure the pouring gazes to the point that it was difficult to even breathe.

“If it’s not for that, the Grand Duke will take care of everything, so don’t worry too much.”

“Thank you, Estelle.”

Although she smiled thanking Estelle, Elysia didn’t believe him. The Damon Raphael she knew was not at all sociable… Him being sociable?

It was more plausible that there were two suns. She couldn’t expect sociability from Damon that much.

It would make a passing dog laugh at asking for sociality from a person who just kills others if they are stupid. Moreover, in the original version, he did not attend the party at all. He had always been on the bloody battlefield or a murder scene.

“I have to go check out the ceremony, can you be alone?”

“Sure.”

“I will put the maids outside the door. If you need anything, please call.”

Elysia was heartbroken at the sight of Estelle, who was busier than the bride. It was because of her lack, Estelle and Catherine were suffering.

* * *

“Your Grace, I brought you some light food.”

The moment she saw the food, she realized that she had not eaten anything since dawn. Elysia was leisurely eating her sandwich when she heard the sound of someone arguing outside.

“No. I have received an order that no one was allowed to enter.”

“I am the mother of Elysia, who’s inside.”

The Countess was the owner of the voice that made her frown just by hearing it. She was speechless at the blatant act of arguing that she was, of course, Elysia’s mother. She was a handful woman in many ways…

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. Don’t worry, I’ll send her back soon.”

“Yes.”

She didn’t want to see Angelina until today. What kind of nonsense does she come in and force herself like that…?

“Please, send her back politely.”

Nevertheless, she wouldn’t want the rumors that she and the Countess had a bad relationship. After all, they never knew she was the illegitimate child. Even if it was a fact that would be caught one day, it shouldn’t have been today.

….And, if she provoked the Countess, nothing good would come for Edward either.

“I can’t show myself to anyone because I’m not ready yet.”

“Understood.”

She was worried about what to do from now on. It was difficult to even save her life by marrying the worst killer, but the social world was full of things that needed to be taken care of, including the Countess.

“You must not go in.”

Again, in the midst of the commotion, Elysia thought that the Countess had not yet returned. It seemed like she would never go back until she saw her face.

“Mother, I—brother…?”

However, It was Edward, not the Countess, who was the cause of the riot. The Edward she knew was not someone who spoke loudly or forced anyone.

“Elysia…!”

“Brother, what is this….”

She was astonished to see Edward entangled with the maids to enter the waiting room. Originally, he was sick and weak, although the maids holding him seemed to be no ordinary maids. No wonder Estelle said that she had maids stationed, there was a reason.

“Get your hands off brother, right now.”

“I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

“Come inside.”

“Your Grace, but…”

Obviously, Estelle gave the order not to let anyone in, but Elysia didn’t care. Edward was the only one who didn’t belong to anyone.

“Brother is fine, so let him in.”

She wouldn’t have let the Countess in if it had been the Countess who was making a fuss when she opened the door.

“Brother, is something wrong?”

Due to Edward’s fragile nature, it was impossible for him to act like that. The main coercive people were the Countess and Rowena. There was something very strange about it — not showing his face to her until the day of her wedding, and his actions towards her when she left the County…

Edward treated her as if she was driven to her limbs.

“Elysia, I just want to talk to you alone. Can I do that?”

“Alone…?”

He didn’t talk as if he was concerned with the maids outside the door. Because of that, Elysia wondered what it was as he was not able to tell it with people all over.

“It’s because it’s important.”

“I see.”

Obviously, if Estelle found out, she would oppose it. Though luckily, for now, neither Estelle nor anyone else could stop her strongly.

“I want to talk for a moment. Would you mind leaving the room?”

“Your Grace, we are commanded to protect you.”

“It will only take a little while.”

She was able to dismiss all of the maids who didn’t want to leave. This was also a temporary measure, and they would probably come back soon without leaving the area.

“Now, you can talk.”

Edward didn’t say anything, even after she sent the people away.

“Brother?”

“Let’s go.”

“…What?”

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