Chapter 24
‘Wow, I didn’t expect her to storm into the dress shop like this.’
It was such a rough, impulsive move—completely unlike Vanerinne, who had always acted gracefully, neatly, and without leaving a trace.
In other words, it meant she had no other way left to sabotage our wedding.
‘Well, there’s already an article saying the wedding countdown has begun. She must be running out of options.’
At best, she could try to isolate me in high society—but that wouldn’t affect me at all. I’d never been interested in social activities to begin with.
‘It might help when I write articles later, but it’s not like I plan to live as a noble forever. Why bother suffering to get into that circle?’
For nobles, socializing was important because one’s standing in society determined what kind of art they could appreciate, which events they were invited to, and what businesses they could enter.
‘But the Duke of Luke’s household isn’t a family that’s survived through connections. Which means Serulian probably doesn’t want me to join that world either.’
I cleared my throat and greeted her in what even to my own ears sounded overly bright.
“Anyway, it’s nice to see you again, Mother.”
“As expected of a commoner—your manners are atrocious. The wedding hasn’t even happened yet, and you should be addressing me properly as ‘Duchess.’”
The Baroness of Sage immediately spat out her venom, as though it were only natural.
But she was far too easy an opponent. Everything she said was so predictable.
I blinked innocently.
“I honestly don’t understand why you’re angry, Baroness. As I said last time, the engagement contract has already been approved. We simply haven’t held the ceremony yet, but I already belong to the Duke of Luke’s household.”
“My, my.”
The Madame beside us perked up so sharply that her ears almost twitched at the mention of an approved engagement contract.
‘Good. Go ahead, spread the word.’
The article I’d submitted to the newspaper hadn’t mentioned the engagement contract. Instead, it talked about our first dinner together, the romantic proposal, the heirloom gifts, and the dozens of dresses I’d purchased.
‘This kind of puzzle-piece storytelling always boosts sales!’
What fun is there in information that’s already known? People go wild when they can peel back the layers of a story like an onion, discovering something new each time.
‘This’ll solidify my standing as a journalist.’
Even if my articles were published under The Newcastle Times editorial team’s name, both the editor-in-chief and owner would soon know I was their golden goose.
I did feel a bit heavy-hearted facing Vanerinne—but everything was going my way, so I wasn’t nearly as nervous as before.
A smile tugged at my lips. While I’d been lost in thought, the Baroness of Sage—still hurling insults—suddenly shouted, face flushed red.
“Are you even listening to me!?”
“Oh, yes.”
Honestly, no. But I answered with a cheerful smile.
“You were saying I should eat well and take care of my health, right?”
“I said no such thing!”
So picky. Would it kill her to just agree for once?
“In any case, why don’t you come closer when you talk? I can barely hear you from that far away.”
“Y-you…!”
Her rising blood pressure was practically visible on her changing complexion. Just as our argument was about to turn downright childish, Vanerinne stepped in.
“Laura, that’s enough. This is my fault—I must not have shown enough dignity as the duchess. Don’t scold her too harshly.”
“Your Highness…”
Ah, the perfect move—subtly painting herself as pitiable while making me look like the villain.
The Baroness, now fired up with protective fury, turned her glare on me.
“Your Highness, you’ve been far too kind to this insolent girl! How can such behavior be excused?”
‘Of course. They’re in perfect sync.’
What was worse, such transparent acts always worked on the public.
As I simmered in frustration, a large hand gently rested on my shoulder. Serulian.
“What brings you here, Mother?”
“I heard from the butler that my son had come to get his wedding attire fitted, so I hurried over.”
Vanerinne’s voice dripped with motherly warmth. Then the Baroness cut in curtly,
“I’m sorry, Madame, but there’s no need to make a new wedding dress. There’s already one prepared.”
“…What?”
That was news to me. The Baroness gave me a disdainful look, as if to say you didn’t know that?
“There’s an old saying that a bride should have something new, something borrowed, and something old. That’s why many brides alter their mother’s wedding dress.”
“Meaning…?”
Vanerinne added softly,
“As it happens, I still have several wedding gowns brought from the Imperial Palace for my own wedding. I’d like to gift one to my daughter-in-law.”
“Your Highness, how thoughtful!”
Even though this meant the Madame couldn’t sell a new dress, her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“The gown Your Highness wore was made from imported silk—a truly elegant design. Even if altered, it would surely captivate everyone’s eyes.”
Judging by her reaction, it was no ordinary dress. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to agree right away.
‘There’s definitely something fishy about this.’
There was no way that woman offered it out of kindness. So I smiled politely.
“But I already have something old. The yellow sapphire Serulian gifted me—it’s a family heirloom passed down by the Duchesses of Luke, isn’t it?”
“Then that’ll count as your ‘something old,’” Serulian said with a nod.
The Madame’s eyes widened.
“Oh my, a yellow sapphire? I’d love to see it!”
“It matches the design you picked out perfectly. I plan to wear it for the ceremony.”
“My goodness.”
The Madame’s eyes gleamed anew, inspiration rekindled. But the Baroness broke in again, her tone sour.
“Passing down a wedding dress is a lovely tradition—a mother gifting her gown to her daughter. Since Miss Azian has no mother, Her Highness is graciously extending that courtesy. Of course, if you’d sought Her Highness’s advice from the start, there would’ve been no need for this ridiculous scene at the dress shop.”
There she goes again.
I lowered my gaze, feigning the expression of a rain-soaked puppy.
“Oh dear, I see. But I do hope you’ll understand that I was only trying to be considerate toward Her Highness. After all, we’d spoken only briefly, and she seemed so fatigued she couldn’t even join us for dinner. I thought she must be too frail to involve herself in wedding preparations.”
That last bit was deliberate—planting seeds for a future article.
‘Thank you for being my unintentional witness, Madame.’
I’d have to arrange an interview with her later.
But that was for the future. For now, I had to deal with the Baroness, who seemed determined to paint me as the villain.
“Tell the truth, Miss Azian—were you trying to insult Her Highness on purpose?”
“Let it be, Laura. Surely Miss Azian harbors no such malicious intent. I trust her.”
“That’s not it, Your Highness. You’re too kind—you think everyone must be as good-hearted as you. But look at her—head held high, not an ounce of remorse. She’s shameless.”
I smiled faintly.
“If that’s how you see me, Baroness, then so be it. After all, people say others are mirrors reflecting ourselves.”
In other words—it takes one to know one.
“Why, you…!”
The Baroness bristled and turned to Vanerinne.
“Your Highness, you must reprimand your daughter-in-law! It’s your right as the lady of the house!”
‘What on earth is she talking about?’
“What exactly have I done wrong? If I can’t even say whether I need a dress or not, then it’s the Duchess who should apologize to me. It’s my wedding, and I have every right to choose what I’ll wear.”
“That’s a decision for the elders of the household.”
“As you said yourself, Baroness, I don’t have parents. I’ve made every decision in my life on my own. Are you saying that, for my own wedding, I don’t even have the right to choose my dress?”
“And you say that like it’s something to brag about…”
Her muttered response made my eyes go cold.
“Are you implying that having no parents is something to be ashamed of? Do you think so too, Your Highness?”
“……”
The entire dress shop fell silent at the sensitive topic.
Vanerinne broke the tension with a gentle smile.
“Of course not. Laura spoke only out of affection for me—please don’t take it the wrong way.”
At those words, the Baroness’s shoulders twitched. I tilted my head slightly, catching it.
‘Fear?’
What did she have to fear from angelic Vanerinne? Especially when she was her most loyal defender.
‘Could it be she knows Vanerinne’s true nature?’
The suspicion flickered briefly in my mind—but I didn’t have time to dwell on it. Vanerinne was once again ensnaring me with her serpent’s grace.
“But my offer is sincere, Miss Azian. Please accept the dress. I had three made with you in mind. You needn’t wear one for the ceremony if you don’t wish, but I’d like you to have them.”
Then she smiled faintly.
“Please don’t doubt my sincerity. I came all the way here to see you, even though my health is poor. I consider Serulian my own son—and I truly welcome you.”
At that moment, I realized I had underestimated her.
‘Her image won’t crumble with a few lines of gossip.’
Who could doubt that gentle smile and those words?
Even I, who knew her well, felt my conviction faltering.
In the end, I had no choice but to nod.
“…I’ll wear one of your dresses for the ceremony.”
“Wonderful.”
Vanerinne smiled as if genuinely pleased.
A cold bead of sweat slid down my back.
