Chapter 10
That afternoon, I was introduced to all the staff working in the Vetra Duchy mansion.
As soon as I introduced Anna to them, the staff immediately formed a team and got started on preparing the wedding.
Just as promised, Anna—now promoted to head maid—took charge as both my spokesperson and the overall wedding coordinator.
Thankfully, no one gave us a hard time.
I guess the mansion staff didn’t have the energy to bully the new duchess’s maid.
“The guest list is huge! So, you’ll be walking in wearing your dress and waving at all of them?”
“The wedding’s supposed to be big and fancy, so what choice do I have?
Let’s just pretend I’m a circus monkey for the day.”
“…And what about this part?”
Anna pointed at one part of the ceremony schedule—
the balcony kiss.
It would most likely be the first official kiss between Ezequiel and me.
“Yup. It’s in the contract. Article 1, Clause 1. We both agreed to it, so we’ll do it.”
Anna made a disgusted face at my dry, emotionless tone.
“A contract marriage and now a contract kiss… this is depressing.”
“That’s how everyone does it.”
“…I seriously never want to be a noble.”
Meanwhile, Ezequiel was busy getting fitted for formalwear and handing out invitations as he met with his social contacts.
Seeing him work so hard made me feel like I couldn’t just sit back either.
I had two different dresses made—one for the ceremony, one for the banquet.
I picked out the food, venue decorations, music, scents, wedding veil, and tiara one by one.
Because we had to rush to set a date and prepare everything quickly, all the people involved were about to drop from exhaustion.
Then came a new challenge.
One day, the head maid and Ezequiel’s aide, Ollie, gathered the two of us to explain an event in the ceremony schedule.
“The groom is expected to sing a love serenade to the bride in front of all the guests.”
This was a silly tradition that had become popular among nobles and the upper class recently.
“If you rewrite the lyrics to include how the two of you met, it’s even better.
At the end, the bride is supposed to hug the groom with a happy smile.”
Ezequiel’s expression turned grim, like he wanted to run out of the room.
I didn’t love the idea either, but he looked so unwilling that it made me feel stubborn.
“What? Why? Let’s just do it.”
“Are you sure? I’d have to sing a cheesy song, and you’d have to fake tears and act touched.”
“Well, isn’t that what you wanted?
You said we have to look like a loving couple so the Emperor believes it.”
“I want the public to see you as my wife,
not to embarrass myself with that ridiculous display.”
Then he turned to Ollie and said coldly,
“Ollie. Remove that nonsense from the schedule.
Even if the bride agrees, I do not.”
Was he worried about me… or just rejecting me outright? I couldn’t tell.
“Your Grace, that serenade is the highlight.
If we skip it, people are going to talk.”
Right now, rumors could be dangerous for Ezequiel.
This wedding was supposed to prevent the duchy from being absorbed by the empire.
If even a tiny crack showed in our relationship during the ceremony…
“I don’t care. It’s a foolish tradition.”
He looked so unhappy about it that I awkwardly cleared my throat.
‘Is it really that horrible that people would gossip if we skip it?’
Just a little… it bothered me.
Maybe it was because I had spent so many years being mistreated.
Without realizing it, I had developed the bad habit of always guessing how much people disliked me.
Even when I knew it wasn’t true, my thoughts would spiral in that direction.
‘Don’t overthink it.’
I tapped the side of my head, trying to shake off the thoughts.
No more letting negativity eat away at me.
Ollie and the head maid exchanged a silent glance.
“We’ll remove the love serenade for now.”
“Great. What a relief,” Ezequiel muttered, almost smirking.
And just like that, our ceremony planning ended… with a slightly awkward memory.
* * *
Not long after, I had the chance to explore the beautiful city.
It started with a suggestion from Ezequiel.
“There’s a lot of interest in you among the people of the duchy.
Why not go out and let them see your face?”
I already knew rumors about me had spread through the city and even reached the Imperial Palace.
All this time, I’d only been inside the Vetra mansion, so it was hard to feel the reality of what was going on outside.
“‘A bride who suddenly fell from the sky, disappeared inside the mansion right after the wedding announcement.’
Some people are even saying I hired an actress to play the part,” Ezequiel said.
Honestly, it wasn’t surprising that there were rumors. He was in a desperate situation, after all.
“That kind of rumor’s not great for me either.
To make our contract go smoothly, I guess it’s only right for me to help you.”
“Exactly. Let’s act like we’re madly in love and can’t live without each other.”
And so, we launched a strategy meeting.
“I mean, I can manage it, but can you even act, Your Grace?”
“Why wouldn’t I be able to?”
“Last time, when they mentioned singing a serenade at the wedding,
you totally froze up…”
“Ahem!”
Every time I open my mouth, this man coughs.
His lungs must not be in great shape.
“Anyway,” he said, clearing his throat.
“There’s no need for a grand stage. Just going out together is enough.”
“Sounds good to me. I wanted to see more of Vetra anyway.”
Not a bad plan.
We could calm the rumors and enjoy the sights.
This city, known for its unique beauty, was worth exploring at least once.
And so began my first official “date” with my future husband.
Spring in Vetra came earlier and felt warmer than it did in the capital where I used to live.
Soft pink flowers were blooming everywhere.
Delicate petals brushed past the window of our carriage, bringing the scent of spring with them.
The city was half water, half buildings.
In some houses, opening a back door would reveal a giant canal right outside—an amazing sight.
Tall buildings cast shimmering reflections on the clear water flowing beside the roads.
“Shall we switch vehicles around here?” Ezequiel asked.
“From the carriage?”
“It’ll look better if the Duke’s fiancée is seen riding the city’s famous attraction.”
He suggested we take a small boat.
The little black boat had a curved front shaped like a musical note.
It looked kind of cute.
As Ezequiel escorted me to the pier, we waited while the townspeople began whispering and pointing.
“Look! Isn’t that the Duke’s fiancée?”
“Wow, she’s really beautiful!”
“They say thanks to her, the duchy won’t be merged anymore!”
“She’s our savior!”
Um, no. I saved myself, thanks.
While I was having strange thoughts, Ezequiel reached out his hand to me.
“Here, my lady.”
Honestly, he felt like two different people.
When we were alone, he acted so indifferent.
But in front of others, he suddenly became the perfect loving fiancé.
Not wanting to lose, I gave him a bright smile and slapped my hand into his like a high-five.
Ezequiel flinched slightly.
“You’re so sweet, darling!”
I scrunched my nose and lied through my teeth.
Whatever. Let’s just call his weird behavior “charming.”
I married him trusting his male-lead title, so I guess I can handle a few odd quirks.
Our little boat glided through the canals, passing under bridges as people gathered to watch us.
Suddenly, Ezequiel held something near my lips.
It was a small piece of finger food.
“Sweet things help improve your mood. Go on.”
“Why?”
“Look at your fingernails.”
I looked down.
There were small bits of torn nails on my dress.
I had bitten them without realizing it—something I did when I got anxious.
“Are you uncomfortable with everyone staring?”
“A little… yeah, it’s overwhelming.”
“Endure it.”
I knew. This was part of the contract too.
I clamped my mouth shut like a clam.
Then slowly opened it just enough to bite the snack.
Soft bread and cream melted on my tongue.
The familiar sweetness helped calm my nerves.
“He fed her! Oh my gosh! Eek!”
“So, that ‘hired actress’ rumor—total nonsense, right?”
“They’re actually a real couple!”
The people on the bridges were squealing like a theater crowd.
Some of them even looked genuinely relieved to see Ezequiel and me looking like a happy pair.
As we floated farther, the buildings thinned out, and suddenly we reached an open space above the water—a floating plaza.
The boatman gently steered us toward a dock and brought us close.
“Your Graces, you may step out here.”
Even though the boat was tied tightly with rope, it kept wobbling.
I felt uneasy.
And of course, it happened.
My foot—hidden by my dress—missed the edge.
I lost my balance instantly.
And just like that—
I fell between the boat and the dock.
Right into the deep water.
