~Chapter 7~
“…Wait a minute, what are you talking about?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know.”
“What do you mean, ‘pretend’? I have to know something to pretend not to know it!”
“You knew I hated Apollyon, and yet you still…”
I didn’t even let him finish—my head already started throbbing.
“Sigh, come on. Let’s not do this in the middle of the street. Step aside and talk somewhere else.”
I grabbed Sonod’s wrist and pulled him to a quieter spot. I gave a reassuring smile to Selena, who looked worried from a distance. The coachman, sensing the situation, started moving the carriage to the side.
Suddenly, I felt a chill. When I looked back, Sonod was staring at my hand holding his wrist, smiling.
I quickly pulled my hand away from him.
“Sonod, I won’t say much. I told you not to get the wrong idea, remember? So why are you acting like this?”
“Why am I acting like this? That’s what I want to ask. Why are you doing things you never did before?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re acting totally different than usual.”
“Then how should I be acting?”
“…”
“Should I cry like before? Beg you? Grab your leg and not let go?”
“…”
He didn’t answer—maybe because he knew he had no excuse. How dare he assume I’d always cling to him?
“Sonod, our relationship ended a long time ago. If someone should be begging, it’s you.”
“Hah. Like I’d ever want you back.”
“Oh really? Then why are you acting like this? Stopping carriages and causing scenes?”
Sonod laughed bitterly. As if he were the one being wronged.
“How long has it been since we broke off the engagement, and now you’re marrying someone else?”
“When, who, or whether I marry is none of your business.”
“You were my fiancée.”
“I’m not anymore.”
In this country, nobles needed the imperial family’s approval for both engagements and breakups. Once I submitted the signed breakup papers, our relationship was officially over.
“Don’t you have any manners? It hasn’t even been a month. A proper noblewoman should take time to reflect before moving on.”
Reflect? What am I, a drunk celebrity in a scandal?
What does he want—for me to write a public apology and wait for society to forgive me?
“And to marry Apollyon Teabrither of all people. Do you even think before you act? The etiquette in the Incleldov family is a complete mess.”
“…What did you just say?”
Even if you’re arguing in the street, you don’t insult someone’s family.
I might not truly be part of the Incleldov family, but after living here for two months, I’d grown attached.
If not for the kind people of the Count’s household, I would never have adapted to this world. I couldn’t let Sonod insult them like that.
“So etiquette is well-taught in Quinton, huh? Seeing how sarcastic you are, you must’ve learned some very refined manners. So cultured, really.”
“…”
An eye for an eye. I mocked the Quinton family, and Sonod twitched his brow in irritation.
If you didn’t like the feeling, why say such things first?
I took a step closer to him.
“Sonod, I’m sorry to say this, but I have no feelings for you. No regrets, and no silly revenge plans like you think.”
“Then why marry the Grand Duke?”
“Because I like him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. No sane person would marry that monster.”
There it was again—that disgusting word: monster.
“A hideously ruined face, disgusting power… He might not even be human, more like a demon.”
He hadn’t even seen the Grand Duke’s face. What did he know?
“Aren’t you scared? What if that disgusting curse of his spreads to you?”
Oh, this must be one of those exaggerated rumors. No internet or TV, yet gossip spreads like wildfire.
“Watch your words. Don’t go around spreading baseless rumors.”
“How do you know they’re baseless? What if I’m right?”
Technically, Sonod had a point. I couldn’t prove to anyone that Apollyon wasn’t a monster or that his curse wasn’t contagious. I only knew because I’d read the original story.
So I gave the only answer I could.
“…I’ll find out once I live with him.”
Sonod’s face stiffened. Not with anger—more like shock.
“…So you really are that hungry for power?”
Now he thought I was after the position of Grand Duchess.
“Sonod, I don’t care about you or the Grand Duchess title. I’m not heartbroken or seeking revenge. So stop spreading nonsense. It’s annoying.”
“…”
“If I didn’t learn proper etiquette in Incleldov, I’ll be sure to learn it in Teabrither. Now, excuse me. I have somewhere to be.”
“…Wait.”
Sonod, who’d been frozen, suddenly blocked my way.
Yes, I had come out earlier than planned, but I didn’t have time to waste anymore.
“If you have anything more to say, send someone to my residence. I’m really busy.”
Because the wedding was just around the corner.
When I added that, Sonod’s face turned cold.
I took out my pocket watch and checked the time. I have to leave now to make it to the boutique on time.
“One last thing.”
What now?
“Do you really… not feel anything for me? Not even a little regret?”
“…Did you not hear a word I said?”
Seriously, does this guy have ears? If he doesn’t, maybe I should dig them out with a spoon.
“How can someone change so suddenly…?”
“Suddenly? Sonod, put your hand on your heart and think.”
I took his hand and placed it on his chest.
“Remember what you did to me. You cheated with another woman, constantly broke promises, and whenever you got scolded by your elders, you took it out on me. I cried and begged every time.”
“…”
“After all that, why would I still like you?”
I dropped his hand and walked past him. But then I suddenly turned back, as if I remembered something.
I walked right up to him and whispered in his ear.
“Seems like your little plan… has completely failed.”
“…!”
Sonod’s eyes widened in shock, like I’d discovered a big secret.
Please, I read the entire original novel—even the rated 19+ side stories. Did he really think I wouldn’t know about a scheme that shallow?
“Stop using my family in your evil plan to bring down Teabrither. Though I doubt we’ll ever run into each other again.”
I gave him a cold stare and walked toward the carriage.
When I glanced back, his eyes were shaking uncontrollably.
With my knight escorting me, I climbed into the carriage. We didn’t have much time, so the coachman drove quickly.
“You must be tired, Miss. Please rest your head.”
Selena placed a cushion behind my head.
“Thank you.”
What a thoughtful person. I leaned on the soft cushion, touched by her kindness.
We hadn’t even been outside long, but I already felt exhausted. Something told me today would be a long day.
I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind of all the unnecessary thoughts.
***
“Miss, we’ve been waiting for you.”
When I got off the carriage, every staff member of the boutique was lined up at the entrance.
“Hello. Nice to meet you.”
I acted normal on the outside, but inside I was overwhelmed. What was this, a drama scene with a royal heir?
Being treated like a VIP for the first time was quite a lot.
Inside the boutique, there wasn’t a single other customer. It really was a luxury boutique—and it seemed today, they were accepting no one else but me.
The power of Apollyon Teabrither… the taste of wealth was very sweet indeed.
The boutique owner and lead designer, Madame Binesse, sat with me and chatted for a while. Honestly, it was annoying, but I didn’t show it. This was part of the job—customer service.
We all do what we must to make a living, so I politely nodded along at the right moments. It was soulless, but she seemed very pleased.
“Oh my, I’ve rambled long enough. Shall we take a look at the dress now?”
“Yes, please.”
Finally!
I’d been dying to see it—especially after having my energy drained by Sonod. My stamina was almost gone.
When Madame clapped twice, the curtains parted with a soft sound. And there it was—an absolutely stunning wedding dress on display.
“Wow…”
I forgot all my irritation and gasped in awe.
It was a strapless gown with a voluminous bell-line skirt—just what I ordered. Made of organza silk, it looked soft and flowing. At the chest were dozens of tiny diamonds, catching the light and changing color depending on the angle.
Honestly, with a dress this beautiful, I could get married three more times.
Especially since it didn’t even cost me a penny.
And I love free stuff.
“Shall we try it on?”
“Oh—yes.”
Madame’s voice snapped me back to reality as she led me to the fitting room.
Here I was, thinking about getting married three more times, and I hadn’t even filed the marriage papers yet.
Focus. Marry four times, and that means three divorces.
I repeated the words in my head as I stepped into the fitting room.
