~Chapter 8~
While I was changing into the wedding dress in the fitting room, I gave up on the idea of wanting to get married three more times.
And for good reason—putting on a wedding dress was incredibly complicated. It didn’t even compare to the gowns or empire dresses I usually wore.
Wearing a corset, tightening the waist, adding and removing padding—the whole process drained all my energy.
“It’s been tailored perfectly to fit your body. Would you like to look in the mirror?”
Madame Binesse turned the full-length mirror toward me. I squinted as soon as I saw my reflection. Not because I looked too beautiful or anything—but because the diamonds and silk were reflecting so much light it physically hurt my eyes, like sunlight on a beach in midsummer.
I turned this way and that, admiring my appearance in the mirror.
“If you feel it’s a bit too revealing, you can wear a bolero (short jacket worn mainly by women) over it.”
Binesse quickly caught on as I instinctively touched my bare neck. At her suggestion, a quick-thinking staff member brought over a few lace boleros.
“This one covers from the shoulders to the wrists, giving a more elegant look. And this one simply drapes over the shoulders, making it feel lighter…”
Binesse excitedly explained as she placed them over the dress.
They were pretty, yes… but if I wore those, it would take another long while to get dressed again… And the lace looked so delicate that I’d have to be extra careful not to rip it.
Honestly, maybe it was easier just not to wear anything over it.
Yeah, might as well go bold just this once. It’s not every day I get a chance to wear something this revealing.
“It’s summer, so I think it’ll be nice and breezy just to leave it as is.”
“Right? You have such beautiful shoulder lines, my lady.”
Binesse said this while decorating my neatly tied hair with a wedding veil.
After putting on lace gloves and a jeweled headband, the preparations were complete. The headband was adorned with small violets in a soft purple hue, similar to Apollyon’s eyes.
Oh wow… Maybe three weddings are too much, but… two might be okay…
Seeing the elegant lady in the mirror, I instantly changed my mind.
When Binesse drew back the curtain in the fitting room, Selena’s eyes went wide. Even the staff let out small gasps.
“Oh my gosh! My lady, you look absolutely stunning!”
Selena exclaimed dramatically.
“Really? Thanks.”
“You look like an angel! I swear you’re going to float into the sky!”
“Hey, stop it; I’m getting embarrassed.”
Even as I said that, I couldn’t stop the corners of my mouth from curling up. I loved how excited Selena looked. I might need to add a bonus to her paycheck this month.
It was the kind of over-the-top compliment I liked. Consider it extra pay, Selena.
After spending the whole day getting dressed, I collapsed at home like seaweed pulled fresh out of the ocean.
***
Heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway of the mansion. Loud—clearly someone wasn’t in a good mood.
“Young master.”
At the familiar voice, Sonod turned. Standing there was the head butler of the Duke’s household.
If he came personally, that meant the Duke’s mood was bad.
“What is it?”
“The master is waiting for you.”
“…Alright.”
Sonod said gruffly, loosening his neck scarf. Then, he followed the butler to Duke Quinton’s office.
“Your Grace, the young master is here.”
“Come in.”
The voice from inside gave permission, and the door opened.
Lexion Quinton, head of House Quinton, didn’t even glance at Sonod as he walked in—he just continued working. A clear sign of disrespect.
“Shall I bring tea?”
“No. Leave us.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.”
The butler bowed respectfully to the Duke, gave Sonod a slight nod, and exited.
Now only the two of them remained. The only sound in the room was the scratching of a fountain pen. In the tense silence, Sonod was the first to speak.
“…You called for me.”
The Duke slowly put down his pen and stared at Sonod.
“I heard you met with Lady Incleldov.”
“…”
“So? How did it go?”
The Duke’s cold gaze locked onto Sonod. There was no warmth of a father in his eyes.
“…I’m sorry.”
As soon as Sonod lowered his head, the Duke picked up a candlestick from his desk and threw it. It missed Sonod and crashed loudly against the wall.
“Do you think I called you here to hear a pathetic apology?”
He gritted his teeth, the pressure in the room crushing down on Sonod.
“Not only did you fail the plan, but you let the Grand Duke steal your fiancée. What kind of mess is this?”
Sonod said nothing—he knew arguing would only make things worse. All he could do was stay silent and bow lower.
“You were so confident. And look at you now—pathetic.”
“…I have no excuse.”
Sonod clenched his fists so tightly they turned white.
Petunia’s protests usually lasted no more than two weeks. After that, she would always come back to him.
But this time was different.
Even after he sent letters and came in person, she rejected him.
And now she was getting married to the Grand Duke—in just a few days.
“Fool. I told you—if you needed a mistress, you could have brought her in after the wedding. But you just had to sneak around with another woman.”
The Duke clicked his tongue in disgust.
Sonod had always been with other women. But they weren’t cheap. He had standards.
And this time, it wasn’t even that bad—he only got caught exchanging letters with a viscount’s daughter.
He didn’t even try to hide it. And he didn’t feel guilty either.
He even made it look like Petunia was the unreasonable one.
The viscount’s daughter had been grieving her mother’s death, and Sonod used that to justify his actions—saying he was just comforting her and that others misunderstood his kindness.
It was shameless, but he was used to that.
Normally, Petunia would end up falling for it and apologizing, saying she misunderstood, and clinging to him again.
That’s how it always went.
Truthfully, Sonod had never been that interested in Petunia.
She was just a useful pawn—a way to bring down the Duke’s house.
If the plan had worked, he could have cut ties with the Count of Incleldov.
And if it failed, he could always just go back to Petunia—she was like an insurance policy.
But things hadn’t gone as he expected.
Petunia refused him and, in just a short time, was preparing to marry Apollyon.
He had been the one who started the breakup, so he had no right to complain.
And yet, he still went to see her—because he was certain her love for him had been blind and unconditional.
That was why he was so confident.
But what she’d said had shocked him:
“I’m sorry, but I have no feelings for you. No regrets, no revenge—nothing.”
He had thought her behavior was just a childish attempt to provoke him.
Turns out, he was completely wrong.
Whatever she was thinking, the fact that she had changed her heart so quickly made him furious.
“When’s the wedding?”
“In one week, at the imperial outdoor garden.”
The Duke rubbed his chin—something he always did when deep in thought.
“Did you receive an invitation?”
“…No.”
“Not surprising. You’re not someone they’d want to invite to a joyful event.”
“…”
“And without an invitation, you won’t even get inside. Even with one, entering the capital is no easy task…”
A mocking smirk appeared on the Duke’s face.
“We’ve lost a good card.”
“…”
“But there are plenty of other families besides Inkledev that can help us.”
“…”
“Still, I don’t like watching an enemy grow stronger.
Inkledev would’ve made a solid ally.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Enough. What’s done is done.”
“…”
“We can’t undo it, but we can clean up the mess.”
“…I’ll take care of it properly this time.”
“I’ll trust you.”
“Thank you.”
The Duke didn’t reply. He just picked up his pen again and resumed his work.
Sonod knew it was his chance to leave.
He bowed and left the study.
Inside, a bitter sense of betrayal toward Petunia was growing in his chest.
