Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Time passed quickly, and it was the day of Lucian’s coronation.

It was safe to say that all the nobles of the capital were invited to the coronation ceremony prepared in the largest banquet hall of the Duchy. The capital, which entered early summer, was quite hot during the day, though the inside of the Duke’s house was cool with cold magic.

What I did while preparing for the coronation ceremony was to stock up on stamina. Energy recovery plus stamina storage.

Anyone who saw it would know that I was a very sickly person.

After a light breakfast, I took medicine and washed up. The banquet started in the evening, so there was very little room. Perhaps, it was because it was a banquet held at home, or maybe because I was the only one who can afford it.

“I wanted to help, too.”

I had followed the Duchess to help prepare the banquet, but it wasn’t the first time I was caught and returned to her room by Lucian, who appeared quietly.

So, when I tried to leave because I was frustrated, Amber stopped me in the first round, and Oscar and Damian in the second stopped me. For many of these reasons, I had to stay in my room. It will also end today.

I had to go to Lucian’s coronation banquet.

I was excited about going out for a short time. Even if it was a banquet hall inside the mansion, it was like going out for me, who was in the room all the time.

“Lady, I’ll apply some oil for a moment.”

Sitting in front of the dressing table, I sat still as Amber touched me while gently brushing my hair. It felt good at the oil’s touch.

“Today will take longer than usual, that’s why I called another handmaid. Are you okay with that, Lady?”

I opened my closed eyes because it was a bit unfamiliar, as I always entrusted it to Amber.

“What are you going to do? You can just do it as usual.”

Amber cried softly at my words.

“No, it’s the day the new Duke takes the seat. And, he’s not anyone else, but your older brother. At such a banquet, the Lady wears the Leon family surname, and all the nobles in the capital will come.”

For a moment, I thought I had met a rapper. How could she be so fast and have good dictation…?

While I blinked quickly in embarrassment, I could hear a knock.

“Ah, I guess she’s here.”

Amber stepped back and opened the door.

Normally I thought she was the only competent and swift maid, but not for today. I only had a thought for a second, but all of a sudden, the handmaids surrounded me.

“Nice to meet you, Lady.”

“Leave it to us, Lady.”

“I’ll take the hair.”

“The nails…”

After quickly greeting each other, they stood in their respective positions and began to prepare diligently.

Even though I thought Amber was quick, I guess she wasn’t. Everyone here was like a pro. I had to sit on a single sofa and spread my arms out to the sides and legs apart. I was just staring in the mirror with a bewildered expression, and the handmaids quickly started adorning me.

After arranging from head to toe, Amber started braiding my hair.

“The dress you’re wearing today must have your hair up. It can never get off halfway like last time…”

Amber’s expression was very sad as she remembered the last time the hair was loosened by Lucian. She and the other handmaids joined in and braided my hair on both sides, and the braids were graceful, with the rest of my hair rolled into braids.

“Lady, I’ll put on makeup.”

I closed my eyes at Amber’s words.

As I felt the soft fur rushing around my face, I had a foreboding that today would be a very long day. I just sat there blankly, leaving them to dress me up.

“It’s done.”

After spending more time decorating than expected, they moved quickly and brought my dress.

The dress to wear at today’s banquet was not chosen from among the dresses Lucian sent. The Duchess sent out all the dresses he ordered, saying that the family colors must be used for the Duke’s coronation ceremony.

However, I was running out of time to fit the dress again, so I ended up wearing the dress the former Duchess wore.

The color of Duchy Leon was black.

It was like their own original color from a long time ago when only black hairs were born. The dress, which had undergone minor modifications, was not a black dress suitable for a funeral.

Small diamonds were embedded throughout the skirt, making it look like a shining star in the night sky.

The dark black silk dress was repaired as I requested.

The black dress with a heart neckline was perfect for my taste. A light corset was put on, followed by a dress. The diamonds encrusted throughout the dress radiated light whenever I moved.

…Wow, how much did it cost?

It was not like they used imitations like in the modern world, and since the previous Duchess wore them. They were real diamonds, right?

Standing in front of the full-length mirror, I carefully checked my dress and hair. I was also a little more nervous than usual. Even though Amber had said something like that earlier, it was the moment when Lucian finally became the Duke.

Now, it has changed a lot from the original story’s flow.

Still, in the original story, after Lucian became a duke, every day was tragic. Having come to power in the original story, he tried to force Noah. Nevertheless, he escaped Lucian’s hand every time.

But, in this world, how much could the Baron have avoided…?

In the end, Noah was imprisoned by Lucian and tamed by him every day.

The original story’s development, which I had been thinking about for a while, was no longer imaginable. Despite the fact that it was different from the current Lucian, the Lucian of the original story, which was so different, was like a person who did not exist anymore.

I really did it

It had definitely deviated from the original story route.

And, what about Noah?

It was not certain whether Noah had a spirit inside or not, but the former was most likely. Also, wasn’t his behavior a little different from the original story?

“Will he come today?”

I heard that all the nobles in the capital had been invited, so he would definitely come. Would the real Noah come this time? Or, would the spirit come…?

“Lady, this was sent by the Duke.”

“The Duke?”

Since the coronation ceremony had not yet been held, the Duke Amber was talking about was not Lucian.

“He must have heard that you wore the previous Duchess’ dress. That’s why the Duke sent you a set of accessories that the previous Duchess loved the most.”

“Can I use this?”

“Of course. The Duke gave you permission.”

At her beckoning, the other handmaids were carrying a large box, which had a dark wood color and texture, and had gold decorations on it. The handmaids who put the box on the sofa table opened the lid.

“Oh, God!”

“It is so beautiful, Milady.”

There was a fuss all around. I fully understand their feelings.

In the meantime, I was able to fully understand why the Duke or Lucian had told me that my spending was so insignificant. The set of ornaments that the former Duchess loved was more splendid and ornate than I thought.

The first thing that caught my eye was a necklace with a total of seventeen emerald jewels larger than a thumb.

Small diamonds surrounded the emerald jewel, and the emerald jewel in the center was the size of two thumbs attached. I got a little tired of seeing the colorful necklace that made my neck feel heavy just looking at it.

I wonder… Why did the Duchess so obediently allow it?

I had chosen the most modest dress worn by the former Duchess. She, who was watching me quietly, only said one word.

[ It’s okay, you can use the jewelry. ]

However, I didn’t know what that meant. I really didn’t expect to be sent such a necklace that would break my neck.

…Was it just the necklace?

From earrings to bracelets to rings and hair bands, it was all in one set.

The handmaids and Amber, who had admired them for a long time, suddenly changed their eyes and stuck to my hair again.

“Don’t you think it would be more appropriate to raise it a little more here?”

“Really, Miss Amber is right.”

As they whispered among themselves, I glanced at the remaining trinkets.

Then, a knock was heard.

Knock, knock, knock.

At the sound of Lucian’s knock, the corners of my lips rose. I was looking forward to the uniform he would wear today.

There was a traditional uniform worn by the dukes for each coronation ceremony. I saw that scene in the webtoon and remembered Lucian at that time.

I was really a successful fan. Seriously, I couldn’t believe I was going to see it.

…What if my heart bursts?

I was alone in my delusions, but the handmaids and Amber started moving faster, and all of a sudden, my body was wearing all the accessories.

“We’re going out.”

She gazed around me to the end, checked me, and then opened the door.

I sat on the sofa and stared blankly at him coming in from the front. It seemed as if the handmaids around me had screamed briefly, though it was only about passing by the ear.

Only Lucian came in and stuck in my eyes.

When he stared directly at me in his uniform made from a night sky without a full moon, I had the illusion of seeing the full moon in my eyes. He called me with a whiter face because of the black uniform.

As if cherishing me the most, softly and sweetly.

“Ray.”

Only my name was called, and I felt that I wanted to give even my soul to him.

The only person I want to give my all to, Lucian, smiled at me.

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