CH 29

“How can she be so beautiful?”

Laughter scattered beyond the folding fans of the gathered noblewomen.

After the grand wedding ceremony in the temple, a reception was held at Kael’s mansion.

In addition to the large garden being beautifully decorated, the Inver family’s greenhouse, which was considered one of the capital’s most famous places, was opened.

The reputation of being beautiful was passed down like a tale, but it was a space that had been wrapped in mystery with its doors tightly locked for half a century.

However, it was reported that Kael was opening the greenhouse for the reception, and the nobles of the capital, who were desperate to be invited, tried to become guests.

“What a beautiful greenhouse.”

“Yes, I was thinking the same. I never thought a family that ruled the cold north would be in possession of such a greenhouse.”

“I am infinitely envious of Her Grace. It’s not an average position.”

“You’re right. The position of Grand Duchess of Inver is worth it even if it was a marriage without love, but she is even generously loved by her husband.”

Words of envy towards Adeline were pouring out from everywhere.

But Adeline couldn’t enjoy that envy.

If anyone made eye contact with Adeline, they would rush in and talk to her, so her energy was almost completely drained.

“Your Grace. You are so beautiful. I can’t believe that such a gorgeous dress doesn’t feel too excessive. Your beauty isn’t average, after all.”

“You overpraise me, Duchess Paura.”

“Oh my, you’re even humble. Is that dress from Madam Elsa?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

The dress was so pretty that she heard people asking her 500 times if it was from Madam Elsa.

“Are both of you going straight to the north?”

“Yes. We are planning on leaving the day after tomorrow.”

“Oh, so fast?”

The question of whether they were heading straight to the north was asked equally as much.

“Both of you are blessed with good looks, so the children you give birth to won’t have average beauty either.”

“Exactly. How many do you intend to have?”

“Ah… We haven’t thought that far…”

Instead of being a breath of fresh air, the new question embarrassed Adeline.

How can someone who is only thinking about breaking the marriage as soon as possible consider having children? The question itself was contradictory, so she couldn’t answer it properly.

“I’m sorry. Excuse me for a moment.”

Adeline, who was out of her mind with the barrage of questions, exited the greenhouse as soon as she got a chance.

The garden was full of guests, and Adeline could see their eyes glowing to talk to her as soon as they noticed her, but she tried to ignore them and headed towards the corner of the garden.

“Ah…”

As she moved away from the people’s eyes, she was able to breathe a little.

She wanted to go somewhere where there were no people and hide.

“I can’t hide easily because of the color of this dress. Had I known this, I would have chosen a different color.”

“It would have been the same even if it was a different color. You’re really attracting people’s attention today.”

As she was complaining that the dress should have been a different color, she heard a familiar voice.

“Kael?”

Adeline turned around in surprise. Kael, who had changed into a black uniform with a fancy insignia, was standing there.

“How did you… Did you run away like me?”

“In the end, we are running away. When I thought I wanted to go outside, I followed you.”

Kael’s situation was no different.

He was exhausted from dealing with the many nobles who rushed to him for all kinds of political purposes.

He tried to figure out Adeline’s situation, and at that moment, he found her escaping from the greenhouse and followed her.

“No matter how much I think about it, I’ll die if I get married twice.”

Kael smirked when she vividly conveyed her fatigue.

“Even though our marriage is a rather curious one, it feels strange to hear about your next marriage as soon as we get married.”

“Ah, that’s not what I meant…”

“I know. I was joking.”

“… Do you have a talent for not seeming like you’re joking even when you are?”

Adeline frowned to the fullest. The more she did that, the more the corners of Kael’s mouth went up.

“Ah, but do you have anything to tell me? You said you followed me outside.”

She looked at Kael, her large, clear, light-green eyes filled with curiosity.

It wasn’t a difficult question at all. It was a question that, if he had a purpose, he could just answer truthfully.

But Kael could not open his mouth easily.

‘… Why did I follow her?’

He thought about it, but there was no reason.

He just wanted to check on Adeline, and came out after her.

Really, there was no reason.

If he really had to think of a reason, he felt like he ‘wanted to talk to Adeline’.

But though he wanted to talk to her, he didn’t have anything to say.

It was the first time Kael had ever experienced this.

“Kael?”

“… Ah. I was wondering if you were tired. There was a lot to prepare.”

“It’s all right. I’m just a little out of my mind.”

In a hurry, he came up with some questions.

Fortunately, Adeline didn’t notice anything strange, and she just let out a long sigh as if she wanted to stay here a little longer.

“How much longer can we stay here?”

“Not much longer. Whether Zion will come running, or your brothers. Someone is going to come and find us in no time.”

“Your Grace!”

Kael’s prediction was accurate.

“His Majesty is looking for you.”

And the person who sought him was none other than the emperor. Kael’s expression grew cold at once.

“I guess I should go first.”

“Yes. I’ll go soon…”

Adeline, who was about to say goodbye to Kael, blurred her words and looked at the woman who was approaching her.

“Your Grace.”

Vanessa, who wore a gorgeous purple dress, was greeting her very politely, holding the skirt of her dress with both hands.

***

“Long time no see, Lady Felix.”

“I couldn’t come to the gathering because I was sick for a while.”

Kael moved away to meet the emperor, and only Adeline and Vanessa remained in the corner of the garden.

Vanessa hadn’t appeared at any social gathering in a while.

She had been wondering if there was some kind of reason for that. For a person who had been sick for a long time, there was no sign of illness.

She still looked fresh in Adeline’s eyes, and she was beautiful as always.

“You look dazzling today, Your Grace. Even I looked at Your Grace like I was possessed.”

“You’re overpraising me, Lady Felix. You’re the one who looks really pretty today.”

Vanessa laughed shyly, saying that it wasn’t so, and took a step closer to Adeline.

“Your Grace. Please forget all the rudeness and indecent behavior I showed you before. I have given up all my love for His Grace.”

Adeline’s eyes shook at the completely unexpected conversation.

She couldn’t believe Vanessa didn’t like Kael anymore. It was too big a change.

‘Is she serious? What is going to happen if she’s serious? Is it a better development? Because Kael doesn’t care about the woman who loves him?’

The threads in Adeline’s head intertwined endlessly.

It was not easy to judge whether Vanessa’s words were true or whether this situation would help her in the process of reaching an end.

“So I brought you a sincere congratulatory gift. Rather than sending it beforehand, it seemed right to face you and give it to you in person, so I waited until today. Will you accept it?”

Vanessa smiled brightly and grabbed Adeline’s hands.

It was a lovely smile that made anyone unable to refuse her requests.

“Of course, Lady Felix.”

When Adeline accepted the gift, Vanessa beckoned to the maid standing behind her to come forward.

Adeline was engulfed in a strange mood when she saw the two of them moving busily.

Adeline’s place right now should have belonged to Vanessa.

If it had gone according to the original, everyone would have congratulated Vanessa, and Adeline would have attended as one of the many guests.

But Adeline was the main character of the reception, and Vanessa was congratulating Adeline.

“This is a brooch that I personally commissioned for the design. It’s a brooch made with precious amber that only exists in the south.”

Vanessa grinned and opened the box with the brooch.

Upon receiving the box, Adeline’s heart jumped as soon as she checked the shape of the brooch in it.

Her slightly wavering eyes turned to Vanessa.

Unlike Adeline, who was agitated, Vanessa was just smiling peacefully.

“It will look so good on Your Grace. I put my sincerity in it, so please cherish it.”

“… Yes. Thank you, Lady Felix.”

Vanessa greeted her very politely again and slowly walked away.

Adeline, who was left alone, looked at the brooch with trembling eyes.

The brooch Vanessa gave her was made with amber in the shape of a yellow Freesia.

And the yellow Freesia was a flower that the real princess gave as a warning to the fake princess who stole the queen’s seat, in the original “Beyond Orange”.