𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟏: 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥
Several days passed, and before I knew it, the day of Her Majesty the Queen’s birthday party had arrived.
The maidservant Rachael had dispatched arrived in the morning to help me get ready.
She washed my hair with honey, applied a mudpack to my face, and polished my nails meticulously.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been treated like this.
I slipped into a terracotta-colored dress with a calm hue, and makeup appropriate for a married woman was applied.
The braided updo, wrapped like a crown, seemed to be in vogue in Binemöer.
ㅤ
I had already tried on the dress, but the maidservant noticed something.
ㅤ
“The neckline might be a little too open.”
ㅤ
This was normal in Vulcano, but in Binemöer, it was considered a bit too revealing. These subtle senses are not understood unless you have spent a long time in the social circles of these countries.
I ended up thanking the maid.
ㅤ
“Should we add some lace to cover it up?”
ㅤ
The maidservant took out a wooden box containing lace ribbons and started to apply them one by one.
I tilted my head, as none of them seemed quite right.
ㅤ
“What kind of lace do you think would suit?”
“Well. . . . . .A delicate point lace, like it’s been poked with a needle, would be good.”
ㅤ
Among the lace brought by the maidservant, there seemed to be none that fit perfectly with the dress.
ㅤ
“In that case, I’ll make it right now.”
“You’re going to make it?”
ㅤ
In front of the puzzled maid, I called out to Ga-chan.
ㅤ
“Ga-chan, can you knit lace on the chest?”
[Nya!]
ㅤ
Ga-chan, buried in a mountain of satin ribbons, jumped out and clung to my chest.
I tried to decorate the lace with the pattern of Winter Gem, a winter flower loved by the queen.
Seeing the lace that was completed in no time, the maidservant was amazed.
ㅤ
“Oh! How beautiful. Knitting lace in an instant, what a wonderful magical tool!”
“It’s not a magical tool, it’s a spider fairy.”
“A spider!! Oh, how cute. I, I apologize.”
ㅤ
It’s no wonder she was surprised, as there are no spirits or fairies in Binemöer.
The maid highly praised the lace for matching the dress.
ㅤ
Eight hours after the start――I was dressed to blend into the evening party.
ㅤ
I asked Florenci and Marchioness for their final confirmation.
ㅤ
“So. . . . . .how do you think it is?”
ㅤ
At my question, Florenci exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
ㅤ
“Okaa-san, you look like a princess! You’re very beautiful!”
“Thank you.”
ㅤ
On the other hand, Marchioness had a stern look, but her expression softened when our eyes met.
ㅤ
“Your dress is not perfect.”
“I, Is that so?”
“Yes.”
ㅤ
When Marchioness gave a sign to Annie, who was behind her, a box covered in velvet on a silver tray was presented.
ㅤ
“What is this――?”
“It’s a reward for your work so far.”
ㅤ
While confused, I took the box.
When I opened the lid, it contained a set of pearl earrings, a necklace, and a ring.
ㅤ
“Pearls go with any dress, so feel free to use them.”
“I can’t accept such a gift.”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? It’s a reward for your work so far. Were you planning to work for free?”
ㅤ
To that, I shake my head vigorously.
ㅤ
“I thought the reward was food and shelter. So, I didn’t think there was a reason to accept such a gift.”
“Lending a vacant building cannot be a reward.”
ㅤ
I looked at the pearls again.
The pearls, with their beautiful luster and large smooth lines, were not the common ones sold around.
The design of the chain and the pearl-studded pedestal were sophisticated, and it was clear that she had prepared a very good item.
ㅤ
In front of my bewildered self, the Marchioness glares sharply.
ㅤ
“You, are you planning to reject my ‘favor’?”
“No!”
ㅤ
Once she said this, I had no choice but to gratefully accept it.
I bowed my head deeply and held the velvet-covered box to my chest.
ㅤ
“Not only the dress, I am truly grateful for such wonderful gifts.”
“Of course. You are my representative. If I let you dress poorly, my taste will be questioned.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
ㅤ
In aristocratic society, first impressions are one of the important elements.
If you dress appropriately for the time, place, and situation, you won’t be taken lightly.
With this half-set of pearls on, everyone will recognize me as the stand-in for the Marchioness.
ㅤ
“I’ll put it on for you. Give it here.”
“Ah, no, I can do it myself.”
“It’s okay, give it to me.”
ㅤ
Getting dressed by the Marchioness would be a sin, I thought.
But once I saw the expression on the Marchioness’s face, I couldn’t stop myself.
She had a look of endearment that I’d never seen before, as she picked up the pearl earrings.
That’s when I realized.
In Binemöer, on the day of the wedding, the mother, grandmother, sisters, and others would come and put on the jewelry as the final touch.
Perhaps the Marchioness sees her beloved granddaughter Irma, who was supposed to be married, through me.
When I think about the departed Irma, my heart aches.
ㅤ
“――It’s done!”
“Thank you.”
ㅤ
The Marchioness looked happy as she saw me wearing the half-set of pearls, but then she was taken aback.
ㅤ
“Ah, I’m sorry. For a moment, you looked like Irma. . . . . .my granddaughter who passed away.”
ㅤ
I didn’t know what to say.
The Irma inside the Marchioness, even in death, seems to have a strong presence.
ㅤ
“Hey, just once. . . . . .just once is enough, can you call me grandmother?”
ㅤ
It’s not good to project someone onto others. But now, I could tell that the Marchioness’ heart was crying out.
ㅤ
I took a step forward, tightly gripping the Marchioness’ hand, I said.
ㅤ
“Thank you, grandmother. I’m off now.”
ㅤ
Upon hearing that, beautiful tears spilled from the corners of Marchioness’s eyes.
ㅤ
“Take care, go on. Where you’re going is a long way off, so it might be a little tough.”
ㅤ
You’ll be just fine. With these words, the Marchioness hugged me.
We spent a quiet time together.
Florenci, who didn’t know the circumstances of the Marchioness, also stayed quiet, as if sensing something.
ㅤ
“――I’m sorry, Lara. Somehow, I feel lighter.”
ㅤ
The Marchioness was trapped in Irma’s death, or to borrow the words of Lord Montyver, “living as if dead”.
She must have been grieving quietly, unable to accept that Irma was gone.
She must not have been able to say goodbye either.
But when she was away from me, the Marchioness was dignified, and it seemed as if there was a light in her eyes.
ㅤ
“Thank you. And now, go on your way.”
“Yes!”
ㅤ
I received a send-off from the Marchioness and Florenci, and took on the challenge of the Queen’s birthday party.
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