Chapter 68 : A Dress of Gold, and Eyes Like Blades
Chapter 68
On the morning of the grand ball, an unexpected message arrived like a gust of bitter wind.
I was informed that Duke Johannes Schultz had been summoned urgently and might arrive late to the evening’s festivities. I was to attend alone—Heibenstein Castle awaited.
It seemed another disappearance had occurred.
Edward, the police commissioner and host of the ball, had conveniently passed the matter to Johannes, under the guise of formality.
‘How calculated… In the original tale, the royal family always placed thorns in his path. Nothing’s changed. He still looks exhausted these days.’
I bit the inside of my cheek, the metallic taste grounding me. Then, like a bucket of cold water, a thought washed over me.
‘…If Johannes is the culprit, then this is a mess of his own making. There’s nothing to worry about.’
But… why, then, did I feel that familiar unease tightening around my chest? Who was I truly worried for?
I shook my head abruptly, trying to banish the spiraling thoughts. Marilyn, who had been adjusting the folds of my gown, looked up in concern.
“Madam? Are you uncomfortable?”
“…No. Not at all.”
Still, ever since I’d heard Sir Fret’s words, scenes began to flash before my eyes—troublesome, sharp-eyed noblewomen, waiting to tear me apart with saccharine smiles and poison-laced words.
As if worrying about Johannes wasn’t enough, I now had to steel myself for an entirely different kind of battle.
But this, too, must be faced.
I had already given my word. There was no retreat.
And besides, everything was nearly complete.
I stood before the mirror, gazing silently at the reflection.
No matter how many times I looked, it still felt unfamiliar. I’d worn finery before, yes, but never something… this extravagant.
As she fastened the golden straps of my dress, Marilyn’s voice cut through my thoughts—calm but edged.
“Madam, now is not the time to lose focus. You must pay attention to the dress.”
“The dress?”
Marilyn gave a slight nod, eyes sharpening beneath her brow.
“Yours will undoubtedly be the most radiant gown at the ball. You’ll be the most beautiful woman in the room… but also the most vulnerable.”
“…What do you mean?”
With a brief sigh, she fetched a hand mirror and held it behind me.
I peered over my shoulder. My eyes narrowed.
Then I saw it.
The gown’s back was delicately laced—ornate, yes, but dangerously so. One sharp tug and the entire dress would fall.
Marilyn clucked her tongue in disapproval.
“Of course, unless someone deliberately undoes it, you should be safe. Still, I should’ve inspected the design more thoroughly. I didn’t expect Mussen’s tailors to borrow such vulgar trends from the capital.”
It was rare for Marilyn to speak ill of the nobility.
Had I ever heard her do so before? Never, as far as I could remember.
“This kind of dress lacks both grace and utility,” she continued, clearly displeased. “Still, with no suitable replacement prepared, you’ll have to wear it.”
She let out a frustrated breath and added, in a quieter tone:
“You must be careful, madam. An accident like that, in front of all those people… it would be the talk of the season.”
I offered her a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry. Who would dare? Even if I’m of common blood, I am the Duchess of Schultz. No one would be reckless enough to provoke me—if only out of respect for my husband.”
“I’m simply worried about sending you into the royal den alone,” she said with a scowl. “The Master claimed he’d pray for Ahin, but with Ahin also hailing from the northeast, I doubt he’ll be much use if things go south…”
Ahin, standing nearby, puffed out her cheeks and protested with indignation.
“I am useful! If anyone badmouths you in Northeastern, I’ll understand them right away! And anyway, the Duke spoke to me personally and gave me instructions.”
…Johannes spoke to Ahin directly?
Was Ahin also one of his? Or had he merely wanted to ensure I’d be protected?
“He told me to stay by your side, to watch over you.”
If he was truly concerned, wouldn’t he have said so himself?
Instead, he entrusted my safety to someone else.
I couldn’t help but sigh.
“He’s… thoughtful,” I murmured.
How I wished I could accept his concern without hesitation… without suspicion.
But ever since the seed of doubt had been planted, I’d grown wary—even of his kindness.
And that frightened me.
Still, I masked my inner turmoil and reached for Marilyn’s hand.
“Ahin is a comfort,” I said softly.
“…If that’s true, then I can ask for nothing more.”
With that, she carefully pinned a matching corsage into my hair. Her voice was gruff, but her fingers trembled with care.
There were times, rare and fleeting, when speaking to her felt almost like speaking to a mother.
Though I’d never once felt my mother’s touch, Marilyn’s steady presence… was the closest thing I had.
As she knelt to fasten my shoes, a thought tugged at me:
Why had her relationship with Johannes gone cold?
The carriage passed through the towering gates of Heibenstein Castle and halted before the grand hall.
Nobles adorned in glittering silks and crisp uniforms milled about with practiced charm—but when they caught sight of the Schultz family crest, a ripple of silent tension spread among them.
Their eyes flicked toward the door. And when only I emerged—without Johannes by my side—their gazes turned cold, sharpened with speculation.
They’re wondering… if the Duke has finally tired of his commoner bride.
‘…I’m sorry to disappoint you, but this is far from some pitiful tale of boredom.’
With Ahin beside me, I walked forward, spine straight.
Inside the great hall, it was more of the same. Eyes watched, mouths whispered, but no one approached. The women who had once fawned over me at receptions now pretended not to see me.
I had expected this, and yet… the air was unbearably thick.
“Madam, the stares are too obvious,” Ahin whispered, fidgeting with her sleeves.
I offered her a quiet smile.
“I know.”
She looked around nervously, then mumbled,
“Maybe… maybe that’s why the Duke chose me to accompany you. He’s worried.”
“Is that so?”
My tone was distant.
In truth, it wasn’t as bad as I feared.
Silence was better than mockery. Being ignored was easier than being attacked.
If I had been a noblewoman like them, I would’ve felt humiliated—but I wasn’t. I was a commoner. And in this moment, that was a strange sort of freedom.
The ball had yet to begin. Edward was still nowhere in sight. That, alone, gave me some comfort.
But I couldn’t stop thinking about Ahin.
Maids were not permitted to linger in the ballroom; she would be escorted to the back chamber for staff.
Would they harm her? Would they mock her?
She was the Duchess’s maid—surely that afforded some protection.
Still, to be safe, I walked her to the staff corridor myself.
Let them see my face, and remember who she served.
After leaving her in the care of the attendants, I turned toward the ballroom, guided by a butler of Heibenstein Castle.
And just as I took my first step into that glittering arena of masks and secrets…
A familiar scent kissed the air.
