Chapter 15

“Is it that you don’t see anything you like…?”

“N-No.”

Grace quickly waved her hand.

All the jeweled accessories were dazzlingly beautiful. It was just hard to choose since she had never worn anything like them before. She had only ever seen Diana and Sarah wearing them.

“I think this one would suit you,”

Rena said, pointing to a sapphire necklace. The large, round gem shone with a vivid blue light.

“It will stand out against your hair color. I think it’ll look stunning.”

“This one looks good too. It gives off a warm vibe.”

Annie had picked a yellow topaz necklace.

“T-This one…”

Grace pointed at the sapphire necklace. Rena clapped her hands, saying it was an excellent choice, then gently fastened it around Grace’s neck.

“There. How is it?”

The blue necklace resting at the center of her pale neck gave off a cool and refreshing aura.

“Do you think it looks okay?”

“Y-Yes.”

Grace smiled and nodded. Wearing the necklace made her feel like she had become someone entirely different.

“Everything looks good on you, really.”

“You’re like the ocean under the sun, my lady.”

Annie and Rena praised her with bright faces.

In contrast, Sally didn’t look pleased at all. She was only reluctantly helping Annie and Rena, and it was obvious she didn’t want to be there.

“Sally really seems to want that woman to come back.”

Remembering that Sally disliked her, Grace started to feel small and found it difficult to express her thoughts.

“It’s time for the next step.”

Annie placed a tiara on Grace’s head. Looking at herself in the mirror, Grace’s mouth opened slightly. The tiara, adorned with countless sparkling white gems, looked like a crystal made of snow—clear and breathtakingly beautiful. No other jewelry in the case could compare.

“It’s made of the finest diamonds. I heard it’s tradition for the bride coming to the North to wear this snowflake-shaped tiara, my lady.”

Annie beamed with pride as she saw how surprised Grace was by the tiara.

“Now, it’s time to go.”

She extended her hand. Grace took it and stood up.

The hall where the wedding was to be held was filled with a cloud-like crowd.

“……”

When the bride appeared at the entrance in a white dress and veil, everyone turned their attention toward her. People who had been chatting with glasses in hand now stared at the new Duchess.

Grace held tightly to Annie’s hand as she carefully stepped forward. The stage she had to reach was only a few dozen steps ahead.

Phew…

Grace exhaled quietly. With so many eyes on her, her legs trembled with each step. If Annie hadn’t been holding her, she might have collapsed.

“It’s okay, my lady. Slowly… take your time.”

Annie encouraged her gently. Relying on that soft voice, Grace barely managed to make it to the stage.

“Please step up.”

The priest officiating the ceremony spoke. Grace let go of Annie’s hand and carefully ascended the steps.

“The beautiful bride has arrived. His Grace has been anxiously waiting for you.”

Across from her stood the Duke of Winstaine. Dressed in an elegant white ceremonial robe embroidered with gold thread, he looked like a sculpture crafted by the gods.

“From this day forward, the two of you are bound together as husband and wife, lifelong partners. May the divine bless this marriage.”

With arms raised and eyes closed, the priest began a solemn prayer. The gathered guests clasped their hands to join in.

Grace swallowed hard. A cold sweat formed on her forehead. Standing there alone in front of so many people, without any help, was incredibly difficult.

But she had to endure it. Even if she didn’t fully understand the meaning of the ceremony, she knew it was an essential ritual for her to live in this place. She couldn’t ruin the event by acting strangely.

“……”

Grace slowly clenched and unclenched her fists out of sight. Annie had taught her it was a good way to calm down when she was nervous.

“…With your strength together, you will overcome any hardship or trial.”

She managed to remain still throughout the priest’s blessing.

“Now, Your Grace, please place the ring on the bride’s finger.”

At the priest’s words, the Duke extended his right hand, palm up. A ring inlaid with a white gem sparkled in his palm.

“Left hand.”

He whispered softly. Grace held out her left hand. The Duke gently supported her palm and slipped the ring onto her fourth finger.

His straight forehead, eyebrows, and the bridge of his nose came into clearer view. Grace felt her heart pounding, though she didn’t know whether it was out of fear or nervousness.

“Now, please seal your eternal vow of love with a kiss on the bride’s forehead.”

The Duke of Winstaine’s face came closer. Grace squeezed her eyes shut.

Ah…!

The moment his lips touched her forehead, Grace nearly let out a gasp. His lips, despite his cold appearance, were warm. That contrast felt oddly surreal.

A few seconds after his lips left her skin, she slowly opened her eyes. While she was flushed with emotion, the Duke’s face remained calm and unreadable.

“May blessings always be with your future together.”

With that kiss, the ceremony came to an end. As the priest stepped away from the stage, the Duke extended his hand.

Grace placed her hand on his palm, just as Dorota had taught her. Holding her hand, the Duke led her further into the hall. This was when the real beginning started.

“Pleased to meet you, my lady. I’m Baron Sandis. I’ve long served His Grace.”

“H-Hello…”

Grace followed the Duke around the hall, exchanging greetings with strangers.

Dorota had told her two days earlier: On the wedding day, you’ll greet many people. Practice beforehand. Grace tried to follow what she had rehearsed as closely as she could.

“I-it’s…a pleasure…”

“……”

“…to meet…you.”

Thanks to countless hours of practice, she could give a fairly decent greeting, even if she still stuttered slightly.

“You don’t have to say much. Just exchange simple pleasantries.”

It helped that long conversations weren’t expected. Most guests already knew the Duke and mainly spoke with him, so Grace didn’t need to say much.

“Ah…!”

While greeting a certain count and his wife, Grace suddenly slipped and let out a small yelp. Her balance wavered.

“Are you alright?”

A calm voice reached her ear. Grace looked up in surprise. The Duke was supporting her by the waist.

“Ah… Aah…”

“The hem of the dress is long. It’s easy to lose balance. Please be careful.”

The Duke quietly whispered and released her. Grace stared at his profile, caught in a strange feeling.

So strange…

If not for him, she would have embarrassingly fallen from stepping on her dress. He rarely spoke and always seemed cold, yet in moments like this, he was there to help her.

“Congratulations on your marriage, Your Grace.”

“Thank you for your kind blessing.”

“It was such a pleasure seeing you again in the capital the other day…”

The guests continued to arrive in waves. As the Duke spoke for a while with an older marquis, he turned to Grace and said,

“You may head in first. I still have matters to discuss.”

“Yes…”

“Escort the Duchess.”

“Please, this way.”

The Duke entrusted Grace to one of the attendants. She quietly followed them.

The room she entered had several unfamiliar maids waiting for her.

The maids helped her remove her wedding dress and let down her neatly pinned hair. Then, they dressed her in a more comfortable evening gown.

They said the Duke would be arriving shortly and asked her to wait, then disappeared. Left alone, Grace leaned back against the large bed and blankly stared at the door. A candle on the nearby nightstand softly lit the room.

“……”

Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion came over her. She had woken up early and spent hours getting ready for the ceremony. Standing tensely during the wedding and then greeting all those guests had drained her.

Just as Grace’s eyes were about to close, she heard the sound of the door opening.