The Ugly Wife of the Shady Duke - Chapter 97
At such small gatherings, it was customary for the host to personally see off each guest as long as they were in good health.
As Grace was the last to leave, in order to be seen off and privately seek assistance from Lady Charles. The older lady, Madam Charles approached her.
“Duchess, finally we can talk,” she said.
When Grace got up from her seat, Madam Charle’s stern face softened slightly.
“I felt it wouldn’t be appropriate for an old woman like me to join in with the younger crowd, so I just sat quietly.”
‘But why come now?’
The Marchioness had remained in her place all evening, but as the conversation dragged on, she left and did not appear until it was time to see off the other guests. When Grace expressed her puzzlement, the Marchioness smiled as if she had read her mind.
“It seems you need to learn how to hide your thoughts. Let’s say it’s personal fondness.”
“Why me…”
“Well, would you believe me if I said it’s because I liked the gift you prepared for my daughter-in-law? Especially the fabric you first sent.”
“…?”
As Grace looked puzzled, the Marchioness continued with a knowing smile.
“A fabric of the exact color of my daughter-in-law’s eyes—such a tasteful choice, it’s obvious who it was meant for.”
‘That’s just a coincidence.’
It was just that she happened to have some good fabric and since it was a color that didn’t suit her, she had sent it along, not knowing it matched Lady Charles’s eye color.
She had completely forgotten the color of the fabric she had sent at that time.
“If I had someone with your sense of style around when I was a Junior marchioness, it would have been wonderful. Though it’s fortunate that at least you’ve met my daughter-in-law.”
“…”
It was all a coincidence. Grace felt the urge to say this rise in her throat but swallowed it, instead offering an awkward smile. It was wiser to keep silent in this situation.
However, she was taken aback by the Marchioness’s next words.
“…so, the real reason you mentioned the embroidery contest was something else, wasn’t it?”
“…! How did yo…?”
“I was once at the center of the social scene, my dear. I can spot these things.”
She hinted that perhaps a few others at the gathering had also noticed.
“It seems you intended to ask my daughter-in-law for help, but it might be better if you asked me. I still have more influence, you know.”
‘Aha…’
Grace realized what she was getting at.
“So, after this party, Junior Marquis will become a Marquis?”
“Yes, you are quick to understand.”
Grace’s remaining behind to make her request suggested that it was both secretive and, perhaps, quite risky.
If the current Lady Charles was involved and something went awry, it could implicate the entire family. However, if it was the soon-to-retire Marchioness, Madam Charles, there was less worry of such implications.
“Is there really a backstory to this embroidery contest?”
Grace had no time to calculate whether she would truly help or not. It was time to cling to any hope, and she pulled a small box from her bosom. Inside, there were beads crafted from jewels, pressed flowers, and a sealed letter.
“Could you deliver this to Aria, I mean the Saintess?”
“This?”
“Yes, she needs it right now.”
Grace told the Duchess, mixing in a lie.
“There is a faction aiming to ensure that Saintess wins the upcoming embroidery competition. There are some nobles who seek refuge in the temple.”
“…”
“The Saintess doesn’t have a faction in society yet, so they are trying to create a position for her with this opportunity.”
“If she, the Saintess has the skills, no one would object, but if she doesn…”
The Marchioness trailed off, evidently doubting Aria’s abilities.
“That could backfire.”
“That’s why she needs this. Their decision was made without considering the saintess’s own wishes.”
This part was true. Aria had no intention of participating in the competition, nor did she want to win. Although she was happy to receive the award, she was bewildered, as Grace recalled the description.
“I’ve written instructions on how to use it in the letter. But, could you send this mixed with other items?”
“…Hmm.”
Worried she might be rejected out of suspicion, Grace was anxious until the Marchioness readily agreed.
“That’s not difficult at all. I was relieved to hear what you actually requested.”
“I’m glad you agreed.”
“What do you mean? I’m actually pleased to learn you are nothing like the rumors.”
The Marchioness nodded slightly as she saw Grace out.
“I’m sorry I can’t see you off myself, but please understand.”
⋆★⋆
Grace thought now that everything was done, she would take some time to think about the fog, the origin of the beauty cream she received, the medication… and just thinking about these would make time pass by significantly.
And so, she overlooked one fact.
“Come on, madam, make your choice!”
Dazzling dresses, jewel-studded accessories, and shoes were arrayed in a spectacular display, filled with designs and materials that were rare and difficult to find anywhere else.
Sireni exclaimed with a triumphant smile.
“These are the latest high-fashion items from ‘Siren’s Song.’ I assure you, madam, they will suit you exceptionally well!”
‘She seems really happy…’
Having just returned from successfully concluding the first round of negotiations with the Kingdom of Arsia, Sireni had prepared extensively for the dress Grace would wear to the imperial party.
Grace thought, ‘Yes, this would normally be right…’ yet her pupils quivered, as she was not used to something like this.
‘Right, party preparations. I had forgotten about that.’
She had so much on her plate recently that she had completely forgotten about the party preparations.
But there were so many unworn dresses in my closet. Wouldn’t it be okay to wear one of those? Isn’t this a waste of money? As Grace was making such middle-class, or rather, rational considerations…
The man sitting next to her was flipping through a catalog and responded in a calm voice.
“My lady would look splendid in a teal dress, but I don’t see such an option here.”
‘Aren’t you a duke of an entire empire? Shouldn’t you be busy?!’
Benjamin, more accustomed to such settings than Grace, sat next to her, asking the staff various questions and giving directions.
Then, smiling broadly as he caught Grace’s eye, he said,
“Don’t worry. Whatever you choose, I will coordinate with it.”
“Ah, yes…”
I was never worried about that.
Grace couldn’t bring herself to say this.
“The current trend revolves around floral patterns. This vine pattern, in particular, is very fashionable right now.”
“But the dresses you’ve brought are all too flashy. Considering adding jewelry to that would be a bit too much.”
“Your Excellency may not be aware, being devoted to magical artifacts, but speaking from a merchant’s perspective, I must assert that this combination of jewelry and dresses is the most suitable…”
For some reason, Grace watched the two, who were uncompromisingly clashing while maintaining smiling faces.
“…”
Suddenly, Grace who was pretending to look at the catalog, closed it.
“I’m not going to wear anything either of you picked.”
“What?”
“Do you not like them?”
The dresses selected by the two were all truly beautiful. Each embroidery and every gem set into them were so exquisite that it was almost scary to imagine their cost.
‘It’s like putting a diamond necklace on a pig.’
This wasn’t Grace demeaning herself. She was recalling the plot of the original story and anticipating potential misfortunes that could befall her in the future.
‘It seems I might be the one to suffer.’
With Siren’s song, now successfully trading with the Kingdom of Arsia, the trade of Arsian fabrics would now begin to flourish in the empire. Though not a large volume of materials was being circulated immediately, a new source of imports meant that there was no longer a need to worry about the two textile workshops.
Furthermore, these workshops had been manipulating the distribution costs of raw materials used in fabrics to gain profits, but the market was set to change now.
Although the original plot might be slightly twisted, given the current fashion trends of the empire hadn’t changed, Grace sensed that the storyline centered around Aria would continue as usual.
Aria, with Sylvester’s help, had acquired a dress, but it was quite an old one.
Essentially, it could be considered a dress of historical significance to the imperial family. And since floral patterns were in vogue at the time, it coincidentally matched the current fashion trend perfectly.
Furthermore, the dress was made from a very rare fabric that was now difficult to obtain, which drew even more attention.
‘Back then in the story, the praise of Aria’s appearance began with subtle comparisons with other characters.’
Background characters compared other ladies to Aria, elevating her as the most beautiful.
‘And then, a particularly denigrated character appeared who attempted to commit a misdeed against Aria.’
