Chapter 20
“What’s this?”
Adelaide stopped working and opened the small bundle.
“Oh my…”
The sweet smell immediately lifted her mood.
“Did Milton send this?”
Instead of answering, the Duke merely gave a small nod before leaving the workshop.
Goodness… the human iceberg is running snack errands now?
Adelaide stared blankly at the closing door in disbelief before lowering her gaze. Warmth seeped through her fingertips, making something deep in her chest flutter strangely. She had never imagined that someone she thought cold and indifferent would take care of such tiny things.
What is this? Am I seriously getting flustered over cookies?
Feeling embarrassed, Adelaide hugged the snack bundle tightly to her chest. She tried to hide the smile spreading across her face, but the corners of her lips kept rising on their own.
Adelaide turned her head and carefully surveyed her surroundings. Whenever the cold wind blew, she tightened the shawl draped over her dress and cautiously continued walking.
“My lady, over here.”
When they reached the deepest part of the garden, Luna whispered softly.
“You two were already here.”
Sophia, Luna, and Adelaide stood facing one another in a triangle. Their tense eyes constantly scanned the darkness, wary of anyone who might be hiding nearby.
“Alright. Who wants to start first?”
“I’ll go first.”
Sophia raised her hand slightly.
“Rachel went outside the estate. She said she was buying herbs, but according to Martin, he only drove her to the shopping district, and after that she moved around alone. Usually she always went everywhere with Martin, but only that day she insisted on going alone.”
Luna quickly added to Sophia’s words.
“That’s right. After Rachel came back, the herb mixture changed.”
“How could you tell?”
“The smell. It was completely different from the herbs she normally burned. Stronger… and unfamiliar. I think it was probably…”
“You figured out what it was?”
“Morning glory. A bluish-purple vine that blooms in the morning. If brewed into tea, it calms the mind… but it’s also highly addictive.”
“Something that dangerous?!”
Sophia clasped her hands tightly in shock.
“Is there an antidote?”
“It can be neutralized with moonlight grass. But it has to be the silver moonlight grass that blooms only under moonlight.”
Thankfully, I already have some among my herbs.”
At Luna’s words, Adelaide and Sophia’s expressions brightened.
“If you suddenly stop drinking the tea Rachel serves, she’ll become suspicious. So drink it as usual, but immediately follow it with the antidote tea.”
Sophia’s face lit up as she listened.
“That’s perfect! Then my lady won’t be in danger, and we’ll have time to figure out what Rachel is planning.”
After thinking quietly for a moment, Adelaide nodded.
“We’ll do exactly that starting today. Especially on the day of the engagement ceremony—act naturally and don’t let anything show. We can’t afford to make the first mistake.”
The three exchanged glances and nodded firmly.
The engagement ceremony between Duke Karsiten and the daughter of Count Saint Flare was held in Silver Sapphire, the heart of Lumegria. The silver spires and crystals scattered throughout the city reflected the morning sunlight, painting the capital in rainbow colors. Layers of history and glory filled the place so deeply that simply seeing it inspired awe.
“My lady, how do you feel?”
Sophia gently rested a hand on Adelaide’s shoulder. The woman reflected in the mirror looked completely different.
Well… I really am a different person.
From early morning, Sophia, Luna, and even Rachel had all helped dress Adelaide beautifully. The soft lavender-colored gown made Adelaide’s pale skin glow even more brilliantly.
“See? I told you lavender was the perfect choice.”
Luna smiled proudly.
“She really looks wonderful in it.”
Delicate embroidery along the waist shimmered subtly under the sunlight.
“How about styling your hair like this?”
Her long silver hair was draped over one shoulder and loosely tied with pearls. The slightly exposed neckline made her appear even more elegant.
“And finally…”
Sophia carefully brought out the jewelry Adelaide had personally made. The necklace and earrings were crafted entirely from the crystal gemstones the Duke had obtained for her. Inspired by a Milky Way design that had once become popular in Korea, the centerpiece crystal of the necklace scattered dazzling rainbow light whenever it caught the sun, thanks to a completely new cutting technique.
“My goodness!”
“They’re absolutely beautiful!”
Sophia and Luna gasped in admiration. Adelaide’s reflection in the mirror looked almost mystical. Her gray eyes reflected the crystal light like shining stars.
“If you walk out like this, you’ll capture everyone’s attention.”
Looking at her perfect reflection, Adelaide smiled nervously. Luna met her eyes and nodded warmly.
“My lady, before you leave, I’ll prepare some tea to help calm your nerves.”
So it’s finally happening.
Adelaide exchanged meaningful glances with Luna and Sophia.
“Would you? Thanks to Rachel, I already feel more at ease. I’m so nervous my palms are sweating.”
She spoke with her usual smile.
“I’ll hurry, my lady.”
Rachel poured steaming tea into a teacup. Beneath the pleasant fragrance lingered a chilling tension. The clear stream of tea falling into the cup looked strangely sinister.
Adelaide closed her eyes tightly for a moment before accepting the cup.
“Thank you, Rachel. I’ll enjoy it.”
She didn’t even forget the greeting she repeated every day. Sophia and Luna watched Adelaide nervously.
“It smells wonderful.”
Once the teacup was empty, Rachel cleaned it up and left the room.
“My lady, quickly.”
Luna hurriedly handed Adelaide the antidote tea, which she drank in one gulp.
The moment the three sighed in relief, Sebastian knocked on the door.
“My lady, it is time.”
Adelaide slowly rose to her feet. When she opened the door, the Duke was already waiting outside, fully prepared.
“Oh?”
Adelaide’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected sight.
Dressed in a black velvet suit intricately decorated with gold embroidery, the Duke looked flawlessly noble. Silver-thread stitching at the cuffs sparkled like starlight.
A luxurious cream-colored silk shirt flowed smoothly beneath his waistcoat, while a long black velvet vest added depth to his appearance. A small golden badge adorned with pearl-colored decorations rested upon his shoulder, adding even more dignity.
Wow… I think this man shines more brightly than I do.
As Adelaide approached with that thought in mind, this time it was the Duke who froze slightly. His usually cold expression subtly wavered. He felt a strange sensation, as if something was stirring violently inside his chest.
“Are you ready?”
His voice sounded lower and quieter than usual.
Adelaide nodded softly. The crystals around her neck caught the light and scattered rainbow reflections. Without realizing it, the Duke found his eyes drawn toward them.
“Shall we go?”
As Adelaide took a step forward, the hem of her dress swayed gently, carrying a sweet fragrance past him. Instinctively, the Duke stepped back slightly. Something in his chest tightened uncomfortably.
What is this feeling?
The unfamiliar sensation made him frown. Hesitantly, he extended his hand.
“Hm?”
Adelaide glanced once at his hand, then at his face, before smiling mischievously.
“What? Are you worried I’ll fall?”
She placed her hand in his. Sebastian, Sophia, and Luna all watched the pair with pleased expressions.
“Now then, you must leave. The carriage is waiting.”
At Sebastian’s voice, the Duke’s expression returned to its usual coldness.
This is driving me insane.
But his heart had already lost its usual calmness.
As they stepped outside the mansion, servants tossed flower petals into the air while cheering.
“Congratulations!”
It was an event prepared by those unable to attend the engagement ceremony.
“Oh my, thank you everyone!”
Adelaide smiled brightly.
As they walked along the garden path, a fully armored knight order stood waiting at the end.
“Oh my… this isn’t even the wedding, and you prepared all this?”
Adelaide’s voice trembled with emotion. Marcus stepped closer to her.
“You must continue all the way to the wedding like this. The fact that the knights came out personally means everyone has truly come to like you. Please don’t abandon the Duke.”
When Adelaide burst into laughter at Marcus’s words, the Duke shot Marcus a glare before helping Adelaide into the carriage.
“Wow!”
Adelaide exclaimed while looking out the small carriage window.
“It’s so beautiful.”
Silver Sapphire spread out before her in full view.
“They say it was built when Lumegria was first founded.”
Seeing Adelaide’s sparkling eyes, the Duke even added an unusually kind explanation.
“Then… do we have to hold the wedding there too?”
“That doesn’t matter. You may choose any place you like.”
“The engagement ceremony is already this grand. What on earth are you planning for the wedding…?”
“It’s because of the crystals.”
“What do you mean?”
“In the era when magic was common, the union between crystals was considered extremely important. They say those silver spires amplified magic.”
“Then do we also have to combine crystals?”
“It has no meaning now.”
“Oh…”
“It’s merely a political marriage between noble families.”
“That sounds awfully cold.”
By then, the carriage had arrived in front of Silver Sapphire.
As Adelaide stepped out, two completely unexpected people approached her.
“Edward… Mabel?”
The two who should have been back in Solaris were standing in the capital instead. Adelaide’s eyes widened with surprise and joy.
“It’s good to see you, my lady.”
“My lady, you look so beautiful…”
Mabel wiped tears from her eyes.
“How are you two here? I heard the count’s family refused to attend…”
She had heard that most relatives had severed ties because of the “light” surrounding the count’s family. When told no one would attend, Adelaide had actually felt relieved since they were practically strangers anyway.
“I wanted to invite you both, but I thought it would be difficult for you to leave the territory.”
“The Duke sent a carriage for us.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And the person the Duke sent to manage our estate has been taking excellent care of everything.”
Adelaide turned toward the Duke sincerely.
“Thank you so much, Duke.”
The sincerity in Adelaide’s eyes made the Duke’s chest flutter once more.
