“You look dazzlingly beautiful,” Dana murmured, gently brushing my hair.
“Thanks,” I replied absently, staring at the unfamiliar reflection in the mirror.
The pink dress, revealing my neckline and shoulders, flared out elegantly toward the hem.
A white cape was draped over it, concealing the ornate gown.
I watched Dana adjust my tiara and fuss with my hair in the full-length mirror.
As she lightly applied blush, a soft glow bloomed on my face.
“You’re always beautiful, but dressed up like this, you’re like a doll. Anyone would fall for you at first sight,” Dana said with conviction.
She seemed ready to argue if I disagreed, so I just smiled faintly and nodded.
Gazing back at my reflection, I saw long silver hair cascading to my waist, adorned with a tiara and a flowing wedding veil.
The quintessential bride, yet her face showed no joy.
I need to look more excited.
I had to play the part of a bride thrilled to marry Alex, so no one would suspect a thing.
Forcing a smile in the mirror, the door burst open.
“Sis, you ready?” Rachel’s clear voice rang out as she entered.
“I knew it,” she sighed, eyeing me up and down. “With that silver hair and pale skin, plus that white cape, you look like a ghost. What a shame.”
In the Verta Empire, tradition dictated that a bride’s dress remain hidden until the vows, symbolizing purity and rebirth.
Why only the bride reborn? What about the groom?
I didn’t like it, but today, that tradition would serve me well.
“Really? You look pretty today,” I said, eyeing Rachel’s vibrant pink dress with a slow smile.
“Yeah? Honestly, your taste is a bit lacking, so I was worried. But it suits me perfectly. It’s less about the design and more about who wears it, right?”
“You’re right, Rachel. It looks great because you’re wearing it.”
Her smug smile widened at my agreement.
“As the bride, you’re supposed to shine, but what if I, the maid of honor, steal the show? Don’t worry too much, though—you’re decent enough.”
She patted my shoulder patronizingly.
I caught Dana gripping a pearl comb tightly.
“It’s getting late. I need to touch up my makeup and hair. See you later,” Rachel said, waving lightly as she left the bridal suite.
I stared at the door, a faint smile playing on my lips.
Enjoy your last celebration, Rachel. That bright smile of yours ends today.
I slipped my hand into the cape’s pocket, gripping the round crystal orb tightly.
Bang!
The door flew open without warning.
Turning, I saw a familiar face—a middle-aged woman with red hair elegantly pinned up, flanked by maids I recognized.
Tch.
Viscountess Wade, Alex’s mother, clicked her tongue, glaring at me disapprovingly.
“What, just staring like that?” she snapped.
“You should bow respectfully to your future mother-in-law, Miss Aselin,” one of her maids chimed in.
Despite my higher rank as a duke’s daughter, their tone was condescending.
Seeing Dana clench her fist, I calmly met the viscountess’s gaze.
“Is this the state of things? You should stand and greet your future mother-in-law properly, not just gawk. Must I teach you basic etiquette?”
Her scolding escalated, eyes narrowing.
“So skinny—how will you bear children? Our family needs heirs quickly, so keep that in mind.”
Her blatant stare raked over me.
[What’s wrong with you? Why can’t you get pregnant like everyone else? Be honest—did you hide your infertility to trick us into marriage? Just wait, I’ll sue you for fraud and drive you out. You thieving cat, stealing my son!]
I’d heard those words in my past life until my ears bled.
Same old temper.
Crazy old hag, venting stress through nagging.
The broken one isn’t me—it’s your son.
Forcing a smile, I replied, “I’m worried about that too. He’ll need to perform properly to continue the line.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she demanded, frowning and glancing at her entourage.
Her maids jumped in. “She’s just nervous before the wedding, spouting nonsense. Let’s go—she’s hopeless. You can train her later.”
Haa. The viscountess sighed heavily, glaring at me as if to say, I’m watching you.
As they left, the room fell silent, like after a storm.
Dana glared at the door. “How can the viscountess act like that? And those maids—mere baronesses’ wives—daring to speak so rudely to you!”
“They’re not worth arguing with. It’s time for the ceremony. Shall we go?”
“Yes, my lady!” Dana opened the door, and I stepped out confidently.
The red carpeted aisle and rose-laden stage were extravagantly lavish.
From behind the stage, I surveyed the packed guest seats, also brimming with red roses.
A sudden breeze carried the cloying scent of roses, making me grimace.
Turning, I noticed delicate purple hyacinth petals swaying in a corner behind the stage.
Hyacinths? Who put those there?
The backstage area was just storage, nothing else.
Glancing at the clock above, ten minutes remained until the ceremony.
I walked toward the hyacinths.
As I neared, their sweet fragrance overpowered the roses.
Smiling, I gently touched the soft petals.
Following the flower-lined path, I reached the deepest part of the venue.
A familiar voice stopped me.
“My goodness, Viscount, you really decorated the entire place with roses?”
“My marriage to Aselin is just a facade, empty as a shell. You’re the only one for me, Rachel. My one true love.”
“…sniff, you won’t forget me even after marrying her, right?”
Rachel’s teary voice and Alex’s melodramatic reply followed.
“My love for you will never fade. It’s like eternal molten lava.”
Their third-rate drama dialogue was almost touching enough to bring tears.
Nauseated, I turned to leave when Alex stepped out.
He froze, eyes bulging.
“What’s wrong, Viscount?” Rachel’s voice followed as she emerged.
Her gaze slid to me, but she didn’t seem surprised.
Her smug look screamed, Don’t you get it? He’s always been mine.
I glanced between her tangled hair and Alex’s disheveled trousers, then smirked.
“I came to see the hyacinths and found you two here.”
“Do you like the flowers? I heard you love hyacinths, so I prepared them,” Alex said, suddenly smug.
Compared to the sea of red roses, the hyacinths looked pitiful.
Smiling, I spoke.
