Chapter 160: The True Appearance of a Couple
On that day, after the party ended, the attendees did not return to their homes but scattered to the east and north sides of the imperial palace. It was a rule that all participants stay within the imperial palace during the New Year’s festival.
Guests from their own country lodged in the eastern palace, while those from other countries stayed in the northern palace.
Accordingly, Aracila and Damian were assigned a room on the third floor of the eastern palace. Unfortunately, it was the same floor as the Vandemir ducal family, but fortunately, their rooms were not right next to each other.
The ducal family’s room was at the end of the corridor. It was three doors away from the couple’s room.
Since they shared the same hallway, the chances of running into each other while coming and going were high, but with luck, it might be avoidable.
They hadn’t encountered them even on the way here.
Of course, that was largely thanks to the fact that the ducal family hadn’t attended the delegation’s welcome party today.
And truly regrettably, Marquis Hugo and his wife had drawn the second floor. It would have been far more convenient and preferable if they had been on the same floor as well.
“It’s nice.”
After looking around the antique yet tidy interior of the room, Aracila offered a simple assessment. Damian nodded in agreement, indicating it wasn’t bad.
The imperial side had naturally provided a single room for the couple. Not wanting to bicker when they were already exhausted, they quickly agreed to divide the sleeping arrangements between the bed and the sofa.
“Damian, if the sofa feels uncomfortable, just say so anytime. I’ll switch with you.”
“I’m used to sleeping on the sofa, so that probably won’t happen.”
With that reply, Damian immediately loosened his cravat, removed his formal jacket, and stretched out long on the sofa, covering his eyes with his arm. He looked ready to fall asleep right away.
He had handled the escort duties all day, so the accumulated fatigue must have been considerable. Understanding this, Aracila turned away without another word.
With plenty to take care of—makeup, her dress, and other finishing touches—she quietly headed to the bathroom with Audrey, who had come along to attend to her.
By the time Aracila emerged after quite a while spent changing clothes inside, Damian was already dressed in comfortable attire and fast asleep.
“I’ll be going now. Good night, my lady.”
“Sleep well, Audrey. See you tomorrow.”
After seeing Audrey out, Aracila closed the door without a sound. Then, she tiptoed toward the bed, careful not to disturb Damian’s sleep.
Lying on the moderately plush bed and staring up at the ceiling, she blinked her eyes. Perhaps because of the change in sleeping quarters, her mind was wide awake and alert.
Aracila tossed and turned this way and that before finally rolling onto her side to gaze toward the sofa. Moonlight filtering through the curtains illuminated Damian, who slept as serenely as a princess in a fairy tale.
‘His sleeping face is rather lovely.’
Smiling at the frivolous thought, she suddenly recalled the conversation they had shared while dancing. They had concluded to delay the divorce until Damian desired it.
‘I wonder just how long you’ll need me.’
Judging from their earlier discussions, it was possible that she had already outlived her usefulness to Damian.
After all, a way had emerged for him to inherit the dukedom without necessarily maintaining their marriage.
‘When will we bring this contract to an end?’
Aracila turned her body to face forward. Work was more important than love. That value hadn’t changed, so she had decided to bury her feelings for Damian.
Yet, she couldn’t help the way she unconsciously sought to extend their time together, or how she felt disappointed whenever he drew a boundary.
Paradoxically, she wanted to part ways with him, yet she didn’t want to leave him.
Even knowing it would be better to wrap up this fake marital relationship as soon as possible.
‘It would be good if I could shake off all these feelings through this New Year’s festival.’
Aracila wished for it sincerely. There was nothing more wretched than being the only one genuine in a fabricated relationship. So please, let this New Year’s mark the end of these emotions.
Let them not deepen any further.
As she made that wish, Aracila’s eyelids gradually grew heavier. Sleep, which had seemed utterly elusive, soon enveloped her.
Once the rustling sounds ceased and only even breathing echoed through the room, Damian slowly opened his eyes.
“Ha….”
The low sigh he exhaled carried even greater confusion, torment, desperation, and yearning than Aracila’s own.
The New Year’s festival spanned a total of four days.
On the first day, they lightly attended a court concert; the second featured equestrian competitions; the third held the main banquet; and the final day concluded with a gala dinner.
However, the gala dinner was accessible only to those specially invited, while the remaining guests enjoyed a formal luncheon that day before their schedule wrapped up.
And today, at last, the New Year’s festival began in earnest.
“Shall we coordinate our outfits?”
Damian asked Aracila as she headed to the dressing room to prepare for the court concert.
Pausing in her steps, Aracila wore a contemplative expression.
“Hmm, what do you think would be best?”
“Let’s match them. Considering His Highness the Crown Prince’s demeanor yesterday, it seems wise to make a show of our marital bond.”
“You’re right.”
Recalling Frederick, who had clung to her with that revoltingly chummy demeanor, Aracila furrowed her brow. She hadn’t realized his characteristic saccharine way of speaking could feel so utterly repulsive.
The pair coordinated their dress code in green. They hadn’t discussed it in advance, but among the clothes they had brought, many shared a similar vibe.
The court concert took place in the performance hall on the western side of the imperial palace. Aracila and Damian arrived a bit earlier than the scheduled time.
Diligent nobles had already gathered in the hall, engaged in lively conversations.
“Aracila, Damian! Over here, come join us.”
Among them, Marquis Hugo and his wife waved with delighted expressions. Today, too, they were affectionately linked arm in arm, surrounded by several other noble couples seated nearby.
As the pair approached, those sitting to the right of the marquis couple deliberately stood up to offer their seats.
“Ah, thank you.”
“Not at all. Doesn’t it look even better when harmonious couples sit together?”
A middle-aged noblewoman said with a hearty laugh.
Aracila was a bit surprised, realizing it wasn’t out of consideration for parents and children to sit together. Do Damian and I look as close as my parents?
Since the most harmonious and ideal couple she knew was her own parents, her mood turned somewhat peculiar.
“How long have you two been married?”
“A little over half a year.”
“Oh my, oh my. You’re right in the sweetest phase! Are you enjoying your honeymoon?”
Perhaps because the gathering consisted only of people around the marquis couple’s age, all the attention poured onto the young pair.
“I can’t get over how perfectly you two match. Among all the couples I’ve seen in society over my lifetime, the Vandemirs are the prettiest.”
“I agree completely. There aren’t as many couples as you’d think who fit together so seamlessly without any shortcomings. You two truly found the right match.”
“You must be thrilled, Marchioness. Your daughter has found a fine husband just like yours and is living so sweetly together.”
“Oh, I won’t deny it.”
The marchioness’s playful response elicited a wave of laughter.
“I’m known for having a good intuition, and I get the strong feeling that the Vandemir couple will live happily ever after for a long, long time.”
“They say couples who are on the same wavelength tend to lead blessed lives. At a glance, you two seem to mesh perfectly.”
“Still, don’t let your guard down—always remember that communication is key in a marriage. Of course, you might end up bickering every day like us.”
Aracila and Damian simply listened attentively to the adults’ conversation, which flowed without giving them a chance to interject.
They had come aiming to appear as a close couple, but as the praise poured in beyond expectations, a slight discomfort began to creep into their minds.
Feeling awkward, Aracila fidgeted, idly tapping her fingers together on her lap.
“But even without saying so, the Vandemir couple seems like they’ll handle everything smoothly on their own.”
“What do you think, Marchioness? How do you see the Vandemir couple?”
This time, everyone’s gaze turned to the marchioness. She straightened her back, smiling as she spoke.
“What’s there to say? Our children don’t need us worrying about them. Even if harsh winds blow, they’ll hold each other’s hands tightly and push through together.”
“Indeed, a couple should live with the mindset that there’s nothing they can’t accomplish together. In that regard, it’s truly fortunate.”
Marquis Hugo, who had been quietly listening to the chatter up until now with affectionate eyes fixed on his wife, finally added his words.
At that, Aracila’s heart grew heavy, surpassing mere discomfort.
It was true that the two of them had faced many hardships and overcome them together, but in the end, weren’t they headed for divorce?
‘Ah… I’ve done something unforgivable to Mom and Dad.’
A fresh realization dawned on her.
In truth, up until now, Aracila hadn’t given much thought to her parents’ reaction after the divorce.
Of course, they would worry, and perhaps even scold her. Asking why she had made such a hasty decision in the first place.
But compared to the pain of parting forever from someone she loved, that seemed bearable.
Above all, her parents were kind-hearted people, so in the end, they would focus more on comforting Aracila’s heartache from the divorce.
‘I’ve been living so complacently with those thoughts…’
She hadn’t deeply considered the part where she would betray and disappoint the trust of the parents she loved.
To make an excuse, at first she had been desperate to save Iris, and lately, managing her feelings for Damian alone had been overwhelming enough.
Realizing the wrongdoing she hadn’t been aware of, Aracila grew even more restless.
“My, what an exemplary image of a true couple, one that could inspire everyone.”
Fortunately for her, the relay of undeserved praise ended with one noblewoman’s words.
It was because the emperor had entered the performance hall.
As the imperial family members followed in turn and took their seats, the concert soon began. Everyone sat up straight, facing forward, and appreciated the performance.
Aracila also gazed at the performers on stage with proper posture, but her focus was a bit blurred. Her mind was fiercely occupied with other thoughts.
‘Should I start subtly hinting to Mom and Dad from now on that things aren’t good between Damian and me?’
Desperately searching for a solution, Aracila let out a small sigh without realizing it. It was so faint that it was drowned out by the grand sounds of the performance and wouldn’t be heard.
Yet, Damian, who somehow caught that sigh, glanced over. Despite his impassive face, he could see the turmoil churning in Aracila’s eyes.
Guessing roughly what was troubling her, he quietly enveloped her hand, which rested on the armrest, with his own.
‘When should I start dropping hints? Right from today…’
Deep in thought, Aracila flinched in surprise at the sudden warm touch.
Her eyes widened as she rolled them around, then she slightly turned her head to look at the seat beside her. She couldn’t speak, fearing her parents might overhear.
Damian gently uncurled Aracila’s clenched fist and slowly traced letters on her palm with his finger.
Aracila’s gaze dropped downward, focusing intently to read the movements.
‘S… t… o… p… l… o… o… k… i… n… g.’
Stop looking?
Aracila immediately shot Damian a bewildered glance.
He was the one who had suddenly grabbed her hand, after all. But Damian steadfastly stared ahead, continuing to move his hand.
Though she found it infuriating, Aracila watched curiously to see what he was writing.
This time, it was very short.
No thinking.
And once more.
No worrying.
Aracila’s eyes rounded in surprise. How did he know she was caught up in thoughts and worries?
Having conveyed all he intended, Damian simply interlaced his fingers with hers without another word. The warmth from his large, almost burdensome hand was steady and reassuring.
Aracila felt her mind clear astonishingly and her heart settle into calm. Just as he had said, her thoughts and worries had been emptied.
After all, fretting about it now wouldn’t solve anything. For the moment, she decided to just enjoy the concert.
Aracila adjusted her posture comfortably and attuned her ears to the beautiful harmonies.
Damian, confirming with a sidelong glance that she had immersed herself in the concert at last, let out a faint, amused chuckle. Soon, he too watched the court orchestra’s performance with a far more relaxed expression.
This day marked the most carefree one the two spent during the New Year’s festival.
Perhaps, the only one.
─── ･ ｡ﾟ✧: *. ꕥ .* :✧ﾟ. ───
buy me a coffee here to support the translation 🤗🤗🤗
