Chapter 2 Part 3 – A Changed Honeymoon

After greeting Lynn, Ruby entered the wedding venue. She tried to stay inconspicuous by heading to the corner. Luckily, there were enough guests that she didn’t seem to stand out.

There were so many guests gathered to celebrate the couple.

A little later, the groom, Lord Blora, and Lynn entered together. They both looked genuinely happy. While walking down the Virgin Road, the Baron of Blora tried to match Lynn’s pace. Occasionally, when their eyes met, he smiled happily.

It seemed as if they were the only two people in the world at that moment.

“They look so happy.”

Everyone seemed to share Ruby’s sentiment.

“Lady Lynn was really excited about this marriage, so she moved the wedding closer by a few months. She pressured her family, wedding preparations, and even the dress designer. That’s why she’s so thrilled.”

The two of them laughed, as if they could already see the sparks flying. Perhaps because the bride and groom were so happy, the guests looked lively as well.

Their happiness contrasted with Ruby’s own wedding, which had been quiet and empty.

Soon, Lynn, who had stopped at the end of the Virgin Road, looked shyly at the Baron of Blora, and with an affectionate glance, the two of them seemed to be the embodiment of the wedding Ruby had wished for.

Strangely, thinking about it that way made her feel like tears might well up.

At that moment, someone quietly handed her a handkerchief.

When Ruby looked to her side, she saw Sorvan, whom she had met at the dessert shop, handing her a handkerchief.

“Wipe yourself. You might look suspicious if you don’t.”

He quietly spoke to Ruby in a voice that only she could hear.

Only then did Ruby look around and quietly left the banquet hall. Sorvan followed behind her.

“You don’t remember me, do you?”

The areas outside the banquet hall were quiet due to the ongoing wedding. Ruby was staring, and Sorvan raised an elegant smile and lightly stroked his eyebrow with his hand.

“I do remember. I was just taken aback because I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“Baron Blora and I know each other.”

Sorvan answered, explaining.

“Oh…”

“Is the Lady close to the bride?”

“Uh… Yes.”

Whether he should have corrected the way he referred to “the Lady” crossed her mind for a moment, but it seemed easier not to know.

Seeing him call her that made it clear that he didn’t recognize her.

“Would it be impolite if I offered you a handkerchief?”

“Huh?”

He still had the handkerchief in his hand.

“Oh, no. It’s not like that”

“Oh. That’s a relief.”

Sorvan put the handkerchief back in his pocket and added that he was here to lend it to her whenever she needed it.

“Noble etiquette is quite complicated.”

“…”

“I don’t know if you already knew, but I’m not originally a noble. I bought the title of nobility.”

He seemed to be expecting Ruby’s reaction, but she wasn’t surprised as she had roughly expected it.

However, she was a little bothered by his comments that seemed to belittle himself.

“I studied with a noble tutor and learned it on my own, but I guess it still shows.”

“No, it’s not like that…”

Ruby, who had been pondering, finally spoke.

“I don’t know who that tutor is, but it’s better to dismiss them immediately when you return to the mansion.”

“Huh?”

Sorvan was taken aback by the unexpected words.

“Please excuse me for a moment.”

Ruby sought his consent and took a step closer to him. In doing so, she touched his collar of his coat and straightened it out.

“They say it’s a way to distinguish between those who just follow and those who are genuine. But, in the end, it’s the same thing, isn’t it?”

It was only after Sorvan noticed that Ruby had adjusted his clothing that he realized what she had done.

“Are you trying to become a noble, even though you evaluate people based on such trivial things?”

Ruby asked.

“Well, since I’ve already bought my title, the more I know, the better.”

He replied, and Ruby nodded in agreement.

“In that case, you should host a party. A grand one. You can rent a large hall, or if you have a spacious estate, you can hold it there.”

“And then?”

“Prepare the most expensive dishes and fill the place with lavish items.”

“Do nobles really like that kind of thing?”

Sorvan raised an eyebrow in surprise, as Ruby’s suggestions seemed different from what he had heard before.

“It’s not about being noble, it’s about using money to tempt people. Even if nobles pretend otherwise, they are quite interested in money. If you really have a lot of money, you can make the invitations with expensive gold leaf. They’ll be eager to attend.”

Sorban burst into laughter at Ruby’s last words.

“That’s a great idea. Will you help, My Lady?”

He spontaneously proposed.

“Me?”

“”Yes. I intend to dismiss my etiquette instructor starting today.”

This time, Ruby laughed and said, “Oh.”

“I’m making a genuine offer. I’ll pay you as much as you desire. You know, I only have wealth, and nothing else.”

Ruby was already contemplating her future livelihood after her divorce, so this unexpected proposal made her hesitate. She had worked hard to learn etiquette and felt reasonably confident about it.

“If you’re having second thoughts, how about trying to help me with one party? Give it a try, and then decide.”

“Wouldn’t that be too favorable for me?”

“That’s the price I’m willing to pay for having a competent teacher.”

Sorvan answered confidently, as if he had already resolved his doubts.

“Alright, I’ll host a party and make a decision afterward. But on one condition.”

She thought that trying out this role to see if it suited her wouldn’t hurt.

“I cannot disclose the name of my family for now; I have certain circumstances.”

Ruby didn’t see a need to reveal her background to Sorvan yet. After all, she didn’t know much about him, and her impending divorce meant there was no need to share her identity.

“Very well. Then it’s a deal.”

Sorvan smiled with satisfaction and extended his hand for Ruby to shake.

Ruby carefully shook his hand.

***

“The tea is ready, My Lady.”

The tea prepared by Miss Bennette was very familiar, it was a pineapple tea that Ruby had drunk to the point of exhaustion.

“I’d prefer a different tea, please.”

When Ruby, who had no intention of drinking this tea, declined, Bennette spoke in a condescending tone, “It’s a tea that the lady of the manor has enjoyed for generations, madam.”

Her intention to educate Ruby was evident in her tone.

In the past, she had often been taken in by such words. She had thought that as the lady of the manor, she should drink the sophisticated and expensive tea that the nobility had enjoyed for generations, whether it suited her taste or not. Moreover, Bennette, who had served the family for a long time, was like a trusted guide to Ruby. She knew everything about the nobility’s lifestyle, and even her condescending attitude was seen as something she did for her benefit.

“But isn’t the Lady of the manor quite young now?” Ruby said in a not-so-subtle tone.

“In that case, we should adjust your preferences to suit me,” she added.

Bennette’s face subtly stiffened at her words. When Ruby spoke to her with a direct gaze, Bennette, who had been about to say more, averted her eyes slightly. She had no particular argument to offer.

“I’ll prepare something else for you.”

There was no acknowledgment or apology for going off-topic. Ruby didn’t point it out either, as she intended to leave the manor after divorcing Eli anyway.

Bennette soon brought another tea. It was only then that Ruby savored the warmth of the tea with a sip. Come to think of it, there was still no response from Eli.

She wasn’t worried since she knew he would be coming to the capital soon. Moreover, from her past experience, divorce usually gets resolved within two days. So, until he arrived, she just had to pack up her things and think about what to do in the future.

Ruby looked out the large window in the drawing room at the garden of Grit Hall. She didn’t have many days left in this mansion. Before her marriage, there was a time when she thought she would like to visit the mansion every time she passed by. However, after getting married, she never had the opportunity to properly appreciate it.

And now, she wanted to leave the mansion. Such a change was truly amusing.

***

“Welcome, Ruby,” Sorvan greeted Ruby warmly.

“Shall we go to the drawing room for tea…”

“If it’s alright, may I take a look at the kitchen first? I might need some time to organize things, so it’s fine if you wait for a bit,” Ruby replied.

“I did mention it just in case, but could you ask if it’s okay to go now?” Fran, the steward of Del Manor, followed Sorvan’s command and headed to the kitchen.

“Is it okay if I take a look around for a moment?” Ruby asked.

While he waited for Fran to return with an answer, Ruby surveyed the mansion.

Del Manor was decorated with large and opulent furniture, making it almost as grand as Grit Manor in terms of size.

“Is it to your liking?” Sorvan asked Ruby, inquiring about her first impression of the house.

“It’s splendid,” Ruby replied calmly, sharing her initial impression.

“It seems like a good place to host a party,” she added.

“I’m glad. Showing off my wealth is one of the things I do best,” Sorvan replied playfully. Just then, Fran returned.

“Everything is ready.”

“Shall we head to the kitchen right away?” Sorvan extended his hand as if offering to escort her.

“You don’t have to do that here,” Ruby declined politely, but Sorvan didn’t back down easily.

He probably didn’t want to look awkward in front of the steward who was watching them, so she accepted his escort carefully.

“Let’s go,” Sorvan said with a faint smile, leading the way.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ban, the head chef,” Ruby was greeted by the kitchen head.

“Nice to meet you, Ban. I’d like to look around for a moment.”

“Yes. The party items are over here.”

Following the head chef’s guidance, Ruby meticulously examined the displayed dishes.

“Can I see the plates from here to here?”

“Of course,” Ban replied.

At Ruby’s request, the head chef and kitchen maids brought out the plates.

Ruby inspected the materials and colors of the plates carefully and separated a few of them.

“We’ll use the transferred dishes for the party.”

“Isn’t that a bit too few?” Sorvan, who had been observing Ruby’s actions, asked.

“It would be better to buy new ones for the rest. Is that alright?” Ruby replied with a note that it might cost a bit, Sorvan nodded readily while looking at her.