Chapter 59. You Look Beautiful, My Fiancée

‘A gun.’

No matter how I looked at it, it was definitely a gun. It was a type of revolver that was easy to handle. Additionally, there were shoulder and wrist guards that seemed to fit me perfectly.

‘Is he telling me to learn how to shoot…?’

I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. Instead of the usual gifts for women—jewelry, perfume, dresses, shoes—he gave me a gun. It was a unique gift, though I questioned its practicality.

I carefully took the gun out of the box and ran my fingers over its smooth barrel. The grip was made of white ivory, and the silver barrel was intricately engraved with delicate patterns.

It was both fascinating and frightening that something designed to take life could be so beautiful.

I gently placed the gun back in the box. It didn’t seem loaded, but I found six bullets inside the box.

I didn’t even know how to load it… I shook my head with a helpless laugh. What did he expect from me?

After placing the box with the gun on the low table next to the sofa, I began to open the gifts from the servants of the Winter Palace. To my surprise, among them was a gift from Penelope Ashwood.

Since I never imagined she would send a gift, I was utterly stunned. How did she know it was my birthday? Did Enoch tell her? With a string of question marks in my mind, I checked Penelope’s gift.

It was a cute robin-shaped brooch, adorned with yellow sapphires, pearls, emeralds, and what seemed to be obsidian. It was a surprisingly lavish combination for such a charming design.

The last gift I opened was from Jasmine and my dedicated maids. It was a very delicate lace shawl, which seemed to be handmade by them.

When did they have time to make something like this? I suddenly worried if they had been getting enough sleep. I hoped they hadn’t overexerted themselves.

I decided to write thank-you cards for all those gifts and sat at my desk. The task didn’t take long, but it meant I would be going to bed an hour later than usual, so I hurried to sleep.

I quickly lay down in bed, pulled the covers over myself, and closed my eyes. It would be troublesome if I overslept tomorrow. Because tomorrow was finally… the day of the engagement ceremony.

‘Fourteen days after the engagement ceremony… is the wedding, right?’

…I felt strange.

Just… the idea of marrying someone who had been a complete stranger.

I didn’t think our relationship would change dramatically just because we were getting married. But… we promised to cast a love spell on our wedding night.

How far and how effective would that spell be? Was it really a good idea to rely on a spell that could manipulate someone’s emotions so recklessly?

I still hadn’t found answers to all those questions. But one thing was certain. After the spell was broken, I would have to let him go.

And I would have to leave his side.

No one should know how or why I would die…

I wished I could disappear like a bubble rising and vanishing in the sea.

* * *

The morning of the 15th came.

No, to be precise, it was still dawn.

“Miss, you need to hurry with your bath.”

Jasmine urged me, taking away my blanket. I got up, half-asleep, and yawned widely. Had I slept for about five hours? I felt groggy and my head was fuzzy, probably due to the lack of sleep.

“Today, you must let us attend to you!”

Because I had been secretly bathing alone, my maids had lost trust in me. I nodded sheepishly, promising three times that I would behave today to regain their trust.

The maids moved busily. They undressed me and quickly brushed my hair, tangled from tossing and turning all night.

Then they led me to the bathroom. The bathroom, filled with steam, had a subtle fragrance. The bathtub was already brimming with hot water, and after checking the temperature, the maids brought in rose petals and scattered them on the water.

Additionally, they quickly added fresh goat’s milk and rose-scented bath salts. Only after all this could I finally get into the bathwater.

The bath took over an hour. My hair, washed with the finest honey soap and treated with fragrant oil, became glossy and smooth like silk.

My skin turned whiter, more supple, and emitted a pleasant fragrance. The maids even massaged my back and shoulders, relieving all my fatigue.

I realized that being attended to by maids wasn’t so bad after all. Still, I preferred the simpler baths I took alone.

“First, we’ll dry and trim your hair, then help you get dressed.”

“Yes, thank you.”

It took over 40 minutes to dry and style my long hair that reached my waist. I wore a light lavender dress that had been chosen a few days ago, along with teardrop-shaped diamond earrings and a necklace. Cream-colored shoes decorated with pearls and mother-of-pearl matched the dress perfectly.

“Hah… It’s done…!”

After all the preparations, the maids wiped the sweat from their foreheads with satisfied smiles.

I admired my reflection in the mirror, silently impressed by the professionalism of the maids. They needed extensive knowledge and skills in beauty, had to be well-versed in the latest social trends, and had to be cultured enough to be a noble lady’s companion. They also needed exceptional skills in tea culture and the arts.

Moreover, to become a maid, one had to come from a knight or gentry family and possess great patience and a spirit of service.

Listing all these requirements made me see the people behind me in a new light. I sincerely praised them all.

“You all did a wonderful job. Thank you so much.”

“It’s nothing, it’s our duty…”

Jasmine reflexively responded, then suddenly looked very touched, her lips trembling. The other maids were the same. …It was as if they had never received a compliment before.

I quickly deduced the reason.

‘It’s because of Enoch.’

Knowing him, he probably never gave compliments and only showed irritation. Since he’s always decadent and irritable, he would glare fiercely at the servants.

Anyway, I was ready to head to the Blooming Hall where the engagement ceremony would be held. My reflection in the mirror was lively and perfect, I almost didn’t recognize myself.

I boosted my confidence and looked back at the maids. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation.

I smiled faintly and suggested.

“Shall we go, then?”

“Yes…!”

Their eager nods were so endearing that I couldn’t help but laugh again.

Lucy, who had entered the room at some point, meowed affectionately. I instinctively tried to pick her up, but the maids hurriedly stopped me, worried about cat hair on my dress, leaving me a bit dejected.

I would definitely hug Lucy tightly after the engagement ceremony.

* * *

Come to think of it, I’m holding my engagement ceremony the day after my family’s downfall.

But it wasn’t surprising. My unusual history didn’t end there. I was the daughter of a madwoman, and the day after she died, I got a stepmother.

Adding the downfall of my family to my life’s history wouldn’t change much.

“Welcome, Lady Ellenore.”

The doorman greeted me politely as I entered the Blooming Hall. He didn’t need to announce my arrival loudly. Today, introducing me to this large crowd was someone else’s responsibility.

“Ah, you’re here.”

I heard Enoch’s voice from a distance. Turning my head, I saw his playful smile directed at me.

He looked exceptionally handsome today. Though he always did, today, his striking looks seemed even more powerful.

As he walked towards me, all eyes followed him and then turned to me.

Feeling a bit dizzy from all the attention, I tried my best to maintain a natural smile. Enoch soon reached me, and his leisurely gaze swept over me from head to toe, making me feel hot.

I blinked excessively in my embarrassment and avoided his gaze again. But it was really unavoidable. Staring into those eyes, which are rich and sweet like honey, for too long was very difficult.

He slightly bowed his head towards me. His voice, mixed with laughter, reached my ears.

“You look beautiful.”

“……”

“My fiancée.”

…His voice was warm enough to melt diamonds. So, it was truly unavoidable that my heart started pounding wildly.