I Became a Bride Candidate for the Grand Duke I Secretly Loved

Chapter 2.2

‘This is a disaster.’

When she looked up, the Grand Duke, with a sneer on his face, Diana, with startled eyes, and Dean, with an incredulous expression, were all simultaneously looking down at her.

“Ahaha. Right? What could I have been doing~?”

She tried to lighten the awkward atmosphere by raising her tone playfully, but there was no response.

If anything, Dean’s previously flustered expression softened into one of pity.

She slowly straightened her knees, trying to buy time to come up with an excuse.

“Well, the reason I was here is… I thought I should greet the Lady as well. But it seemed like your conversation wasn’t over yet, so I was just about to leave, haha.”

Perfect.

It sounded natural, even to her.

Sure, Dean had caught her eavesdropping, but surely, he wouldn’t be petty enough to tattle on her.

“Could you perhaps be Miss Elena of the Marquisate of Bellacita?”

In the brief silence, Diana suddenly brightened and spoke as if she recognized her.

“Yes. You must be Lady Diana of the House of Roiza? I believe we’ve crossed paths a few times at parties. I’m Elena Bellacita.”

“You remembered me! It’s such a pleasure to meet you.”

No, it was more surprising that Diana remembered her.

“I thought I was the only one here. I’m so, so happy. It feels like I’ve found an ally.”

Diana clasped Elena’s hand tightly between both of hers and smiled.

…An ally?

An allyyyyy?!

Did she mean I wasn’t even a rival?

Was this what it meant to have the composure of someone who had everything?

Or was she such a kind-hearted person that she could even embrace a rival as an ally?

Either way, it was unsettling. If it were the former, it was depressing, but if it were the latter, it was even worse. It would mean that Elena had lost even in terms of personality, which was one of the few things she had confidence in.

Elena turned her head to glance at the Grand Duke’s face. His expressionless face gave no hint of what he might be thinking.

Had the Grand Duke fallen for Lady Diana?

Even if he had, it wouldn’t change anything for Elena.

Right. She could only keep working hard, just as she had been.

“I’ll do my best.”

She declared firmly, meeting the Grand Duke’s gaze.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you don’t need to try your best. Actually, just don’t do anything at all.”

Though her declaration wasn’t acknowledged, she tightened her grip on Diana’s hands and spoke again.

“I won’t lose. I’ll give it my all.”

“Yes. Let’s try to get along.”

Diana wore a somewhat puzzled expression but soon smiled beautifully.

Cough. Was she an angel?

This wasn’t good.

Why did beautiful people also have to be kind?!

* * *

At the sound of a knock, she opened the door to find an unfamiliar face standing there.

“Hello, Miss. Do you have some time right now?”

“What’s the matter?”

“My name is Christie, and I’ve been assigned to serve Lady Diana. She asked me to invite you to join her for tea.”

Diana?

Was this the beginning of a reconnaissance as a candidate for the position of Grand Duchess?

It felt like the inevitable had finally arrived.

“All right. Could you let her know I’ll be there shortly?”

She immediately turned to Anne. Reading the determined look in Elena’s eyes, Anne nodded firmly, her face also tense.

This was no mere tea time.

It was an invisible war.

In a battle between women, dresses were akin to armor.

She opened her wardrobe and pulled out the most extravagant dress she owned.

“Anne, help me change into this.”

“Yes, Miss. Leave it to me.”

It should have been reassuring, but for some reason, Elena felt uneasy… likely because she suddenly remembered Anne’s overly intricate makeup from before.

And a short while later—

“Hmm… it’s flashy, but… isn’t it a bit too much?”

“…Isn’t it fine?”

It was already too late. The brief silence said it all.

On her head now sat a large-brimmed hat adorned with feathers. She wore the same extravagant dress covered in beads, paired with a necklace and earrings encrusted with enormous jewels.

“This doesn’t feel right. There’s no need to wear a hat indoors just to drink tea, is there?”

“True, maybe we should take off the hat.”

Even Anne seemed to think it was too much this time, as she quickly removed the hat from Elena’s head.

“The necklace and earrings are overkill too.”

“Oh, come on, you need a bit of sparkle! Let’s make a strong impression from the start.”

“…Do you think so?”

There was a strange persuasiveness in Anne’s words.

“Should I redo your makeup too? If you’re going to be next to Lady Diana… well, I think it’d be better if your features stood out more.”

Right, my face was plain!

It was a sad truth she couldn’t deny, but there was no way she’d let Anne do that kind of makeup again.

“No, it’s fine. We’re already late.”

She felt bad for Anne, but it would only lead to mockery.

“I’ll head over quickly. I don’t want to give them anything to criticize right from the start.”

Fearing Anne might try to stop her again, she hurried out of the room.

“Miss, don’t lose!”

With Anne’s wholehearted support behind her, Elena marched resolutely toward the battlefield.

* * *

“Thank you so much for coming. I could have come to you instead.”

“No, not at all. I’m the one who’s grateful for the invitation.”

Diana was dressed in a comfortable-looking gown. It wasn’t plain, nor was it overly extravagant—just a simple and elegant outfit.

Seeing how beautiful she looked, Elena suddenly felt foolish for having dressed up so elaborately.

“That dress suits you very well.”

“Ha. Haha. Th-thank you.”

Was that a compliment or a subtle jab?

“To be honest, I’m a bit touched. I didn’t expect you to dress up so much for what I thought would be a casual tea meeting. If I’d known, I would have dressed up more myself.”

It sounded sincere enough that it didn’t feel like sarcasm. Of course, it could still be an act to lower Elena’s guard.

“Please, have some. It’s rose tea, and the fragrance is quite lovely.”

As the hot water was poured, dried roses bloomed beautifully in the teacup.

As expected of the Empire’s flower, even her tea had to be something as elegant as floral tea.

“The reason I asked to meet with you today is…”

Without warning, Diana jumped straight to the point, and Elena swallowed nervously.

It seemed Diana was also slightly tense, as she hesitated and faltered for a moment.

“Well, you see…”

Well, what? Was this finally going to be a declaration of rivalry?

Was she suddenly going to say something like, “Stay away from the Grand Duke!” and throw her tea at me?

If that were the case, Elena hoped she’d at least wait until the tea had cooled.

While Elena was lost in all sorts of wild imaginings, Diana finally spoke.

“Would you… be my friend?”

“Pardon? What?”

The words that came out of Diana’s mouth were entirely unexpected.

“You see, I actually don’t have a single female friend.”

“Not… a single one?”

“Yes. It’s embarrassing, but it’s true.”

Diana answered with a shy blush.

‘Oh no, this is dangerous. That expression just now—if I were a man, I’d have definitely fallen for her.’

Nine out of ten men liked Diana. Even married men couldn’t help but sneak glances at her.

For most women, Diana was both an object of admiration and someone they found hard to approach.

In that sense, Elena had no particular feelings toward Diana. Fortunately, the Grand Duke belonged to the remaining one out of ten.

If Diana had made such a proposal to Elena in the past, she would have accepted without hesitation.

But now, things are different.

Why me? Why did Diana want me to be that one friend she didn’t have?

And why now?

Why did it have to be me?

Elena had absolutely no intention of getting along with her rival.

“Ahem. Even so, why me?”

“I’ve always wanted to have a conversation with you, Lady Elena. But I never had the chance until now… When I saw you here, I was genuinely happy, thinking it might be an opportunity to become closer.”

‘What should I do? I’m not even a little happy about this.’

Perhaps, from Diana’s perspective, Elena seemed like a suitable candidate for friendship since she hadn’t outwardly displayed any hostility toward her.

However, given the current situation, Elena was no different from the other young ladies now.

“If we hadn’t met here, we might have become friends.”

Noticing something odd in Elena’s words, Diana’s face, which had been smiling all along, gradually darkened.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t be friends with a rival.”

“As I thought. I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable. But… a rival? What do you mean by that?”

Elena thought she had been fairly direct, but it seemed Diana didn’t understand.

So, she really doesn’t consider me a rival?!

“What I mean is, I can’t befriend someone who also has feelings for the Grand Duke.”

“I… I’m sorry? I don’t quite understand. Are you saying that you have feelings for the Grand Duke, Lady Elena?”

Elena thought Diana was pretending to be surprised, but judging by her expression, she seemed genuinely shocked.

“And what about you, Lady Diana? Don’t you… have feelings for the Grand Duke?”

“If you’re asking if I like him romantically, no, not at all.”

Diana’s response was concise and crystal clear.

What? How is that even possible? How can she not like him? No matter how you look at him—right, left, or even from a distance—he’s undeniably amazing.

Elena’s mind struggled to keep up with this revelation.

Was it because Diana was so used to being around attractive men that she had built up immunity?

“Then… you’re not here against your will?”

Diana, instead, looked more surprised as she asked back.

“I’m here because I like the Grand Duke… That’s why I came.”

“Oh my! I never even considered that possibility. I just assumed you were here for the same reason as me. My father received the official letter first and forced me to come, so I had no choice.”

“I see…”

Elena had never imagined such a reason.

If anything, her father had been opposed to her coming here. He thought there was no need to travel such a long distance just to be a mere candidate.

As soon as the Imperial Family’s official letter arrived, Elena’s father had looked at his daughter, who shouted, “I’ll become the Grand Duchess!” with a truly complicated expression.

To quote her father:

‘He’s not even your fiancé. What? A candidate? What’s so great about the Grand Duke? And what’s so lacking about you?’

Elena felt relieved to hear that Diana had no romantic feelings for the Grand Duke, but at the same time, she felt oddly exposed, as if she were the only one standing bare.

“You’re amazing. To think you came all the way here for someone you like. I’ll cheer for you wholeheartedly.”

‘Ugh. She’s really an angel.’

To think she had raised her thorns so high in front of someone like this.

“Then, Lady Diana, you truly have no feelings for the Grand Duke, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Not even the tiniest bit?”

“Not even the tiniest bit.”

Diana answered cheerfully, laughing as if she found the question amusing.

“I’ve already shared my feelings with the Grand Duke, and he kindly agreed to cooperate.”

“Really?”

Diana nodded lightly.

That must mean the Grand Duke also doesn’t harbor any feelings for Diana.

“And… honestly, I’m a little uncomfortable around men. I feel sorry for those who like me, but I don’t really understand what it means to like someone romantically. So, you really don’t have to worry. I plan to return home after three months.”

To think she didn’t know what romantic feelings were, despite receiving so much love.

For the first time, Elena felt a slight pang of pity as Diana lowered her long eyelashes slightly and smiled.

“Then… is it okay now?”

“Pardon?”

“I was wondering if you could be my friend.”

“Oh, of course.”

Though suddenly changing her attitude felt a bit unseemly, there was no reason to push Diana away anymore.

“Thank you so much. I was worried about how I’d survive here for three months, but I’m really glad you’re here, Lady Elena. Oh, and not just here—I hope we can continue to stay close even when we return to the capital.”

“Hmm, that might be a bit difficult.”

“As I thought, that would be asking too much?”

Diana’s round shoulders visibly drooped.

“I plan to marry the Grand Duke and stay here. But I’ll write to you frequently.”

At Elena’s continued words, Diana smiled brightly, her cat-like eyes curving beautifully.