Chapter 2 – Scheh’s Boutique (Part 7)

The imperial palace had two ballrooms – one used for public events, and the other rented out to nobles for a hefty fee, providing a substantial income for the imperial family. Nobles who rented the lavish ballroom received the utmost hospitality. It was a clever move by the Emperor to increase funds for the imperial family.

That particular ballroom was more splendid than any other in the palace, and the events held there were truly special. While the imperial family could use the ballroom freely, it was a dream beyond the reach of many nobles due to their low status or lack of funds. The fact that Tartenon was willing to rent that ballroom for her touched Reubellina slightly.

‘Why is he going to such lengths?’

But she was also suspicious. No one had ever shown her such favor before, and she knew this was only a marriage of convenience.

It was an unreasonable investment, she thought, to spend so much money on a marriage that was only on contract. But Tartenon’s behavior helped to increase her value.

‘I shouldn’t feel guilty about this.’

Knowing the cost of renting the imperial palace’s ballroom, Reubellina could not help but speak up.

“Do you really think it’s necessary to rent the palace’s ballroom?”

“Of course. I, the Grand Duke of Northern Speraum, am announcing my marriage, and I can’t afford to do it in a shabby place.”

Listening to Tartenon’s confident response, Reubellina was at a loss for words. He was right – as the ruler of the North, he couldn’t possibly announce his marriage in just any venue.

“You just need to wait for the day of the event.”

“When will it be?”

“In two days.”

“Oh, two days…… what?”

“Yes, two days. So start preparing right away.”

The color drained from Reubellina’s face.

***

From that day forward, Duke Asillious’s servants were busy, and that included Reubellina.

She had a custom-made gown made in the Scheh Boutique, but it was for the announcement of her marriage to Inferno. She needed to have a new dress made, but she was too busy to go to the boutique. So Reubellina summoned Madam Brua to the ducal residence.

Escorted by the butler, Madam Brua made her way to the reception room, passing through the busy servants. As this was her first visit to Duke Asillious’s residence, she was struck by the elegant and refined decor, befitting its renowned reputation.

Being someone who loved beautiful things, Madam Brua smiled contentedly as she admired the various parts of the estate. This graceful manor could serve as the perfect inspiration for designing the dress.

“The residence is truly beautiful.”

“It’s all thanks to our young miss’s discerning eye.”

Even the butler was polite to her.

Madam Brua carefully observed the faces of the servants working in the Asillious household. The expressions of the servants often revealed the strength of a family, and the ones here all seemed bright and cheerful. At the very least, it meant Reubellina was not a bad host.

Their faces were filled with pride and affection for the Duke’s household. The same was true of the butler who ushered her in. Madam Brua once again felt the true greatness of the Asillious family as she stood before the reception room door.

“My Lady, Madam Brua has arrived.”

“Let her in.”

As the butler opened the door, Madam Brua was allowed to enter the reception room. As she stepped through the doorway, she was stopped in her tracks by an unexpected figure. A silver-haired man stood at Reubellina’s side.

‘The Grand Duke of Speraum!’

The Grand Duke of Speraum was a well-known figure in social circles. Many had trouble believing the news that he was engaged to the rather obscure Baron Zeraon’s daughter, as the Zeraon family was deemed unworthy to stand by the Grand Duke’s side.

But when rumors began circulating that the imperial family was pushing for the Grand Duke’s marriage to the imperial princess, the nobles simply nodded in understanding. They knew that if the Grand Duke’s side was left vacant, someone else would surely claim it, so the imperial family’s plan to install the princess after temporarily placing the insignificant Baron Zeraon’s daughter beside the Grand Duke made perfect sense.

The nobles had judged that Bellaruse, standing beside the Grand Duke of Speraum, was merely an ornamental accessory.

‘But why is he here?’

“Welcome, Madam Brua.”

“It’s an honor to be called, Miss Reubellina.”

Pushing aside her curiosity, Madam Brua responded dutifully to Reubellina’s greeting. She was grateful that she had chosen Reubellina’s side over Bellaruse’s at the Scheh Boutique that day. While she couldn’t understand why the Grand Duke of Speraum was here, it was clearly not for an ordinary reason.

‘If Bellaruse was just a decorative companion, then Reubellina must be the real deal.’

Duke Asillious’s position as Chancellor of the Empire is not to be underestimated, and neither is Reubellina, who is in charge of the Duke’s internal affairs, a clearly exceptional individual herself.

“Ren, this is Madam Brua, the most renowned designer at the Scheh Boutique.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m honored to meet you, Your Grace.”

‘My God, Ren?’

Madam Brua was surprised that Reubellina was addressing the Grand Duke with such an intimate nickname, one not even granted to Bellaruse. However, she calmly bowed in greeting, her years of experience dealing with nobles shining through.

“I’ve heard you’re the best at creating the most magnificent outfits.”

“I’m confident I can create the most befitting attire for anyone in the Empire.”

“Lina’s right. I like that confidence of yours.”

The fact that Reubellina’s nickname came out of the Grand Duke’s mouth made it impossible for Madam Brua to control her expression. She was able to hold it in once, but the second time was hard.

Overwhelmed by the successive shocks, Madam Brua was left speechless, and Reubellina smiled brightly.

“I think Brua was surprised to hear you say that, Ren.”

“To be on such familiar terms with the designer that you call her by name – you must have remarkable talent.”

“Brua is quite discerning.”

“I trust your eye more than anything.”

Tartenon lifted Reubellina’s hand, pressing his lips to the back of it. His gaze never left hers, and he looked like a man deeply in love. At least, that’s how Brua perceived it.

“I called you here to have you make the dress for our engagement ceremony.”

“Engagement ceremony?” 

“Yes.”

The question was directed at Reubellina, but the response came from Tartenon.

“Pardon me, with all due respect, but I was under the impression that Lady Reubellina was already engaged to someone else.”

Brua spoke cautiously.

It took great courage to bring up such a thing in front of the so-called “cold-blooded” Grand Duke of the North. But Brua had an unwavering principle – she refused to make dresses for those involved in infidelity. This was the one thing she was absolutely firm about, which is why the Scheh Boutique had such a renowned reputation among noble ladies.

“Brua.”

Reubellina, with a sorrowful expression, called out to her.

“Yes, my lady.”

“I’m ashamed to go and tell you, but the Second Prince asked me to break off the engagement, and I have no choice but to accept.”

“What?”

“He said he loved someone else.”

“Goodness me!”

“I couldn’t hold on to someone who said he never loved me.”

It was devastating. To hear her fiancé of over 10 years say he never loved her – Brua, who had experienced something similar, reacted immediately.

“The Prince said that?”

“That’s why I had to break off the engagement.”

Tartenon’s fingers gently stroked Reubellina’s sunken face. Holding her face, he whispered.

“You mustn’t make such a face in front of me, Lina.”

“Ren.”

As Tartenon embraced her, Reubellina did not resist, allowing herself to be held.

“Thanks to that, I also learned of my fiancée’s infidelity.”

Brua’s eyes widened at his words.

“Goodness!”

She continued gasping in shock. If what he said was true, then that meant the Prince was having an affair with Bellaruse. Brua couldn’t wrap her mind around the stream of new information.

“So, then the two of you…”

“We met to resolve the despicable acts of our unfaithful fiancés, and ended up finding our destiny.”

Tartenon’s sweet voice echoed through the reception room. Brua could barely raise her hand to cover her mouth, holding back the exclamation that threatened to burst out.

What a romantic story this was! A romance blossoming between two betrayed individuals. Brua struggled to calm her urge to gossip and waited for Tartenon’s next words.

“Would you be so kind as to create the dress for our engagement ceremony, which will take place in the imperial ballroom?”

“Of course! Who else but I, Brua, could do it?”

Brua exclaimed with determination.