Chapter 24. Kidnapping

It was when they thought the conversation had somewhat concluded. Former Grand Duke Kraicher, Grand Duke Rudfelix, and Count Jellisto each fell into different thoughts.

Rudfelix naturally wanted to spend quality time with Elena, while Count Jellisto wanted to have a father-daughter conversation with Elena as their departure time approached.

Even former Grand Duke Kraicher felt he needed time to connect with Elena, as this was his first daughter-in-law. Because of this, the atmosphere had turned somewhat awkward.

The men exchanged glances, engaging in a subtle battle of wills.

‘Though my opinion on whether to accept Elena as a daughter-in-law should be quite important, I’ve never actually spent time alone with her.’

Kraicher decided to eliminate Rudfelix first, as he seemed the easiest target.

He emanated a terrifying aura, suggesting he would become a fearsome father-in-law if Rudfelix didn’t back down. Rudfelix tried to brush it off, but when Kraicher made a “hmm” sound, his fingertips trembled, revealing his agitation.

Kraicher then looked at Count Jellisto.

His eyes screamed ‘Daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law, my daughter-in-law,’ causing Count Jellisto to laugh gently and concede. Only then did Kraicher turn toward Elena with a lightened heart.

‘Rather than sitting still, it would be better to enjoy the cool breeze.’

Having tea in the garden full of grass scents would be nice.

The thought of walking through the garden with his daughter-in-law already brought a smile to his face. While others had multiple daughters-in-law, his son was bringing home just one woman as a wife, which made Elena particularly precious to him.

“It’s late today, so rest and tomorrow……”

“Tomorrow morning we’re scheduled to visit the dress shop. Would you like to come along?”

Lady Schmie suddenly interrupted Kraicher’s words.

“A dress shop?”

Elena had been lost in her own thoughts and hadn’t heard Kraicher’s voice. When she looked at Lady Schmie and asked, the lady welcomed her with a gentle smile.

“Yes. Otherwise I’d have to go alone, and I’d prefer to have you by my side.”

Elena briefly considered whether she had finished all her tasks for the day before nodding immediately.

“Yes. I’d like that.”

“We need to go early. Won’t you be tired?”

“I’m a bit tired, but women don’t relieve fatigue by lying in bed, do we? Choosing pretty things and trying them on makes energy spring up from nowhere.”

“That’s exactly what I meant. Time flies when choosing clothes, so let’s go early.”

The moment Elena mentioned being a woman first, Kraicher lost his chance to interject. Lady Schmie read her husband’s dejected mood and laughed even more heartily. Even someone who had wielded such tremendous power in the world couldn’t endure loneliness.

“If that’s the case, you should go in now and rest.”

As Lady Schmie stood up first, Elena exchanged a glance with Rudfelix.

She conveyed her intention to go to her room and sleep, knowing that if she stayed with him, she wouldn’t be able to sleep until late. Rudfelix nodded, deliberately hiding his trembling lips.

“Father.”

“Don’t call me.”

Kraicher immediately turned his head away at Rudfelix’s call.

“It seems tomorrow will be difficult.”

He meant it would be hard to find time to get close to Elena.

***

The dress shop was run by the tailor they had met before.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

“We’ve come to see clothes for our child.”

“Oh, you loved her so much, and now you’ve finally kept her by your side.”

Lady Schmie didn’t hide that she had a soon-to-be daughter-in-law. The tailor, who had previously made many clothes for Elena, nodded vigorously.

‘Everyone seems completely unsurprised because you’ve been so obvious about it.’

Rather than being surprised, it felt more like “so it finally happened,” making Elena the only one who smiled bashfully.

“This way, please.”

As the tailor led the way, Lady Schmie followed him, pulling Elena’s hand.

“Wouldn’t it be nice to see in person the clothes we’ve only seen in magazines before?”

Elena looked around at this explanation of why they had come directly to the dress shop. Indeed, compared to when the tailor had visited the mansion, many more dresses were beautifully displayed.

“It’s Lady Schmie.”

The gaze of a noble lady who had arrived early and was fanning herself while chatting turned toward them.

She recognized Lady Schmie and waved her fan happily but didn’t approach. When meeting at a dress shop, maintaining proper etiquette was best. Moreover, since Lady Schmie hadn’t come alone this time, the ladies just watched from where they stood.

“That’s the lady from the Jellisto family.”

“Elena, wasn’t it?”

“The Grand Duke’s lover.”

Another lady nodded at one lady’s question.

“She’s properly secured her place beside the Grand Duke. Seeing how much Lady Schmie loves her, I can tell His Grace’s feelings without even looking.”

“That’s uncertain. Family matters can’t be known unless you look directly inside.”

The irritated voice of a lady nervously fanning herself made the other women exchange glances.

They worried Elena might have overheard.

The lady with the irritated voice snapped her fan shut. She was Joudro, who had been in a foul mood since recently being scolded by Elena.

“If you’re so eager to please that lady, why don’t you go over there?”

“I’m just observing since I’m here, not trying to please her.”

“That’s right. I’m just curious because she’s the Grand Duke’s lover……”

Since the curiosity itself stemmed from goodwill, another woman poked her in the ribs.

In the end, unable to hide her interest in Elena, Joudro openly glared at her.

“Everyone pretends not to know until she becomes the Grand Duchess.”

As Joudro turned her head, Elena had just changed clothes and was standing shyly in front of the mirror.

“I’ve been wanting to say something to her when we met, and today’s the day.”

Only Joudro knew what she was going to say. She slammed her fan on the table and stood up demonstratively.

‘I met the Grand Duke first. If I had entered as an aide from the beginning, he would already be my lover.’

Even though Sekreya had also entered as his aide but failed to win his heart, Joudro remained confident.

She hadn’t succeeded because she had tried to seduce the Grand Duke in a dress. This was the conclusion she had reached after thinking about it all day after parting with Elena.

‘If I wore the aide’s clothes, I would look sexier and more suitable.’

She could fill them out more voluptuously than the skinny, twisted Elena.

However, her last shred of pride was that she hadn’t tried to become an aide even belatedly.

Who would have thought Elena would be loved not only by the Grand Duke but also by his family?

Joudro was infuriated by Elena’s good fortune.

‘What exactly does he see in her?’

After confirming that Lady Schmie had disappeared with the tailor, Joudro approached Elena.

She positioned herself behind Elena, who was fidgeting with her new dress, seemingly uncomfortable with it. Simultaneously, Joudro’s gaze shifted to the dress Elena was wearing.

It was the very dress she had been eyeing.

The design featured a V-shaped back with thin gold chains crossing it. It had immediately caught her eye because of its beauty, but she hadn’t tried it on this morning due to a pimple on her back. She had planned to take it home, but now Elena was boldly wearing it and showing off her figure.

‘It looks mediocre.’

Her slender back boasted smooth, fair skin without a single blemish. Although Joudro said it looked mediocre, the staff kept exclaiming with genuine admiration.

“You look so beautiful.”

“This dress was just hung up this morning. It seems it was waiting for you, Miss.”

“Even we didn’t know this dress could sparkle like this until today.”

With each comment from the staff, Elena’s face grew redder.

‘What’s so beautiful about it?’

Joudro snorted and addressed Elena.

“We meet again, don’t we?”

“Indeed we do.”

Elena lifted the skirt of her dress and turned in a different direction.

Wanting to change into another dress quickly, she was about to grab one at random. At that moment, Joudro reached for the dress Elena was looking at.

As two hands landed on one dress, the staff hesitated, unable to approach.

“I was going to wear this.”

“I see.”

When Elena obediently reached for another dress nearby, Joudro shook the hanger. As the dress slipped out of Elena’s hand with the movement, Joudro smiled smugly.

“I had my eye on that one too.”

When Elena reached for another dress without even looking, Joudro snorted.

“That one too.”

She intended to take any dress Elena might choose.

“I’m greedier than I look.”

“Yes, you are quite greedy.”

Elena returned Joudro’s words directly.

“Why do you think I came here today? I came to buy clothes, so naturally I’m choosing ones I like.”

Joudro couldn’t keep the corners of her mouth from rising in small delight.

‘She’s being annoying.’

Elena suppressed a sigh that threatened to escape at Joudro’s mockery. Just like last time, she was a woman who openly displayed her feelings.

‘It’s childish, but the problem is it’s working.’

She could have just walked away regardless of what Joudro said, but strangely, Elena didn’t want to let it go.

Elena exhaled softly and turned around.

Seeing this as Elena tucking her tail and retreating, Joudro stood triumphantly.

She raised her nose high, showing off to her friends with a “See that?” attitude.

“As you can see, I have more than enough money to buy all the clothes I want…… Our family is quite wealthy.”

Despite Elena being the daughter of the Jellisto Trading Company, Joudro’s words felt dismissive. While Elena was contemplating how to respond, Lady Schmie returned.

“Elena, have you seen everything?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s head back.”

“What about the clothes?”

Elena slightly lifted the skirt of the dress she hadn’t yet changed out of, and the tailor came forward to explain instead of Lady Schmie.

“Lady Schmie has purchased all the dresses in the shop. So you may leave wearing exactly what you have on now.”