After changing clothes and coming out, I looked carefully in the mirror. The outfit suited me better than I’d thought.

Especially since the original Annelia had pretty collarbones. This dress highlighted that feature. It seemed like a necklace embedded with large jewels would match well with this.

“Does it suit me?”

“It suits you very well.”

Actually, the outfit I chose was one of the most expensive ones here.

“I’ll take this one.”

“What about the others?”

“Um, I want to look at something other than the engagement ceremony dress.”

Kalien quickly guided me.

Everything Kalien showed me was just as glamorous as the engagement ceremony dress. The prices seemed extremely expensive too.

“Are all the embedded stones real jewels?”

“Of course. That’s what makes them beautiful.”

Well, that’s true.

Lella was sparkling with excitement beside me. I wasn’t particularly opposed either, so I picked one more. I needed a glamorous dress to wear to formal occasions.

But this was money Luden gave me. I wanted to spend it very well.

Now that I’d picked everything to buy, I should pay.

I handed over a check without looking at the price. Kalien’s eyes sparkled.

She must have made a huge profit today, selling two expensive outfits.

“But there are no other customers?”

“Today I only served Lady Annelia.”

“Ah…”

It seemed to be because of Luden. Luden was the one who brought the catalog too.

If I hadn’t gotten engaged to the Charlot family, this wouldn’t have happened, right?

“I’d like to have a cup of tea.”

Kalien smiled.

“Shall I bring you a cup?”

“Yes, I’ve finished picking out clothes and want to drink some before leaving to rest a bit.”

“While you wait, shall I bring you a catalog? The fall clothes are already out.”

At Kalien’s words, I pondered for a moment before nodding. If there was something I liked, it would be better to reserve it.

‘Good.’

While Kalien brewed tea, I smiled softly and looked at the catalog she gave me.

There weren’t many clothes in the catalog. But each one was pretty and seemed like it would suit me well.

“How about something like this?”

At Lella’s words as we looked together, I paused for a moment.

“Won’t it make me look fat?”

Lella laughed.

“If you wear clothes like this well, you look innocent.”

“Really?”

“Of course. And you have a good figure, my lady.”

“That’s true.”

Thinking about my previous body, I unconsciously avoided loose-fitting clothes.

It seems comfortable though.

Since I’d been wearing only tight-fitting clothes every day, having one outfit like that seemed fine.

Kalien brought the tea. And she quietly stayed beside me so I could look at the catalog. She didn’t rush me to drink the tea quickly or pick clothes fast.

After a while, I raised my hand.

“The embroidery here is yellow—can it be changed to gold?”

Kalien spoke matter-of-factly.

“Of course.”

“I’ll decide on this one.”

I could wear this and meet Luden in the fall.

Meeting with Luden, we often went to high-class restaurants. Because of that, my existing clothes felt a bit inadequate.

Kalien quickly received the catalog I returned. Then she smiled gently.

Mm, that’s a smile for dealing with customers.

“Shall I reserve this for you?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”

“The clothes are beautiful, truly.”

“I have pride in that at least.”

After finishing the tea, I stood up.

“I’ll come again next time.”

“I’ll contact you when the fall clothes you ordered are ready.”

“Okay.”

For the time being, I’d only deal with this place. Because they have skill. And now I have the money to buy these clothes.

I was about to go home now. But why isn’t the carriage coming?

It should be time for the carriage sent from the ducal family to arrive…

The distance is too far to walk…

While I was pondering, a carriage with a familiar emblem appeared before me. The emblem with a blue butterfly drawn on it belonged to the Charlot family.

“Hm?”

And Luden got out of the carriage.

“When did you come out?”

Luden asked me.

“Just a moment ago, but how did Luden get here…?”

“The coachman contacted a Charlot family business. He said the Duke’s daughter is waiting and asked if someone could go pick her up instead.”

“Was the carriage badly damaged?”

“They say it’ll take several days to fix.”

The Rosaline family has no carriages besides the one Father rides in and the one I ride in.

Father went out today, so there’s no spare carriage. This is because we sold carriages as the family’s fortunes declined while doing business.

“But Luden must have been busy…”

I felt very sorry. Then Luden stared at me.

“Get in first.”

“Okay.”

At Luden’s words, I boarded the carriage. Lella and Seren boarded the carriage that came behind. The carriage started moving.

“Let’s go look at carriages next time we meet.”

“Mm, shall we?”

It seemed we should have a spare carriage. I agreed with Luden’s words. It’s not like we don’t have money now.

“But why were you at Kalien Shop…?”

“To choose clothes to wear at the engagement ceremony.”

Luden frowned.

“If something like this happens, we should come together.”

Unexpected words came from Luden. I tilted my head.

“Isn’t it fine to just look at the catalog and choose something appropriate?”

“I need to know the design too so I can match my clothes properly.”

“Ah, as for what design it is.”

I showed him the outfit in the catalog. It was a beautiful dress with exposed collarbones.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Right?”

“Seeing it like this makes me want to see it in person.”

“Luden…?”

Why is he like this?

He subtly turned his eyes away, then bowed his head and said.

“If I see it in person, it’s easier to match clothes.”

Ah, is that it? I nodded.

“Annelia wearing this outfit will be beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

It’s probably just a formal statement, but I felt excited for a moment.

“And I bought some other dresses too.”

“What kind?”

“I’ll wear them out next week. Luden was curious about them too.”

“Mm, is that strange?”

“When we first met, you didn’t show emotions, so I thought you wouldn’t be very curious about things.”

I spoke casually. Then Luden laughed.

Hm?

“As a fiancé, I naturally want to know what clothes my fiancée wears.”

“I see.”

I nodded.

* * *

At her words, Luden thought “oops.”

Did he show too much interest?

He was afraid. Afraid that Annelia would feel burdened by his feelings, and afraid that her attitude would change if she knew his heart.

It didn’t seem like she would use his feelings. He wasn’t worried about that. But would she actually like these feelings of his? He didn’t know that.

And he was afraid of being rejected. Afraid that even the friendly, friend-like atmosphere would disappear.

So he planned to wait until she opened her heart to him and slowly approached. They would get married and spend a long time together, after all.

“I’ll look forward to the dress you’ll wear.”

Luden spoke businesslike, but inside his heart was fluttering.

“Are you okay after the accident?”

At Luden’s words, Annelia waved her arms.

“I’m sturdier than I look.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Still, I’m glad Luden came.”

This involved Annelia. Even if he was busy, he had no choice but to come.

“There isn’t much time left until the engagement ceremony.”

At Luden’s sudden words, Annelia tilted her head.

“That’s right.”

“We need to sort out who to invite in advance too.”

“Hm?”

“So I think I’ll need to see Annelia frequently for a while. Annelia will soon become the Marchioness Charlot, so you need to know who’s connected to our family.”

Luden’s lips trembled. Would she notice his true intention of struggling to be with Annelia?

“Ah, I see.”

Annelia nodded without much thought. She hadn’t noticed his thoughts at all.

“Okay, let’s meet often.”

Annelia said that. Hearing that answer, Luden smiled.

It seemed he’d be able to see her more often from now on.

* * *

I went because Caromiel called me. A letter came from Luden, and he said he had something to discuss with me because of its contents.

What is it? Since Luden is a man whose thoughts are so unknowable, I always end up thinking strange things.

I opened the door and entered. Then Caromiel, who was organizing papers, saw me and waved his hand.

“Come in.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Luden says he wants to create the engagement ceremony invitation list with you.”

“What does that mean?”

“He wants to meet tomorrow and help you create the list properly.”

At his words, I tilted my head.

“If it’s Luden, he’d handle work efficiently.”

“That’s right.”

“It would be better to do it with Father. Ah, is it because of that?”

Caromiel tilted his head.

“What do you mean?”

“Luden once said I should know about the Charlot family.”

“I see.”

“I’ll become the mistress of the Charlot family, so I should know something about those involved.”

I said that and drank cold beverage.

Once we created and sent the list, the engagement ceremony preparations would be finished. Finally, I could see the end.

When I organize the list with Luden, I should eat out.

‘Meat after a long time.’

“First, here’s the list I created.”

Caromiel showed me the list he’d been creating. Quite many people were written down. There were no relatives.

“There are no relatives.”

“I need to make an example.”

Caromiel was very angry about uncle’s matter.

Right, we need to show them. Sometimes you need to show your power.

“That’s a good idea.”

“Annelia, you don’t need to live too kindly.”

Caromiel spoke in a worried voice.

“That’s right.”

I know well what he’s worried about.

“Then have a good trip.”

“Yes.”

Tomorrow is the day to wear the newly bought dress as promised with Luden.

Luden will see it and say it’s beautiful. Of course, it’ll be a formal statement.

* * *

Luden was riding in a carriage. Since Annelia said she wanted to eat a salad with meat this time, he’d found out in advance where it tasted good.

Annelia always told him what she wanted to eat next week before parting. So without much thought, he chose restaurants according to her taste.

The carriage stopped. Getting out of the carriage, he found the butler waiting for him in front of the entrance door of the Rosaline family mansion.

“She’s waiting.”

The butler said that and bowed his head.

It seemed Annelia was inside.

Neither he nor Annelia had ever broken appointment times, and they hated not keeping appointment times. Her sense of time was good.

Opening the door and entering, Annelia was sitting on the sofa reading a book.

Luden saw her and lost his words.

She’d pinned up her long blonde hair but let down a few strands. The outfit was a sleeveless dress that exposed her arms and cinched the waist. The neck was also cut refreshingly low.

“Does it suit me?”

The sky-blue dress was extremely beautiful. But rather than the dress, his eyes went to Annelia wearing it.

“Of course.”

Luden spoke in a trembling voice and approached her.

* * *

I tilted my head.

Hm? Something felt strange.

“You’re truly beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

I looked at Luden’s face as he said that. I thought he was just saying it formally, but his eyes were trembling. His voice was the same.

Is he sincere?

What he said about me being pretty was genuine. I was flustered for a moment.

Luden is cool and calm. He’d lived that way and would continue to live that way. So Luden acting like this wouldn’t be a common occurrence.