“But Luden, why didn’t you give me the bouquet? Andre brought it and said you couldn’t give it to me.”

When I brought it up haltingly, his expression turned grim. He seemed angry, so my voice grew smaller without realizing it.

“You went on a trip back then, so I couldn’t give it to you.”

So he’d been preparing flowers for me since then.

He didn’t say anything and sighed, then swept back my hair.

I kept closing and opening my eyes as drowsiness washed over me.

“Go to sleep.”

“But I need to finish drinking.”

Half the bottle of wine was still left.

“I’ll drink it and clean up.”

Luden stood me up. I practically fell into his arms as I got up and giggled.

“Luden’s arms are warm.”

Luden let out a deep sigh.

“Be grateful I’m not the type to pounce on drunk people.”

His voice seemed angry. But I didn’t do anything wrong.

I grumbled as I lay on the bed in his arms. Even in my drowsiness, I felt the gentle hand stroking me. That touch felt so good it could bring tears to my eyes, and I murmured without thinking.

“I like it.”

Then the hand stopped and started again.

It continued until I fell completely asleep.

* * *

Annelia was sleeping soundly. Luden, who had been touching her hair, stroked her sleeping cheek and nose.

Her sleeping face was truly lovely.

Luden looked at his hand and kissed it. It felt strange because it held Annelia’s scent.

Originally, he’d planned to take Annelia after the wedding ceremony. She wouldn’t be able to refuse on that day.

But seeing her drunk changed his mind.

Annelia seducing him in such an unguarded state—he’d held back countless times from wanting to kiss those pretty lips.

If he kissed her, Annelia would react more honestly than usual. But he stopped because he felt he wouldn’t be able to hold back if he did.

Looking at the wine, he stood up and emptied what remained in the bottle. He was a bit disappointed that Annelia didn’t tell him why she got drunk, but perhaps she couldn’t say because it was related to him. He should ask again later when she’s in an unguarded state.

Luden instructed the maids to clear away the wine bottles, rubbed the hand that had held her warmth, and left the room.

If he stayed in this room any longer, he might kiss her while she slept.

And he had things to do.

He went downstairs. Andre, who was in the study, waved his hand.

“Did it go well?”

“Andre, don’t you have something to tell me?”

“Ah, the bouquet?”

Andre’s eyes sparkled.

“I worked pretty hard on that.”

“Why did you do such a thing?”

“Our Marquis’s feelings—the lady should know them now.”

Andre was calling Annelia “my lady.” At his teasing, Luden exhaled, sat in a chair, leaned back, and sighed.

“If you do something like that again without my permission, I’m cutting your salary.”

Luden said that and propped his chin on his hand.

“Did you finish handling everything?”

“Of course. Who do you think I am? I’m Andre.”

“Right.”

Luden thought of those who had looked down on Annelia. He couldn’t reach out to all of them, but he could at least deal with the relatives.

What kind of reaction would Annelia show if she knew about this?

He both wanted to tell her and didn’t want to tell her. With this strange feeling, he swept back his hair.

Since he’d decided to consummate tomorrow, he should call the head maid to prepare. She’d be busy preparing for the engagement ceremony, but giving her additional work bothered him a bit, though it was still necessary. For him.

“Finally, tomorrow’s the engagement ceremony.”

Andre whistled.

“Try asking her to live here together.”

Andre was gently provoking Luden.

“It’s not easy.”

Maintaining an appropriate distance from Annelia might be better for her. She might want that.

Luden’s feelings grew complicated. Even knowing this, Andre poked at Luden’s desires and teased him.

* * *

When I woke up in the morning, my head hurt like it would split. But I couldn’t complain on the day of the engagement ceremony, so I got up without a word and headed to the bathroom.

I remembered everything that happened yesterday.

I added fragrant oil with a rose scent. As I smelled the scent rising from the water in the bathtub, I recalled what happened last night and quickly dunked underwater.

Ah, how embarrassing. Consummation! So today Luden and I will do this and that?

I didn’t want to be conscious of it, but I was. I didn’t want to leave the bathroom.

“We’ll bathe you.”

Then the maids entered the bathroom. They grabbed my arms and legs and diligently soaped me up.

“My lady, you have such a beautiful figure!”

“Such beauty!”

“You match Lord Luden so well.”

I know I’m pretty. But I wasn’t used to being praised like this. Of course, if it were Lella, I’d handle it calmly, but these were still strangers.

Unable to overcome my embarrassment at their praise, I quickly put on a robe and came out. There, Lella and the head maid were together holding towels.

I was introduced to the Marquis family’s head maid yesterday. She was also Luden’s nanny and looked at me with very warm eyes. Her name was Kerona.

“Have you finished bathing, my lady?”

They called me “my lady” as soon as I arrived. But I haven’t even had the engagement ceremony with Luden yet.

They sat me in a chair and squeezed the water from my hair with a towel. Since there was no hair dryer, I had to wait for my hair to dry. Since my hair was long, it would take some time to dry.

“I’ll make your makeup as pretty as possible.”

Lella admired the cosmetics. While preparing for the engagement ceremony, Luden had freshly prepared new cosmetics too.

“I get to use these.”

Since the Charlot family operated a high-end cosmetics brand, there were unintentionally only Charlot family products.

I’d considered using Luna’s cosmetics, but honestly, the color selection wasn’t great. Luna seemed to hope I’d use her cosmetics for my wedding, but I ignored her.

Kerona and Lella admired my appearance while selecting and applying cosmetics.

I began preparing for the engagement ceremony while fighting my hangover.

* * *

Millen was looking at clothes. It was to attend Annelia’s engagement ceremony today. Of course, Caromiel hadn’t given him an invitation, but he was Annelia’s uncle. He naturally thought it was fine to go.

Dressed up, wearing shoes and a hat, he looked in the mirror. He thought he looked very handsome.

“Father, will it really be okay?”

Petrik, Millen’s son and Annelia’s cousin, spoke in a worried voice. Petrik had flowing blonde hair and murky green eyes similar to Annelia’s.

He was also preparing to go to the wedding following his father, but unlike his father, he was genuinely worried.

“Of course we should go. We’re Annelia’s relatives.”

Caromiel was his older brother. So he must have just forgotten to invite them. Of course, he’d committed one small mistake, but what was the big deal about that?

Millen thought that and tried to leave the house.

But then, someone entered Millen’s estate.

Millen saw the person from the Charlot family who came to find him. They politely greeted Millen and delivered Luden’s letter.

“Are they giving me the invitation now?”

Millen simply thought that and received the invitation. He thought there would be an apology letter with it too. But it contained different content.

Millen’s hands trembled. His face, clenching his teeth, was filled with anger.

“Father, what’s wrong?”

Petrik approached and looked at the letter Millen was holding.

“No!”

Millen had hoped to collaborate with the Charlot family. But Luden had refused that and written not to come to today’s engagement ceremony.

“I’m going anyway!”

Millen tried to leave the estate in anger. Petrik stopped his father. And the silver-haired man who brought the letter also smiled and said something.

“You cannot leave here.”

Taking off the hat he was wearing, he approached Millen and said quietly.

“Knights have already surrounded the estate.”

“What?”

“Those who refuse the Marquis’s orders might be treated a bit roughly.”

Then Millen’s complexion turned pale. He’d dismissed his escort knights recently because of financial difficulties!

“D*mn it!”

Millen spat out a curse.

He didn’t expect the Charlot family to come on so strong.

“Annelia!”

It was because of what that girl did. If she had quietly given him money, nothing like this would have happened.

He bit his lip. He would repay this someday.

* * *

The dress I’d wear on the engagement ceremony day was white. The wedding dress would be white too. Anyway, I wore the dress I’d ordered from the shop and waited for Luden. Luden appeared wearing a black suit like he was having a wedding.

Long legs, a firm waist, and a handsome face. He was an incredibly impressive man. I still couldn’t believe I was getting engaged to a man like this.

He’s a man who’ll go to another woman, so why am I so dazed?

The engagement ceremony procedure was simple. Just go to the cake, cut it, and greet the guests, and it’s over.

First, I had to enter holding hands with Luden all the way to the hall where the engagement ceremony was held.

I looked at Luden’s hand. Then, seemingly noticing my gaze, Luden turned his head to look at me and raised the corner of his mouth.

“Does that mean you want to hold hands?”

“Ah, yes.”

We should hold hands here, so what else? I spoke casually, but Luden took my hand and asked quietly.

“Do you dislike my hand?”

“Of course not.”

“Then you could have grabbed it first.”

Then he frowned. Shaking his head like something didn’t sit right with him, he took my hand and walked into the hall.

Many people were inside the hall. Those who appeared to be Luden’s cousins were also seated. They also had red eyes, but not as vivid red as Luden’s.

My father Caromiel was at the front of the hall. And next to Caromiel were my father’s close acquaintances and my acquaintances who had attended the healing tea time party.

And originally Annelia would have had no acquaintances, but thanks to my efforts as the new Annelia, I had acquaintances.

I made eye contact with those who entered.

“I congratulate the two of you on your engagement.”

Caromiel announced the start of the engagement ceremony. Then, with people watching, Luden and I overlapped our hands and cut the cake. Everyone applauded.

When Luden and I first ate pieces of cake on plates, others began eating.

And with music flowing gently, we had to dance first so others could dance too. Luden and I began dancing, holding hands.

The heels were high, making it difficult to dance. Seemingly knowing this, Luden led smoothly.

“Luden, but are we really going to consummate?”

When I asked, Luden stared at me.

“Yes, we will.”

Luden spoke like he wouldn’t back down no matter what I said. I sighed and whispered to him.

“It’s my first time, so go easy on me.”

Ugh, saying this is so embarrassing.

“I trust Luden will lead well.”

Luden’s expression hardened. Then he looked at me again.

“Does Annelia dislike men who are inexperienced?”

Inexperienced? Who…?

Surely he’s not trying to say that with that face and that body, he’s never had a woman until now?

Seemingly noticing my gaze, Luden slightly turned his head to the side. A blush colored his ears.

“Please answer.”

“I don’t dislike inexperienced men either.”

But in the original work, Luden definitely had divine bedroom skills and pleased the female lead. For that, he naturally should have had some experience with women, right?

C-could it be! Was Annelia his first woman!

‘Plot hole.’

I shouted internally.

“Let’s do well together.”

Luden just vaguely glossed over this situation.

Wait, do well at what exactly?

I could guess, but I was too embarrassed to continue that line of thought.