The Foolish Wife Refuses to Be a Push-Over - Chapter 6

A letter came from Luden. Since letters from him always arrived, I opened it without much thought.

<There’s a debutante ball this week. Can we go together?>

“A debutante ball?”

Nobles of the Duke Empire held their debutantes at the imperial palace. Debutante balls happened quarterly, and each person attended the ball closest to when they came of age.

However, Luden’s father had passed away early, and Luden had barely ascended to the successor position. With so much happening in the midst of that, he couldn’t attend his debutante. So it seemed he was trying to attend now.

‘…Do I have to go too?’

Of course I didn’t dislike it, but it was bothersome. Still, it was Luden’s—yes, my fiancé’s—debutante, so I should go.

Among the conditions he’d set was one about maintaining dignity. Thinking about that, I absolutely had to attend.

But he was asking if I could attend? He could just tell me to attend. No wait, if I had a separate schedule, he meant I should cancel it, right?

Pretending to be kind on the surface while sinisterly plotting schemes. I clenched my fist.

I couldn’t let my guard down. Ever since he’d used Uncle to orchestrate that scheme, I’d become extremely wary of Luden. I’d known he was skilled at scheming, but experiencing it directly made me upset.

Still, well, I’d gotten my revenge on Uncle and received what I was owed, so the deal was fairly concluded, but I was still remembering this.

“Then shall I prepare?”

The debutante ball was next week, and he said he couldn’t see me this week because he’d be busy preparing. He said he was sorry, but he didn’t seem particularly sorry.

I giggled and put the letter in my letter storage box. This would all become memories too.

When we divorced, I’d show these to Luden later and tell him to burn them.

* * *

Tomorrow was the debutante ball. Mother suddenly said she wanted to see him first, so he rushed over.

“I’m sorry I can’t go with you tomorrow.”

Anan was disappointed she couldn’t attend Luden’s debutante ball. If only her body was well, she could have gone.

Then Luden shook his head.

“No, Mother.”

“You’ll go with Annelia, right?”

“Yes.”

Since he had a fiancée, he could go with her. Anan smiled brightly.

“Give her flowers.”

“Flowers?”

“Your father often gave me flowers. I was happy every time.”

Anan raised her hand and reached out to Luden. Luden grasped that hand tightly.

“So you should make her happy too. She’s your fiancée. The woman who will become your wife.”

“Mother…”

“Shouldn’t you make at least one person to grow attached to in preparation for when I’m gone?”

Luden’s eyes wavered. A sorrowful feeling washed over him.

“Mother, you won’t pass away easily.”

“Luden…”

“I won’t let that happen.”

He was sparing no expense, meeting with all kinds of mages and healers to discuss his mother’s condition. Thanks to that, his mother’s condition had improved considerably from before.

“You never know what will happen with a person’s life.”

Anan said that. Luden nodded with a sad heart.

“You want me to give Annelia flowers?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll prepare them. Beautiful flowers that suit Annelia.”

If Mother wanted it, he should do it. Luden held Anan’s hand tightly.

There was a flower shop that mainly did business with the Charlot family. It seemed he’d need to order a bouquet there. Of course, he wouldn’t personally select the bouquet himself.

* * *

While choosing my debutante outfit, I rummaged through the wardrobe and pulled out one dress I liked. Today, a blue dress!

Since it was spring, I chose a dress with a ribbon on the chest and flower patterns. I put on the dress and looked in the mirror.

I put on sky-blue gloves that matched the dress well and wore a gold hair ornament.

“Oh my, you’re so beautiful.”

Lella admired me.

Goodbye to my past self who possessed Annelia and got annoyed. With such a beautiful base, anything looked good. Not just okay, but extremely good.

Since I’d dressed up this much, Luden wouldn’t say anything either. Maintaining dignity as a wife…

I should write that he should maintain dignity as a husband too. But Luden was going to knight training anyway. He wouldn’t have time to maintain dignity.

And when he returned from knight training, we’d divorce right away.

Lella applied lipstick to my lips. When pale pink mixed with deep red, a subtle color emerged.

“Where did you learn this?”

“Miss, that’s a secret.”

Lella smiled confidently. Tsk, she had secrets.

I stayed still since it seemed she wouldn’t teach me if I asked more.

“It’ll be cold in the evening, so bring an outer garment too.”

While saying that, Lella handed me a thick coat. This was essential. I couldn’t catch a cold.

But wearing such a bulky coat over the dress wasn’t great, so I reluctantly decided to just carry it. It wouldn’t be very cold in the early evening anyway, so it would be fine.

By the way, what would Luden look like? Since it was a debutante ball, he’d surely be dressed up handsomely, right?

I was already looking forward to seeing him.

* * *

Luden looked at the bouquet. A beautiful bouquet sat on his lap. Inside the moving carriage, he recalled what his mother had said.

<Shouldn’t you make at least one person to grow attached to in preparation for when I’m gone?>

He still wasn’t sure if he should grow attached to Annelia. However, he knew that if there was someone to grow attached to, it should be Annelia.

It was what his mother wanted, and if she was the woman he’d marry, he truly wanted to do so.

‘Will she be happy receiving the bouquet?’

The carriage that arrived at Duke Rosaline’s residence stopped. He got out of the carriage and walked toward the front door.

The butler seemed to have seen his arrival, and soon after, Annelia slowly descended the stairs. She was dazzling in her blue dress. She wore blue gloves and had her hair elegantly flowing down.

She’d prepared according to dignity, keeping her word exactly.

“You’re beautiful.”

Luden was satisfied with her demeanor.

* * *

Luden was handsome as expected. His obsidian-like black hair, which he usually tied neatly, flowed loose, and he wore black gloves on his hands. He wore formal attire with ornaments near his chest. Being tall with good proportions, the clothes suited him extremely well.

Just looking at him was enchanting. They said the female protagonist in novels fell for the male protagonist at first sight, and I understood that feeling.

So handsome. If only he didn’t have a destined partner, I’d take him. I quickly approached him.

“Luden looks great too. But what kind of gem is this?”

There was a gem embedded in the flower part of the brooch hanging on his chest—a red gem exactly like Luden’s eyes.

“It’s a diamond.”

“What?”

“A specially treated diamond.”

Something that big was a diamond? I didn’t know much, but it must be extremely expensive. The attendant who prepared the outfit must have put in serious effort today.

But Luden was holding a bouquet in his hand. Why did he prepare that?

“This is a gift.”

Luden gave me the bouquet. Several plump red roses were surrounded by white baby’s breath. Why would he do this? What scheme was he plotting?

“I can accept this, right?”

“Annelia.”

“I’m anxious.”

Well, it’s not like I’d refuse a bouquet he was giving, but it felt like receiving delicious poison.

“I just prepared it.”

As if.

Knowing the novel’s setting well, I guessed this was Anan’s doing. Wasn’t he someone indifferent to everyone except those he liked?

Anan loved flowers. She probably told Luden to give flowers as a gift. At my suspicious gaze, Luden spoke confidently.

“Really.”

“Alright.”

He was cute playing innocent, and I had no intention of pressing him, so I put the bouquet in a vase in my room and came back. We departed for the imperial palace.

I’d been curious what the imperial palace looked like, and today I’d see it.

* * *

The imperial palace wasn’t far from the Rosaline residence. After riding for thirty minutes, we arrived at the palace. I pressed against the window and looked outside.

The building was large and splendid. And a strange energy surrounded it. Probably a magical barrier.

A massive building with strange patterns drawn on it towered high. It was very fascinating, different from modern architectural styles. While thinking this, I heard Luden’s voice behind me.

“Annelia.”

“Yes.”

I turned around and sat elegantly. I seemed to have shown him too childish an expression. But I’d been curious about the palace, so I had to look somehow.

“Do you know Prince Reytan Zeren Duke well?”

At his words, I pondered. I had memories of being friendly with him, but these were Annelia’s memories. Since Annelia thought unconditionally well of people, they weren’t very reliable.

“We just exchange greetings.”

This was better. And what was unusual about him again?

“He’s also leaving for knight training.”

“But royalty doesn’t have to go to knight training, right?”

“They’re free to choose.”

“But he’s going…”

Knight training in name, but it was basically like military service in Korea. Who would want to go?

So knight training you had to go to by force—it would be surprising that he’d volunteer to go to that difficult place. However, there was something Luden didn’t know: Reytan would become friends with Luden during knight training. I had no intention of mentioning this though.

Anyway, today was the day Luden would meet a precious connection in his life. Because today was also Reytan’s debutante ball day.

“I should show His Highness the Prince a good impression.”

At his words, I tilted my head.

“Why?”

“I might do business with his maternal family.”

Ah, I see. I didn’t remember the novel’s detailed aspects, so I didn’t know this.

“I asked because you’re acquainted with Annelia.”

“I can at least introduce you.”

Well, I could do this much, right? I had no particular interest in the original story’s flow, but since Luden wanted this, I’d do it. He was my fiancé.

My desire to get along well with him was sincere.

“Thank you.”

Luden said that and smiled. He looked handsome when he smiled.

I admired him like I was entranced. I could understand the hearts of emperors who abandoned state affairs and were only captivated by beautiful women.

* * *

The palace where the debutante ball was held was Sotria Palace. It was a building named after a woman who came in as a mistress and became empress.

Seeing this building, my mouth fell open. Splendid decorations starting from the building’s entrance covered the entire building. The building I’d seen earlier was just baby-level!

In Annelia’s memory, this place was described as just so-so. As expected, memories couldn’t be trusted. You had to see things directly.

I walked down the corridor with my arm linked with Luden’s. The attendant waiting at the entrance saw me and Luden and bowed.

“Lady Duke Rosaline and Marquis Charlot are entering.”

They announced loudly. Then those who’d already arrived at the party turned their heads to look at me and Luden. Sounds of admiration came from here and there.

Haha, I was pretty. Luden was handsome too. Probably few couples could beat us in looks.

“This is my first imperial banquet.”

Luden said that and looked for drinks.

“Are you nervous?”

Luden’s arm was trembling slightly.

“A little.”

It seemed like more than a little. I released his arm. Then Luden walked to where the drinks were.

After his father passed away, his relatives had run wild trying to become marquis instead of the young him. Thanks to his father designating Luden as the next marquis in his will, he barely ascended to the marquis position.

At that time, Luden suffered assassination attempts from relatives, and when the situation became serious, the Emperor personally stepped in and recognized Luden as marquis, but said if there were problems with his qualifications before completing knight training, he’d change the marquis anytime.

His relatives were waiting for him to fail. In a way, since he couldn’t make mistakes at the debutante ball, for him, the debutante ball might not be a simple event.

“Annelia.”

He came with drinks. I decided to praise him for bringing mine too.

“Thank you.”

At my words, Luden nodded. Seeing that, I added.

“I’ll help you not make mistakes.”

I was his fiancée. Then Luden tilted his head.

“You don’t need to do that.”

“No need to refuse! It’s also a virtue to just accept when someone offers kindness.”

At my words, Luden’s eyes wavered. He drank his beverage and sighed.

“…You don’t need to help. Just staying still is fine. You dressed up beautifully enough, so you’ll catch people’s eyes.”

Wait, stay still? He was even telling me not to stand out.

“You said you wanted nothing.”

“I don’t.”

“Then what was that you just said?”

“I was just telling you to be careful.”

He really spoke prettily. I grumbled and drank my beverage.

I should stay quiet as Luden said for now. Nothing should harm him.

* * *

Prince Reytan Zeren Duke entered. He approached me first.

“I greet Your Highness the Prince.”

I greeted him politely. The corners of Reytan’s mouth rose. He was just one of many princes. His maternal family had wealth and bought a title to become nobles, but compared to the Empress’s or other concubines’ families, their power was far weaker.

Of course, compared to ordinary families it was a very good family, but relatively speaking, the other concubines’ families were so powerful. So he always welcomed Annelia, who greeted him properly and looked up to him.

“It’s been a while, Annelia.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“You haven’t been coming to the palace much lately?”

Well, I wasn’t coming because I was dating Luden. Or couldn’t come? Anyway, I was a woman with a schedule too. But since I couldn’t say that, I answered him with my best smile.

“I’ve been busy preparing for the engagement.”

“Is this person Marquis Charlot?”

Reytan and Luden were the same age. Though Luden’s birthday was a few months earlier.

“I’m Luden Charlot.”

Luden greeted him. Reytan nodded. Reytan had black hair like Luden. His eyes were also black, but with a slightly brown tint.

His appearance was handsome, but perhaps because Luden was so outstanding, standing side by side made him look ordinary.

“I’ve heard of your reputation. You’re leading the Charlot family well with excellent skills, right?”

“You’re too kind.”

Luden smiled a formal smile. Reytan conversed with Luden for a while. During the conversation, Luden skillfully praised him.

People of high status usually liked being praised. I knew that fact, and Luden knew it too.

* * *

After Reytan entered, it seemed everyone who was coming had arrived, and the attendants stopped welcoming guests. Gentle music was flowing?

I got to hear directly the sounds of instruments I’d only heard on CDs before coming to this world. I was impressed. Music performed live was different from just listening to files. The delicacy and grandeur couldn’t be matched.

While I was absorbed in the music, Luden extended his hand to me.

“Hm?”

“We should dance.”

“Ah!”

Luden had decided to start the debutante’s first dance with me. Well, it was his first dance—who else would he dance with if not me, his fiancée?

Thinking that, I took his hand and danced. I held Luden’s hand, turned, and looked up at him. He was also dancing naturally.

“When His Highness Reytan praised you, you didn’t seem very happy.”

He was smiling, but rather than being happy, it felt like he was just indifferent. Well, him being happy was a rare thing itself.

“…Yes, I just did. I didn’t work so hard until now just to hear such mediocre praise.”

Well, he’d struggled desperately to survive.