Chapter 1.1 – The Owner of the Blue Shoes

“Truly, you are beautiful, Lady Isabel.”

It was the wedding of the century.  

The union of Isabel Myra and Valentine Winchester.  

At the Winchester Estate, where the grand ceremony was to take place, Liz was but a supporting character.  

As the personal maid tasked with dressing and preparing Isabel Myra, the protagonist of this story and her master, Liz admired the masterpiece she had created with her own hands.  

Isabel’s ruby-red hair was elegantly braided and pinned up, while makeup accentuated her noble features and prominent bone structure.  

The harmony between her appearance and the wedding dress was flawless.  

‘This is perfect.’  

Liz thought to herself with satisfaction.  

However, Isabel frowned as if displeased with everything that day.  

“…Liz.”  

“Yes, yes, Miss. Is there something you’d like me to fix?”  

Liz asked cautiously.  

Originally, Liz had been a seamstress apprentice, but her talent for styling and grooming had made her famous among the nobility.  

Isabel Myra had hired Liz as her personal maid for appearances.  

For Liz, this was an extraordinary stroke of luck.  

Though Isabel was a ‘bit’ more demanding than most employers.  

“Could you draw my eyebrows a bit simpler? Like you commoners do.”  

“Like ours? Hmm, one moment. How about this?”  

“This feels too shabby. Make the angles sharper.”  

“Hmm…”  

It wasn’t until Liz endured a few more scoldings that Isabel’s gaze softened slightly.  

“You can’t even do this properly in one go… Ha.”  

To others, it might have sounded like a rebuke, but it was actually a sign that Isabel was satisfied with the result.  

It was her way of giving praise.  

“Thank you, Miss.”  

Liz smiled brightly and bowed her head.  

The familiar sting of humiliation rose like bile, but she endured it.  

To Liz, the Myra family was her savior.  

They had provided her bankrupt father with a job and helped cover her mother’s hospital bills.  

Thus, Liz had no choice but to cater to Isabel’s whims.  

“Has there been any word from your brother?”  

“Well, no…”  

Liz trailed off, sensing the discomfort of the topic.  

Isabel scoffed.  

“Running off to become an artist… How utterly foolish.”  

People should not entertain useless dreams. They should be content with reality.  

With such remarks, Isabel emphasized her role as a responsible heiress.  

“Compared to him, Liz, you’re quite clever. It’s surprising someone like you was born into your family.”  

That must have been a compliment too. Liz forced an awkward smile.  

“Ah, haha. Thank you.”  

In truth, Liz had also once dreamed of painting, like her mother and brother.  

But painting on a canvas required money, while painting on the faces of noblewomen earned her money.  

Being intelligent enough, Liz Garrett quickly realized this truth.  

As Liz chuckled bitterly, Isabel suddenly spoke.  

“Liz. I have a gift for you.”  

“A gift?”  

Isabel removed her shoes.  

They were bright blue, symbolizing the wedding.  

She nudged the satin shoes, adorned with jewels, with her foot.  

“Here. Take them.”  

Liz’s eyes widened in shock.  

“I couldn’t possibly accept this. These are a gift from His Grace, the Duke of Winchester!”  

Liz was right.  

These shoes had been a gift from Valentine Winchester, who was currently downstairs greeting guests.  

In the kingdom, it was customary for the groom to present the bride with shoes that matched the color of his eyes.  

But Isabel merely smirked.  

“What’s the big deal?”  

“It is a big deal!”  

For once, Liz shook her head in disagreement with Isabel.  

The Blue Jewel of the Kingdom. Valentine Winchester was the perfect gentleman.  

Hair that shimmered like golden thread, bright blue eyes.  

And, unlike many high-ranking nobles, he had an impeccable reputation.  

Because of this, the maids of the Myra household envied Liz, who would soon work in the Winchester household.  

Liz herself was secretly pleased about the change in her work environment.  

As someone who had once dreamed of becoming an artist, being near something so beautiful was comforting.  

“Do you want to marry the Duke of Winchester too?”  

“Pardon?”  

Isabel spoke casually, but Liz’s eyes widened in surprise.  

She had, of course, fantasized about marrying such a dashing man.  

But she knew it was an impossible dream.  

Liz was more aware of this than anyone else.  

‘The two of them are truly the perfect couple…’  

Valentine always escorted Isabel with kindness and elegance.  

Even those who criticized their marriage as a business arrangement fell silent when they saw the two together.  

Their marriage didn’t seem like a loveless political union at all.  

Even Liz, who had only observed them from afar, was convinced.  

This marriage was perfect.  

Even entertaining the thought of coming between them felt like a sin.  

“Miss, every woman in the kingdom would want to marry His Grace, the Duke of Winchester.”  

Liz smiled, trying to hide her bitterness.  

Isabel should have been the happiest bride in the world today.  

Yet Isabel gazed out the window with a strange expression.  

“Yes, I suppose so.”  

“Lady Isabel…?”  

Liz studied Isabel’s expression.  

Before Liz could discern the reason for Isabel’s demeanor, Isabel smiled gracefully.  

“Anyway, I’ll give you these shoes. In exchange, may I have the leather shoes you’re wearing?”  

“My shoes? Why on earth…?”  

Liz, who rarely questioned Isabel, couldn’t help but be baffled this time.  

But Isabel continued calmly.  

“They say if a bride wears old shoes hidden beneath her dress and successfully completes the wedding, she’ll live happily ever after.”  

“No matter what, that’s…”  

Liz’s jaw dropped at the absurdity of the claim.  

Isabel wasn’t the type to believe in such superstitions.  

‘Perhaps it’s because she’s nervous about her wedding.’  

As Liz hesitated, Isabel frowned.  

“Come on, Liz.”  

Isabel disliked repeating herself.  

Left with no choice, Liz sighed and removed her leather shoes.  

After all, she was Isabel’s maid.  

“Here you go…”  

Liz knelt and carefully slipped the shoes onto Isabel’s feet.  

“Hm…”  

Isabel’s elegant brows furrowed.  

Liz’s worn leather shoes clashed horribly with Isabel’s dress.  

“Well, at least they’re comfortable.”  

“Well, they’re completely worn out…”  

Liz, kneeling, wiggled her bare toes awkwardly.  

“Yes. Now put on my shoes quickly, Liz.”  

Isabel nudged the blue shoes beside her with her foot.  

The shoes rolled to Liz’s knees.  

Liz stared down at the bright blue shoes.  

The humiliation felt like a bruise, deep and blue.  

The blood that had burst inside didn’t flow out but pooled, leaving Liz in pain.  

“Don’t argue. Hurry up.”  

Isabel urged.  

Liz smiled bitterly and slipped her feet into the blue shoes, rising to her feet.  

The stiff new shoes were incredibly uncomfortable.  

They didn’t match her shabby maid’s uniform at all.  

“You look lovely! They suit you so well.”  

Isabel laughed brightly. It was the happiest smile she had shown all day.  

Liz sighed deeply and replied.  

“I’ll return them as soon as the ceremony is over.”  

“You don’t have to. I’m giving them to you.”  

“No! I couldn’t possibly accept them. Truly.”  

Liz waved her hands in refusal.  

“If you insist… Do as you wish.”  

Isabel turned her head toward the window.  

It was a sign that she wanted to be left alone.  

“Do you need anything else?”  

“Make sure no one comes near this room. I can’t stand noise.”  

“Even Sir Kay?”  

Kay was Isabel’s personal guard.  

Although he was originally a foreign slave, his skills had earned Isabel’s favor.  

“Don’t be ridiculous!”  

Isabel’s voice suddenly rose.  

Startled, Liz quickly bowed her head. Sharp reprimands followed above her.  

“The world is dangerous these days. Even in Holt Kingdom, you can’t let your guard down.”  

She wasn’t wrong. Holt Kingdom valued noble authority.  

In contrast, the neighboring Florang Kingdom had recently seen nobles assassinated by revolutionaries.  

“I’m sorry.”  

“Leave only Kay and dismiss everyone else.”  

Isabel’s expression wavered slightly as she spoke.  

But Liz, unaware of this, cheerfully stood up.  

“Yes. Rest well. I’ll relay your message to the others and Sir Kay.”  

Isabel shot Liz a sharp look before letting out a deep sigh.  

“Fine. You may go.”  

Liz bowed and left Isabel’s room.  

As she walked, an unfamiliar prickle shot through her feet.  

A chill ran down her spine. The pain felt like a warning.  

But Liz shook her head and clenched her fists.  

“Just another ordinary day.”  

Liz whispered a small prayer as she descended the stairs.  

The Winchester Estate was bustling with activity, with only a few hours remaining until the wedding.  

Liz glanced around, taking in the frantic energy of the preparations.  

She noticed a group of Winchester’s staff huddled together in a corner, receiving instructions from the head maid.  

“…You all heard me, right? Also, there’s a chance Archibald Winchester, a collateral relative of the Winchesters, might show up today.”  

“What should we do if he does?”  

“He’s not an invited guest, so if he causes trouble, call security immediately. And you, who are you?”  

The head maid’s gaze landed on Liz, who quickly stepped forward with a cheerful response.  

“Oh, I was just here to relay Lady Isabel’s instructions….”  

After delivering Isabel’s message to various people, Liz blended in with the Winchester staff and helped with the wedding preparations.  

“You, with the brown hair, go up to the third floor and fetch the drapes from the storage room.”  

“Yes, understood!”  

At the head maid’s orders, Liz hurried up to the third floor.  

Strictly speaking, Liz wasn’t a servant of the Winchester household, so she wasn’t obligated to help.  

However, it was wise to follow instructions for now.  

After all, once Isabel became the Duchess of Winchester, Liz would inevitably be working alongside these people.  

“This should be the storage room….”  

Liz had a general idea of the Winchester Estate’s layout, having followed Isabel around while assisting her with her wardrobe and grooming.  

However, she rarely had a reason to come up to the third floor.  

She began opening doors one by one, checking each room.  

“Ugh, why won’t this room open….”  

She pushed hard against a stubbornly closed door, and as it finally creaked open, a cool breeze swept out from within.  

A sweet, intoxicating scent filled the air, so potent it seemed capable of making one dizzy.  

Drawn in as if under a spell, Liz stepped into the room.  

Standing before her was none other than today’s groom, Valentine Winchester.