Chapter 3: Founding Anniversary Festival (2)

A quiet but not awkward meal time quickly passed. As soon as Chloe, who had adequately filled her stomach, stood up, she was guided somewhere by the maids.

The stern-looking head maid personally opened the door to the dressing room and explained today’s schedule.

“Normally, it’s customary to skip meals and tighten the corset, but in Miss Chloe’s case, we will accommodate your convenience as much as possible. Would you like to choose a dress first and then receive a bath service? If you find the service uncomfortable, we will only assist with applying the fragrant oil.”

“……Wait a moment. You mean I have to choose a dress now, wash, apply fragrant oil, and wear something uncomfortable?”

“You will also need to style your hair and apply makeup. Shall we take care of choosing and decorating the accessories as well?”

My goodness.

Chloe looked at the head maid with a weary face. Another reason was added to why she didn’t want to become a noble.

“Is there no way to avoid this?”

“The Grand Duke has instructed us to respect Miss Chloe’s wishes, but he also mentioned this: Isn’t it much better to start getting ready from lunch rather than spending the whole day on it?”

“Hah.”

She let out a hollow laugh, realizing what the head maid meant by the Grand Duke’s words.

All day, or from lunchtime. Familiar words.

Weren’t these the words said when planning today from the capital?

‘Tehis Escalante. You had a cunning side, huh?’

This was clearly a way of saying to pay the price for the time bought with the two missed meetings. It wasn’t a bad idea to cooperate with the dressing up since she had to stay here anyway.

Chloe felt a peculiar sense of betrayal, her back of the head tingling. More than anything, it was surprising that a man who seemed straightforward could come up with such a sly plan.

‘Sly……’

Chloe repeated the word she muttered inwardly and raised one corner of her mouth. If it was about being sly, it was one of the areas she was very confident in.

“Alright. Even if it’s a bit uncomfortable, please make me as pretty and glamorous as possible.”

“Yes, Miss Chloe. This way, please.”

* * *

Afterward, a few hours passed like days for the mage. Though she went through very troublesome and annoying tasks, she didn’t complain.

Entrusting herself to the maids, she straightened her tired mind and looked in the mirror, seeing a surprisingly beautiful woman.

The makeup accentuating her distinct features made her cat-like eyes appear charming. Her cheeks, with a light blush, looked lovely, and her lips, in a shade between red and pink, drew a seductive line.

Her hair, flowing smoothly, shimmered like a galaxy’s waves with every movement. The pin fixed on the side of her hair formed a floral shape, highlighting her purity, while the slightly open-back dress showcased her maturity as a woman.

The balance, which could easily appear awkward if not handled well, was perfectly achieved under the hands of experts. It wasn’t easy to pull off such contrasting concepts, but Chloe, who managed it, spoke wearily.

“You’ve done a great job. Indeed, I look different when dressed up.”

“Yes, Miss Chloe. It was an honor to assist you.”

Behind the bowing head maid, a few maids had faces filled with emotion. They couldn’t openly express their admiration while dressing her, but seeing the result, which was like a piece of art, moved them deeply.

Leaving behind the maids who had burned their artistic souls white, Chloe checked her appearance once more.

A luxurious dress adorned with elegant lace. A necklace encircling her neck broadly. Her beautifully made-up face and hair decorations.

The only thing unchanged amidst the glamorous adornments was the amethyst earrings. They suited her well and were much more useful and valuable than useless gemstone earrings, so she kept them.

‘Though I doubt I’ll have a chance to use these in the Imperial Palace.’

Chloe sighed, stopping her habitual motion of tucking her side hair behind her ear, remembering the hair decoration. She hadn’t planned to dress up this much, but the thought of  teasing the Grand Duke with seduction led her to overdo it.

Before she could even tell him to bear the consequences of his actions, she had to endure this herself.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Miss Chloe, the Grand Duke asked how much longer it will take. What should I tell him?”

“It’s all done, so it’s fine. I’ll go to him myself.”

“Yes, Miss Chloe. The Grand Duke is in the reception room. Have a pleasant time.”

The voice kindly informing her of Tehis’s location was familiar.

‘Do aides usually do such menial tasks?’

Chloe had a light question but left the room without asking. She had no way of knowing that Lisa was busily working to build a bridge of love with her sleeves rolled up.

Now familiar with the interior of the Grand Duke’s residence, she headed to the reception room without needing to ask for directions. As she was about to knock on the ornate door, fitting for a room to entertain guests, Tehis’s voice came first.

“Come in.”

“How did you know?”

Chloe asked as she opened the door and entered. She didn’t expect him to recognize her specifically, not just sensing someone’s presence. It was easy to guess her identity since he only used formal language with her in the mansion.

“Your footsteps…….”

Tehis, who had put down the book he was reading and looked at Chloe, paused for a moment. Without thinking it was rude, he looked her over from head to toe and slowly finished his sentence.

“……were light and cheerful, so I knew.”

“You thought I looked pretty, didn’t you?”

Chloe, who knew no shame, approached Tehis with a bright smile.

His lips, avoiding and then meeting her gaze, parted with a low tone.

“Yes, Chloe.”

His lips, which seemed about to say more, closed again without adding anything.

He, who was dull to beauty, felt awkward directly complimenting a woman’s beauty. He completely forgot that he had said all sorts of things in front of others.

Just now, if he had simply said she looked really pretty in Escalante’s navy blue dress.

Then.

For some reason, he felt he would keep staring at her.

“You’ve done well.”

“That’s all?”

Look at this man, not even praising when we’re alone?

Chloe raised and lowered her eyebrows and gave a radiant smile.

Tehis, feeling uneasy, had no time to react before she pushed him back against the sofa with her hands on his shoulders.

With his upper body pushed back and looking up at her, the woman leaned in close and spoke clearly.

“You are dazzlingly beautiful, Chloe.”

“Dazzlingly…….”

Repeating the words, clearly meant for him to follow, Tehis opened and closed his mouth several times. His blue eyes wandered before meeting her orange eyes.

There was no place to escape from the overly close distance.

Under the darker than usual eyes, there was a blazing sun.

Whenever he looked into her always confident eyes, such expressions came to mind. A brilliantly dazzling flame.

So-.

“-Dazzlingly beautiful, Chloe.”

Did I really like orange eyes this much?

Leaving the momentarily confused Tehis alone, Chloe smiled in satisfaction.

“You’re good at it, but you tried to escape. I almost felt disappointed.”

“……I’ll keep that in mind next time.”

“Why not do more now?”

At her playful question, the Grand Duke chose silence.

As he kept closing his mouth, Chloe’s other hand grabbed his chin.

“Why? Tess, I’ve put something on my lips, should I just kiss you all over?”

“What on earth……!”

What kind of threat is this?

As Tehis was flustered, the drawing room door clicked open. The maid bringing the ordered tea froze at the sight of the two in a suggestive position.

“I-I’m sorry!”

Barely managing to hold onto the tray she almost dropped, she trembled, pale-faced. Bowing her head, she cautiously retreated from the room to avoid interrupting their time.

Click.

“…….”

“…….”

The fake couple looked at the closed door and then at each other. After a moment of silence, Chloe burst into laughter.

“I made her misunderstand. How should I apologize?”

Unlike her, who seemed to find the situation amusing, Tehis sighed wearily. Letting go of his face, Chloe stood up straight.

“I thought about leaving a lipstick mark on your cheek, but I’ll spare you this time.”

“……That’s very kind of you.”

The mage, who shrugged at the Grand Duke’s reluctant answer, turned around with a smile. She plopped down on the sofa next to him and asked the question she originally intended.

“When are we leaving? You asked how much longer it would take, didn’t you?”

“We should leave soon. There will be snacks at the banquet, but if you want a light dinner beforehand, we can prepare it now.”

“I’m fine. Since we’re going, I might as well eat some food to get my money’s worth.”

At her answer, Tehis glanced at Chloe. He had heard from Lisa that she didn’t have breakfast. But he didn’t know she would skip dinner so nonchalantly as well.

‘That’s why she’s so thin.’

Maybe because he had just been thinking about her eyes, the elements that made up her figure came to mind one after another. He remembered describing her as having a soft body that fit perfectly in one arm.

Tehis’s gaze moved from Chloe’s exposed shoulder to her waist. The mage, who didn’t notice him as she yawned, stretched her stiff body and asked.

“Is it really okay to just stay on the terrace? You’re the Grand Duke, after all.”

“There are more people who would prefer me not to be there, so it’s fine. No one will complain about skipping uncomfortable formalities.”

Is it okay for a Grand Duke to be this reckless? Or does he really have no one to talk to?

Chloe glanced at Tehis. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen him mingle properly with other nobles.

‘Though we only went to the capital together once.’

She leaned back against the sofa, crossing her legs. The low-heeled shoes, which she insisted on wearing instead of high heels, were revealed.

“No matter how long we stay on the terrace, we should at least greet the Prrincess, right?”

“Yes, Chloe. I plan to formally introduce you this time.”