TDWO Chapter 24

Finally, a pair of white, delicate arms holding the dress emerged.

The frustration and confusion among the assembled guests heightened even more.

Then, a full and dazzling chest made its presence known, followed by the head.

Strands of wavy hair framed the forehead in an endearing manner.

Though her face was not clearly visible due to her lowered head, her charmingly styled hair with ribbons and bright white dress matched beautifully.

 

“…Miss Wentworth?”

 

The Grand Duchess’s cautiously spoken words made Catherine and Candice frown in confusion.

 

“Hmm. The brown hair and similar build, but she doesn’t seem like our daughter. It appears they have mistakenly brought in the wrong young lady. Besides, our daughter wouldn’t wear such a lavish dress…”

“Eunice!”

 

With a bright smile, Anri approached Eunice and linked arms with her, proudly bringing her forward in front of Catherine and Candice.

It seemed Eunice, dressed and styled so differently from usual, looked almost like a different person.

Her previously frizzy hair was neatly styled now.

Instead of the drab dress she usually wore like a maid, she was in a pristine white gown.

Moreover, the tiara, transparent necklace, and earrings on her head were things Eunice would never normally wear.

Eunice had always thought that such extravagant accessories didn’t suit her and had never considered wearing them.

As Anri led Eunice forward, Catherine and Candice could only blink in stunned disbelief.

Anri felt a thrill at seeing her stepmother and sister unable to recognize Eunice.

Today, Eunice seemed far more endearing than the haughty Candice, who had been dismissive of her.

Eunice, who had been holding the dress and observing the situation, finally lifted her eyes slightly. After a brief silence,

 

“Eunice?!”

 

In an instant, Candice let out a loud gasp.

Eunice had transformed so magnificently and charmingly that Candice didn’t even recognize her.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

Anri felt exhilarated.

Although Eunice had indeed changed so much that even Anri herself found it remarkable, how could the birth mother and biological sister not recognize her?

Catherine blinked rapidly like a stunned goldfish.

Candice kept glancing at Eunice with evident distaste and occasionally frowning at Anri.

It seemed she realized that the dramatic change in Eunice was Anri’s doing.

However, Eunice seemed even more intimidated by Catherine and Candice’s reactions.

Anri whispered discreetly to Eunice, who was sitting next to her.

 

“Stand tall. Straighten your back.”

 

Anri’s whisper seemed almost like a magic spell, and immediately Eunice’s posture straightened and her shoulders relaxed.

Only then did Anri give a victorious smile toward Candice.

It felt incredibly satisfying to see Candice’s stunned reaction.

That night, while staying in the guest room, Anri had to endure Candice’s relentless questioning until morning.

Candice grilled Anri about how she had dressed up Eunice, where the dress had come from, and more.

It was as if Candice was jealous of how well Anri had treated Eunice while completely ignoring her.

Candice was even more shocked to learn that Eunice had received dance invitations from several men at the ball and had even received a promise of a letter from the first man who danced with her.

It seemed Anri’s transformation project had done its job well.

 

‘Well done, Anri.’

 

Anri prayed that Eunice would get married before Candice, hoping to see Candice’s nose flattened in jealousy.

In fact, Candice hadn’t even managed to find a man who matched her interests at the ball the previous night.

After finishing preparations to return to the Wentworth mansion, they had breakfast together.

Edwin, the Grand Duchess, Catherine, and the twin sisters were all present.

The combination was quite mismatched, and the atmosphere was odd.

Edwin remained silent, Eunice was only observing, and Candice wore a constantly sulky expression.

Only Catherine seemed enthusiastic, chatting with the Grand Duchess.

Whenever Catherine tried to act overly familiar, Anri had to intervene and redirect the Grand Duchess’s attention.

 

‘Ugh, this is exhausting.’

 

Anri just wanted to return to the Wentworth mansion with Eunice and the unpleasant company as soon as possible.

However, Edwin called Anri to his study, so she couldn’t leave.

 

“Ahem.”

 

Anri cleared her throat briefly in the ownerless study, feeling awkward.

The fact that Edwin was the owner of the study made her even more nervous.

The shock of discovering his true identity still hadn’t worn off.

Anri glanced around the interior of the study.

It seemed unreal that this was the hero’s space.

Edwin’s study had a gravitas reminiscent of a time-honored university’s rare book library and the refined luxury of a CEO’s office.

It appeared to be a space used by the Duke of Briston’s family for generations.

 

“Miss Anri?”

 

Anri looked up in surprise, startled by Edwin’s sudden voice.

She glanced at Edwin, then quickly looked away, pretending she hadn’t seen him.

Her posture was still straight.

 

“Have you arrived?”

 

She spoke without even looking at him.

Edwin felt something was off.

He had sensed something unusual about her since yesterday.

Anri’s attitude toward him had changed in a peculiar way.

It had been the same when they danced together, but it had been odd since she met his mother.

She hadn’t even been able to meet his gaze.

 

“…Is there a problem?”

 

He sat down and asked.

Anri glanced at Edwin as if she might look at him, but then turned her body towards the void.

 

“Yes? No?”

“…”

 

Her attitude was so clearly problematic that Edwin was at a loss.

Did her feelings change in the meantime?

Meanwhile, Anri felt as though she were sitting on pins and needles.

Moreover, there was a refreshing morning energy emanating from Edwin.

 

‘Edwin, my favorite Edwin…’

 

She had read Edwin’s life story as a novel several times in her previous life.

She had written about Edwin’s secret personal life, which wasn’t even mentioned in the original story, and enjoyed sharing it with other readers.

Yet now, in this life, she didn’t even recognize him and had mocked him with a smile.

No matter how much she tried to act nonchalant and play it cool, Anri felt strange and embarrassed.

I want to back out! This marriage is canceled!

 

“Are you regretting what happened last night?”

“Yes?”

 

Anri inadvertently met Edwin’s gaze.

Edwin observed Anri with his usual indifferent black eyes.

However, he seemed to have noticed that Anri’s attitude towards him had subtly changed.

He was indeed a perceptive man.

Edwin continued with a slightly angled gaze.

 

“There were hundreds of guests at the ball, so by now, they must be discussing last night’s events with their acquaintances.”

“……”

 

Anri blinked.

Edwin’s words seemed to imply that it was useless to regret deciding on the marriage now.

She would truly become Edwin’s wife without fail.

The realization that this man was Edwin sent chills and a completely different feeling through her body compared to before she knew his true identity.

 

‘But I don’t know if my dream has come true or if I’m having a nightmare.’

 

Anri couldn’t figure out what to do in this complicated and subtle situation that seemed good but not good.

He was clearly the male protagonist that Anri admired, but at the same time, he was the villain who destroyed Anri’s family.

 

“Here are the details of the contract.”

 

Edwin presented a high-quality leather folder, similar to what he had given before mating Marilyn and Kristan.

Anri numbly accepted it and pulled out the documents inside.

 

[Marriage Contract.]

 

The combination of words hit her with stark reality, causing Anri to shudder.

Noticing Anri’s reaction, Edwin’s gaze grew more piercing and sharp.

 

“Um……”

 

Anri covered the contract with her hand and opened her mouth.

If she fled now, she might avoid becoming entangled in the protagonist’s turbulent life!

But before she could continue, Edwin interrupted.

 

“Oh, Anri, as you know, verbal agreements are also considered contracts.”

 

Edwin’s gaze was sharp and serious, as if to say it was useless to back out now.

 

“That’s not it, ah, no.”

 

Reading Anri’s intentions almost like a ghost, Edwin’s words made her keep her mouth shut.

She would need to look for another chance to escape before the wedding.

With a light sigh, Anri opened the documents again.

A sigh?

Edwin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

 

“Please review the document and let me know if there are any parts you’d like to discuss.”

 

Nodding, Anri carefully examined the contract.

However, the words on the paper weren’t registering in her mind.

Just being in the same space as Edwin made all her senses focus on him, and she felt tense.

Maybe it was because it was morning, but he seemed even more handsome.

 

“Hmm-hmm.”

 

Anri quickly refocused on the contract. The very first line read,

 

[The marriage by contract between Edwin Askar and Anri Wentworth is to remain a secret.]

“……”

 

So, to others, it would appear to be a marriage based on affection, not a contract.

Would that mean they had to act like a loving couple too?

Feeling inexplicably shy, Anri rolled her eyes before checking the next section.

It was the most crucial part—the contract term.

But Anri couldn’t believe her eyes.

 

[30 years]

 

Thud. Thud.

Her heart pounded as if a drum was beating inside.

 

‘We clearly agreed not to do a lifetime contract!’

 

Anri truly couldn’t distinguish between a 30-year contract and a lifetime contract.

Her fighting spirit involuntarily rose.

However, Edwin seemed entirely satisfied with the terms he proposed.

 

“I’ve set the contract term at 30 years. What do you think, Anri?”

“Oh my, Duke, why didn’t you just say 300 years?”

 

Anri spoke with all the forced sweetness she could muster.