TDWO Chapter 31

With a slightly trembling voice, the Grand Duchess carefully asked.

Anri pretended to be oblivious and shyly lowered her head.

“I guess I was just lucky. I was looking at Pointer’s painting of Andromeda, and I happened to run into the Duke right in front of it. Somehow, I feel like that painting connected me to the Duke.”

Anri’s face turned red.

The expression of shyness she was acting out made her feel embarrassed herself. It was like the appearance of a fresh, young girl who had just fallen in love for the first time.

From Anri, the Grand Duchess and Lawrence sensed a genuine romance between the two. It was a romance filled with sincerity.

However, Edwin’s realization that the woman was truly shameless became even firmer.

Anri’s acting skills almost moved him to tears for a moment.

“Hmm!”

Edwin cleared his throat loudly.

The gazes of the Grand Duchess and Lawrence simultaneously focused on Edwin.

“So that’s why Miss Anri was looking at that painting for so long. To think she could recognize such a masterpiece so well.”

At Edwin’s cool praise, Anri shot him a resentful glance once again.

Meanwhile, the Grand Duchess’s heart raced even more intensely toward Anri.

So it wasn’t luck or coincidence that she guessed the winning piece?

Lawrence blinked in surprise.

The atmosphere between the Duke and the Duchess-to-be was clearly trying to pass the credit to each other.

He once again demonstrated his social skills.

“Everyone here is truly remarkable! It’s the first time I’ve seen a family with such artistic insight, including the future daughter-in-law. We could call them the Medici of this kingdom! Haha!”

Lawrence honored the future Duchess, as well as the Duke and the Grand Duchess.

“Truly an extraordinary family.”

 

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

 

[This year’s Artist of the Year, Edward Pointer.]

The next day at noon.

In the reception room, Anri unfolded that day’s morning newspaper again.

The newspaper listed the winners of the Royal Academy’s art exhibition.

As expected, the winner was Pointer.

At the bottom of the list, there was also a brief commentary from art dealers.

Among them was one written by Lawrence.

[Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that all five works submitted by Edward Pointer for the exhibition have been purchased by the Duke of Briston’s Household.

This sponsorship, which cannot be attributed to mere luck, was achieved through the joint efforts of the Duke, the Duchess, and the future Duchess. The long experience and wisdom of the Duchess were instrumental in making this great achievement a reality.

Furthermore, with the emergence of the new Duchess, who has a deep understanding of art alongside the Grand Duchess, the Duke of Briston’s household is expected to contribute even more to the art world in the future, truly making them the Medici of high society…]

The following section was a parade of praises with just the words changed. Anri’s face burned with embarrassment as she read Lawrence’s over-the-top praise in the article.

The Grand Duchess, holding the newspaper, came to Mayfair House in the morning, unable to hide her joy.

The honor of having her family’s name associated with such a glorious event moved her to tears.

She repeatedly thanked Anri and asked with interest if she had always liked looking at paintings and when she had started taking an interest in them.

However, she still hadn’t mentioned showing her collection.

There was still a long way to go. Sigh.

Anri quietly folded the newspaper and set it down.

When she bought the painting at the exhibition, she never dreamed she would end up marrying Edwin.

She also didn’t expect to receive the Andromeda painting as a gift.

However, when Edwin (she didn’t know he was the male lead at the time) gave her the option to choose a painting, she wanted to pick a work by an artist who would become famous in the future.

‘It’s not that I’m being particularly kind; I just wanted to give a little extra to that annoying guy.’

However, she received the painting as a gift, and somehow she ended up contributing to the Duke of Briston’s reputation. Ah, what a surprise.

Anri was flustered but tried to remain humble, suppressing her excitement.

In any case, gaining the Grand Duchess’s favor was a good outcome.

“Miss.”

Just then, Mrs. Chester entered the reception room.

Anri quickly changed her expression and stood up from the sofa.

Two women, who appeared to be quite young, followed Mrs. Chester inside.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss.”

“I’m so glad to see everyone. I’ve been waiting!”

Anri looked around with excitement.

My own servants!

They were the lady’s maid responsible for Anri’s dressing.

Anri’s eyes sparkled just as brightly as those of the newly hired servants.

Mrs. Chester began introducing Anri to the attendants.

She had to offer them extra pay on top of their regular salary since she gathered them in a hurry.

There was a slight excitement in Mrs. Chester’s voice as she introduced the servants, as if she were assembling a dream team.

“Since we need to match the tastes of a young lady, I’ve assembled a team of trend-sensitive individuals. Here, Miss Anais has graduated with excellent results from the Larona Tailoring School, and—”

At that moment, Anais stepped forward to greet Anri, and Anri also greeted her in return.

When Anais stepped back, Mrs. Chester continued speaking.

“Next, Miss Bonita, who also graduated from Larona and worked for five years at the Charlotte and Audrey Boutique in the capital, is another talented individual.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Wentworth.”

Bonita also stepped forward to greet Anri, and Anri reciprocated the greeting.

Anri wore a suitably surprised and pleased expression.

However, internally, she was thrilled and excited, like a swan’s legs flailing with joy.

‘Oh my, they really are the servants of my dreams.’

Graduating from Larona tailoring school guaranteed employment in high-noble families or popular boutiques.

It was such a prestigious institution in the field of tailoring that everyone recognized its reputation.

Young women from below the middle class lined up to enter the school.

However, the tuition was substantial, and competition was fierce, so it was not easy to graduate.

Graduating with excellent marks was even more challenging.

There were rumors that the curriculum was so rigorous that it was hard to earn any income while attending.

Among the teachers, there was even an elderly woman who had retired after making clothes for the queen.

‘A talented person from such a school is my own lady’s maid…?’

And what about the Charlotte and Audrey Boutique?

There were several boutiques preferred by high aristocrats.

However, Charlotte and Audrey were renowned for their unique sense of style and design, which significantly influenced the fashion trends.

‘A talented person who worked at such a clothing store for 5 years is my own lady’s maid…?’

Anri never imagined or expected that the Duke’s family would gather such capable and innovative servants just for her.

Anri, trying hard to hide her astonishment and delight, clasped her hands modestly and spoke.

“To think such outstanding individuals would be with me, I must strive to become a source of pride for you all.”

As Anri finished speaking and smiled, a somewhat unexpected atmosphere arose among the attendants.

…the pride of the servants!

There were not many noble families like the Duke of Briston’s that possessed honor, power, and wealth all at once.

In fact, servants who built their careers in such a prestigious ducal family often found it easier to transition to better positions or gain recognition for their expertise.

Moreover, there were rumors that the Grand Duchess of Briston wrote recommendations so well that most attendants wished to work for the Duke of Briston’s family.

A recommendation from the Grand Duchess was so esteemed that it could facilitate entry into the royal palace.

Thus, as soon as rumors spread two days ago that a new Duchess had been appointed at the ball, the servants eagerly awaited news of recruitment from the Duke’s household.

When a new person comes in, it is customary to hire new servants.

Sure enough, the Duke’s household urgently sought attendants for clothing and grooming.

Only after overcoming a staggering competition ratio of 50 to 1, could one enter the Duke of Briston’s household.

After graduating from Larona, Anais felt incredibly fortunate to secure a job with the Duke of Briston’s family.

Bonita was also thrilled to be able to move to a job with much better conditions than she had received at Charlotte and Audrey.

Remembering the various demands of high noblewomen she had encountered at the successful boutique still sent shivers down her spine.

However, upon meeting the future Duchess, she found her to be kind and gentle.

To be a source of pride for the servants, they felt honored by the appearance of the new Duchess.

It almost brought tears to their eyes thinking about why she had only just appeared.

In the reception room, the eyes of the gathered women sparkled like starlight towards one another.

Anri looked at the attendants with satisfaction and pride, and the attendants were filled with anticipation.

“Let’s really do our best, hohoho.”

In the end, Anri’s eyes curved like a crescent moon as she held hands with the attendants and shared hugs with each of them.

 

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

 

‘The historic Duke’s family, the new Duchess’s wedding dress…’

Anri’s maids immediately got to work.

They began to carefully consider the design of the new duchess’s wedding dress.

Of course, the actual creation would be handled by a renowned boutique, but it was the ladies’ maids’ responsibility to shape the dress in a way that reflected the mistress’s tastes and the family’s atmosphere.

The servants were deeply committed to designing Anri’s wedding dress.

This was a wedding ceremony that everyone would be watching.

It marked the debut of the Duchess of Briston, a figure of immense admiration for many noble ladies.

If the dress was recognized at such an event, it was only natural that the skills and dignity of the attendants would also rise.

Whether they continued to work as ladies’ maids or returned to the boutique, it would be an incredible experience unmatched by any other.

Therefore, they had to succeed.

In fact, if the Grand Duchess were uninterested in the careers of women from the lower middle class, she wouldn’t have given young attendants the opportunity to create a wedding dress for the Duchess.

As they gathered in one place, discussions continued, and an air of anticipation filled the room as the attendants sketched various dress designs.

As she passed by their workshop, Anri peeked inside.

None of the servants noticed her presence as they were so focused on their work.

They must have put in a lot of effort in their respective fields.

Moreover, their skills were exceptional.

Though their status was low, they were all trained professionals.

Finally, ten days later.

The dress, combining the pride of the young servants who had graduated from the best school, the prestige of the Duke of Briston’s family, and the fresh charm of the new Duchess, was completed.

With only two days left until the wedding, Anri couldn’t sleep, her mind racing with thoughts of the moment she would share a kiss with Edwin.

…Unbeknownst to her, the wedding invitation had also been delivered to the royal family.