TDWO Chapter 38

 

After a moment of dissatisfied sighs, Anri marched out with a bright face as if it were painted.

She stood up and smiled brightly at the guests who were throwing flowers and applauding. Her eyes seemed to fold and curve to the point where they were no longer visible.

Surrounded by flower petals and applause, she felt strange, uplifting joy.

Could there be a greater blessing than this?

It was bittersweet to think that a wedding where everyone’s attention was on her would only happen once in a lifetime.

If there hadn’t been a reception afterward, it would have been even more disappointing.

Anri and Edwin changed their clothes and reappeared in the garden.

Edwin, having shed his red uniform, was now dressed in a black suit, while Anri wore a fashionable dress. It was a pure white dress adorned with puff sleeves and lace decorations.

With a crinoline underneath, Anri joined the ranks of human hot air balloons.

If her makeup during the ceremony had been fresh and sweet, this time she adorned herself with a subtle and dazzling aura.

Her hair, previously worn down, was now styled in an updo.

A lively yet serene melody flowed through the garden.

The guests chatted while enjoying simple dishes laid out on elegant tablecloths.

Young ladies and gentlemen seemed to divide themselves around the bride and groom as if someone had instructed them to do so.

Anri was the center of attention among her peers.

This was partly because she was the star of the wedding, but also because she had recently become a hot topic in high society.

[From Commoner to Duchess! The Sensational Miss A!]

[What’s the secret to Miss A’s success in life?]

[The role model for unmarried young ladies undergoes a complete makeover! Who is Miss A who shines the most in the social circles?]

Especially in the capital, where gossip was particularly sensitive, there were numerous articles that seemed to target Anri.

Perspectives on Anri varied among the commentators.

Some articles evaluated her as a clever beauty strategically aiming for social advancement, while others referred to her as a femme fatale who captivated the stony Duke with her looks.

However, despite the sensationalism, articles that hinted at scandals involving Anri were not published.

If they stirred up disgraceful controversies regarding the Duke of Briston’s family, the newspapers risked losing their sponsorship.

Instead, the headlines of the articles that were actually distributed were as follows:

[Cinderella Stories of Past Duchesses]

[Ten Secrets to Becoming a Duchess—Throw Yourself into a Luxury Carriage! Balls Must Be After Midnight! ….]

[Shocking! Weekly Social Mentions Ranking—Princess Erze Slightly Declines]

Thus, public opinion was cautious due to self-censorship, but the words of the ladies flew around as if they had wings.

The story of the soon-to-be Duchess of Briston, who had successfully ascended in status, was a popular topic whenever a few ladies gathered.

And now that they had the chance to meet her in person and engage in conversation, no one was willing to pass it up.

Anri was surrounded by a circle of ladies and young, unmarried women.

Of course, there were feelings of envy, jealousy, and prejudice, with some viewing her as a scheming beauty. Yet, as she was to become the Duchess, they could not afford to ignore her.

For the young ladies, the new duchess represented a prime opportunity to build connections with a prominent noble family.

Anri engaged in conversation and shared various tidbits with the ladies.

The topic of her husband, Edwin, also came up.

The women were especially curious about how Anri and Edwin came to be married, driven by an intense curiosity akin to desire.

Most appeared outwardly friendly toward Anri.

However, there were those who harbored obvious mockery.

Just like right now.

“Did you really throw yourself into the carriage on purpose?”

“Impressive. It seems you have to risk your life to become a duchess.”

“I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I’d rather rely on my family’s connections than become a Duchess that way.”

Several ladies laughed heartily in front of Anri.

It was such an obvious sarcastic remark that the other ladies there were watching Anri’s reaction.

The ladies, feeling uncomfortable, wondered how to handle this awkward situation.

They even went so far as to conclude that Anri was an intentional Cinderella and looked down on Anri’s family, which was not very well off.

Of course, something had been thrown toward Edwin’s carriage because of Anri. But it was just a horse.

However, Anri did not reveal the truth to preserve Marilyn’s honor.

Anri gave her characteristic bright smile.

“If I had known that he was a duke beforehand, I would have wanted to do just that. But the Duke never showed any sign of his status. He didn’t even mention his name, so I almost misunderstood him as being rude.”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a misunderstanding.

A sense of surprise spread among the ladies at Anri’s words.

“Is that true?”

“I guess there were many young ladies who were quite forward with him.”

“But I find it very interesting how you ended up getting married. Haha.”

The atmosphere became cheerful again.

Anri responded kindly to the last lady’s comment.

“I simply treated the rude person with the same rudeness.”

Finishing her words with a gentle smile, Anri subtly shifted her gaze away.

Towards the ladies who had mocked Anri earlier.

As Anri met their gaze directly, the expressions of those ladies slightly distorted.

It was because they realized that Anri had noticed their contempt.

In Anri’s softly curved eyes, there was a sharp and brilliant light, like the surface of a broken diamond.

Did they know she held a grudge?

Of course, Anri wasn’t hurt by their mockery. Instead, her determination was strengthened.

On her wedding day, when she should only be receiving congratulations, who would dare to offend her?

However, her attention was soon diverted by other ladies who spoke up.

“Well, it seems you’re the first to treat the Duke of Briston rudely.”

“It feels like a story straight out of a romance novel.”

“May I hear about the rudeness that was exchanged?”

Anri smiled graciously at the interest of the kind ladies.

But someone else interrupted, pouring cold water on the situation.

It was one of the ladies who had been irritating Anri earlier.

“You’ve really made it big. If I were as beautiful as Miss Wentworth, I’d be charming—not just a duke but a king, hahaha.”

“Hahaha.”

The nobles who had once again made fun of Anri looked delighted.

Anri also returned the smile playfully.

“His Grace the Duke is already giving me the royal treatment. I don’t know how to repay his generosity.”

Anri shrugged her round shoulders with an elegant smile. It seemed like she had told a similar lie before.

It was a relief that this didn’t reach Edwin’s ears.

“So there’s really no need to try to charm someone as high as His Majesty the King.”

As soon as Anri finished speaking, the woman who had mocked her first flinched momentarily but soon simmered with anger inside.

On the other hand, the other ladies found Anri’s unyielding attitude surprising.

Her charming appearance and childlike, cheerful voice had initially suggested she was merely sweet and innocent.

Anri still held a sweet smile, her eyes slightly squinted.

How shallow must their thinking be to mock the king on the verge of death to insult her?

Moreover, they hadn’t even introduced themselves or where they were from.

“Apologies for the delay in introduction. I married the Marquis of Rosley two years ago.”

The lady who had first provoked Anri stepped forward and greeted her.

Beside her stood a group of other ladies, maintaining a haughty demeanor.

It seemed they were trying to assert dominance, but Anri responded kindly.

“Oh my! You’re Marchioness Rosley. How lovely to meet you.”

She extended the back of her hand, her expression clearly saying, ‘Would you kindly show me your respect by kissing the back of my hand, Madam?’

Rosley’s face cracked as she immediately realized Anri’s intention.

Anri’s action was a clear demand for her to bow her head right in front of her.

The other ladies gasped in surprise, instinctively closing their mouths.

They could only watch the situation unfold in stunned silence.

Kissing the back of a hand in greeting was, of course, a customary act of respect in terms of social hierarchy.

However, for someone who had just become a duchess from being a viscount’s daughter to demand such a thing on her wedding day was indeed bold and audacious.

It seemed that the new Duchess was anything but ordinary.

The ladies who had looked down on her merely because she was a country viscount’s daughter felt as though they had been doused with cold water.

Although ladies of lower rank than Anri had already introduced themselves to her, Anri hadn’t extended her hand to anyone. She simply exchanged greetings as equals.

So, Madam Rosley had been marked.

A tense atmosphere hung between Anri and Rosley.

Rosley clenched her teeth and made a fist.

When Rosley didn’t budge, Anri lightly flicked her hand, urging Rosley to respond. All the while, she maintained a smiling face.

 

ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

 

“You have quite an enchanting bride.”

“……?”

Edwin raised an eyebrow and turned around.

Until now, he had been exchanging dull conversations with peers he had no interest in.

He had just stepped away to give instructions to a footman.

He needed to bring this outdoor banquet to an early end.

At Edwin’s command, the footman approached the musicians.

To end the banquet early, they needed to start dancing.

However, a deep, unfamiliar voice came from behind.

Curious about the new voice, Edwin tilted his head and turned around.

Finally, Edwin faced the person.

It was a man about a head shorter than Edwin.

He was looking up at Edwin intently.

Though he had a delicate and pale face, he sported a thick mustache.

His attire also seemed slightly mismatched, giving off an awkward vibe.

“Pleasure to meet you, Duke Edwin.”

Suddenly, the man extended his hand toward Edwin.

Although he had tried to deepen his voice, it still carried a somewhat feminine tone.

“……This is our first meeting.”

Edwin reluctantly responded and reached out his hand to shake.

However, Edwin’s hand merely brushed against the man’s palm as if they were high-fiving.

He lowered his hand and lightly shook it twice.

‘Hmm?’

Surprised by the lackluster handshake, Erze looked at Edwin up and down.

What kind of situation is this?