"That thing barks whenever it sees me. If you leave a growling beast alone, what else can it do but bite? In that case, it’s better to growl together." Chelsea answered Joshua’s sighing question with calmness. "You’re something else, sister." "Joshua, if you covet the throne, feel free to growl anytime. This sister is ready to tear you apart fairly, even if you’re my younger brother." "I’m relieved to hear that. I have no interest in the throne." "What a pity." With a bright smile on her face, Chelsea, seeing Joshua shake his head in annoyance, leaned back against the chair. A sigh escaped him as he felt the atmosphere of their household was like walking on thin ice every day. "I’m glad I gave up the throne early on." Thinking about how he had jumped into a battlefield where they were all busy tearing each other apart made his head hurt just thinking about it. "By the way, Joshua. You’re all set for the trip to the North, right?" "Is there anything for me to prepare? Whatever I do, you’ll just do as you please anyway." "Oh dear, my little brother. You’re quite clever." With that, Chelsea was the first to leave the table. Left alone, Joshua closed his eyes in the empty dining room. The place that had been so noisy just moments ago was now eerily quiet. Dong. Dong. Outside, the bell chimed twice to signal 2 PM. Listening to the chimes in this quiet space didn’t feel bothersome at all. Instead, perhaps because they had just talked about the North... "The North..." He recalled the scene from Duke Richter’s wedding held at the royal palace. Since it was a wedding hosted by the palace, numerous nobles attended as guests. However, among them, there wasn’t a single person who genuinely blessed the couple’s future. "Finally, the monster is getting married." "Look at the bride. She looks like she’s being sold off." "I wonder how much money Count Adeline received?" Amidst the murmuring atmosphere, malicious glances filled the air. The bride at the center of all those gazes couldn’t even lift her head. Her face was pale and her steps wobbly. Through her veil, her green eyes seemed on the verge of shedding tears at any moment. In stark contrast to her family who laughed heartily while selling her off and gossiping about her fate. For some reason, Joshua couldn’t take his eyes off the stumbling bride. Perhaps it was because she looked like someone being pushed into a hellish inferno. Or maybe it was because he strangely saw his own reflection in her back. A life that had to be tossed around by family—like one that belonged to no one. He tried hard to live with a clever smile but that was all there was to it. A father who constantly tested his children and a greedy mother. A sister and half-brother who were always engaged in a power struggle over the throne. Living amidst that chaos made him feel like his life wasn’t truly his own at times. Yes. Just like that woman who staggered towards an inferno. That wedding had already happened six months ago. As he recalled the woman he had long forgotten, Joshua muttered, "I wonder if she’s holding up well." Suddenly curious about how the sold-off bride was doing... * * * What is most important when hosting guests? The state of the house? That’s somewhat important but not quite the answer. The appearance of the garden—the first impression of the mansion? That’s not wrong but still not quite right either. Food and desserts, tidying up guest rooms, and other things... Yes. What isn’t important? But among all these things, what matters most is— “Oh no! This is bad!” My attire situation! I had momentarily forgotten about preparing for it. I looked around at our wretched state of clothing with Sienna and Marie flanking me on either side. “Honestly... there’s nothing to wear.” “Indeed. As your maid serving you, I should have checked this beforehand; it’s my fault.” “What are you talking about? I’ve just been holed up in my room and suddenly rushed out wearing only farmer clothes and comfortable dresses.” Having cleared up any misunderstandings with ease, I squinted again at my wardrobe. Thinking back on it, during my time living with Count Jeo, both Countess and Laura often bought clothes frequently. They claimed it was necessary for maintaining dignity after all. Naturally, buying clothes for me wasn’t part of that plan. The only clothes I wore were discarded ones from maids or old tattered dresses that had shrunk so much they barely reached above my ankles. In fact, even after becoming a duchess, I didn’t feel any particular need to buy new clothes. More accurately speaking—I hadn’t even thought about it at all. Other servants probably wouldn’t have dared suggest buying me new clothes either; they likely couldn’t say “My lady! How about purchasing a few new dresses instead of digging around in dirt?” when I suddenly stood up and started digging through gardens! Consequently, everyone in this household naturally stopped caring about what I wore. Now who could I blame for this? It’s my fault anyway... “I need at least five new outfits tailored. Honestly speaking—I’d like ten more if time permitted but that might be too tight.” In the end, having found nothing decent in my wardrobe—we three began brainstorming solutions together. “Five outfits is already cutting it close. There are only two weeks left! Ugh.” “This is truly my fault... I should have thought ahead…” “Enough! I don’t like wasting time on pointless regrets. What’s done is done; we need to find a solution now. And let me reiterate—this isn’t anyone's fault; if we must assign blame then I bear most of it so let’s just move on.” “...You really are such a good person.” “I know.” “Ugh.” Thus our conclusion was to purchase around five outfits already made by a tailor and have them altered. Typically high-ranking nobles would call designers to create dresses tailored specifically for each occasion... “But there’s no time for that.” With only two weeks left now—there simply wasn’t enough time for such things! Sienna and Marie nodded in agreement while lamenting yet quickly accepting this unavoidable solution nonetheless. However, there was one point where their opinions diverged: “My lady is unwell; wouldn’t it be better to call people from the tailor here rather than having you go out shopping everywhere?” “No! I’m very strong and healthy; my condition is excellent! I want to go out and choose myself!” “Nobles usually invite people over instead of going out themselves; it's rare for them to go out shopping! Besides—the distance from Duke Jeo's estate to where the tailor shop is located isn’t short either; you’d need at least an hour by carriage which would surely be uncomfortable!” “On the contrary—it means those tailors would have to pack their clothes into carriages and come here! And then I’d only pick five outfits from them... That sounds bothersome!” Maybe due to some commoner blood flowing through me—I felt uneasy just thinking about it! Having dresses custom-made would typically involve bringing catalogs and sample fabrics but this situation was different! And besides—I wanted to enjoy shopping myself! Laura and Countess often went shopping together regularly—returning each time with their carriage full of items! Though I wasn’t particularly envious—it always piqued my curiosity! What did they buy today? But now wasn’t I in a position where I could confidently enjoy shopping? So... “It feels stifling being cooped up inside! I want to go out shopping too! Who knows when I'll get another chance like this? So while I can—I want to do it!” Yes! After divorcing from my husband later on—I’ll have to live frugally again so perhaps this opportunity for leisurely shopping might be fleeting! Upon hearing my words—Sienna and Marie widened their eyes before frowning slightly at me. “Why do you speak like that? Shopping can always be done whenever you want! Anytime!” “No! You never know what might happen…” “My lady!” “Yeah... Right! Anytime! Forever free shopping!” I felt guilty somehow as I clenched my fist tightly and shouted energetically! Only then did Sienna's and Marie's expressions shift away from resentment and sorrow. Wait—what did I actually do wrong? Northern emotions are truly complicated... “Anyway if you insist on saying so then there’s no helping it! I’ll inform our housekeeper regarding your outing plans.” “Okay! Thank you!” “It’s nothing... Just stay healthy.” “Yeah! You both take care too!” What did I do wrong this time? Seeing their faces droop again—I decided simply not to think about it anymore. * * * After leaving the room—Marie and Sienna held back tears threatening to spill over. Their steps towards Barhan felt heavy with dread. Amongst their silence—Sienna spoke first: “How can our lady be like this?” “What do you mean?” “I’ve actually been secretly relieved lately seeing how healthy our lady seems! Her complexion has improved; she doesn’t show signs of struggling while working on various tasks so... So perhaps she might be secretly recovering without us knowing…!” As Sienna continued speaking—she bit her lip shut in sadness once more. However—Marie didn’t urge her further; she already understood what Sienna meant without needing clarification. “I feel stifled being cooped up inside! I want to go out shopping too!” How could she calmly express such sentiments? Whenever they felt elated within their peaceful daily lives—seeing their lady display such behavior made their hearts race anxiously instead! Yet amidst all this—they couldn’t think ill of their lady: “I’ve said repeatedly this isn’t anyone's fault; if we must assign blame then most of it falls on me so let’s just move past that.” “If we say otherwise—it means those tailors would have to pack everything into carriages bringing them here instead which seems tiring!” It was clear she cared deeply for those around her despite pretending otherwise... Thus—the one deserving blame wasn’t their lady but rather society itself! A world where such kind-hearted individuals end up making such statements so nonchalantly... Silently—Marie and Sienna continued walking forward together.
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