I Become the Villain's Bride - Chapter 15
Chapter 15
When she opened her eyes, the marriage was confirmed.
Watching the maids moving around the room, Freesia vividly realized the current situation.
“So, my sister approved of my marriage?”
“Yes. The Duke kneeled down and personally requested it. Also, Miss Rose’s appointment as a viscountess will soon take place.”
Every time it was thwarted by Lord Gondair’s opposition, but now, with him out of the picture, no one could prevent Rose from officially becoming a viscountess.
Everything she had hoped for had come true, yet why were tears streaming down her face like this?
“You must be in a lot of pain. I’ll do my best to take care of you so that not a single mark remains on your esteemed body.”
Before donating a huge sum of money, she began the formal preparations for the wedding, receiving treatment from a priestess who was hard to see before.
“We need to have Lily’s dress remade.”
“Choose together while fitting Madam’s dress. It may be difficult to personally escort Miss, but I’m sure His Grace will allow it.”
“I also want to see Miss Rose’s new outfit.”
“Yes, of course. Just give any instructions.”
Even though she could keep her family away, she felt a sense of irritation at the idea that she could buy anything she wanted.
Over there, it seemed like the marriage had already been established as a fact, but originally, wedding preparations were not something that could be easily accomplished.
She remembered a friend who broke off an engagement. The date was already set, and they were already in a state where there were children, but they argued over the wedding night and eventually broke off due to strained relations between the two households.
Moreover, it was the marriage of the Duke of Crawford’s wife, but would the young lady of Devlanc, an unheard-of viscountess, even be noticeable?
There was the upper side with Rose, known as the lady-in-waiting, and the lower side with the beauty Lily; why did they choose the second daughter who was not even noticeable?
“Surely at least one person will oppose it.”
She remembered reading about reasons for breaking off engagements that she had read in a novel back in the day.
She was absentmindedly contemplating while Freesia had her nails done by a maid, and she gently asked the maid who was assisting her.
“Wouldn’t His Grace’s mother dislike me?”
“His mother isn’t his biological mother, and I understand she didn’t have much to say about the marriage.”
“Is that so?”
Well, usually, family disputes arise when siblings fight among themselves.
Since she’s not his biological mother, she doesn’t interfere, so a feud with his mother-in-law isn’t grounds for divorce.
“Are there other adults besides the main family’s mother?”
“The elders of the council are also present, but practically, the lady of the house is his aunt. She is the wife of Vino, the youngest brother of the late Duke.”
In a Korean context, it would be her youngest uncle’s wife. In other words, even if she’s called an aunt, she’s only about five years older than the Duke.
As soon as she heard the setting, a scene from a dramatic TV series flashed quickly through Freesia’s mind.
“Are they very close?”
“They can’t help but be affectionate. They were close even when Vino was alive. They spent day and night together during the struggle for the family head position.”
Even the Duke, who doesn’t trust many people, completely relies on her.
Since her husband’s death, Rashita has always stayed close to the Duke, essentially handling all the responsibilities of the lady.
“That was the extent of it.”
She felt it. She started to feel it properly now.
Why did he insist on a marriage with her, who had nothing to offer? Now she could grasp a clue.
So that’s how it was. That’s what it was. Finally, the perfect opportunity to catch him by the tail had arrived.
“I’d like to meet her soon.”
“Would you like that? There will be a formal meeting soon, so we’ll prepare accordingly.”
There was no pride in being treated so graciously by the maids who would soon become the lady of the house.
As he was desperately holding onto her, and even blackmailing her by revealing that the princess knew his secret, it was full of suspicious plot twists. Therefore, she was convinced that it would be better to find an excuse to break off the marriage before getting married.
“It’s better to make it clear that I’m not easy to deal with.”
If she thought she could play with him as she pleased, it would be a big mistake.
Even though it’s still before the main character appears, if it follows the original story, she already knows a lot.
If she starts to oppose the protagonist, then the Duke’s wife cannot escape joint responsibility.
Traditionally, the first reason for breaking off an engagement is, of course…
The issue of consummation.
“To properly hold a marriage befitting the name of Crawford, there should be a corresponding piece of jewelry.”
“Do you have any separate items set aside?”
“A ruby earring.”
The legendary ruby earring found in the Dragon’s Lair 100 years ago. It is a precious treasure that has passed through the hands of many nobles, resembling the devil’s eyes when worn on both ears, tempting people’s hearts.
Since the fire in the last owner’s house, its whereabouts have been unknown. Until episode 1021, the location of the ruby earring was briefly mentioned, but it has not been revealed where it is. Even if it is the Duke of Crawford, it is practically impossible to retrieve that gem.
“And my dresses should be made about twenty each for each season. I hope my sister and I can each have twenty dresses for the party, and I would like our elder sister’s ceremonial dress to be made in a similar tone.”
“Did you say twenty each for each of you?”
“Yes. Each of us, all twenty.”
In the novel, she changed dresses every time she appeared, so she didn’t think it would be burdensome. However, in reality, it was cruel.
Even for the Devlanc family, who were fairly well-off, buying a new party dress every time was quite a burden.
Although Freesia could just wear a less conspicuous dress and rotate it, she wanted to buy a new dress for Lily each time. It was her sister’s wish to provide her with a new dress each time.
Feeling proud of herself for saying it so emphatically, she asked the maid who was assisting her, who had a worried expression.
“Are you really okay with this?”
“Please tell the Duke. If he doesn’t do as I say, he will never hear the end of it.”
“I will do as you instructed.”
If she becomes an icon of overspending, the Duke may also consider breaking off the engagement.
Freesia hummed a tune and lay down on the massage bed with a sense of accomplishment.
* * *
The Duke’s marriage had been decided, and deep wrinkles appeared on Jade, the chief steward of Crawford, as he listened.
“A ruby earring. How did Madam know about its existence?”
“Moreover, she said to prepare only twenty dresses.”
“Alright, I’ll convey it personally to His Grace.”
Jade never liked Freesia Devlanc from the beginning, but the mention of the Ruby Earring made him shudder.
How did she know about the existence of the Ruby Earring, a jewel that had been hidden in the Duke’s treasure vault for years, known to only a handful of people within the Crawford family?
“Your Grace, it’s Jade.”
The fate of Gondair Marquis was quite gruesome. Following the principle of repaying what he owed, the Marquis, tied to a pillar, received the punishment of arrow baptism.
After the thorough disposal of his property, inspecting documents related to the casino, and facing the owner who was doing the tallying, Jade, carefully watching for any sudden movements, cautiously began to speak.
“So, how’s it going?”
“Fortunately, he is cooperative, but there are a few issues that need to be reported.”
“Issues?”
The strict Duke did not like unexpected situations. Jade spoke carefully with a serious tone, his eyes scrutinizing for any signs of dissatisfaction.
“Considering the scale of the party, we should have prepared at least a hundred dresses, but the Lady ordered only twenty.”
“Is that so?”
“She also said to prepare the Ruby Earring. Did Your Grace give any instructions regarding this matter?”
“I wouldn’t have.”
Even without the Duke’s instructions, how did she know about the existence of the Ruby Earring?
Jade, surprised and shocked, watched as the Duke, with a sly smile, started counting the days.
“Order more dresses and jewelry than what my ancestors prepared. While a modest temperament may be a virtue, lacking in an occasion that establishes the family’s reputation is problematic.”
Despite being the new mistress of Crawford and her position as a mere Devlanc Freesia’s modest request greatly surprised Jade.
“And she expressed a desire to meet your aunt.”
“My aunt?”
Contrary to expectations that she would resist this marriage, Freesia had surprisingly started to proceed with the wedding smoothly.
The Duke’s mouth curved up slightly with interest upon hearing the request to meet his aunt before accepting the marriage.
“I know who the real power is. Isn’t that right?”
“I thought Your Grace had given separate instructions.”
“No way.”
The internal affairs of the Crawford family are shrouded in strict secrecy.
Even Rose Devlanc, who should know nothing about this, always chose the correct answer as if it were a matter of course, surprising Jade each time.
Watching from the side, Jade felt a chill, wondering if anything would go wrong. But the Duke, the main player, counted with a leisurely smile, using his long and straight fingers.
“From eavesdropping on conversations with the princess to knowing about the Ruby Earring. Quite fascinating.”
While appealing to female eyes, the Duke’s smile, always negative in Jade’s eyes, carried a sense of foreboding.
Whether the focused attention of the strict owner would be a gain or a loss for the heiress was uncertain. Still, it became increasingly clear that the chosen future Duchess of Crawford was an exceptional individual.
“I thought Your Grace wasn’t interested in marriage, but.”
“It was the same with my brother. He said he wouldn’t marry anyone”
“But Naphier expressed quite a bit of regret.”
The letter to Marquis Naphier’s wife was lengthy, but summarizing it in one line: taking away Freesia, who had been reserved by him, in such a manner was extremely unpleasant.
“That woman is not a vessel for someone like Naphier.”
After reading the entire letter, the Duke dismissed the situation with just a single line.
Even with the letter that was read so thoroughly, Jade couldn’t help but feel a lingering regret.
“Smile Love”