Didn't Plan to Become a Companion (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 43

Monopolizing a color was burdensome enough, but the dress’s design itself was also scandalously bold.

Of course, it didn’t dip as deeply in the front and back as my evening gown from last time—but it left my shoulders entirely bare.

When the distant Imperial Palace gardens came into view and the carriage slowed, I pulled out the shawl I’d prepared in advance to cover my shoulders—thanks to Angela, who’d secretly brought it along after Countess Corghena had insisted it was completely unacceptable and taken it away.

Ricardo watched me silently. He probably thought I seemed a bit rustic compared to the noble young ladies of Dermayer. Even so, right now, I cared far more about appearing slightly less exposed to everyone else’s eyes.

“I’m just a little cold.”

I answered a question he hadn’t even asked and swallowed hard—the silence around us was so deep that Ricardo could easily hear me.

“There’s no need to be nervous.”

“It’s not like I can just decide not to be nervous and have it magically disappear.”

The carriage halted, and Freddie opened the door. He seemed to accompany us whenever something important was scheduled. When Freddie reached his hand toward me, I steeled myself and rose.

But Ricardo blocked me, stepping out first, which gave me a little more time to catch my breath.

As I took his outstretched arm for escort, Ricardo firmly clasped my hand—his way of telling me not to worry.

‘How surprisingly tender of him.’

Suppressing a quiet, inward giggle, I lifted my head and looked toward the Imperial Palace.

“Wow…”

The palace unfurled before me with such grandeur that I momentarily forgot my predicament—its splendor nearly dizzying.

Read full content of this chapter on r e d c a t t y . c o m