Marlin closed and opened her eyes again. She even pinched her cheek slightly, making sure it wasn’t noticeable. The stinging pain told her that this was not a dream.

“It would be good for you to eat a lot. You are too thin.”

The slender body that felt weightless when held came to mind. Caeron skillfully cut a chunk of Châteaubriand into bite-sized pieces and transferred it onto Aidel’s plate.

Aidel, with a slightly reddened face and an embarrassed expression, picked up a piece of steak and put it in her mouth.

‘Did you see that? His Highness just…’

‘I saw it clearly too. Personally attending to her meal!’

‘And look at that expression!’

Caeron’s lips curved into a faint smile, seeming satisfied with the sight of her eating well the food he had given her. Marlin and Gregory’s mouths gaped open at the unbelievable scene before their eyes.

All the servants of the Grand Duchy standing in the dining room to assist with the meal realized it clearly. The Grand Duke was completely smitten with the future Grand Duchess.

It wasn’t as if there had been no women visiting the Grand Duchy before. Noblemen with marriageable daughters who visited the Grand Duke’s banquet always brought their daughters along.

It was a blatant attempt to catch the Grand Duke’s eye. This was in stark contrast to how he had treated those women like they were invisible, thoroughly ignoring them.

Caeron, who had been watching Aidel eat, turned his gaze to Gregory. His expressionless face was quite different from the look he had given the future Grand Duchess, and Gregory was actually a bit disappointed.

“I heard an invitation came from the Imperial Palace. Pascal must have been quite surprised to hear the news.”

“Ah…! Yes, Your Highness. We’ve been invited to a dinner tomorrow evening.”

“It’s sudden, but it would be good to prepare. Marlin, when did the dressing room say they would visit?”

“They are scheduled to arrive this afternoon. First, they will prepare dresses that can be worn immediately after taking measurements, as well as custom-made outfits.”

“Good work. Tell them to prepare everything the Grand Duchess needs without any shortage.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Aidel felt her heart flutter at the sight of Caeron paying such careful attention to her needs. It was a peculiar feeling, a coexistence of tension and excitement.

‘Don’t be mistaken. It’s not for me, but for the Grand Duchess.’

She tried to make herself understand the reason behind his actions, hoping that her pounding heartbeat would slow down. Aidel lowered her gaze, hiding her trembling eyes beneath her long lashes.

“If there’s anything you need, tell Marlin. As you heard earlier, we have to visit the Imperial Palace tomorrow, so choose appropriate clothing in the afternoon.”

“I will.”

“After the meal, it would be good to take a tour of the Grand Duke’s residence. Gregory, what’s the rest of today’s schedule like?”

“After lunch, there’s a meeting to review legal revisions. Afterwards, there’s a reporting session related to the trade business within the Grand Duchy.”

Caeron slightly frowned at the tight schedule without much free time. He seemed somewhat regretful.

“Marlin will guide you on the tour of the Grand Duke’s residence. You can proceed with the education as the Grand Duchess and wedding preparations along with her.”

“The wedding… When will it be held?”

“I’m thinking of holding it before you start university. You’ll be busy once the semester begins. I’ve already sent a letter to Count Fluor to convey my intention. I’ll let you know when the date is set after coordinating with him.”

“My father must have been very surprised too. He didn’t know I was preparing for university admission… And that I’ve become engaged to the Grand Duke’s family like this.”

“You don’t need to worry. And from now on, don’t concern yourself with the Fluor County. You are now a person of the Grand Duke’s family.”

A person of the Grand Duke’s family… She wondered why those words he uttered so matter-of-factly felt so hot and piercing in her heart.

Perhaps it was because she had lived a life of not belonging anywhere and drifting. It felt like the latch on her heart that she had struggled to keep closed was coming undone again.

Aidel pressed firmly near her heart. Even knowing that this sense of belonging had a temporary limit of three years… She didn’t want to let go of the warmth filling her heart right now.

* * *

After finishing the meal, the Grand Duke left the residence for external schedules. Having seen him off, Aidel began touring the Grand Duke’s residence with Marlin.

The Grand Duke’s residence was much larger and more magnificent than the Fluor County residence. It was an antiquated mansion with a long history, belonging to the Roman Duke’s family, a meritorious family from the early days of the empire’s founding.

“This is the library. I heard that Aidel is particularly fond of books.”

“That’s right. Am I allowed to use the library freely?”

“Of course. There is no place in this Grand Duke’s residence that the Grand Duchess cannot use. By His Highness’s order, recently published books are expected to arrive as early as tomorrow.”

It was a space on the level of a library, only called a study. In addition to the old books managed since the Roman Duke’s family era, the current collection was considerable. Even so, Aidel felt warmth in her heart at his thoughtfulness in filling it with new books.

Seeing the book-filled library reminded her of the moment they first met in the library. At that time, she was busy trying to run away from him… Reflecting on it now that she had become the future Grand Duchess and was in the Grand Duke’s residence, the feeling was refreshing.

Marlin moved to the room connected to the library, guiding her. The room, with a large desk placed in front of a window that let in plenty of sunlight, was cozy but a bit cluttered as if the interior was being redecorated.

“This is the office that the Grand Duchess will use. It’s still being furnished, but it will be ready within this week.”

“How will the education for the Grand Duchess be conducted?”

“Since His Highness is the first Grand Duke of Ellios, there is no precedent for the education of the Grand Duchess. Therefore, it will be based on the education that the late Empress received when she was a ducal lady.”

“Will Marlin be conducting the education?”

“That’s right. Starting next week, after the office renovation is completed, we plan to conduct it here after lunch. By the way, I am from the Delfe County family. Before His Highness the Grand Duke, I served the Roman Duke’s family and the late Empress.”

For a moment, memories of when she was the head maid of the Empress’s Palace during the late Empress’s time came to Marlin’s mind. The image of a noble woman with glossy black hair shining like well-tempered obsidian arose.

The only daughter born into the Roman Duke’s family who ascended to the position of Empress. Marlin often found traces of the late Empress in the appearance of the Grand Duke, who was called the perfect royal blood.

Having finished her reminiscence, Marlin’s gaze turned to the new mistress she would now serve.

The side profile of Aidel carefully examining the handbook for a duchess placed on the desk gave off the impression of a gentle watercolor rather than an intense oil painting. Her slender figure and delicate features seemed fragile at first glance.

It was also a contrasting impression to the Grand Duke, who overwhelmed others with his presence alone. However, Marlin sensed that this woman’s inner self was not as fragile as it appeared.

Although she didn’t ask deliberately, there must have been circumstances that led Aidel to hurriedly leave the county residence with just one bag. Moreover, there had been no particular letters from the Fluor County inquiring about her well-being.

The eyes that occasionally wavered in thought reflected complex emotions that were difficult to express. Yet, the way she quickly regained her composure made Marlin feel that she was not a delicate flower raised in a greenhouse, but a wildflower that had weathered storms alone.

Marlin sincerely hoped that the future Grand Duchess, who seemed to have many stories, would find peace and happiness in the Grand Duke’s residence. She believed that Aidel’s happiness would become the Grand Duke’s happiness.

“It’s about time for Madame Pomfenu from the dressing room to arrive. It would be best to go to the dressing room.”

Marlin, with a gentle smile, guided Aidel to the dressing room connected to the Grand Duchess’s chamber.

There, Madame Pomfenu, the designer from Charlotte’s Dressing Room, and her assistants were already waiting.

Madame Pomfenu had closed the dressing room and rushed over since early morning, eager to meet the protagonist who had stirred up the empire. If the Grand Duke’s family, not any other noble family, called, it was right to drop everything and go.

“Nice to meet you. I am Pomfenu, the owner of Charlotte’s Dressing Room. It is an honor to meet Your Highness, the future Grand Duchess.”

“Nice to meet you too. I’m Aidel Fluor.”

Madame Pomfenu discreetly observed the woman entering the dressing room from head to toe. This was an occupational habit of hers as a haute couture designer. It was a long-standing habit that developed from observing her models and clients.

The woman greeting with a calm expression was a beauty rarely seen in the empire at a glance. To Madame Pomfenu, who was accustomed to women adorned lavishly visiting the dressing room, a beauty with a pure yet noble dignity felt special.

‘Her posture is straight and upright. From her balanced shoulders to the décolleté line, she is excellent, and her waist is so slender that she won’t even need a corset.’

Seeing the future Grand Duchess in a thin negligee for taking measurements, Madame Pomfenu was convinced. The clothes tailored to the perfect proportions of a mannequin would fit her body perfectly without much alteration.

“You have an ideal figure.”

Madame Pomfenu put down the measuring tape she had used and sighed with satisfaction. Seeing Aidel’s long, outstretched arms and legs, a sudden inspiration struck her, and she suggested with sparkling eyes.

“What do you think about getting a tailored suit made, in addition to day dresses and evening gowns?”

“A tailored suit? Isn’t that clothing only worn by men?”

Marlin, who was beside them, tilted her head and asked, and Madame Pomfenu replied with a broad smile.

“It has been that way until now. Society is changing. Women have also started doing productive work on an equal footing with men. There comes a time when you need to break away from dresses that restrict movement.”

Madame Pomfenu had finally found the muse to represent the new trend she had been envisioning.

“Your Highness, the future Grand Duchess, will also be entering the Imperial University, won’t you? It will be difficult to wear cumbersome dresses every time you have outdoor activities.”

Madame Pomfenu walked over to the hanging garments and took out a women’s tailored jacket that was still being fitted.

“You can try wearing a tailored jacket and pants or skirt combination that accentuates the natural curves of the body and provides comfortable practicality.”

Madame Pomfenu lightly draped the tailored jacket over Aidel’s shoulders. Even with just the jacket on, the atmosphere changed in an instant. It was a much more progressive and refreshing feeling than before.

“I like it. I’d love to have a tailored suit made along with the dresses, as you suggested.”

“Among the noble women of the empire, no, among all women in the empire, you might be the first to wear a tailored suit, Aidel.”

It was not difficult to lead a trend by making variations within the existing framework. However, creating a trend by breaking the existing mold was a different story. Madame Pomfenu carefully reconfirmed Aidel’s intention.

Aidel, who had been lost in thought for a moment, answered with eyes shining as solidly as a tree filled with green foliage.

“It sounds good. Something no one has attempted before. It’s the same with entering the Imperial University. Marlin, would it be an inconvenience to His Highness if I wear these clothes?”

“No, it won’t. His Highness would want you to do as you wish.”

Charlotte’s Dressing Room was a place where any noble in the empire would be desperate to have clothes made. Wasn’t it the Grand Duke who had brought Madame Pomfenu, the representative designer there, with a blank check?

From undergarments to outerwear, hats, accessories, and shoes… Marlin was confident, recalling the Grand Duke who had ordered to provide everything the Grand Duchess needed without any shortage.

“I will come again soon for fittings of the custom-made clothes.”

Madame Pomfenu’s cheeks flushed with excitement, eager to dress her muse in new clothes as soon as possible.