The Duke’s mansion, usually solemn and quiet, was uncharacteristically bustling and busy.
For a long time, the position of the Duke’s wife had been vacant. Only the maids were the women present in the mansion. So, the sudden appearance of Adeline was unfamiliar and strange to everyone.
One day, the Duke introduced this woman as his own, shocking everyone. The Duke, who never even had a common fiancée, had brought a woman to be his concubine, and she was a commoner, which astounded the Duke’s household.
Moreover, the Duke had a plethora of high-quality dresses made for her, adding fuel to the fire.
The housekeeper’s gaze was drawn to the inner fitting room of the toilette room.
From the morning, dresses sent by Madame Violetta had been hanging in the toilette room, nearly bending the hanger with their weight. These were the samples created after taking measurements previously.
The colors were so vibrant. The housekeeper sighed while looking at the fabrics decorated with various jewels.
“Once the lady’s dress fitting is finished, please open the curtains.”
At the end of her statement, the closed curtains parted, revealing the woman inside.
Standing on a small platform in the dress fitting room, she shone more beautifully than anyone else.
The sky-blue dress, enhancing Adeline’s brown hair, was embroidered with semi-transparent lace. The luxurious lace, interwoven with shimmering thread in floral patterns, sparkled like jewels in the light.
The fabric alone reached the peak of lavishness.
The housekeeper’s gaze then fell on Adeline’s chest. Her already voluminous chest seemed even more accentuated due to the tightly fitting dress around the waist.
A noble lady of a high-standing family wouldn’t expose such significant volume.
They would have chosen dresses that subtly emphasized the silhouette.
The concubine of commoner origins seemed entirely unaware of the etiquette or modesty expected in noble circles.
“To wear such a dress…”
She had to swallow a sigh at the bold design exposing a deep cleavage.
All the sample dresses made by Violetta were daring in design, focusing on sexuality.
“These designs were all approved by His Grace the Duke. Oh, well. It seems the concubine wants to flaunt her sensual figure.”
Though she didn’t add anything more, not only the housekeeper but also all the maids who assisted Lady Del with her fitting gave disapproving looks.
Rumors about Adeline were already rampant among the Duke’s servants. They talked about the concubine’s excessive luxury, how she had dresses custom-made to fill the wardrobe to bursting as soon as she arrived, and how she indiscriminately bought jewels.
Some said the Duke picked flowers every day for her because she liked them.
Naturally, it was only a matter of time before the stories about the Duke’s concubine reached the capital.
However, no one dared to speak casually to Adeline.
Wasn’t she a woman whom the Duke cared for enough to provide these expensive dresses without hesitation?
“Lady, you look truly beautiful. The flamboyant and bold dresses suit you perfectly, as if they were made just for you.”
“…….”
“In this empire, no lady but Lady Del could wear such dresses.”
The housekeeper, though displeased with Adeline’s attire, offered the customary pleasantries, subtly infused with criticism.
“Is that so?”
Adeline responded with a flat, unemotional voice. Though her voice was devoid of any emotion, no one found it odd, simply assuming it to be the blunt nature of a commoner concubine.
Yet, the housekeeper, without showing any dislike, gently took Adeline’s hand.
Everyone simply thought the commoner concubine had a blunt personality.
However, without showing dislike, the housekeeper gently took Adeline’s hand.
“Dinner is prepared in the dining room. His Grace the Duke is already waiting, so let’s hurry.”
But they were all blinded by Adeline’s glamour and failed to notice something.
From the moment she left the fitting room and throughout her walk to the dining room with the housekeeper’s assistance, Adeline did not smile once.
Meanwhile, Adeline, walking towards the dining room, felt heavy-hearted.
Her waist was tightly cinched by the corset, making her feel like she might vomit with every step.
Despite having worn countless dresses as a lady of the Marquis’s family, she couldn’t adapt to the sample dresses sent by Violetta.
“…Well, I’ve never even seen such dresses, let alone worn them.”
They were designs that would send noble ladies running in horror.
Had she not experienced this in a previous life, Adeline wouldn’t have been able to endure it.
“How could someone knowing I’m a lady of the Marquis’s family…”
Adeline imagined the man waiting in the dining room, the one who ordered these absurd dresses and forced them upon her – Duke Torpheo.
“I have no intention of keeping you as a nominal concubine, Del. If you’re to be a concubine, you should act accordingly.”
“What are you saying?”
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.