Home/I ended up having a surprise marriage with the male lead/ch 109

Chapter 109

"My lady, we've arrived."

The coachman's voice came.

Emilia, who had drifted off, shook off the drowsiness and gently woke Ivan, who was asleep on her lap.

"Ivan, Ivan. We're at the residence."

"Mmm..."

Ivan rubbed his eyes and snuggled into her arms, half-asleep.

Emilia smiled and lifted him up.

As she stepped out of the carriage with Ivan, a servant asked from behind.

"My lady, shall I move all of these to the dressing room?"

He gestured to the boxes piled high in the carriage's storage.

Emilia looked slightly troubled but nodded.

"Yes, please."

Those boxes were all gifts from the Marchioness—for both her and Ivan.

Inside were not only hats and shoes for her, but also brooches and cufflinks for Ivan.

The Marchioness had stopped at every shop they passed, saying how well they'd suit her and buying them as gifts.

Emilia had tried to refuse—

"But I've always wanted to do this for a daughter. Is that alright?"

With such a wistful expression, she couldn't possibly say no.

Ever since the Marchioness's first visit, Emilia had been busy every day.

Some days they went to fine restaurants, other days they explored dessert shops.

And today, she'd returned after the final fitting for her ball gown.

Ivan had accompanied them on most outings.

"Let's go inside and sleep, Ivan."

"Mmm."

As they entered the residence, Emilia handed the sleepy Ivan to a maid.

She was about to head to her room when she ran into Kayden in the hallway.

He seemed to have stepped out for a break from work at this late hour.

Seeing his tired expression, Emilia rolled her eyes.

"Did something not go well today?"

She asked, feeling a little guilty for having been out so much lately.

Kayden answered with a dissatisfied look.

"How can I focus on work when my wife comes home this late every day?"

"Really?"

Emilia's eyes went wide at the unexpected answer.

Kayden making a joke like that?

But she quickly recovered, fidgeting with her fingers as she spoke.

"Thank you, Kayden."

"For what?"

"For asking the Marchioness of Eberwine to help me prepare for the ball."

Thanks to him, she'd been able to experience so many things she'd missed out on for over twenty years—and had a wonderful time with the Marchioness.

Kayden answered casually.

"Don't mention it. It's not like I gain nothing from it."

"Huh? Still..."

As Emilia trailed off, Kayden continued.

"I get something out of it too."

"...?"

What did he mean by that?

Emilia looked puzzled, then realized.

Ah.

Thanks to the Marchioness, her lacking etiquette had been polished—so at the ball, he wouldn't have to worry about her embarrassing him.

So it wasn't as if he gained nothing.

Just then, Kayden spoke as if something had just occurred to him.

"That aside."

"Yes."

He looked at Emilia, who blinked, and tilted his head.

"You're getting quite used to it."

"Used to what?"

At her puzzled question, he let out a low laugh.

"Calling me by my name."

Emilia's eyes went wide, and she quickly covered her mouth.

Come to think of it.

Because the Marchioness had visited every day, she'd grown accustomed to calling him "Kayden."

"Th-that's..."

Seeing her flustered, Kayden said with satisfaction.

"Good. You'll need to call me naturally at the ball anyway."

"Th-that's true, but..."

Emilia stammered.

"Thanks to the Marchioness and her husband, it's been a good rehearsal."

Kayden added, the corners of his mouth lifting.

At that, Emilia felt as though she'd been unwittingly led into a trap.

---

The day of the Founding Festival ball.

Madame Halliway, who had arrived early at the ducal residence, asked with a solemn expression.

"Are you prepared?"

At the oddly resolute question, Emilia nodded, bewildered.

And so, the full-scale preparations began.

Emilia quickly realized that the morning's bath, massage, and luxurious oils were just the beginning.

Madame Halliway and her assistants seated Emilia and deftly styled her hair.

Then they began applying various products to her face.

"Now, turn your head slightly to the right. Yes, like that."

After a long while, Madame helped her to her feet.

"Now, let's get you into the dress."

Madame Halliway dressed her personally.

Soon, she led Emilia to the mirror and asked.

"How do you like it, Duchess?"

Her voice was full of confidence.

Emilia looked at her reflection and understood completely.

"I love it."

Her features, enhanced by the makeup, were sharper than usual, and the hair swept back behind her ears fell in soft waves—perfectly balanced.

"The dress too."

The ivory gown was embroidered with silver thread in wildflower patterns.

The waistline was beautifully cinched, allowing the skirt to flow in natural curves.

The off-shoulder design revealed her delicate shoulders, lending an air of purity.

"You look beautiful, Emilia."

The Marchioness, who had been watching her preparations all morning, said with emotion.

Just as Emilia blushed at her words, a knock came at the door.

"Excuse me."

A dignified-looking maid entered and bowed.

"Ah, Evelyn."

Evelyn was the head maid of the ducal residence, assigned to attend to her at the ball tonight.

Though Laura, her personal maid, would have been the natural choice, she lacked the knowledge and experience for a ball.

So Evelyn, though relatively new to the household, would accompany her instead.

Laura was supposed to come as well—but after days of feverish preparation, she'd fallen ill today of all days.

Laura was so upset.

Her eyes had welled up as she cried out.

"To miss Miss Emilia's first imperial ball!"

Emilia was equally disappointed, but she couldn't bring someone who was ill.

"I'll be in your care today."

"Yes, my lady. I will serve you faithfully."

Evelyn bowed with a calm smile.

"Have a wonderful time, Emilia."

"Thank you for everything, Marchioness."

At Emilia's farewell, the Marchioness looked at her with the warmth of a mother seeing off her daughter.

"I did it because I wanted to. I've enjoyed every moment of the preparations, so go and enjoy the ball to the fullest."

Her warm words made Emilia's heart swell.

"Yes, I'll be back."

---

The heels are high—I'm not used to walking in them.

Emilia descended the stairs carefully.

There, standing in the lobby in his tailcoat, was Kayden.

The dark navy and black tailcoat suited his composed demeanor perfectly.

Tailored to his frame, it accentuated his broad shoulders and solid build.

Sensing her gaze, Kayden looked up.

Their eyes met naturally.

Emilia reflexively gripped the hem of her dress.

His blue eyes seemed deeper than usual.

Ah.

Remembering Madame's warning not to wrinkle the dress, she quickly let go.

Hesitantly, she approached him.

Standing before him, she looked up and asked.

"How do I look today?"

Honestly, even she thought she looked good today.

Madame and the servants had praised her endlessly.

So she didn't really need to ask Kayden for confirmation.

But the reason she asked anyway—

Was because of the childish desire to hear a compliment from him.

Even if it was just a polite formality, people usually said she looked beautiful.

Emilia looked up at him, a mix of shyness and anticipation in her eyes.

Kayden looked down at her, his Adam's apple moving.

How does she look? Naturally...

His gaze traced her forehead, the bridge of her nose, and finally settled on her lips.

Her heels were quite high, bringing her closer to eye level.

So unlike usual, when he had to bend low to hear her—now, if he just lowered his head, he'd be perfectly positioned to reach those lips...

"Kayden?"

"..."

Snapping back to his senses, he let out a low groan.

Back   Next