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Chapter 61

Emilia frowned at the ticklish sensation of something brushing against her skin.

"Miss Emilia, you need to stay still."

Laura gently scolded, noticing her slight movement.

"Is something uncomfortable?"

"No, it's just a little ticklish."

Emilia smiled awkwardly and added.

"It's been a while since I've had this much makeup done."

Laura paused, brush in hand.

"If this is 'this much,' then what would you call proper makeup?!"

She shot her a stern look, as if to say don't be so dramatic.

"This is your first social event, you know—this is just the absolute basics."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Emilia nodded in agreement.

As Laura said, today was the first time she would appear in public as the Duchess of Valen.

Originally, Emilia had no intention of participating in high society.

After all, she was planning to divorce—or rather, annul—within six months.

To be precise, the marriage would be annulled.

Either way, there was no need to show her face in society.

It wouldn't do the real future Duchess any favors either.

So Emilia had turned down every invitation that flooded the ducal residence.

But the reason she was getting dressed up now was because an invitation she couldn't refuse had arrived.

Emilia glanced at the elegant envelope on the vanity.

It bore the imperial seal.

The sender was Princess Selena of the Empire—

The very person who had sent the message to Kayden the night before the grand council.

Just then, Laura's voice came from beside her.

"Don't underestimate it just because it's a light tea party. They'll be watching you like hawks, waiting to tear you apart!"

As if imagining Emilia being set upon by noble ladies, Laura's competitive spirit flared.

She began applying things to Emilia's face with even more enthusiasm.

"Now, close your eyes again!"

"Mmm."

Emilia obediently followed Laura's instructions.

Meanwhile, she continued her train of thought.

Princess Selena, huh...

According to Kayden, the Princess rarely showed her face in high society.

In the original story, Selena never made a direct appearance either.

However...

There was one thing that bothered her, and she'd been wanting to meet the Princess anyway.

So this tea party is an opportunity.

A short while later, Laura let out a small cheer.

"It's done!"

Emilia slowly opened her eyes and looked in the mirror.

"You look beautiful!"

Laura said, proud of her own work.

Emilia blinked.

Her skin looked clearer than usual, and her features seemed more defined.

"I especially focused on your hair!"

Indeed, while Emilia had been lost in thought, Laura had worked her magic—her hairstyle was completely different.

The sides of her hair were braided and pulled back, while the rest was styled in soft waves.

It gave her a rich, elegant look while still maintaining a calm air.

Just then, Laura muttered in wonder.

"No matter what I do, I can't change those gentle eyes of yours. Of course, that's part of your charm."

She nodded approvingly.

"Still, I tried to lift the corners of your eyes a little so you wouldn't lose ground at the tea party."

At that, Emilia laughed.

"I'll do my best to live up to your expectations."

After all, she'd prepared her own strategy for the tea party.

She rose and headed to the dressing room—and was momentarily speechless.

"Too many choices can be a problem too."

"Tell me about it."

From the dresses that filled the room, they chose one that cinched the waist nicely and flowed softly at the skirt.

With Laura's help, Emilia changed and checked the mirror.

"What do you think? Does it look okay?"

"Of course it does!"

Then Laura muttered wistfully.

"It's such a pity His Grace couldn't see you like this."

"Hmm, maybe."

But Emilia only gave an ambiguous smile.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

"Yes, come in."

When the door opened, Ivan's eyes went wide.

"Em, Emilia?"

Ivan stared up at her, mouth agape.

"Hm?"

Emilia tilted her head, and Ivan ran off in a fluster.

Then he peeked at her from behind the door.

"What's wrong, Ivan?"

Emilia asked, puzzled, and Ivan rolled his eyes before shyly speaking.

"Y-you look like a princess from a storybook."

At that, Emilia burst out laughing.

"Really? Thank you."

Ivan's cheeks turned even redder.

---

Emilia rode to the palace with Herald.

Herald had been tasked with escorting her to the palace.

"You look every bit the noble lady."

"Everyone's being so generous, I don't know where to put myself."

Emilia smiled awkwardly.

She recalled the reactions of the servants she'd seen before leaving.

She almost wondered if their training included "how to react when the Duchess is all dressed up."

"It's a pity His Grace isn't at the residence."

Robert had expressed a similar sentiment to Laura's.

Kayden was currently not at the residence—nor, to be precise, in the capital.

He'd been staying in the capital for Ivan's safety.

As a result, matters requiring his direct attention in the territory had piled up, and he'd taken this opportunity to go down for a while.

Emilia fidgeted with the ends of her hair and thought.

But even if he were here...

Even when he'd seen far more beautiful noble ladies in the original story, Kayden had remained unmoved.

So she doubted he'd bat an eye just because she'd dressed up a little.

Actually, he might not even notice I've done anything different...

She smiled wryly and let go of her hair, then asked Herald.

"When will His Grace be back?"

"Hard to say. At least three or four days, I'd think—there's quite a backlog in the territory."

Herald shook his head.

At that, she recalled her conversation with Kayden.

"I'll just handle the urgent matters and come back quickly."

Kayden had looked somewhat uneasy, but Emilia smiled reassuringly.

"I may only be a temporary Duchess, but I'll do my best to look after Ivan and the residence."

But for some reason, her answer had made Kayden's expression even more displeased.

"Do you not trust me much?"

She understood how he felt.

If she were in his position, she'd be worried too—leaving someone who had only been a tutor in charge of the entire ducal residence.

"...That's not it."

Of course, Kayden had denied it, probably for her sake.

Not long after he left, the invitation from Princess Selena had arrived.

"Still, the message should have reached him by now."

At Herald's words, Emilia nodded slightly.

With the tea party date so close, there was no time to confirm with Kayden anyway—and besides, it wasn't the kind of invitation she could decline.

And she'd boasted that she'd do her duty as Duchess.

At the very least, I should earn my keep, right?

Emilia thought of the enormous compensation she'd received and steeled herself.

A short while later, the carriage came to a stop.

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