Chapter 88
‘This time I won’t be manipulated by such words. I won’t give them a chance to criticize me.’
As Freesia’s expression hardened with resolve, Thea deliberately raised her voice.
“Oh no, Madam, you look so pretty today, why do you look so unwell?”
“Oh Thea, you’re just flattering me.”
“It’s neither flattery nor empty words!”
Truly, this shepherd-born lady of the house had changed astonishingly since her arrival.
‘Did I become desensitized from seeing her every day?’
Her skin and hair gleamed smoothly, and the gaunt areas of her petite face filled out, exuding a noblewoman’s aura.
Suddenly, Thea realized that it had been like this ever since the first day Freesia had scolded her.
Her appearance had started to look more like that of a noble lady, and her naturally refined demeanor matched even more noticeably.
“Madam, you’re amazing.”
“Me? In what way?”
“Um… from the first time I saw you, you really seemed like a noble lady. Even more so now.”
“Do I seem so?”
“Yes. Did you learn so quickly at House Antares? Is there a special method?”
“…Well, rather than that.”
Freesia smiled lightly, offering only the truth.
“No special reason. I just got beaten a lot.”
“What? Oh, Madam!”
What a terrifying thing to say!
Thea laughed heartily, then whispered to Freesia with a scolding tone.
“Seeing you today, the master will surely be moved!”
“…”
Freesia couldn’t help but shake her head, perhaps worried that her master feared becoming an unloved wife.
‘Izar, moved by my appearance?’
Even in her past life, when they had shared a night together, he had never once complimented her appearance, even as a mere courtesy.
Even with Atria, always known as the ‘Rose of the Capital’, hadn’t he been perpetually aloof?
‘I could just hope that Lord Izar falls for me right now.’
Laughing at the absurdity, she finally let out a laugh.
***
Despite their strained relationship, the residences of the Antares and Arcturus families were not far apart by carriage. Naturally, the estates of high-ranking families in the capital were close together for the sake of socializing.
And since it was a banquet, Izar also accompanied her in the carriage this time. Perhaps this was the closest yet the most silent they had been since they started living together.
It was also the first time meeting him since he had coldly dismissed her from his office.
He sat with his arms crossed, staring indifferently out the window. Freesia could see enough from his reflection in the carriage window.
‘All dressed up…’
Wasn’t she unnecessarily prettier than ever? Her delicate figure shimmered with a soft golden glow, just like a flower that shares her name.
‘Damn it.’
How had he once cynically scorned her as a flower broken by harsh rain? Was this damn ache in his chest blurring his vision too?
Though Freesia continued to walk on eggshells around him, she started stealing more daring glances at him. Who knew how many more times she could see her husband so finely dressed?
The refined dignity and the intense presence he emitted contrasted strangely.
His smooth dark blue suit perfectly fitted his large frame. Because of the dark color, only the golden embroidery on the sleeves and buttons stood out like a bright star in the night sky.
And perhaps it was because he lightly brushed back his usually wind-tousled black hair, she could glimpse a little of the version of him at twenty six years old.
Overwhelmed by nostalgia, Freesia finally whispered, having wanted to say something to him since climbing into the carriage.
“…Duke.”
“What.”
“Today, if possible, when you’re not speaking with others… may I ask for you to stay by my side?”
It’s strange. It had been bearable when she was first dragged here after her mother’s murder.
‘…I’m scared.’
The terrifying thought of the banquet repeating itself made her throat burn. She had reflected on that time over and over, confident in her preparations, yet she was still so frightened.
If she were dragged to the ‘storage room’ again, she hoped he would come to find her.
Just knowing he cared would be enough.
“…Please, just this once.”
Izar turned from the window and looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Freesia was huddled up, her fine attire wasted.
‘Has this woman ever been so scared?’
Even more pale than when they were attacked by monsters on their way here.
‘…Well, since they’ve dragged her away from her mother.’
Originally, she had snuck out of that mansion and warned him about this marriage.
Tap, tap.
He tapped his fingers on the window frame, the sound quietly resonating.
Indeed, this was one banquet he couldn’t miss. He could swallow his humiliation just this once.
After all, he had planned to finally tell her the truth about their marriage after returning from the Antares estate today.
“Alright.”
“…!”
“As long as I’m not in the middle of something important.”
“Ah, th-thank you.”
Freesia’s face flushed at his simple reply. As Izar looked at her rosy cheeks, he reluctantly averted his gaze.
Tonight, he planned to tell her the truth about their marriage.
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