The Abandoned and Terminally Ill Lady Married a Monster - Chapter 90

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“I don’t believe so. It would be better to commission a custom design. If you buy a readily available design, someone else might buy the same one.”

“That’s true. That’s the second smartest thing you’ve said today, my son.”

“You flatter me. Then, we’ll arrange for the family rings later. For now, let’s look at the birthstone necklaces, as Mother suggested earlier.”

The flurry of orders left me reeling. The resurfacing memories were swept away by the present commotion. It was hard enough just to keep up with their conversation.

Wait, look at what now? Necklaces?

‘You said they would back down if I did this!’ I signaled towards Father with my eyes. He chuckled and clapped.

“[Tell them you want one for me too! And if you say ‘This is enough’ about three times, Minerva will agree.]”

Having come this far, there was no turning back. Mother and Kin were engrossed in another debate, discussing the quality of my birthstone, sapphire. Close to tears, I called out to them again.

“Mother, and Kin. About the family rings… are we getting one for Father too? I want to get one for Father as well.”

“…Oh my.”

Mother, holding a sapphire necklace, gave a complex smile. She looked both sad and happy. She gently fastened the necklace around my neck and caressed my cheek.

“What sweet words you speak.”

“Don’t casually put the necklace you chose on my wife.”

Mother smoothly ignored Kin.

“I was just about to do that. Thank you for thinking of my husband.”

“[I knew I could count on you, dear!]”

“Th-then, I think this is enough shopping. I’m happy with just the family rings. I, uh, don’t think I need anything else.”

Had I been too presumptuous? I wasn’t sure how to politely decline the rest. I knew how to humbly say I preferred one item while implying everything else was equally wonderful.

“I love this the most. It suits me best, and the rest is too much for me.”

However, I didn’t know how to say I only needed one thing and didn’t need the rest when everything was truly desirable. I had never experienced such a situation. Therefore, I had never uttered words of refusal in such circumstances.

I looked at Mother and Kin. They both sighed and simultaneously pressed their hands to their foreheads.

‘I guess I said the wrong thing.’ Why was I so inept?

“Dear child, you’re so cute, and unassuming, and petite, yes you are.”

“…Yes?”

“Since you say so, we’ll just get the rings. Now, let’s choose a necklace and a bracelet.”

“Yes?”

I was relieved they were only getting the rings, but what about the rest? The rest?

Father, this isn’t what you said would happen. I sought Father’s help in this unexpected situation, but he just laughed and winked.

“[Sorry, dear. At this point, there’s nothing we can do. Just enjoy it! Ho ho. Just enjoy the moment, dear child.]”

We ended up buying ten more pieces of jewelry, including the birthstone necklace, before the jewelry shopping spree finally ended.

…Or so I thought. I was mistaken. The shopping was just beginning.

***

I was now trying on my twentieth outfit, standing before the Blashur. All the clothes were starting to look the same. Yet, the people in front of me seemed to find endless differences, constantly bringing me new outfits.

The variety was astounding, from dresses to riding habits. With every change of clothes, they presented me with shoes, hats, and jewelry, claiming each piece would enhance the look.

Currently, I was wearing a simple yet elegant empire-waist dress, standing before Mother, Father, and Kin. Their reactions had never wavered. They continued to express their admiration, eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Was I the only one exhausted? What was so entertaining about dressing someone else? I wasn’t even a particularly impressive clothes hanger.

Despite having stood before them over twenty times, I couldn’t shake the feeling of self-consciousness. As I fidgeted with the sleeve of my dress, Kin approached with a floral crown and placed it on my head.

“…You’re so beautiful. Is there anything you could wear that wouldn’t look beautiful on you? Hmm?”

“Dear child, it suits you perfectly.”

“[I wish I could see this with my own two eyes. Such a shame.]”

Thinking of the staff witnessing all of this made my face burn. Their way of expressing affection, of giving gifts, it was all excessive. It was embarrassing, and I couldn’t adjust.

And yet, their ways were slowly seeping into my heart. I shouldn’t be enjoying this. It felt shameless and ungrateful.

The mountain of gift-wrapped boxes only intensified this feeling. Because of my inability to refuse, a mountain of items destined for the Grand Duke’s residence continued to grow.

‘But I did try to refuse.’

I felt wronged. My lips puckered into a pout.

“[When I was young, I didn’t have much of a sense of style, and I was a bit timid, so I couldn’t choose anything properly. So they would buy everything, saying that one of them must be to my liking. After a few times of that, I developed a sense of self. Ho ho. All thanks to Minerva.]”

Even though I had developed more of a sense of self than before, as Father suggested, it was still no use. I had been severely affected by Mother and Kin’s repeated pronouncements of, “Send everything from here to here to Blashur,” and I had tried to refuse certain items. I had suggested going to a different store.

I had worked hard to avoid buying things, to curb the spending, even just a little. But my efforts were futile.

“Then send all of this to Blashur as well. We’ll settle the bill there.”

“Yes, certainly.”

Tears welled up. This wasn’t right. My feelings were a tangled mess. I was happy, yet also sad.