Chapter 1.11
“Do everything the way the seamstress wants!”
“Huh? Are you sure about that?”
The seamstress’s eyes sparkled.
She’s probably happy to have landed an easy customer.
But this marriage arrangement will be broken off anyway. I no longer need money to adorn myself.
“Yes, do as you please.”
“……Understood. Eeheheh!”
The seamstress chuckled and disappeared behind the curtain.
What on earth is she doing? Aiden, horrified, asked, “Must it be this elaborate?”
But I didn’t want to interfere any further, so I chatted leisurely with the seamstress who had been handling my reservation.
“Are there many people who come to cancel wedding dresses?”
“Quite a few. If a lady comes to cancel a dress in person, I offer her a cup of tea and listen to her story. And then, for a final time, I have her put on a fitted dress.”
“Does that change their minds?”
“I help them prepare their hearts. To don their pure white armor and bravely accept their future. Marriage is also heading to a new battlefield, isn’t it?”
“For someone who makes wedding dresses, you say things with quite a lack of romance.”
“Haha, I can’t help it. But might I say, my Lady, you also seem quite cold-hearted.”
“I’ve already been through a battlefield. I’m more than sick of it.”
Yes, the Marquis’s household was a battlefield.
But I gave up fighting. I just pretended to be unable to do anything, as my husband demanded.
Because the sense of helplessness I gained at my uncle’s house had taken over my body. Just staying quiet was easy.
Of course, where that ended was hell.
The seamstress looked at me with curious eyes, as if wanting to ask more.
But just then, fortunately, Aiden’s session seemed to be finished. The seamstress working on his clothes came out and made a fuss.
“Now! My Lady, the one you’ve been waiting for has emerged!”
“What waiting……. Uh, huh?”
I turned around and, without realizing it, covered my mouth with both hands.……Isn’t he handsome?
Just one dark wine-colored frock coat completely changed his image. Where did that intimidating soldier from moments ago go? Beneath the platinum-colored buttons descending in two neat rows, long legs wrapped in black fabric extend. Well-worn brown leather boots put the finishing touch on a hunter-like charm.
The seamstress chattered excitedly.
“We couldn’t fit the trousers due to lack of time, but doesn’t this alone make a difference?”
“Yes, truly splendid.”
“I’ll have the clothes sent to your residence as soon as they’re finished. Could you give me the address?”
I immediately wrote down the address of the Marquis of Freier’s residence.
Aiden looked a little surprised.
“You know our address.”
Because I lived there for three years.
I smiled and mumbled evasively.
“I memorized it hard to get familiar with it before marrying. It’s come in useful for once.”
“Thank you.”
We went outside.
Again, I feel the gazes of passersby landing on Aiden.
I took a step away from him and said.
“It was nice meeting you, Mr. Aiden. And thank you for being honest about the tailing. I’ll be going now.”
“I’ll escort you.”
“No. I’d rather not have bad rumors start because I was seen with my ex-fiancé’s younger brother.”
And I don’t want to stand out any further.
I…… don’t like people looking at me.
I never liked it, but after standing on the gallows in my previous life, I’ve come to hate it even more.
Don’t look at me.
I’m not a spectacle.
I wondered if that emotion showed on my face.
Aiden didn’t insist further and backed down.
“Thank you. I’ll repay you for the clothes later.”
“It’s fine. It’s my last gift to you, Mr. Aiden.”
“But surely we are not on terms to exchange gifts.”
“Oh my, you’re so honest. Just do as I ask. Please be sure to tell Ernst that ‘the tailing revealed Irene was just playing around childishly.’ Okay?”
“……Understood. Then, may you return safely.”
Aiden bowed his head and walked towards the Marquis’s residence.
Behind his back, broad enough to want to lean on, the dark blue military uniform jacket fluttered.
In my memories, he was always like that.
Always in dark military uniform. Or wearing black or white shirts.
He even came to mine and Ernst’s wedding in ceremonial military uniform.
I’ve only just realized now that dark wine red suits that Aiden so well.
Even though it’s a set of clothes I’ll never see again.
Aiden Freier, this is my gift to you.
Although we weren’t close, still…….
In the final, final moment, the only one who reached out their hand to me was you.
I murmured towards his retreating figure.
“Be happy, Aiden.”
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