Chapter 96

Chapter 96

“For nobles who have already raised their eyes at the imperial wedding, the North must be a troublesome place to visit.”

Hearing her words, the butler glanced down with a heavy heart while Iellie continued.

“Besides, attending the Duchy’s wedding could give them a chance to be disliked by the Emperor.”

“Then…?”

“We need to make other nobles want to come to this wedding, not invite them.”

When she concluded her words simply and clearly, the butler opened his eyes wide. Seeing that, Iellie smiled widely.

“I want to make a wedding that only a few close people can attend.”

“Only a handful of close acquaintances attend…?”

“Yes. Think of the person invited to this wedding as someone who is favored by the Duchy.”

As she tilted her head and faced the butler, she continued her words to the butler, who had a bewildered face.

“That way, people will try to attend the Duchy’s wedding first.”

The butler looked like he had been beaten in the back of her head. Meanwhile, Iellie laughed like an evil little demon.

“To be considered to have a special relationship with the only Duchy in the Empire…”

The voice fell slowly.

Iellie rested her chin, glanced sideways at the butler, and whispered softly.

“…Wouldn’t that be quite appealing to nobles as well?”

When she said that, even Mrs. Transel, who was waiting by the side, was startled. It was because she did not know that she had that change of mind. By doing that, she wouldn’t be pushed back by the imperial wedding.

“Anyway, the Duchy’s wedding just needs to be special enough to be imprinted in people’s minds, right?”

The butler blankly nodded his head at Iellie’s question. He subsequently becomes determined face and answers her.

“Then, I will make preparations like that, Miss.”

“Yes. Let’s solve the problem that way… Oh yes, and…”

Iellie, who was organizing her thoughts for a moment, gently tilted her head. After that, she added another word.

“Especially when treating guests, try not to be negligent when it comes to food.”

“Food…?”

“Yes. At the reception following the wedding, I hope the guests will not be dissatisfied with the meal.”

At a time like this, she didn’t need to feel the Korean blood she had. Even though she thought so, Iellie knew best how important food was.

‘Honestly, you go to the wedding to eat.’

Thinking so, she narrowed her brow.

Looking back on her previous life, the most important thing when attending someone else’s wedding was, of course, the meal. To be honest, she couldn’t even remember what dress the bride wore, but she did with the food menu.

‘…The most important thing is how to treat the invitees to the wedding.’

Food, comfortable seating, and a pleasant atmosphere—those things determined the impression of the event. Of course, since this was not Korea, they had to keep the dignity of a great noble. Still, Iellie personally considered that issue to be the most important.

“Yes, I will obey.”

“And how is the return gift for the guests going?”

“If we take out all the Asha flower jam and tea we made last year, I think it will be about right.”

“That’s fortunate.”

Iellie nodded her head, and Mrs. Transel pricked her ear curiously.

Jam and tea made from Asha flowers? Jam and tea made from flowers, she hadn’t even heard of it. Iellie nodded her head and continued her words.

“Great. Do you have anything more to say to me?”

“No, there is none.”

“Then, please take good care of it in the future.”

Iellie smiled brightly. As the butler left the room, Iellie turned to Mrs. Transel and opened her mouth.

“Did you wait long? I apologize.”

“No. You must have had a lot to say.”

“Well, a little bit. Thank you for your understanding.”

She smiled with an apologetic face. Mrs. Transel questioned Iellie with a curious face.

“Though just now, I heard you were preparing Asha flower jam and tea as a return gift…”

“Oh, that? Actually, it’s nothing.”

Iellie closed her eyes and laughed. She succeeded in arousing curiosity among the people of the Capital.

“I made jam and tea using Asha flowers.”

“…Is that possible?”

“Yes. Still, you have to choose good flowers and adjust the sugar ratio delicately.”

Flower tea and flower jam were made by Iellie, who recalled memories of her past life. In Korea, foods using cherry blossoms were in full swing in spring, and among them, she liked cherry jam and tea.

‘Because it looks pretty and tastes good.’

Since it was made using the symbolism of Hessenweitz, she planned to present it as a return gift to keep the royal family in check. Mrs. Transel nodded her head and laid out on the table a piece of paper on which she had designed the dress.

“Yes. Oh, and I designed a few wedding dresses. Could you please check it?”

As she wrinkled her forehead, Iellie examined the papers on which the drawings were made. She carefully gazed down and set a few sketches. The sketches were dresses in skin-tight form.

“Well, I think I’d prefer a design with a full skirt.”

“Understood.”

The Duchess was clear-headed and meticulous in temper. As Iellie picked out the sketches, Mrs. Transel recorded the information in her head. It was better to remember information about such a precious customer.

“Because there will probably be some people who will be trying to find fault with this wedding… Do you understand what I mean?”

Iellie smiled as she spoke like a joke, and she quickly responded.

“Then, the design of the dress will be more formal.”

“I think it would be better.”

“In fact, if other people wear such a design, it might be evaluated as a bit old-fashioned, but…”

Mrs. Transel met Iellie’s gaze. The young Duchess in front of her would become a fashion trend.

“…Nonetheless, clothes are expressed in many ways depending on the person wearing them.”

“Can I take that as a compliment to me?”

“Sure.”

Mrs. Transel also smiled at her.

As the two soon began discussing dresses and other accessories, Iellie was a customer with strong subjectivity. She smiled and said everything she had to say.

“I will try to blend the wedding dress with the veil as much as possible… What should I do with the wedding dress?”

“At that time, I have to greet the guests so I want it to be comfortable to move without being too heavy.”

“All right. I will keep that in mind.”

Listening to her words, Mrs. Transel diligently wrote down her request. As she rolled the pen from her hand, she asked another question.

“By the way, Lady Hessenweitz, I have a question for you.”

“Yes?”

“I think everyone in the castle calls Lady Miss.”

It was an unspoken statement that the names had yet to be dealt with. Iellie, who blinked her eyes, nodded her head.

“Ah, since I’ve been called by the title of Miss for a long time.”

Come to think of it, even the strict butler calls her Miss.

Iellie smiled.

“I decided to keep the title until her wedding day. I also find it a bit awkward to be called Madam.”

In fact, the title ‘Miss’ itself was an informal title. It was the title they used to call her when she was young and first married Zachary, when the previous Duke didn’t like her very much.

‘Now, I know how much affection there is in that title.’

She remembered the affection in the voice that people used to call Iellie with. So, before moving on to the title of Duchess, she wanted to enjoy the warmth of that title fully. The thought made her smile softly.

“Now, after the wedding, I think that title will probably be changed.”

“I see…”

Mrs. Transel nodded her head.

But just then, there was a knock. Iellie tilted her head.

“Come in.”

Iellie raised her voice and. The door was carefully opened, and it was Mary who entered.

“Miss.”

“What happened?”

Approaching her with quick steps, Mary hesitated for a moment before she opened her mouth in her little.

“A wedding present has arrived for the lady.”

“To me…?”

Iellie looked puzzled. She looks uncomfortable with Mary’s expression as she strangely talks about the wedding gift.

“Is there something wrong with the present?”

“…No, nothing like that.”

“Then, it seems there is a problem with the person who sent the gift.”

Iellie’s expression hardened slightly. She couldn’t help but feel unpleasant, as if pebbles rolled through her chest.

“So, who sent it?”

“That is…”

This was not good news for Iellie. Mary, who had been watching her, cautiously opened her mouth.

“…It was sent by the Emperor.”

“What?”

She unknowingly crumpled her brow. After opening the gift, Iellie thought that she would have to discuss this gift with Zachary. It was too expensive for her alone to judge whether she should receive it or not.

‘Ah, it’s Zachary.’

So Iellie set out to find him. Zachary was receiving a report from the knights.

‘Is he busy?’

Zachary’s expression upon receiving the report was one that she had never known… a cold-hearted face that Duke Hessenweitz would have. She didn’t want to get in the way, so Iellie stopped right there. However, he was already aware of her arrival.

He glanced back and smiled.

“Len.”

“Zachary.”

He already knew. Iellie, who became embarrassed, approached him and the knights greeted her.

“Greetings Lady Hessenweitz.”

“It’s been a while, sir. How have you all been?”

“Of course. Oh well, even though the Duke was bothering me a bit.”

Zachary wrinkled his brow at the tone. Those bastards, watch it when Iellie goes back. Meanwhile, seeing his sharp eyes, the knights tried to avert their gaze.

Iellie widened her eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

“Nothing.”

In the first place, he smiled with a good-natured face. She didn’t even need to know that he was known as the ‘devil Duke’ because he trained the knights under his command so much.

Zachary spoke softly.

“Rather than that, Len, you came all the way here… Do you have something to say?”

“Yes.”

Iellie rolled her eyes. Not sure how to talk about this, she swallowed a sigh.

“A present from the Emperor has arrived.”

“From the Emperor…?”

Zachary’s face turned grim. Usually, the Emperor gave a congratulatory message and presents to the nobles who were getting married. However, since they didn’t want the Emperor’s blessing itself, the Emperor had no reason to send a gift.

“…Well. If you think positively, you should consider it an honor.”

His expression was so ferocious that Iellie said that to comfort him. Still, it was right to say that the Emperor’s move was not appropriate.

Zachary squeezed his forehead and opened his mouth.

“So, what came?”

“That is… it’s a bracelet decorated with peridots.”

“A bracelet?”

Zachary was in a serious mood again. Usually, these gifts were given to both couples at the same time though the Emperor gave the gift only to her. It was clearly intended to keep Zachary in check.

“It’s not like he gave any present, but a bracelet?”

His lips twisted wildly. Since the gift the Emperor chose was a bracelet… was he conscious of the bracelet Iellie and he shared?

At the same time, Iellie was thinking about the New Year’s ball.

“Lady. Can you give me that bracelet?”

As the Emperor’s languid voice rang in her ears, she felt a chill and goosebumps ran up her spine.

“Instead, I’ll give you a diamond bracelet worthy of Lady’s rank.”

“….”

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