This time, I didn’t dream. However, when I next opened my eyes, I felt as though I was inside a living dream.
My skin smelled like roses.
“Please follow me, Lady Marie,” Mio said, taking my hand and leading me through a long, long corridor.
It had taken me a moment to notice, but I was wearing beautiful shoes. A multitude of clear, shining gems adorned them, making them look like glass slippers. I wasn’t used to high heels, so I almost tripped several times, but Mio supported me.
Eventually, we reached the end of the corridor. There, at the heart of the white-walled castle, was a jet-black door. Mio opened it and said, “Please, after you, my lady.”
It was a magnificent banquet hall, likely the largest room in the entire castle. It was so vast that a hundred people could probably dance here at the same time. A single strip of crimson carpet stretched straight from the door across the polished stone floor, and on each side, rows of people who I assumed were the servants of this castle were standing in perfectly straight lines. They were all bowing, incredibly still, as though they’d been awaiting my entrance.
“Please go ahead, my lady,” Mio said.
I took small steps, one after the other. My eyes wandered around until they stopped on a wall at my side. It was entirely covered with mirrors, and I stared at one absent-mindedly. Who is this?
Inside the mirror was a tall woman I didn’t recognize. Soft-looking vermilion locks cascaded down her back, nearly reaching her hips; her hair was so voluminous that it made her look like a flower in bloom. Those beautiful tresses framed her elegant features and slender jawline. Her suntanned skin was covered by a thick yet perfectly smooth layer of foundation, while her plump lips were painted the color of sweet cherries. And her almond-shaped eyes were accentuated by sharp makeup that positively exuded intelligence. Furthermore, instead of concealing her height, the woman dared to wear high heels and a deep-red mermaid dress that showcased the length of her legs. The dress’s golden threads traced vine patterns around her waist, accentuating the curves of her body.
I simply couldn’t peel my eyes off this woman—she was beautiful. Who is she?
“Lady Marie, please join his lordship,” Mio said, urging me forward.
I resumed walking in a daze. In the center of the hall, standing on the red carpet, was the count. He truly wasn’t doing anything other than simply standing there, but his aura overwhelmed me. Still, I did as Mio had said and kept walking toward him.
Once I was close enough to see the captivating color of his eyes, I bowed once before lifting my head slowly. He was expressionless and silent.
Kyros Granado was a tall man. Even though I was as tall as the average man—and in heels on top of that—I still had to look up at him. His green eyes pierced right through me. Was he glaring at me? No, there didn’t seem to be any animosity in his gaze. If anything, it was so warm I could feel myself melting in it.
“…Marie.”
He said something, but I’d been so focused on his eyes I missed most of it.
“Lord Kyros?” I replied.
His eyes were still on me, but he didn’t say anything further. Instead, he brought his hand to his jaw. It was shaking slightly.
I had no idea what was going on. Had I angered him? Was he fed up with me? Perhaps he was annoyed that I still looked like a mess with my horrendous red hair despite him having been so kind as to allow me to bathe. Was he thinking that the beautiful dress he’d lent me was wasted on an ugly girl like me?
He most definitely was. I looked down apologetically and bit my lower lip. I felt so sorry for wasting his time. I’m truly not worth—
I was about to start crying when Lord Kyros’s voice suddenly echoed throughout the hall, stopping my train of thought. “Liu Liu! Liu Liu, come!”
He may have been practically shouting, but all he received in reply was a very carefree “Yes, yes, coming!” before a woman appeared from behind a nearby column. She was astonishingly beautiful. Her tan skin and her striking, finely chiseled features were perfectly accentuated by her bold choice of makeup, which was unlike anything I’d ever seen before, and she had full lashes that cast a shadow over her green eyes. I couldn’t figure out her age at all.
“You didn’t need to shout, Kyros,” she added. “I can hear you just fine.” She smiled at us, and her eyes stopped on me. After taking a good look, she whistled. “I see, I see. I didn’t take you for the type, but you’re all about looks in the end.”
I blinked in confusion. I had no idea what she meant. Lord Kyros and the woman seemed to understand one another, though, and she smirked at his frown.
“Liu Liu, stop poking fun at me and take a proper look,” the count groaned.
“What does it matter? You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?”
After a pause, Lord Kyros replied, “This is an official custom, and I want to do things right, mother.”
Mother? Come to think of it, he did mention having mixed parentage. He told me his mother was from Ypsandros. I see, so Liu Liu is his mother!
The green-eyed beauty started scanning me from head to toe. Her gaze was so powerful, I couldn’t help but avert my eyes.
“I can’t approve. She’s lacking,” Liu Liu declared.
“Mother…”
“She desperately lacks confidence. A future duchess should hold her head up high and exude nobility and strength. If nothing else, she’ll need to be able to do that much before your formal betrothal.”
Lord Kyros let out a breath of relief, his eyes sparkling as he looked at his mother. “Then…”
“Yes. Although I must say that, while I can see you spent the day getting her ready, the dress and makeup are overpowering her. She’ll need to work on that. Your engagement ceremony will not only be attended by the royalty and nobility of the Dilts Kingdom, but those from all over the world. I’m sure you realize the gravity of the situation. Let’s do what we can to polish the gem you found before then. I’ll do what I can to help too.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“Oh, stop acting so prim and proper. It’s annoying me already.”
What should I do? I can’t follow at all…
I felt utterly lost, but I didn’t have the confidence to speak up and ask for clarification, so I just stood there confused. Suddenly, someone tugged on my sleeve softly. I turned around to find Mio.
“Congratulations, Lady Marie,” she said.
“H-huh? Thank you, but…what for?”
“The duchess has approved of your betrothal to Lord Kyros. You are now officially his fiancée.”
“…Huh?”
What…? WHAT?!
The servants that had been gathered in the hall started clapping and celebrating.
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations on your engagement, Lord Kyros and Lady Marie!”
“Congratulations!”
I didn’t understand why any of this was happening. My voice was stuck in my throat. I looked at Liu Liu, and she smiled warmly at me before pulling me into a tight hug.
“Welcome to the Comital Castle of Granado, Marie!” she said.
I let out an unintelligible noise, unable to voice my thoughts.
“We’re happy to have you! The duke’s health has been declining, so I’ve been hoping Kyros would take over soon, but this idiotic son of mine has been taking his sweet time to marry! I was about to dump a foreign princess on his lap and call it a day when he finally made up his mind! At last, I can rest easy.”
“I… Uh…”
“Liu Liu, don’t get ahead of yourself,” Lord Kyros said. “We’re only at the betrothal stage. Besides, we won’t be truly engaged until after the ceremony.” His voice was stern, but his expression betrayed how delighted he was. “Mio, send a messenger to House Chandelan. Let’s fix a date for the ceremony.”
“It’d be my pleasure, but I’m afraid that if I send someone on a fast horse now, they’ll reach the Chandelan estate before the baron makes it home.”
“Ah, right. Let’s take our time, then. There is much to prepare anyway.”
“I…” I was struggling to say anything at all.
“House Chandelan is also an ancient house, so they too may have traditions they wish to observe. An engagement ceremony is a ritual that involves two houses—you must prepare thoroughly so that the customs and beliefs of both sides are respected,” Mio said.
“Send a letter first to inquire about these matters, then,” Lord Kyros concluded.
“Um—” I attempted once more before being cut off by Liu Liu.
“I can’t believe my son is finally getting married! I’m so moved! Ah! Who knows—at this time next year, I might already be a grandmother!”
“I—”
“Stop it, Liu Liu. Many brides dislike those sorts of comments nowadays,” Lord Kyros said.
“I-I can’t do this!” I yelled as the words finally burst out.
My voiced echoed around the great hall. Lord Kyros, Liu Liu, and Mio stopped talking at once as the clapping of the servants faded. They all turned to me in eerie silence, and each and every one of them blinked in confusion.