Chapter 103: I Won’t Dance to Your Tune
by rosalie‘As expected, you’re surprised. Because I’m not wearing pink.’
I stared intently at Rosetta who was walking down the aisle. She covered her trembling lips with her bouquet and pretended to be unfazed as she continued walking forward, looking straight ahead.
‘I was right that you were targeting me.’
If I hadn’t read the original story, I would have dressed according to the invitation’s instructions and been utterly humiliated.
I wasn’t exaggerating when I said Rosetta was quite aggressive for a saintess. She had a personality that couldn’t leave alone those who disliked her or those she disliked.
Deliberately giving the wrong dress codes to noble ladies and young ladies attending parties to embarrass them.
That was one of her favorite games.
‘And it all started with that pink dress code.’
I was incredibly shocked when I saw the back of the invitation.
You truly hate me.
But no matter what you do, I won’t dance to your tune.
“How did you know Rosetta Rain would play tricks?”
Xavier, wearing a sophisticated navy blue suit, lowered his waist and whispered in my ear.
“I checked with a boutique I’m familiar with beforehand. I wanted to know what other nobles had purchased to match the wedding dress code.”
A low laugh escaped from Xavier’s lips.
“You’re amazing, Yuria.”
“I just bought two sets in different colors, that’s all.”
“Thanks to you, we survived. I was really surprised earlier.”
Xavier’s voice became subtly lower.
“Ah.”
I remembered the moment when we hurriedly changed clothes in the carriage before getting out.
‘Why did we suddenly park the carriage in a dark alley?’
‘It’s urgent. Xavier, take off your clothes for a moment.’
‘Take… off? …Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?’
‘No one’s watching, what’s inappropriate… What are you imagining? Just change your clothes!’
We had changed in the carriage with the curtains drawn, unable to get out. I suddenly felt heat rising up the back of my neck at the memory.
“T-that was because we were in a hurry. I barely saw anything anyway.”
“So you did see my body.”
“Y-you saw me too!”
“I’m not such a shameless person.”
“So you’re saying I’m shameless…!”
“Oh, they’re marching. Let’s applaud.”
“……”
I ended up clapping along with Xavier.
Loud applause and fanfare filled the hall, and paper flower petals scattered through the air. In the midst of it all was Rosetta, wearing the crown princess’s tiara, looking happy.
Soon the wedding reception began.
＊
I sat in a banquet chair by the wall, observing the reception hall while eating macarons one by one from a plate on my lap.
More precisely, I was watching Rosetta.
Wearing her magnificent crown, Rosetta sparkled like light. She was receiving congratulations from the nobles who had gathered like clouds, arm in arm with Crown Prince Arthur.
‘Hmph, she’s completely treating me like I’m invisible.’
With the dress incident and all, I wanted to confront her about it, but Rosetta was pretending not to know me even after making eye contact several times. She was deliberately avoiding me, the Duchess.
‘You think I don’t know you’re avoiding me on purpose? Are you upset because I didn’t wear a pink dress? Sorry, but I won’t fall for something I already know about.’
I chomped on a cheese-flavored macaron.
‘I need to talk to her… I should find an opportunity to drag her out to the terrace.’
Taking my eyes off Rosetta, I scanned both walls. Young ladies were standing still like nails in the wall. They were waiting for young gentlemen to ask them for the first dance.
“She really has a nasty personality.”
The bride and groom should have the first dance before others could dance, but Crown Prince Arthur and Rosetta hadn’t danced yet.
“Yuria, look over there.”
While I was internally sympathizing with the young men and women, Xavier’s voice brought me back to attention.
“What is it?”
In the direction Xavier was pointing, two people were rushing toward me, pushing away others’ hands. The moment I saw them, I automatically jumped up from my seat.
“Father? Mother?”
The golden retriever-like… my beloved parents!
Right. I had forgotten they were coming here too.
“Ah, my daughter!”
“Yuria!”
My parents embraced me and kissed my cheeks.
“Our daughter has become so pretty.”
“You too, Mother.”
“Daughter, hasn’t your father lost some weight?”
“Yes. Your belly has become quite slim.”
It’s true. Father’s belly, which used to be as big as Mount Bern, had become firm.
“With a grandchild coming soon, I got in shape to play with them. Good, right?”
“What? Who’s pregnant?”
“Doug.”
Mother giggled and patted Father’s shoulder. Father looked at Mother with round eyes, then said “Ah, right,” before turning his gaze to Xavier who was standing behind me.
“Oh, Your Grace.”
“Welcome, Father.”
“Ho ho ho. That title always sounds good.”
Ah, calling him Father… It gives me goosebumps.
“Our handsome Duke Auguste!”
Mother called Xavier in an overly sweet voice.
She called him so affectionately, it was as if she had a canary in her throat.
“Mother, you flatter me.”
Unlike me who was cringing, Xavier looked serious. He pulled out chairs for them and seated them respectfully.
‘He doesn’t need to do that as a Duke… But it’s kind of nice of him.’
He pulled out my chair as well before taking his seat. Once we were all seated around the large table, Father opened his mouth.
“It feels nice sitting like this, like a family gathering. Don’t you think so, Duke?”
“Indeed, it’s wonderful. And please speak more casually.”
“B-but–”
Though bewildered, Father couldn’t hide his pleased expression.
“You two are like parents to me. I don’t like parents speaking formally to their children.”
“Since you put it that way, should I? Ho ho ho.”
“Oh my, can I do it too, Xavier?”
“Please do. Call me whatever you like. Father, Mother.”
“……”
He’s quite smooth with calling them Father and Mother.
“Have a drink.”
“That’s nice.”
Xavier poured champagne into the long glass in front of Father.
“Would you like some too, Mother?”
“No, I don’t drink.”
“Ah, so that’s why Yuria is weak with alcohol.”
“No. It’s not that I can’t drink, I choose not to.”
Mother added, her green eyes twinkling.
“After drinking, movements become dull, you know?”
“What? Yes.”
“Instead, will you accept a glass from me?”
“Ah, it would be my honor.”
Lady Naomi took the champagne bottle and poured it into Xavier’s glass.
As the golden liquid filled the transparent glass with bubbles, Xavier carefully lifted it and took a sip.
‘Why is he being so modest today?’
He placed his toned arms, not fully concealed even by his formal uniform, demurely on his knees and listened attentively to Mother’s words.
“Just keep loving my daughter like you do now.”
“M-Mother!”
I almost spit out the macaron I was eating in surprise.
“Yes, I will.”
Xavier readily accepted and answered.
“Thank you. That’s all I need. I’ll think of you as my son too.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that.”
“If you make my daughter cry, be prepared… Oh.”
Mother stopped mid-sentence and pressed her lips together.
“Pardon?”
As Xavier just blinked, Mother laughed exaggeratedly and hit his back hard.
“Hohoho. They say old age makes one foolish. I guess my joke went too far.”
“……!”
For a moment, Xavier’s eyes twitched and then grew wider as he looked at Mother.
Mother covered her mouth with both hands and jumped up. Though Xavier was the one who was hit, Mother turned pale and hurriedly apologized to him.
“Are you alright? I’m sorry. My hands are a bit strong.”
I asked worriedly too.
“Xavier, does it hurt?”
“Ahem. No. My back feels quite refreshed actually. Mother’s touch was as light as a feather.”
“R-really?”
“Mother, don’t worry. Unlike Father, Xavier is a Swordmaster, so he’s very strong and sturdy.”
“Ahaha. Y-yes…”
Why is she acting like this?
Seeing Mother unusually unable to calm down, I called out to Father worriedly.
“Father, Mother is…”
But there was no response.
“Oh no.”
While we were focused on Mother and Xavier’s conversation, Father had already fallen asleep with his head on the table.
“Oh my, Doug. Did you already drink three glasses? I told you to have just one!”
“…Ugh.”
Mother hit Father’s back and shook him to wake him up, but Father just groaned and fell back asleep.
“Hmm, so Yuria takes after Father.”
“Duke, I’m sorry about this.”
“Not at all. I’ll have the servants take good care of him.”
With a gesture of Xavier’s hand, servants who had been waiting somewhere came forward to support and take away her unconscious father.
“Oh dear, I should go too. Yuria, stay and enjoy yourself.”
“Alright. Take care.”
“Please do visit the ducal residence.”
“Would that be alright? Our Duke speaks so prettily. Is it because he’s handsome? Hohoho.”
“Yes, it’s because I’m handsome.”
Xavier wasn’t usually this shameless character, but today he seems to have lost his mind.
When I raised my eyebrows as if to say ‘What’s wrong with you?’, his eyebrows raised like seagulls as if to say ‘What?’
“Oh my. I really like our Duke. Well then, see you again.”
Mother smiled brightly and quickly walked off in the direction where Father had been taken.
‘Why does she seem so flustered today?’
As I waved, watching Mother’s retreating figure, Xavier waved along and said,
“Mother has quite strong hands. Father must have a hard time.”
“Father gets hurt often.”
Xavier nodded and asked me again.
“By the way… did you hear?”
“Hear what?”
I looked up at his profile at the sudden question. His lips were curved in a smooth arc.
“Mother said she really likes me.”
“What?”
“Wouldn’t that make me an excellent husband?”
Ah.
Xavier’s gaze, which had been forward, settled on me. His intense eyes seemed to urge my response, and the words I had been holding back spilled out.
“Thank you. Thank you for being good to my parents.”
“There’s no need to thank me at all.”
Was that not what he meant?
My toes curled in embarrassment.
“I mean…”
As I hurriedly tried to change my words, thinking I might have misunderstood, Xavier responded with prettily curved eyes.
“They’re my parents now too.”
“…Yes.”
The man standing before me seemed even taller for a moment. A large, warm feeling flowed from him into me like a tide. My heart swelled.
“You two look very happy.”
Suddenly, the Crown Prince’s voice cut between us.
At some point, the royal couple had approached where we were standing. The Crown Prince, who had changed into a black formal uniform, and Rosetta, who had changed into a lavender polonaise dress, were holding hands affectionately.
The matching crowns on their heads shone like suns under the chandelier light. I found myself unconsciously staring at Rosetta wearing the crown, as it was such an unfamiliar sight.