Chapter 90

“I’m sorry! Did you wait long?!”

“It’s dangerous, so please come down slowly.”

Edwin tried to stop me, but feeling guilty, I hurried down the stairs anyway.

It felt like at least four or five hours had passed. Just how long had I left him standing out there?

“You looked like you were enjoying the conversation so much that I didn’t want to interrupt.”

He explained that he’d already called a baggage carriage and sent the books home first.

I’d been worrying about how I’d carry all those books, so it was a huge relief.

As I kept apologizing to Edwin over and over, the lady walked over to us.

“Miss, I truly enjoyed our conversation today. I can’t remember the last time I talked like that without noticing the time pass.”

“I was the one honored to learn from your deep insight, truly.”

“Since we’ve met like this, may I at least know your name?”

“…”

Even after such a long conversation, the fact that she hadn’t removed her mask must’ve told her that I had no intention of revealing my identity.

I answered with regret in my heart.

“My name is Elze, madam.”

“Elze… it sounds like a name that smells of books. It suits you very well.”

To describe someone as a bookworm so elegantly.

I was genuinely impressed when she continued.

“Please call me Lizzie. All my friends do.”

“Thank you, Lizzie.”

I carefully took the hand she offered.

It was really time to part.

It was too late for a woman to return home alone, so I offered her an escort, but she declined, saying her home was nearby.

In the end, Edwin and I left the bookstore first.

Even in the south, the air before dawn was still a bit chilly.

Noticing my thin clothes, Edwin immediately took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders.

“You should wear this.”

“Won’t you be cold?”

“I’m fine.”

Then he slowly and carefully took hold of my fingertips.

When I looked up at him without saying anything, he became a little bolder and laced his fingers between mine.

“…”

The air that had felt chilly just moments ago now felt warm.

We didn’t let go of each other’s hands until we arrived at the estate.

* * *

A young couple walked side by side through the darkness.

Watching their retreating figures with a gentle smile, the middle aged woman slowly removed her mask.

The face revealed was that of Isabella La Ferrand, known as the greatest intellect in the Capital.

Lizzie was her childhood nickname, one only close family and friends were allowed to use, which showed just how favorably she’d taken to Elze.

A bookstore employee approached Isabella from behind.

“A carriage has been prepared to take you back to the estate.”

“Did my husband send it?”

“Yes. The master was worried about your well being.”

“That man…”

Though unknown to anyone else, the owner of this bookstore was the head of an independent printing house she sponsored.

Seeing so many excellent works left unpublished simply due to lack of printing capability had always troubled her, and through an acquaintance, she’d been introduced to a printing house owner.

After various steps, Isabella and the owner realized the need for distribution as well and opened Bookworm’s Paradise.

They kept their relationship completely hidden, so no one in the Capital knew this truth.

Only her husband, the Marquis of Ferrand who supported her writing most closely, and her longtime confidant were aware of it.

“Madam, the dawn air is cold.”

“Thank you.”

Avoiding people’s eyes, Isabella slipped out through the back door and boarded the carriage.

She closed her eyes briefly from fatigue, but sleep wouldn’t come.

Because of today’s special encounter.

“She looked very young. Was she even twenty?”

Though the girl’s face was hidden by a mask, there were plenty of clues to estimate her age.

Her status too.

Unlike Isabella who wore gloves, the young lady’s hands were bare, her skin smooth and her nails long and neatly kept.

The dress looked plain at a glance, but anyone with a discerning eye would know.

The lack of ornamentation aside, the fabric’s sheen was unmistakably high quality.

“I wouldn’t miss someone with that level of intellect… was she a lady who just debuted this season?”

If so, it made sense.

A young lady newly arrived in the Capital to debut into society, slipping out of her estate with her lover while hiding her identity wasn’t strange at all.

Isabella herself had been a wild child no one could control when she was young.

“I hope we can meet again.”

* * *

A few days later.

The Lombard estate in the Capital was noisy from early morning.

It was customary for the emperor and empress to personally announce the first banquet of the social season, and any noble invited by the emperor had to attend.

I was no exception, and I was dragged out of bed before I could even wipe the sleep from my eyes.

I soaked in a bath with steam rising warmly. I must’ve dozed off for a moment, because when I came to, the maids were applying fragrant oil to my hair.

I fell asleep again, and this time woke up to skin care.

“What time is it…”

“Eleven, Madam!”

It was finally close to my usual wake up time.

The maids would take care of preparing my body, but I needed to start preparing myself mentally before entering the imperial palace, so I stretched and straightened my back.

Praising Berry, who must’ve been supporting me the whole time, I asked the maid in charge of makeup,

“How much longer will it take?”

“Your hair is finished, and the makeup will be done shortly. Only the dress and accessories remain.”

“I see…”

In the mirror, I stared at the dresses lined up on mannequins.

It was the result of Edwin putting in considerable effort on my behalf, knowing I had no talent for dressing up.

Before we left Lombard, he’d sent people ahead to hire several famous designers and provided my measurements so dresses and shoes could be made in advance.

If this had been a banquet in Lombard, I would’ve scolded him for wasting money.

But this was the Capital, and as Duchess, I had a duty to uphold Lombard’s prestige.

Of course, I could’ve worn Elicia’s old dresses, but her taste was beyond terrible.

To my eyes, they looked like clown outfits barely covering skin, and I couldn’t believe she’d paid money for them.

‘Elly… this, the dress, um…’

‘You don’t need to force yourself to be nice. I know my taste is terrible.’

That was roughly how Edwin ended up taking full charge.

Honestly, it was a blessing for someone like me who had no eye for fine clothes.

“Madam, your makeup is complete.”

“Good work.”

As I’d been lost in thought, the maid bowed and stepped back.

With Berry’s support, I stood up from the vanity and slowly looked over the dresses.

Costly silk and lace, countless gemstones. Each one was dazzling and beautiful.

They weren’t excessive either, but harmonized like individual works of art.

“I don’t know which dress to choose.”

“Anything you pick will suit you, Madam.”

“That’s true.”

I stopped in front of a water colored dress.

Soft blue silk embroidered with vine patterns in silver thread, blooming with crystal, pearls, and various colored gemstones.

It wasn’t overly eye catching, and I really wanted to stay tucked away somewhere, but it seemed fitting to show Lombard’s dignity.

“I’ll try this one first and ask Ed if it looks appropriate.”

“Oh my, Madam…”

“The master would say you’re beautiful no matter what you wear!”

“T-that’s not what I mean! It’s just that Edwin has a good eye, so I want him to check if it suits a first banquet, that’s all!”

I tried desperately to explain, but however they interpreted it, the maids blushed and squealed.

No matter how much I shouted for them to stop, they were clearly still holding back laughter.

“Do you all suddenly have nothing to do? Can’t you move any faster?!”

“Yes♡”

They weren’t even pretending to be scared anymore.

My terrifying mistress image was completely ruined.

While I grumbled internally, the quick handed maids dressed me, fitted matching shoes, and adjusted everything neatly.

“Madam, would you like to look in the mirror now?”

“I think these accessories would suit you. What do you think, Madam?”

As they pulled out jewelry boxes one by one, a knock sounded on the door connecting the bedrooms.

Only one person could knock on that door. When I answered, the door opened immediately.

“Eli, regarding today’s banquet schedule, there are a few things you should know…”

Edwin stopped mid step as he entered, frozen in place.