Chapter 76

***

The next day, she woke up later than usual.

Amarion felt very strange. Her whole body was tingling and her legs felt stiff as if they were swollen. Still, the feeling of fullness from the previous day remained.

‘Oh my God.’

She shuddered in shame and turned her head.

Victor was still sleeping.

“…Victor, wake up.”

She shook his shoulder. Suddenly, his thick arms swung around her and hugged her tight. He rubbed his face on her body like a dog.

“I don’t want to get up…”

“Did you forget that today is departure day?”

“We can postpone.”

He slowly opened his eyes. Even though it was going to be a very chaotic morning, it was an enchanting sight. Slowly remembering last night’s activities, her face turned red. Noticing her expression, he smiled mischievously.

“Marion, my wife. Why don’t we take some leisure time this afternoon?”

“Victor!”

“I’m letting you know in advance, but I still have a lot of things I want to do with you.”

She covered her face with both hands. They shouldn’t be involved anymore today, but seeing him made her weaker and weaker. Victor kissed the tip of her chin, which was the only part of her face that was exposed.

‘We really… really can’t!!’

“Madame! Are you up?”

Suddenly, the husky voice of a knight came from outside their door. It was Sir Raoul.

She was surprised and shouted.

“Y-yes! I’m up!”

“…We can leave today, right?”

It was as if he knew what happened last night. The tips of her ears burned.

She answered quickly.

“Yes, of course!”

Seeing her rushing out of bed, Victor clenched his teeth and shouted.

“Don’t you know the etiquette of not coming into your Master’s bedroom in the morning?”

“What are you talking about? As an escort knight, I was only concerned about the health of Madame. Isn’t that what your highness entrusted to me?”

“I will cut off your tongue someday.”

Laughter was heard outside.

“It seems that the two of you are getting closer since your highness is saying such things without hesitation in front of your wife.”

Victor opened his eyes wide and looked up at Amarion.

She smiled vaguely as she pulled her pants on. Then, considering her husband whom she had spent the night with, she spoke awkwardly.

“Uh, like… You were like a mercenary.”

“…”

“It reminded me of my hometown, um, that’s good? It was good.”

Victor let out a groan of frustration. He rubbed his face, got out of bed, and picked up his shirt. Then he spat out.

“Okay, let’s go back to the castle… I have Carlz, so I will try to make an excuse*.”

[*E/N: an excuse not to work >‿◕]

Amarion burst out laughing.

＊ ＊ ＊

And so, they left Fidelburg. A lot had been accomplished, and a lot had changed.

The Count promised to attend the banquet, and Sir Ulan wiped his tears with a handkerchief. Sir Leonard kissed Julianna’s hand, promising a short separation.

People sang as they left the castle. It was a song that would be passed onto future generations.

“Our lady is a white knight,

With sharp eyes and a smile like the moon.

She can pierce five hearts at once,

Ah, but she disappeared like the north wind.”

***

She crossed her arms.

In front of her, the maids were divided into two groups and were fighting.

“Of course, she should use white chiffon! Madame is a ‘white knight’!”

“But where else can you get this beautiful satin? The gold thread embroidery is sure to go well with Madame’s eyes!”

The maids argued fiercely. She was really fine with anything. But if she said that, she felt like she was going to be destroyed by these women immediately.

Amarion called to Mary.

“Mary… How should I do it?”

She tried to call her, but Mary, who was among the maids, was arguing more passionately than anyone else.

“Chiffon looks better to me too. Madame is tall, so a padded skirt would look best!”

“Right? Chiffon is perfect for her.”

“What are you talking about?! It has to be satin!”

“Ha…”

In the end, Amarion took a step back from their war. The seamstresses and assistants who had been called to the castle rolled their eyes.

It had already been a week since they had returned to the Morte estate.

During that brief period, she had wonderful days. The way back from Fidelburg was quite different from the way there. Everyone welcomed her, and the lords gave her very favorable glances.

It was the same in the castle as well. The people living near the castle, as well as the vassals who always kept a distance, welcomed her. The story of the subjugation army spread through bards, and the people of the castle told her story every day. Everyone eagerly awaited their return.

She… she was happy. She was still confused, but couldn’t help but be happy to receive the love and gratitude of so many people.

She spent the peaceful days she had dreamed of meeting with vassals, talking with the people of the castle, and reading books in the library.

And at night, Victor…

“Madame!”

“Huh?”

Mary’s voice awakened Amarion from her thoughts. Mary stared at her anxiously.

“Your face is red. Do you have a fever?”

“N-no I don’t. Did you decide on the fabric?”

“Madame, you have to choose!”

Mary pulled Amarion closer.

“Which one do you like better?”

After much deliberation, Amarion answered honestly.

“…Should I even get a new dress? I already have a lot of dresses…”

“What are you talking about, Madame?”

The maids protested fiercely.

“This is your first banquet in Northern society! Everything needs to be new and shiny!”

“But…”

“Of course, the clothes you have now are beautiful, but we need newer, more seasonal clothes.”

“The décor, the orchestra and the food all have to be perfect! The chef has already developed six new desserts.”

“After ordering the dress and flowers, the curtain merchant will come, and we will have to pick out paintings and rugs.”

“You’re going to have to keep seeing people all day.”

‘No way…’

Amarion cried inwardly.

She was preparing for the banquet. It was rumored to be ‘the most spectacular and unprecedentedly large ball in the North’, as promised in Norvant. She was following Mary’s advice to hold it before the weather got colder.

But planning the banquet was more difficult than expected. Even with the help of Diederick and Mary, there were so many things she had to decide for herself.

Even though today was the first day, she couldn’t believe it was already like this. Amarion looked down at the fabric and groaned. It was difficult to even imagine what kind of dresses these could be made into.

Then, the door swung open.

“Oh, are you ordering a dress?”

“Catalina!”

Catalina Cataleon, with sleek blue-black hair and a fashionable indoor dress, sprinted inside. She saw Amarion and smiled brightly.

While she was away, Catalina’s wounds completely healed. Amarion would have understood if Catalina had gone back, but she waited for her, helping with some work.

Amarion was grateful. Even Carlz grumbled and admitted that Catalina’s help was great. She signed contracts with several merchants in Morte to resume trade. It was amazing adaptability, fitting for the owner of a merchant group.

She welcomed Amarion’s return more than anyone else, and, as promised, they shared delicious honey tea and relaxed. She readily responded to Amarion’s request to help prepare for the ball. She said it would be great fun.

Amarion urgently asked for help.

“I don’t know what fabric I’m going to choose. In my eyes, both are pretty…”

“Then you can buy both, right?

Catalina replied, as if nothing was simpler than that. The cloth merchant’s face brightened. These fabrics were worth their weight in gold.

Ignoring Amarion’s paling complexion, Catalina continued.

“I’d like the shape to be a little different. Why don’t you wrap your whole body tightly with satin and put chiffon under your knees so that it spreads out like a fishtail?”

“That style was popular in the kingdom for a while! I’m sure it will suit you.”

“What? But if I’m dressed like that…”

Wouldn’t that be too bold?

Amarion glanced between the seamstress and Catalina, restless.

In the Empire, lace and frills were used to inflate skirts. She wondered if she could wear a dress that didn’t even need a petticoat.

But Catalina only smiled.

“Don’t worry, Amarion. You are the hostess of Morte, so you can wear anything here, right? Who would dare to speak up?”

“But…”

“It’s comfortable for people to wear dresses like this. It will surely become popular again in no time. Trust me.”

Catalina said in a confident tone.

Amarion looked at the maids, but they only nodded, their eyes shining. They were also interested in the unusual dress.

After hesitating for a while, Amarion finally agreed.

“…I got it. Please-”

“I’ll start making it right away, your highness!”

The seamstress walked away excitedly.

Catalina enthusiastically applauded her.

“What are you going to do about the flowers? A ball requires abundant flowers.”

“Well, that’s something I was thinking of.”

Mary rushed in.

“The Glass Garden is out of work. Their orders were cut off because deliveries stopped due to monsters. So why don’t we order flowers made of crystal and glass and decorate them like they are in your parlor? It will definitely help the workers there.”

“Oh, how thoughtful you are.”

Mary blushed at Catalina’s praise.

The maids trembled in excitement, imagining the dazzlingly beautiful sight.

***

New Kofi shop updated till chapter 88.