Chapter 89
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
90.
"We've arrived."
At that moment, the carriage door opened to the sound of the servant's courteous voice. Rebecca exchanged a glance with Julian before stepping down from the carriage.
"My goodness..."
Rebecca's mouth fell open in astonishment.
"It's far more elegant than I imagined."
Julian smiled with satisfaction, his gaze sweeping across the massive structure. The grand salon building, reminiscent of an ancient temple, gleamed pristine white like fresh snow. Antique marble columns and sculptures adorning various points throughout created an atmosphere of reverence and sanctity. The exterior suited the Duchy of Johannes perfectly. Upon the white staircase leading to the entrance lay a crimson carpet that welcomed all who visited. Simply stepping upon it evoked the sensation of receiving special treatment. Rebecca lifted her gaze to examine the sign carved into the stone. 【Labonne Salon】 Rebecca stared up at the sign, her chest swelling with emotion, her expression growing tender. In her previous life, the Labonne Salon where she had worked under Margaret had begun in a converted small bakery. Through the efforts of the people of Liberta and Margaret's dedication, the Labonne Salon had grown at a remarkable pace. By the time Rebecca died, the Labonne Salon had become one of the most renowned salons in Irencia, despite being exclusively for commoners. Memories of sharing hardships and joys with the salon staff came flooding back. Those days had been difficult, yet equally filled with happiness. Seeing Rebecca's eyes grow moist, Julian reached out and grasped her shoulder.
"What's wrong?"
At his concerned touch, Rebecca lifted her face to look at Julian. Within his sharp eyes lay a tender warmth.
"No, it's nothing."
Rebecca linked her arm affectionately through Julian's. After all, today they had come to this place as a lovely couple on the eve of their wedding. The moment her bare skin touched him, Julian's body went rigid. A cold sweat trickled down his spine.
"Welcome."
As they stepped through the doors, an expansive salon lobby unfurled before them. A crystal chandelier hung from the soaring ceiling, and every surface—from the reception desk to the small tables—bore intricate patterns gilded in gold. Staff members lined both sides of the luxurious lobby, bowing respectfully toward Rebecca and Julian. Their gestures were impeccably courteous and refined. Had Rebecca not examined the staff's faces closely, she would never have guessed they were people from Liberta.
"Rebecca, and Your Grace. Thank you so much for gracing us with your presence."
Danae greeted them both with a radiant smile. Rebecca placed a light kiss on Danae's cheek.
"Mother, it's truly a magnificent place. I knew you would succeed, but I never imagined it would be this grand."
"This is all thanks to His Grace. Without the alchemists from His Grace's household, we could never have constructed a building of this scale in such a short time."
When Danae passed the credit to Julian, he shook his head.
"Not at all. I was curious whether alchemy could be combined with architecture. Thanks to you, Mother, I've obtained invaluable materials."
As Danae explained the alchemy used in the Salon's construction to Julian, I observed the staff lined up in waiting. Though they stood rigidly at attention, I could feel their eyes stealing glances in my direction. Seeing how tightly they pressed their lips together, it was clear they were desperate to speak with me. I recalled the face and name of each staff member. They were people who had quietly helped me since my previous life. I opened both my arms wide.
"Please, be at ease. I've missed you all!"
A moment of silence hung in the air. The staff members, who had been gauging each other's reactions, seemed to abandon their restraint and rushed into my embrace.
"Miss Rebecca! We heard you were ill and were so worried."
"Seeing you in such good health puts our minds at ease."
"Thanks to you, Miss Rebecca, we now have homes without fear of being cast out. We're truly grateful."
"You seem to have even more vitality than before. It's wonderful to see."
"We were shocked enough that you divorced that Zeppelin fellow, but to marry the Duke! What on earth has happened? Of course, we're keeping it all strictly confidential, so don't worry."
"But Margaret has become quite frightened. Last time she accidentally let slip a curse and...."
A flood of questions and greetings poured forth all at once. Yet I didn't tire, meeting each person's eyes and answering their concerns with genuine sincerity. Warmth filled the Salon's Lobby in an instant. Julian, observing this touching scene, murmured without thinking.
"Remarkable."
"Pardon?"
Danae turned to ask Julian.
"It truly is remarkable. It seems that everyone who meets Rebecca falls under her spell. Even those who were initially hostile eventually open their hearts to her."
At Julian's words, Danae studied him for a moment. His eager gaze was fixed, unwavering, solely upon me. He was clearly among those who had fallen for me. To such a degree that her earlier suspicion of whether their marriage might be merely contractual now seemed foolish—Julian gazed at me with unmistakable affection. Danae smiled warmly and spoke.
"It seems to be Rebecca's gift. From childhood, she was always surrounded by people wherever she went. Children her age would cling to me, willing to do anything just to play with Rebecca. And she enjoyed it too. She had a strong spirit of adventure and delighted in meeting new people."
As Danae recalled those happy memories, a shadow crossed her face.
"For such a child to have been isolated for so long...."
Julian's brow furrowed in sympathy. The image of Rebecca's childhood as I had seen it in the Obelia Mansion came to mind. I resolved once more that I must restore her radiant smile.
"Do not worry. I will make Rebecca so happy that she cannot dwell on the past."
Danae looked at Julian, whose lips were pressed together with determination. Even Theo had never spoken such romantic words. Danae's cheeks flushed with joy.
"What on earth are you all doing!"
A sharp, crystalline voice cut through the lobby, drowning out the murmur of conversation. Margaret approached with hurried strides, her face flushed with anger. With an expression radiating cold displeasure, she scolded the staff surrounding Rebecca.
"Have I not told you countless times to refrain from reckless behavior, anywhere and everywhere? This is not a marketplace. This is a place where we must serve nobility. Do you not understand that discerning patrons will not tolerate even a single moment of carelessness?"
"But Margaret, it's been so long since we've seen Rebecca..."
Rather than respond, Margaret fixed the excuse-maker with a piercing glare. Beneath the severity of her gaze, the staff quietly retreated to their posts. Rebecca laughed and tried to placate Margaret.
"It's fine. Margaret, please don't be upset. I asked you to treat me informally, after all."
"That is not the issue. It is my shortcoming for failing to instruct them properly."
Margaret continued to regard Rebecca with an unyielding expression. While the outright hostility of before was absent, she still seemed to regard Rebecca with difficulty. Then again, it would have been strange if such ill feelings had vanished so easily. Perhaps Margaret still thought of Zeppelin whenever she looked at my face. I smiled bitterly.
"No, you've done wonderfully. Everyone's bearing has changed so much. I'm looking forward to the opening."
"There is no need for flattery. This is my business as well."
Julian was struck with shock at Margaret's clipped tone. He blinked, unable to fathom that there existed in this world someone who could treat Rebecca so coldly. Even Croa would quickly disarm in Rebecca's presence. Had not Danae done the same just moments ago? Rebecca was always surrounded by people. When Julian turned his gaze toward Rebecca, shock seized him once more. Rebecca stood hesitantly before Margaret, visibly tense. This was the first time he had ever seen Rebecca falter before anyone. It seemed clear that her melancholy on the journey here stemmed from Margaret. That someone could harbor such resentment toward Rebecca was incomprehensible to Julian. She possessed the gift of making others smile simply by smiling herself. Seeing Rebecca lost in such troubled thought, Julian felt anger surge toward Margaret. Yet he could only clench his teeth to suppress his fury. Whatever had transpired, this was a matter between Margaret and Rebecca alone. And beyond what Rebecca had told him, he knew little of her past. The heavy atmosphere made it clear that there was something between them into which he could not intrude. He muttered to himself that it would be presumptuous to interfere, and suppressed the questions that lingered on his tongue. Suddenly, Julian felt his heart constrict, and he clutched at his chest. It was both frustrating and sorrowful to realize there were aspects of Rebecca he did not know. As he stood glaring at the back of Margaret's head with such thoughts, she suddenly turned and looked directly at Julian. Her cold, piercing gaze now fixed upon him. Julian flinched and lowered his eyes, which had been widened in indignation.
"The dessert samples for the banquet you requested last time are prepared, Your Grace."
"Ah... thank you."
Faced with Margaret's excessively businesslike demeanor, Julian found himself unable to discern her thoughts, leaving him only with frustration.
"Then let us proceed to the Main Garden."
Kanna gestured toward several staff members, and they fell into step behind Margaret.
"I have some matters requiring review, so I shall accompany the Duke for now."
Danae smiled and waved toward Rebecca and Julian. Rebecca gave a small nod before linking her arm through Julian's. 'Again....' Watching Rebecca link arms with him so naturally, Julian felt the corners of his mouth lift of their own accord. There was no denying it—he had grown far more at ease than before. Julian gently patted the hand of the visibly tense Rebecca. Rebecca gazed intently at his large hand as it soothed her. The soft patting seemed to whisper that everything would be all right. In that moment, my worries about Margaret dissolved, and my awareness narrowed to the warmth of our touching skin. A faint smile bloomed at Rebecca's lips as she absorbed his comforting heat. * * * "This is the Main Garden where the wedding ceremony will take place."
A sprawling garden unfolded before them, easily capable of accommodating hundreds of guests. Verdant evergreens stood in neat rows, their forms meticulously trimmed. Though elegant fountains and sculptures graced various corners, the space still appeared somewhat barren. Noticing Rebecca's slightly bewildered expression, Margaret elaborated.
"This venue is designed to host not only weddings but also grand outdoor galas and similar large-scale events. Since it can be decorated anew according to each occasion's purpose, it appears rather austere in its natural state."
Rebecca nodded in understanding at Margaret's explanation. Indeed, the garden was perfectly suited to the salon's purposes. Glancing at Julian, I could see he was already lost in thought, envisioning how to fill this blank canvas of a garden. The runaway countess has returned. E-book publication.
January 12, 2022 The author.
Long night sky Publisher.
Desert fox Published by.
Woongjin ThinkBig Co., Ltd. Submission received.
naver.me/54VzzLSn Blog.
blog.naver.com/wj_fennecfox Twitter.
@wjt_fennecfox
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org