Please Be Patient, Grand Duke

Chapter 82.1

In the bathroom where the sparkling sunlight rushed in like the spring sun, Canillia, who had been soaking in the tub filled with spices, stood up, and Pepe came to her with a towel and oil.

After wiping off the water and applying oil, her white skin glowed like a pearl. The traces of the bruises were now quite faint and inconspicuous. It was thanks to Claude, who prescribed an ointment that was supposed to be good for bruises and applied it with utmost care.

After putting on her underwear, she stuffed the stocking garters and immediately tightened the corset and was surprised by the tightness that was different from the underwear she was wearing.

The dress Rosina gave as a gift was fortunately restored to its original shape by Pepe’s touch. He had meticulous sewing skills and even style.

“Pepe, why don’t you run a boutique?” Canillia asked. “I think you’ll do really well.”

Pepe, who was holding the dress, smiled bitterly.

“Where would I get the money for that? Right now, it’s hard enough to earn money for living expenses,” she replied.

“Then, when that happens, I’ll earn a lot of money and invest in you. I’m going to be a teacher,” Canillia said, “so you make my clothes for me.”

“Yes, yes, I hear you,” nodded Pepe, “First, you have to hurry because his majesty the grand duke just set off a while ago.”

“Yeah, okay.”

Even without lipstick, Canillia’s lips were as red as a ripe fruit. It was like a flower filled with morning dew. It hadn’t bloomed yet, but it was as luscious as a camellia just before it flowered.

Lia carefully tucked herself into her dress. The fabric hugged her body as if she had it custom-made and the jewels that were prepared for her were all beautiful. Her hair was elegantly curled and on top of her head sat a neatly fixed tiara.

Pepe and the other maids could not help but marvel at Canillia’s changing appearance. They whispered that she was the most beautiful woman in the world, or that she should have dressed like this before.

Lia laughed at those words and approached the mirror. As they had said, the person that stood in the mirror was different than before. Gone were the days when her womanly appearance was awkward; now she felt like the perfect woman.

Wearing high heels, Canillia slowly absorbed her still awkward self. She became the owner of a building so huge that it could not even be compared with the townhouse of the marquis, yet she was alone. No matter how many people, how many soldiers there were, to eat and sleep alone in such a large place… She understood why he had described this splendid mansion as desolate.

“The car is ready for you. Let’s go.”

The person who came into the room was the butler Owen. And behind Owen, a girl with lovely flushed cheeks was standing with her eyes full of anticipation.

Lia instantly recognized the child.

“It’s you, from…”

“It’s Arin!”

The girl was the one who helped her at Louvre three years ago. Living on the streets with her younger brother, she had to help Louvre’s criminals.

Lia approached the child.

“I didn’t know how much you grew up. I thought you were still a kid…”

As she stroked her hair wrapped in strange emotions, Arin bowed with a happy expression.

“Thank you, miss. Thanks to you, I am living in such a wonderful place with my brother.”

“Arin is not an employee. The grand duke is Arin’s guardian. This year, she entered St. Alessandro School for Girls as a scholarship student with top honors.” Owen showed off Arin with a proud expression. His affection for Arin could be seen from how he stood with his back straightened and how he gazed down at her with glimmering eyes.

Eyes twinkling, Lia grabbed her hand tightly. It was warm and soft. This child was born in Louvre and abandoned at Louvre, but she would grow up to be more lovely than anyone else.

“It’s such a relief you found a good guardian,” she said.

“Miss… No, Lady Canillia is my lifesaver.”

Her chest stung, and it was the first time she felt something like it. Was this what it felt to be moved? Canilia lowered her gaze and smiled brightly with Arin.

Two jewels twinkled. Owen thought their smiles were more beautiful than the diamond that caused the war.

“Let us go, Lady Canillia.”

***

The lines of carriages and cars stretched long from the main gate. The marquise’s servants gave away one side of the garden for parking space, but worried the grass would die from being trampled on.

Ladies and gentlemen, dressed lavishly like they were attending an imperial ball, handed out their visiting cards, and a footman came out to guide them.

Today’s dinner was to be held in a glass greenhouse connected to a large drawing room.

Plants collected from all over the world would grow green all year round in the greenhouse, which was the pride of the gardener Padric’s painstaking hard work.

In such a greenhouse, there was a table that could comfortably seat 50 people. And on top of that, tableware, colorful candlesticks, and name cards were arranged according to the owner’s will.

People were gathered in the drawing room and enjoyed a light drink before being guided to dinner. A famous singer sang arias to the melody of the piano, while young guests were listening to an explanation of the marquise’s history.

“As expected of the wife of the marquis. She probably didn’t want to be embarrassed.”

“But isn’t it strange? The grand duke was like Marilyn Shelby’s fiancé, but then out of the blue, had an affair with a man?”

“From what I heard, there was a time when Marilyn Shelby was kicked out to the Louvre and the grand duke went looking for her. But in the end, he couldn’t forgive her. I understand him. No matter how much you love someone, how can you forgive the daughter of a man who murdered your father?”

“Oh my, so it was because he was in shock? No wonder…”

“What? Did you hear something?”

“Someone told me before that they saw Marilyn Shelby in town. The clothes were plain, but it must have been that woman.”

“Oh, so the grand duke took Marilyn Selby out of the Louvre? Still, the affair with a man is a bit…”

“I agree. Between you and me, Sir Canillian is an illegitimate child, right? The face of an aristocrat is lost.”

The ladies spoke, oblivious to their loud voices.

Those steadfast in their conversation while receiving glances became quiet. The singers and the sound of the piano stopped all at once.