Chapter 64
<66화>
“Hmm.”
He fell into thought for a moment.
Certainly, a reliable close associate as a spy would be better than sending another mediocre agent.
‘But the spies I’ve sent so far weren’t exactly lacking in skill either.’
Indeed. It wasn’t a matter of skill.
If it was true that Aisha had betrayed him, the Crosts would already have information on his spies and would block whoever he sent.
A spy is most powerful when they remain hidden. But if they were caught before even entering the Duke’s Castle…?
Most unfortunately, the Crosts could not be brought down by physical force alone.
In that case…
“There is no need for you to go.”
The Duke of Pose came up with another plan.
“Then who will you send?”
At the knight’s question, the Duke stared down at the chessboard for a long time without answering.
And then—
“If bringing Aisha back is difficult, then this time, we must make that brat come to our side first.”
“Pardon?”
The Duke of Pose’s fingers gripped the Queen, standing behind the fallen pawns.
“Bring that woman.”
Checkmate.
Having thought of his final card, he began planning his operation.
The day of the banquet. Exactly six hours before the start.
“We have a problem.”
I was sitting in a plush chair, surrounded by the maids. They all looked as serious as knights heading into battle.
What they were agonizing over was—
“No matter what anyone says, the ‘poop hair’ bun is the cutest on the Lady.”
“But this is a royal banquet. The bun is cute, but what about giving her some waves?”
“A royal banquet absolutely requires an updo. So the bun is best.”
It was Waves vs. Bun!
They seemed to be debating my hairstyle.
‘…It’s not “poop hair,” it’s a dumpling bun, okay?’
Pouting at their choice of words, I tried to correct the maids.
Glance.
‘Never mind. There’s a strange look in their eyes.’
I couldn’t bring myself to dampen the spirits of the maids, who were clearly excited to play dress-up for the first time in a while.
Besides, there was no way they would know what a “dumpling” from my previous world was.
So, there was only one way.
I hopped out of my chair and pointed my index finger into the air.
“I like the bun best!”
As the Lady of Crost, I would mediate this conflict with my decree.
“See? She says she likes the bun!”
“No, let’s try waves just once! Why won’t anyone believe me? She’ll look truly beautiful!”
“Then let’s do waves on one half and a bun on the other. Then we can decide which suits her better.”
“Alright. Let’s do that.”
But nobody paid me any attention.
And so, after having my hair tugged and pulled by the maids…
“We’re out of time! Move her to the dressing room immediately!”
Transported to the dressing room like a mannequin, I had to change dresses ten times before finally receiving the maids’ approval.
The result:
“Kyaa! The Lady is so cute!”
“Oh my, everyone will only have eyes for the Lady at this banquet.”
The girl reflected in the mirror was not the “me” I knew.
Unlike the pigtails I usually wore, my blonde hair, smoothed with scented oil, cascaded down my shoulders like golden waves.
The dress, resembling a snowy field, had sheer puff sleeves that felt light, while the skirt flared out like an umbrella below the knees, giving it a voluminous look.
“Oh.”
Twirl—
When I twirled around in wonder, the hem of the skirt spread out like flower petals.
‘Wow. I really feel like a princess.’
“Do you like it?”
“Does it please you?”
The maids watching me smiled from both sides.
“You guys are total pros. So stylish!”
One thumbs-up wasn’t enough. I gave them a double thumbs-up with both hands, showering them with praise.
The maids blushed shyly.
“We were a bit excessive, weren’t we? We’re sorry if it was tiring.”
“Nooo? It was a bit tiring, but I look so pretty! From now on, please be this excessive every time you get me ready to go out!”
If these ladies lived in modern Korea, they would have made quite a name for themselves as stylists.
The maids’ eyes widened at my words, and they laughed. And then—
“Actually…”
“…….”
Was there something else? The maids glanced at each other, hesitating before continuing.
“This is the first time we’ve done something like this in five years.”
“Five years ago?”
“Yes, back when Duchess Ariena was here.”
“She was so good to us. We were so happy when we got to style her hair and help her into her dresses…”
Their voices trailed off.
Realizing they had shared such a heavy story with a young child, they quickly changed their expressions.
“But since you arrived, the atmosphere in the castle has changed a lot.”
“That’s right. We’re so happy we can dress you up so beautifully.”
“Actually, the dress you’re wearing is very similar in design to the white dress the Duchess used to enjoy wearing.”
Gasp. I took another look at the dress I was wearing.
To think it was similar to the Duchess’s dress.
It was just pretty before they mentioned it, but now it felt a little different.
It was then.
“If the preparations take too long, the Lady will get tired. Why are you all dawdling—”
May, who had opened the door with the intent to nag, froze mid-sentence.
“May?”
I was already finished with my preparations. But…
“My Lady, no… Lady Aisha.”
May rubbed her eyes as if she couldn’t believe it and stared at me again.
“Dressed like that… you look a little like the Duchess…”
“Huh? Me?”
I thought she was just trying to compliment me, but she looked dead serious.
Looking at me with eyes that were somehow brimming with tears, May asked,
“The Duchess’s portrait is hanging in the Great Hall. It’s a bit late, but would you like to go and pay your respects?”
“…Pardon?”
My eyes widened at the sudden suggestion.
Duchess Ariena. The tragic extra who had vanished into thin air along with her newborn daughter.
‘…If she’s still alive somewhere like Lucas, maybe I can help find her.’
I balled my fists and nodded vigorously.
“Yes. I want to see her!”
A short while later, in the Great Hall of Crost Duchy Castle.
“It’s here.”
Her quiet voice echoed in the space with its high ceiling.
It was a massive dome. The luxurious floor was wider than a football field. Between the wallpaper painted with cherubs, lamps dimly lit the dark space.
“The Great Hall was used for banquets held at the castle. It hasn’t been used for the past five years, though.”
Just as May said, the massive hall felt like an ancient ruin that was only kept clean for maintenance.
‘I can’t imagine a banquet being held in a place like this.’
I followed May, holding the maids’ hands while looking around the hall.
“This is the Duchess.”
I turned my head as May suddenly stopped walking.
In the center of the hall, a massive portrait larger than a grown man hung above an elegant dais.
It depicted a beautiful woman sitting next to Calips, who stood with a stoic expression.
“…Huh?”
This person was Duchess Ariena.
Looking at her face, my breath caught.
Her hair was a cascading wave of gold, and her eyes were a matching golden hue, like the sun rising over the cold North.
And she wore an elegant white dress with silver embroidery.
“…Whoa…”
Faced with such a stunning beauty, I could only gasp in admiration.
And just as the maid said, the dress in that portrait… it was incredibly similar to the one I was wearing.
‘…Looking at it like this…’
I glanced down at my chest, then back at Ariena.
‘…Do we actually look alike?’
Gasp. That’s so rude!
Guilt washed over me at the thought that had surfaced unconsciously, and cold sweat began to bead on my scalp.
Blonde hair and golden eyes. In this world, that was a common combination, and it was the biggest difference between her and me, with my blonde hair and blue eyes.
Besides that, my cuteness was certainly nothing to scoff at, but she was simply too beautiful.
…But we did look a bit alike…
‘Bad Aisha!’
I shook my head vigorously, scolding myself for nearly committing another sin.
‘No! We don’t look alike at all! Let’s not have such blasphemous thoughts.’