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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Wedding Preparations (3)
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"I have no intention of doing that."
Aracilla flatly denied it. She truly didn't seem to be considering canceling the marriage because of the pre-wedding demands.
"I can provide the pre-wedding gifts as requested. Even though it's quite a waste, it's not like I don't have that much money."
To Demian, who was silently staring at her, she held up two fingers.
"There's something else that concerns me."
Aracilla folded one finger.
"First, do I really have to live in the Vandermir mansion after marriage? Why don't we just find a new house?"
"That's not possible, Lady. I've been away from the Duchy for a long time, so my influence within the family is weak. I need to keep at least the Vandermir mansion in the capital under my control."
Demian wasn't insisting on his current residence for their newlywed home because he liked it. It was to secure a minimum foothold within his family.
For example, Albert, who currently served as Demian's butler, came from a line of butlers who had served the Vandermir Ducal Family for generations.
After he succeeded to the Duke's title, someone like Albert would be more helpful to him than anyone else.
"Alright, I understand. That's a reasonable explanation. Then, second. If I simply comply with their demands, they'll think I'm a pushover, don't you think, Sir? If we grant their demands for the pre-wedding gifts, what do you think will happen next?"
Even if this matter of the pre-wedding gifts could be resolved with money, if she gave in too easily, there was a high probability they would look down on her.
Moreover, the Vandermir Ducal Family was not a financially struggling household, so once the pre-wedding gifts were settled, the next attack would surely come.
"Besides, regarding the pre-wedding gifts and all the issues related to the marriage, I have to handle them alone. If my family finds out, they'll definitely object, saying they can't send me to such a family. Everyone loves me too much."
This marriage was not a losing proposition for the Hugo Marquisate and Aracilla. There was no reason to marry off their beloved second daughter while enduring excessive demands.
Hadn't her family even accepted Aracilla's desire for a single life in the first place?
If things continued this way, they would surely try to persuade her not to marry and just live alone. Aracilla didn't want to add her family's objections to the Ducal Family's opposition.
"Prepare only half of the dowry, the house, and the pre-wedding gift items. I will take care of the rest."
Demian, who had seemed lost in thought for a moment, said in a subdued voice. There was nothing wrong with Aracilla's words.
They were not the kind of people to show mercy just because she was compliant. On the contrary, they would use that to torment her even more maliciously.
To maintain the contract marriage, he had to actively protect Aracilla.
"If any problems arise in the future, please tell me immediately. I will resolve them. You don't have to do anything, Lady."
Demian wanted to firmly establish this, lest Aracilla's mind change.
But as she began to prepare to leave, an unexpected reply came from her.
"Why do you keep telling me to do nothing? Aren't we comrades in the same boat now? We should solve difficulties together."
It was a remark that, delivered casually, unexpectedly touched his heart. This was especially true for Demian, who had fought alone all this time.
The moment he unconsciously flinched, Aracilla's lips opened again.
"And I'm certainly not the type to just take things lying down. I only feel satisfied when I return what I've received twofold. Don't try to deprive me of the fun of putting people in their place."
"...I won't take it away."
Demian, suddenly deflated, covered his eyes with his palm, and Aracilla gave a bright smile.
"Still, don't worry, I'm not the type to just rush in blindly. I'll cooperate reasonably within the bounds of what I can tolerate."
"To what extent can you tolerate?"
"Well, to the extent that you're rude?"
"It seems your patience is rather limited."
"It's overflowing, that's the problem. How will I survive in this world with such a tender heart?"
Demian let out a hollow laugh at Aracilla, who spoke shamelessly without batting an eye.
"I'll be going now. Next time, keep your subordinates' mouths shut. And keep your own ears open too."
Aracilla nodded her head, then shut the door with a click and left. Demian, left behind, muttered softly.
"She's certainly no ordinary woman."
* * *
The Marchioness of Hugo had a romantic ideal for her daughter's wedding.
Choosing wedding dresses and accessories leisurely in a cheerful atmosphere, going around together to pick a venue, and huddling together late into the night, chatting about how to hold the wedding.
However, with her wild second daughter getting married first among all her children, her romantic ideal shattered into pieces.
She had to rush the wedding preparations as if being chased by creditors, and nag her daughter, who showed little enthusiasm for the wedding.
"Please, show some sincerity for your own wedding."
Today, the Marchioness sighed, having dragged Aracilla, who was dawdling out of annoyance, to the dress shop.
"If you show even the slightest inadequacy at the wedding, other people will badmouth you."
"Then I'll go and rip them apart."
Aracilla's voice came from behind the curtain, where she was trying on a wedding dress. At the childish reply, the Marchioness clutched the back of her neck and sat on the sofa.
"Oh dear, what am I going to do with her? I thought Iris would be the first to marry."
She looked at her eldest daughter, who had come along, with eyes full of lingering regret. She had planned for the modest and dignified Iris to marry first, intending to keep Aracilla by her side.
As the situation was now unfolding in the exact opposite way, that in itself was a cause for concern.
"She's just joking with her words, Mom. Ari will do well too."
"Yes, I have to believe that. Still, now only you need to get married. Is there a young man you're fond of? Or should I contact Madam Kelly?"
Madam Kelly was a renowned matchmaker in the capital's social circles. Countless couples had been brought together by her.
Iris, who had paused slightly, smiled gently and shook her head.
"I'll start looking slowly now. I'll let you know if I can't find anyone suitable."
"Yes, yes. You're always the type to do well without being told, Iris."
"Don't you think it'd be quite exciting if you didn't get married after this, big sister?"
As a playful voice floated out, the Marchioness's gaze sharpened.
"Aracilla, didn't I tell you to watch your words? Don't say things that will ruin your sister's future."
At the stern warning, silence fell behind the curtain. She took her eldest daughter's hand again and said,
"Iris, I only have you. You know that, right? My expectations for you are the highest."
"Yes, I know. Don't worry."
"How fortunate it is that I at least have you."
Her youngest son was still too young, and her second daughter had always been disobedient.
In such a situation, if she didn't even have Iris, who was always dignified and considerate of her parents' feelings, the Marchioness would have had an incredibly difficult time.
"Mom, stop putting so much pressure on big sister."
The curtain opened, and Aracilla, wearing a wedding dress, appeared and spoke. The Marchioness narrowed her eyes and approached her.
"Then why don't you try to be half as much like your sister! You never listen to your mother, but you have so many complaints!"
"Ow."
Aracilla, who had finally been smacked on the back by her mother, made a tearful face.
The Marchioness grabbed her daughter's shoulders, straightened her up, and carefully examined the wedding dress.
The strapless neckline dress suited Aracilla's long, graceful neck well. The fitting room attendant used clips to cinch in the excess fabric at the waist.
"Everything's fine, but the bust line is too low. Wedding dresses are most beautiful when they are modest."
"I don't mind it."
"I do mind, so don't argue. Let's look at another dress."
As the Marchioness left with the attendant to choose a new dress, only the sisters remained in the fitting room. Iris approached her younger sister.
"Seeing you in a wedding dress, it really sinks in that you're getting married."
"How do I look? Am I okay?"
"Yes, you're beautiful. It suits you well."
"Thanks, big sister. Actually, everything suits me well."
Iris chuckled softly at her sister's confident reply and looked at Aracilla with a slightly wistful gaze.
"It's a relief that you're really having a love marriage, but... it feels a bit strange. You didn't even tell your sister anything all this time."
"Secret romances are always more thrilling when kept strictly secret."
Aracilla lied with complete composure and shamelessness. But given her personality, it seemed perfectly plausible, so Iris didn't find it strange.
"Yes, at least it's not an arranged marriage. If it had been an arranged marriage, it would have been me wearing this dress, not you."
"Why? I could have had an arranged marriage too."
"I wouldn't have let that happen. How could I sacrifice you to an arranged marriage?"
At those words, Aracilla stared at her sister. Her own stance was the same: she couldn't sacrifice her sister to an arranged marriage.
However, perhaps because her sister had always lived by yielding to her younger siblings, the weight of those words felt heavier.
"So it's okay if you're sacrificed, big sister?"
"That's not what I meant, Ari."
"It is, though. Otherwise, why would you have to marry instead of me if it were an arranged marriage?"
"You... have a dream."
Iris gently stroked her sister's shoulder and replied softly.
"As your older sister, it's right for me to help you achieve your dream."
"Don't you have a dream, big sister? You must have one too."
"...I don't really know."
Iris smiled faintly and stepped back. Since childhood, Aracilla's dream had consistently been to become a mage.
In contrast, Iris had grown up without any particular dream. That's why her sister, who ran straight towards her dreams, seemed to shine brighter.
"If I had to say, I suppose marrying well could be considered my dream too."
"That's not your dream, big sister, that's Mom's dream."
Aracilla's immediate rebuttal left Iris unable to deny it. Aracilla took hold of her sister, whose expression had become complicated, and spoke.
"You should find your own dream too, big sister. You're still young. It's an age where you can do anything, not just get married."
Iris was only one year older than Aracilla. If she wanted to do something, she could challenge anything.
'My dream...'
To Iris, who had always grown up as a daughter fulfilling her parents' expectations and a generous eldest daughter embracing her younger siblings, those words were unfamiliar.
"Aracilla, let's try on this dress."
Just then, the Marchioness appeared with the attendant, carrying a new dress.
The sisters' conversation naturally fizzled out, but for the rest of the time, Iris couldn't properly focus on her sister's wedding dress shopping.
