The Pharmacist Lady's Secret Trading

Chapter 41

“Oh, Marquis.”

Lianna hurriedly called him as he was about to turn around. Kane stepped back slightly as she approached Ian calmly and emphasized a word.

“I’ve never talked to you, but I trust you, Marquis. Please take good care of April.”

Ian nodded down at her.

“Yes. I will.”
“Thank you.”

Ian politely bowed to her before she silently stared at his retreating form.

She prayed for April to lead a happy life with Ian, and that they don’t leave each other’s hands in the upcoming storm.

Even though the marriage taking place between the renowned family of Duke of Debussy and the Imperial family was the public’s main attention, not many people could actually watch the couple getting married.

Only some noble families who had ties to them were able to attend the wedding.

“April. You look great in formal attire.”

April was wearing the light pink robe sent by Lianna a day before her wedding. It had narrow sleeves finished with spreading laces, small white floral designs densely covering her chest, and a skirt with much fewer patterns.

“Hold on, your shoes.”
“H-How can I…?”
“Come on.”

Ian knelt and held out a pair of white shoes to her. She hesitated, but held his hand and wore the shoes. Ian stared at her for a while, taking in her image.

“Does it look alright? It’s been a while since I’ve worn something like this.”
“It may sound rude to Lady Lianna, but to me, you look more beautiful than today’s bride.”
“You’re not blinking.”
“Because it’s true.”

Ian finally stepped closer and hung a pair of moonlight earrings that had been prepared in advance. Though it intended to mean a transcendence from misfortune… to her, it was like an amulet.

“Let’s go.”
“Yes, Ian.”

They stood before two separate carriages. They decided to separate from here to not attract attention.

“How do you feel?”
“Nervous, but this is something I wanted.”
“The banquet will begin soon after the ceremony. When the music announces the banquet, we return to ourselves.”
“Yes. I’ll be back. See you at home.”

Ian beckoned April to get on the wagon first. As soon as she sat down and closed the door, the carriage began to rattle to the wedding hall.

‘I told him I’d sit in a corner.’

April settled at a table far away from the ceremony. Since the ceremony wasn’t visible from there, she thought others would prefer to not sit with her. She waited until the rest of the seats filled up.

‘Besides, where is Ian?’

She looked around before her eyes found him, sitting far away on the other side.

Ian was sitting in the front seat for the VIP. It felt like he was beyond a river away.

‘I can only meet you after the sun sets.’

The ceremony began on time. It was a strange experience to see someone from the Imperial family, even from a distance. If Marquis Witzer was alive, she could have been in the middle of the guests.

‘Lady.’

Lianna stood up nobly. The hem of her skirt – with dense layers – bounced like a flower’s petals every time she took a step.

Fabian’s eyes never left her. April longed for the day to stand side by side with Ian like them someday.

“This declares you two a couple.”

After the congratulatory speech by the highest priest in the Empire, April applauded sincerely like any other guest. She hoped it would reach Lianna.

Lianna did glance back at her, but April didn’t see it.

“Now, let us rejoice……..”

By the time the banquet began and more aristocrats filled in, April walked towards the exit and headed to the place Ian was expecting her to be.

“There he is.”

It was not difficult to find him among the increased number of people. He had a particularly good physique that attracted a great deal of attention from a flock of people. April leaned her back against the wall and gazed at him. She picked up a drink so she wouldn’t stand out.

‘He can’t see me.’

Soon, he was surrounded by people of the most prominent families, but everyone seemed to be careful because of his sincerity.

“Marquis seems to be drawing attention to his outstanding self.”
“I’m flattered.”

April heard a woman much older than her compliment Ian.

She was unfamiliar to April, but the others appeared to step back a little as she approached Ian. So, it meant she was from a fairly influential family.

“This Marquis doesn’t seem to have any thoughts about marriage, does he?”
“No, I don’t really have any.”

Ian replied with a straight face before sipping on his drink. As a result, the woman was embarrassed.

After a brief awkward silence, someone in the crowd brought up another story.

“I heard a family showed interest in the Marquis recently, right?”
“Ah, I heard that a young lady from that family often visits him!”
“I heard the lady isn’t very nice, which is surprising. I wonder if the Marquis was merciful.”

As if to help him, a man and a woman remarked sarcastically.

‘It’s about Count Rose. Why are they making fun of Ian?’

April was sure that they were trying to bring out Lady Fiora’s name. Although the name of Count Rose, the main culprit, was completely left out.

Sure enough, those who knew what really happened between Count Rose and Ian kept silent.

‘Come to think of it, Fiora……..’

April turned her eyes around, but Fiora was nowhere to be found beside Ian. Ian was keeping his expressionless face, but April could tell that deep down he was feeling uncomfortable.

“I don’t think I understand what you’re saying, but let me tell you what you’re curious about. I will not accept marriage in the future. From any family that has ever been spoken of here. So stop slandering Lady Rose, with whom I have no relation.”

He firmly declared before silence filled in. Those sitting in front of him with confidence looked embarrassed, but Ian replied with a smile.

“I’ve had someone in mind for a long time.”

His last words were enough to make his surroundings tumble out of existence. The impact was even greater because he was always very composed. Compared to the others, Ian seemed quite relieved.

‘Ian…….’

When Ian turned his head, he met April’s eyes. It was a brief encounter before they both turned away.

Meanwhile, music started to play in the banquet hall announcing the ball.

‘I must leave now!’

April grabbed the hem of her skirt and hurried. As soon as she passed the last people chatting, she increased her speed and ran towards the detached building where she couldn’t hear the music.

The faster she ran, the more she stumbled because of the shoes. But she took no care.

“Ah, wait! Your earring!”

By the time I reached the annex, she heard someone calling after her. That voice belonged to Fiora.

‘Why is she……’

April stopped and turned around. She could have just ignored it, but Ian’s gift was in her hand, so she had no choice but to stop.

“I picked it up for you– We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
“…….”
“No? I remember you from your hair.”

It was not a crowded hall, but she never imagined she would meet her outside. April only bowed her head and fixed her veil to hide her agitation.

“I guess you’re not happy to see me. Forgive me. I was lonely.”

She seemed to have been walking alone near the detached building. The glass in Fiora’s hand was empty. It seemed that no one stepped up to fill her glass or bring a new one.

‘I wonder if she came out here because she felt uncomfortable inside.’

It reminded April of the group of people who tried to attack Ian.

They knew that Count Rose had some suspicious means to go after Ian, and Fiora didn’t want to stick in there.

‘I wonder how those people act normally.’

April also knew what it was like to be the topic for a conversation. So at this state, she could relate a bit to Fiora.

“Aren’t you taking this?”

She reached out her hand. On top of her purple gloves, April’s jewel earring resembling moonlight sparkled. Ian chose it himself.

“Moonlight earrings. I guess someone really cares about you.”

Fiora grinned. April could not return the gesture, remembering they didn’t exchange any words when they met a month ago. She silently took her earring back.

“Thank you for picking it up.”

April bowed quietly before she turned away. Fiora stared at April, quickening her steps each minute, until she disappeared.