Until the Exiled Duke’s Daughter, Wilhelmina, Becomes Happy

Chapter 28: Just before the Garden Party

A few days later, a letter of invitation to a garden party arrives at the Peltra house.

Our house is close to the slums, but a messenger descended from a black-painted horse-drawn carriage with the royal family’s crest, which is too inappropriate, and offered us a letter placed on a silver plate.

The surroundings of the house are in a state of uproar.

I was glad to have heard about this from Mr. Cremetti in advance.

“Thank you. Glory to the Patrikainen royal family.”

Alex-sama answers like

this.

We discussed this in advance and conveyed this.

The sky on the day of the garden party was a clear blue.

What Alex-sama and I will wear are the morning and day dresses created at a tailor’s shop for the commoners the other day.

Alex-sama’s slim silhouette is not hidden, and a black single-breasted jacket on a firmly settled gray waistcoat.

I wear a dark red wine-colored, burgundy dress with strong purplish hues. When I was a noble lady, I used to like brighter reds, but a commoner’s store cannot offer such a vivid color, and besides, I am already married.

I have to get used to wearing these calm colors.

Hilka comes to see me, and I have my platinum hair tied up beautifully in the back, not too ostentatiously, and she puts rouge on my lips with a brush.

With a few uncut gemstone accessories added as accents, I am done.

“What do you think?”

When I smile at Alex-sama, he blushes and turns away.

“Um, that, well…It’s wonderful.”

I circle around to the front of his face.

“What is so wonderful about it?”

“The color…that, it suits you well.”

“What about others?”

“It’s refreshing to see your hair in a bun.”

“What else?”

“…Huh, um. Your green eyes are beautiful.”

“Well, I always have these peridot eyes, do you think they’re beautiful?”

Alex-sama’s cheeks turn even redder.

“Maybe you’re wearing more makeup than usual, or maybe it just looks brighter… No, I’m not saying they’re not beautiful normally. Um, your always beautiful.”

A chuckle escaped from my mouth. I folded the chief into a three-peak shape in my hand and inserted it into Alex-sama’s breast pocket.

“So I’m beautiful, right?”

“Ye-Yeah.”

“More beautiful than anyone?”

“More beautiful than anyone… Come on, don’t make me say it.”

Alex-sama makes a confused expression.

“Fufu, it’s important. You’re beautiful too, Alex-sama.”

“…don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m serious.”

I stick my finger into Alex-sama’s chest.

“Listen, Alex-sama, I will teach you the most important manner in important social events. Please engrave it in your heart.”

“Understood. I will ask the predecessors of social events for teachings.”

“Alex-sama said that I am a beautiful woman. You see, a gentleman who escorts a beautiful lady is beautiful. In other words, Alex-sama is beautiful.”

“H-Huh?”

“Please be confident that I, who stand by Alex-sama’s right hand, am the most beautiful in the venue of the garden party. And it is to take pride in that and hold your head high. In reality, I may not be a well-made wife…”

“You’re wrong!”

Alex-sama raised his voice.

“Wilhelmina is a wonderful wife who is too good for me.”

“Is that so? I can’t even cook.”

“But she is smart, and she understands my research.

“I even slapped Alex-sama’s cheek when we met for the first time.”

“That was… It was my fault.”

“We don’t even spend the night together as a couple.”

“That’s…sorry. I, uh…what?”

“Is it because I’m not unattractive?”

“That’s not it! It’s because… I don’t have confidence.”

“Then please gain confidence. If you think that I am beautiful, show that in your demeanor at the garden party. You will gain confidence in time.

“…I wonder if I will.”

Alex-sama muttered, scratching his nose.

“Well, I didn’t have any confidence when I made my debut either. It’s okay to pretend. Just believe in me standing next to you. I believe in Alex-sama too.”

“…I understand.”

It seems like Alex-sama’s back straightened. It also seems like his posture became stable.

Taking Alex-sama’s right hand, I raise it up to the elbow.

“Keep your hand in this position. Walk at my pace.”

“Okay.”

“Please escort me like a knight who protects me from all evil and difficulties, like a captain who guides his ship, which is me, and like a lighthouse’s light.”

“Understood.”

I place my hand, wrapped in a glove, in his arm.

“Well, I’ll be going.”

“I’m leaving.”

Telling Hilka and Senni about our trip, we left the house.

We get into the royal carriage parked in front of the house, while being firmly held by Alex-sama.