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1881-chapter-22

Madame took my measurements with a cheerful smile.

“Indeed, if you gain a bit more weight, your silhouette will become even more beautiful. You have such a lovely figure overall.”

This was all new to me, and I felt truly embarrassed.

“Haha, thank you…”

I never imagined I’d receive such compliments.

I couldn’t help but feel shy.

“Oh my, and your bust is just…”

Madame covered her mouth and giggled.

“Well, having some curves is better than none…”

Hearing her whisper such words in my ear made my face turn bright red.

“Pardon?”

“Oh dear, you’re so innocent. It’s all quite natural, you know.”

What’s so natural about it! Dante, please get me out of here!

I thought I could handle most things after Dante’s earlier comments, but this was too much!

They say women’s gossip can be even more intense.

With every breath, Madame shared more risqué stories.

Only when I was about to burst from embarrassment did she finally release me.

“All done, Your Grace.”

I sat down as far from Dante as possible, feeling awkward.

He was casually looking through a brochure, seemingly oblivious.

Swallowing hard, I glanced at him, and all sorts of thoughts filled my mind.

Scenes from movies and dramas I’d seen before…

“Ah!”

Without realizing it, I stood up abruptly, drawing both Madame’s and Dante’s attention.

“Lady Chloe?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I quickly shook my head and sat back down.

Come on, Chloe, stop embarrassing yourself.

I clenched my fists, trying to regain my composure.

Seeing me like that, Madame took a seat beside me.

“With your fair skin, any dress will suit you well. But with such a beautiful collarbone, an off-shoulder dress would be perfect.”

Dante listened attentively and selected a few designs from the brochure.

“Please choose some as well.”

He handed the booklet to me.

“Um, I’m not really sure about dresses. I trust your taste, Dante.”

“Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

“I’m fi–”

I was about to say ‘I’m fine,’ but Dante’s eyebrow twitched.

I pressed my lips together.

Searching for a different word, I said, “I prefer what Your Grace chooses. You have better taste than I do.”

Only then did Dante’s expression soften.

“Your selections are excellent. Your Grace has impeccable taste! Now, let’s go try them on, my lady!”

I followed Madame once more, and had to change into dresses until my brunch was not only fully digested but my stomach was starting to feel empty again.

While I was lost in thought, Dante paid an amount that was hard to even speak of, securing a promise that the dress would be ready by the day before the wedding.

I mumbled tearfully, “I never want to get married again.”

Dante hesitated, then laughed for the first time that day.

Watching him, I found myself laughing along.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Sorry?”

“I can’t imagine Lady Chloe marrying anyone else. How about we have lunch at a restaurant with the world’s best seafood pasta?”

“Sounds great!”

More than anything, the phrase ‘world’s best seafood pasta’ caught my attention.

And Dante wasn’t exaggerating.

It was the most delicious seafood pasta I’d ever had.

***

The Duke of Petros’ mansion was much warmer than I had imagined.

Mrs. Lestro, who came out to greet me, spoke in a voice that contrasted with her indifferent expression.

“Welcome, Chloe.”

As if her kindness and hospitality were rightfully mine.

Behind Mrs. Lestro stood Marion.

Marion also seemed as if she’d returned to her rightful place, acting naturally.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

Hearing those words brought tears to my eyes.

“Thank you.”

My voice came out choked.

“This is Bonita, the head maid of the Petros townhouse. If you need anything, just let her know.”

“I am Bonita, and I’ll be attending to you from now on, my lady. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Seeing Bonita greet me so respectfully made tears well up again.

In Tyrannia, all the servants except Marion had ignored me.

It was to the point where I didn’t even feel like a noble.

“Please take good care of me, Bonita. I’m Chloe Tyrannia.”

Bonita even assigned two more maids solely to assist me.

I could see Marion’s face brighten, relieved from having to care for me all by herself.

“For now, you should rest in your room.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Mrs. Lestro nodded sternly.

“I’ll see you at dinner.”

Dante lightly touched my shoulder and went upstairs.

It was Bonita who personally guided me to my room.

“This is the room traditionally used by the duchess. Mrs. Lestro said it’s appropriate for you to have it since you’ll soon become the duchess.”

“Mrs. Lestro did?”

“Yes, that’s right. Also, we have a special guest staying here, but they’re in the annex, not the main house.”

Ah, Prince Werner.

He’s still staying at Petros.

Well, he did say he’d host a banquet here.

I hope he leaves as soon as possible.

“I will make sure not to even set foot in the annex.”

At my serious declaration, Bonita gave a slight smile.

“Please make yourself comfortable, miss. For now, we’ve arranged the room as we thought best. If there’s anything you’d like changed, just let us know, and we’ll adjust it immediately.”

I looked around the room at Bonita’s words.

“… There’s nothing lacking. It’s a perfectly harmonious room. Thank you, Bonita.”

“Madam Lestro and His Grace have put a lot of thought into it.”

“I’ll be sure to thank them personally.”

“Please rest until dinner. The madam wishes for you to recover from any fatigue.”

Fatigue, huh.

She must have assumed I hadn’t been well in Tyrannia.

Madam Lestro’s thoughtfulness moved me once again.

I felt like I might cry.

“Please call if you need anything.”

“Yes, Bonita.”

After Bonita left the room, I looked around and then lay down on the bed.

It still didn’t feel real.

I’d truly come to Petros.

It felt like just yesterday I was struggling to survive.

As I was rolling around on the bed, Marion came in.

“Miss.”

“Marion. Are you alright?”

“Yes, this place feels like heaven. Isn’t that right, Lord Yggdrasil?”

“Absolutely!”

The lizard flew over confidently and settled on my stomach.

It was the first time in a while I’d seen its bare face.

The tissue that always plugged its nose was gone.

“Does it not smell here?”

“Because that woman isn’t around! This place is wonderful.”

The lizard said seriously.

“You know, Chloe, I’ve been thinking—maybe that smelly woman stole your powers.”

“Is that even possible?”

“She’s your twin, right? You were together in the womb the whole time, so it’s possible.”

The lizard spoke earnestly.

Could an unconscious, will-less fetus do such a thing?

A chill ran down my spine.

“Ugh, that’s kind of scary.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of!”

The lizard crawled up and tapped my cheek.

As if telling me to get a grip.

“Or maybe something intentionally entered the womb!”

“I don’t understand.”

“No!”

The lizard pounded its tiny chest with its small hands, as if frustrated.

Ah, so cute.

I considered pretending not to understand a bit longer, but I thought the lizard might explode, so I spoke up.

“So you’re suggesting that something entered Mother’s womb and might have stolen my powers to give them to Illyae?”

“Exactly!”

The lizard clapped its hands.

Why is it so insignificant yet so precious?

I felt like I wanted to nibble on it.

“Could it have done other things besides stealing my powers? I’m the only one with a different hair color.”

“Possibly?”

The lizard nodded seriously.

If Yggdrasil’s hypothesis was correct, this was quite an unfair situation.

I ended up foolishly having everything taken from me.

“Who would do such a thing?”

The lizard gazed at me with clear golden eyes.

“There are many who covet what belongs to others, Chloe.”

If Illyae and I had swapped lives…… if Chloe had been the saintess and Illyae the mutant……

Then one of us would inevitably have been unhappy.

“I don’t know who did such a thing, but it’s certainly not an ordinary being.”

I grew serious along with the lizard’s words.

“Could it be something from beyond the barrier?”

“Precisely, Chloe.”