I Don’t Want to Be a Lady

“Tomorrow is the wedding,” I said carefully, running my hand through the wedding dress on the mannequin. The delicate lace over the luxurious satin fabric indicates great care was taken at a glance.

“It’s pretty.”

I removed my hand from the dress and walked to the window. Outside the window, it was dark, and the sky was colored with a red sunset.

“A lot happened in a short time,” said me, recalling what had happened over the past month.

At first, I planned a contract marriage with Charter just to prevent me from being sold as a concubine and get out of my father’s shadow. After the divorce, I just wanted to eat and play with the alimony for the rest of my life…

Did fate really exist?

As soon as I got out of my father’s shadow, a hunting competition was held, and somehow, I happened to be crowned as a baroness. It was just good at first. I was proud of being the first woman to receive the title, and it was also true that I was proud of myself. However…

I couldn’t help but think a lot before the war. Even if others didn’t care, I accepted the fact that I, as a noble, had to do my duty. I knew that I was never a righteous person. Still, I didn’t want to be a pathetic person who abandoned my responsibility. That’s why I decided… to join the war.

“I’m sure Charter is going against it. Perhaps…”

However, as always, I had no doubt that he would trust and support me as always. That’s why I liked him. Among many things he had, such as good looks, wealth, and caring nature, the best part was that he didn’t try to own me as an object. Maybe I could fall in love with him.

It was then. Madrenne, who opened the door, calling me, trembling with fuss.

“Baroness! Look at this. I’ve come up with something great!”

“Sigh.  It’s been a long time since I’ve felt sentiment. Anyway, you come and break my mood.”

“Hurry up and see it!”

“What is it?”

As I approached, Madrenne took out the things from the box and said, “Tada~ This is it~ Madame Victoria’s special lingerie! Do you know I have been in line all day today to buy this?”

“What is this?”

“Don’t you see? It’s lingerie, right?”

I furrowed my brow as I took a closer look at the lingerie.

“Are these clothes? Aren’t these just a piece of lace with mesh?”

Madrenne then replied as if she was frustrated. “Baroness, Tomorrow is your first night, right?”

“So what?”

“On the first night, you have to wear something like this. I bet the duke will really like it.”

I freaked out. “You want me to wear this?”

“Then, would you like the duke to wear this?”

I imagined it for a moment. Charter, a handsome muscular man, wearing a piece of lace with mesh… “Hiik!”

Seeing my pale face, Madrenne said, “Why are you so surprised? Everyone wears this.”

I asked, disgusted by Madrenne’s words. “Everyone wears something like this?”

“Yes~ I can’t wear it because I don’t have it.”

I was fed up with it. “I don’t need it, so take it back.”

Madrenne smiled as if she knew everything, left the box on the table, and left my room. She left, leaving a sentence, “I know everything, but Baroness doesn’t have to pretend…”

I stood in front of the box, staring at it for a long time.

“These… everyone wears it?”

I picked up the lingerie and waved it in the air. Nothing will be covered if you wear something like this, so what are you wearing it for?

Arianne hadn’t understood that lingerie wasn’t used to cover up your body. Naively, she didn’t know yet that there were clothes made for that purpose.

“Like this? Is this the right way to wear it?”

I stood in front of the mirror and looked at the lingerie.

“Hmm?”

To be honest, I didn’t understand. Still, I knew that it was a very revealing outfit because it was obvious your body wasn’t different from naked when you were wearing something like this. At that moment, I thought I couldn’t wear something like this and have to give it back to Madrenne. I turned my head as I felt someone’s gaze and found someone.

“Charter?”

Why did he come in without knocking? His expression was strange. His ears were red, and his eyes wandered around as if he had nowhere to look. What’s wrong with him? I, who was tilting my head, realized what he was doing right now.

“Ah.”

“I’m sorry. Excuse me.”

Seeing my shaky eyes, Charter hurriedly apologized and left my room.

“Ah. No. I didn’t buy this…”

I have to make an excuse… but he has already left. A piece of lingerie flicked down from my hand.

“Aargh! Madrenne!!!”

Charter stood outside the door, absent-mindedly recalling what he had seen. Standing in front of the mirror, Arianne was looking at the lingerie.

“No way… is she going to wear that tomorrow?” Charter covered his mouth with his large hand. He felt like hot blood was rushing to his nose. His neck was red, and he immediately left in front of Arianne’s room as if he was running away.

It was the next morning. In the midst of the bustling from dawn, I was dressed up by the maids,  with a sullen expression on my face. Seeing me like that, Madrenne made a fuss and said, “Why does the bride have such a gloomy face on her wedding day? By any chance~ Did you stay up all night imagining your first night? Fufu.”

At Madrenne’s words, my eyes lit up. “It’s because of you! Charter was…! Ah… I don’t know. I hate everything.”

I murmured, covering my face with my hands. Even thinking about it, I felt ashamed to death. I was afraid of what Charter would think of me. What if he thinks that I’m a cheap woman? He might like it more.

Whatever my feelings were, dressing up was complete. A simple but luxurious tiara decorated with diamonds handed down by Madam Kaien was placed on my neatly combed silver hair.

“Wow. Lady is so beautiful.”

“You look like a goddess.”

I smiled contentedly at my reflection in the mirror.

“It’s pretty.”

“Just pretty? Baroness looks like the noblest person in the world.”

My lips went up at Madrenne’s praise. Her compliment was still a compliment. But you’re dead today. I never intended to forgive her, the culprit for making me feel ashamed. Madrenne, unaware of her fate, was busy clapping her hands in excitement.

Guests gathered at the wedding hall prepared in the grand banquet hall of Duchy Kaien. The women were chatting while sitting on their seats, and the men were busy gathering in twos and threes to discuss the situation.

“The current crown prince is too incompetent. If he becomes emperor. The future of the empire will be dark.”

“Who doesn’t know that? But what if Duke Krow is holding out there?”

“He’s trying to create a scarecrow emperor.”

Someone said cautiously, “His Highness Luiden’s abilities are outstanding, but his origin is a problem.”

“If you think about his weakness, it’s only because of his origin…”

If it was the problem of origin, a word from the emperor would resolve it. However, the emperor didn’t take any action at the moment, so the nobles were reluctant about Luiden’s prestigious position.

“Shh. There are ears everywhere. You should watch your mouth. Today, the crown prince’s side is also attending.”

“Hmm. That’s right. Let’s set aside this matter later.”

Birds listen to their words during the day, and rats listen at night. Their conversation reached Duke Krow’s ears.

“Pretending to be concerned of this empire, in the end, those only seek their own gain.”

Duke Krow snorted. As far as he knew, only one person in this empire truly cared about the empire. He thought so as he looked at the man standing on the podium.

Such a waste. The man had sharp eyes like a well-forged sword but a calm mind that didn’t point his blade against others. The man had an upright character who always kept promises once made. Due to his upright personality, Duke Krow eventually gave up on working with him.

If I can’t have him, I can’t let others have him. Duke Krow closed his eyes quietly and waited for the wedding to begin.

After a while, the priest of the wedding vows entered and announced the beginning of the wedding ceremony. Everyone stopped what they were doing and sat down for a seat.

Charter, who was standing on the podium, turned around and waited for his bride’s entrance. Arianne then entered with the music of the orchestra.

“Gasp.”

“Oh my gosh.”

“She’s so beautiful.”

There was no other word to describe her other than beautiful. Arianne, with her silver hair that shone in the light, flawless and fair skin, and purple eyes that were clearer and brighter than any other jewels, made them think that she was the most beautiful person among God’s creations that exist in the world.

Charter looked at her face in admiration, then soon felt breathless when her tight-fitting dress revealed her perfect figure. She seemed to attract all the light around her, like an angel who had descended to the earth. In addition to her beautiful appearance, she had an honest and bold personality, and nothing about her wasn’t lovely. The fact that he could have her as his wife made him ecstatic.

I walked proudly, facing the envy and admiration pouring into me. Today’s star is me. Before long, I, who had walked in front of Charter, smiled at him. Charter smiled at me, which made my eyes widen.

“Oh? You knew how to smile like that?”

“It’s because I’m happy. I can’t control my expression.”

My face was reddened by Charter’s sincerity.

Was he this kind of man? Come to think of it, it seemed that he always spoke the truth…  

Charter took my hand and put it on his arm. Naturally, the two of us stood in front of the priest and waited for the priest’s speech.

“…The husband will treat his wife with good faith, and the wife will have to treat her husband with respect.”

After a long speech by the priest, who gave a long speech in the joy of the big event after a long time, Charter and I went to the podium where the marriage vows were placed and signed them.

“I hereby that the two of you have become husband and wife.”

When the priest finished his words, he smiled at Charter and me.

“Now do the kiss of oath.”

Charter took my hand and looked at her face. His eyes rested on her red lips. It’s just a kiss… but my heart is racing like it will burst. Gathering up his courage, he gently bent his head and approached her.

I was also nervous, so I closed my eyes. The situation was so nerve-breaking that I couldn’t even breathe. Hurry up.  What is he waiting for? I waited and held my breath.

Before long, just before Charter’s lips touched my lips. Bang! The door opened with a loud sound, and someone entered the hall. And then I heard whispers, which soon turned into an uncontrollable commotion. What the hell is the commotion about?

I eventually couldn’t resist and opened my eyes, then looked at Charter. He was standing upright and staring somewhere with cold eyes. Following the end of his gaze, Sir Dale lowered his head as if he was sorry.

“What’s going on, Dale?”

Sir Dale raised his head. His hardened face seemed to indicate that it wasn’t normal news.

“It’s the war, Your Grace. The front line… had been cut off.”

He gave strength to the hand that was holding my hand.

“I get it. Get ready. We’re leaving soon.”

“Yes.”

Charter turned his head and looked at me. I could sense a lot of things in his eyes. Deep regret, worry, and… thirst?

“Uh! Um…”

Instantly, Charter attacked my lips. It was a very deep, intense, breathtaking kiss. After a long time, Charter carefully parted his lips and said while running his thumb over my lips, “I will be back. Please… wait for me.”

With that, Charter left.