[Chapter 196] Too beautiful

A late morning, who knows how many, arrived.

Now, the waking time was getting closer to what it was before marriage, Neris evaluated indifferently. Yes, no matter how much you get used to it, it should be fine once you get used to it... Even if you have to almost beg to sleep... Isn't Claudwin, who moves much more than her, already waking up early in the morning?

But she wasn't completely accustomed yet. Waking up lazily in the warm body temperature rather than the cool morning air.

During sleep, the thick chest was visible above the firm waist she had embraced. The slightly tanned muscular curves seemed to softly glisten like a sculpture.

"Woke up?"

As soon as Neris opened her eyes, Claudwin kissed her forehead three times in a row and asked. She unknowingly smiled slightly but quickly realized and managed her expression.

She felt embarrassed to be the only one showing a good mood. He was so relaxed like that.

At night, he, well, might lose his composure, but...

Thinking about it made her even more embarrassed. Neris mumbled in response.

"I woke up."

"Sleep more. You woke up earlier than yesterday."

He seemed to be aware that Neris's waking time was normalizing. She slowly got up.

"I have to get up. There's a lot to do today..."

She knew well how much work needed to be done at the White Swan Castle each day. But how much time had already passed since the Duke had left there in a hurry?

Even though she only received very important matters through the night, there was still a lot to do. Just taking care of the estate in the capital was quite complicated.

In response to Neris's firm statement, Claudwin got up with her. He hugged her waist tightly, rested his head on her shoulder, and grumbled.

"Darn it. I've hired competent people to prepare for times like this. Why is there so much work now?"

"Because they are competent, that's why things are running smoothly."

Neris had dealt with many subordinates. In her view, the matters coming up now were issues that should be judged by the Duke's duties. Looking at the reports, surprisingly, everything was going well.

"My wife is cold. I'm tired and exhausted. I need comfort from my partner."

"If you're tired, sleep more. Why did you wake up early then?"

"I had something to do..."

Neris was taken aback as she subtly felt where his hand was heading while he murmured. However, she did not refuse.

Shortly after, Claudwin hugged his wife tightly again with a satisfied expression. She asked in a slightly muffled voice.

"I'm not disappointing you, am I?"

"Huh? Why?"

"I don't know how to treat a man. I'm clueless. So... you do so much for me, and I'm inadequate..."

She tried to speak as if everything was fine, but wrinkles unknowingly formed on her forehead. She couldn't help but endure the pain.

What if he's disappointed? What if he leaves once he knows more about me? She could now 'clearly' see that the fear of that was within her.

Previously, the fear was so overwhelming that she accepted it not as fear but as a preparation for reality.

'Of course' he'll be disappointed, 'of course' he'll leave. So let's prepare ourselves in advance... she thought.

Wasn't it almost completely ruined with Diane as well?

Claudwin chuckled and lightly kissed her cheek, then smiled warmly. There was no sign of disappointment. As always.

"After all, men don't care how things are done. What matters is if my wife is happy. And you're not inadequate. You're perfect."

After finishing his words, he kissed his wife again. Then, he gently traced from Neris's forehead to her eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips, and chin as if memorizing every detail with affection.

Admiration flowed from his marble-like lips. Filled with pure reverence.

"You're so beautiful..."

Neris's heart pounded fiercely. She felt tears welling up for no reason and quickly averted her gaze. Claudwin hugged her tightly once again before slowly getting up.

"Shall we wash up and have breakfast?"

"Yes."

She felt a chill as her husband let go of her hand. Neris slipped under the covers.

Watching her husband's back as he ordered the servant outside the door to heat the bathwater, she secretly stared at him.

***

"You haven't returned to school yet?"

Natasha Gruenwald's words in the dressing room hid sharp hostility. Megara smiled brightly and casually replied.

"Yes, sister. There are still some things to sort out."

"Are you just staying at home from school? If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to go back to school, graduate, and then come back? You're almost graduating, and it would be awkward to receive special treatment for no reason."

When Megara first submitted an absence form for household reasons at school, she had written a duration of one month. That was the maximum period tolerated by the school.

After such a long absence, it was difficult to catch up with schoolwork, and as Natasha pointed out, it could create resentment among other students. Above all, the Royal Academy, where noble children were forcibly enrolled, disliked student absences.

So, Megara had originally planned to return to the academy immediately after the engagement ceremony, only intending to extend the absence period as long as possible. She didn't expect it to be prolonged like this.

Natasha didn't offer any understanding from Megara's perspective. It was just something that entered her ears.

The fact that Megara was increasingly having private conversations with Abelus was becoming more noticeable.

If she had set up thorns out of fear of having her girl stolen by me, there would have been nothing to fear. Megara looked Natasha straight in the eye and replied calmly.

"It's okay, there's plenty of time. I can finish everything and then go."

Of course, Megara didn't entirely believe she had Abelus's heart in her grasp. What she had was an 'interesting' level of competence.

However, she was certain. Abelus was attracted to Megara's appearance. More than Natasha's.

Knowing the tastes of a long-time lover well, Natasha narrowed her eyes. While the intimidating-looking woman rarely allowed anyone to raise their head in front of her, unfortunately, Megara was one of the few who could.

The two stood facing each other in the reception room, where the staff had hushed their voices. Natasha raised an eyebrow sharply, while Megara, looking angelic and pure, had a face that showed no sign of backing down.

Soon, Natasha raised one corner of her mouth.

"Well, that's fortunate. Colin Ganiel won't even become the next Duke, and at best, he's just a 'Marquis,' so there's no need to drag things out too long, right? It's a bit of a shame for someone like you to marry him, but since it's been decided within the family, there's no choice."

Even if you're exceptional, being sarcastic about marrying someone like Colin was evident. Megara chuckled, covering her mouth.

"There may be things that adults consider, so it's frustrating for me, but there's nothing I can do. Still, since it's been decided within the family, it will eventually happen."

It was a retort implying, "You're boasting, but you haven't even been officially announced to be engaged to Abelus, so what are you believing in?" Natasha narrowed her eyes. Her bright and deep red eyebrows twisted like rose petals.

"If you're dragging on like this because the Marquis Ganiel seems easy to you, let me know if you have any difficulties. The Gruenwalds and your family have a friendship, so I can help with that much."

Even so, you bear the title of Duke's daughter-in-law, and I bear the title of Marquis's daughter-in-law. Megara continued to smile.

"Just a mere difference in status? Isn't it insignificant compared to the absolute difference between the royal family and other nobles? I can only speak at that level because there's nothing else to boast about.

"Even just your words are appreciated. You never know how things will turn out in life, right? If there's ever a way I can help you, please let me know."

At that moment, the head designer from the dressing room entered. Natasha naturally raised her chin, and the designer, of course, greeted Natasha first.

"Respected Lady Gruenwald, the outfit you ordered has been completed perfectly."

"Good, bring it here."

"Yes. Excellent Lady Ricandros, another designer will be coming soon."

After conversing with Natasha, the designer then turned to Megara. Megara smiled and said, "No, you should be the one to see it. I heard you have a good eye for new clothes."

Natasha raised an eyebrow.

Whether out of formality or looking towards the future, the 'head' of this dressing room should have been offered to Natasha. Even exchanging greetings and receiving instructions from her first.

But how dare someone selfishly prioritize their own work.

"Megara, I also have business with him. You talk to the other designers. Don't you understand the concept of order?"

In Natasha's cold voice, Megara shrugged her shoulders slightly.

"Sister, isn't your outfit already done? If it's completed, anyone can show it. But I need consultation for a new order. Don't you understand the importance?"

The designer was very embarrassed. Natasha felt her patience reaching its limit with Megara's arrogant and mocking tone. In the first place, Natasha had no great patience.

Eventually, the glass that the dressing room staff had brought a while ago was handed to Natasha. She handed it directly to Megara without hesitation.

"Who are you trying to teach with this!"

"Ahh!"

Megara's maid screamed.

It was cold water, and Megara only splashed as much as was in the cup, so there was no harm to Megara. However, her carefully styled hair and makeup from the morning were now partially soaked and comically disheveled. Moreover, the dressing room staff were also witnessing the scene.

Megara smiled wryly.

This was why she disliked those lacking in manners. The obnoxious and foolish Valentin Elendria, Natasha Gruenwald who acted recklessly without thinking... 

Neris Trued, who arrogantly flaunted herself pretending to be very capable despite marrying below her status.

"Well, do as you please."

Megara wondered how far the dressing room staff would spread this story and how much the 'humble' Megara Ricandros would be exaggerated as 'arrogant' by Natasha Gruenwald.

It would be revealed when she met Abelus next.

***

By the time they arrived at the First Princess Palace, Natasha was beside herself with anger.

She felt somewhat relieved, thinking that at least Megara had been properly taught a lesson in the dressing room. However, as time passed, she couldn't shake off the feeling that each word Megara had said was bothering her.

While it was partly true that Abelus and Natasha's engagement was not decided within the family, the other half was not true. The entire continent knew about their relationship, and even the imperial couple treated Natasha specially. So, wasn't it practically the same as being decided within the family by now?

However, despite all this, the engagement had not been officially finalized yet, and Natasha was not the 'Prince's fiancée' but just a 'Marquis's daughter-in-law.'

Of course, being a Marquis's daughter-in-law was not an ordinary status, but after hearing Megara's sarcasm, it seemed trivial. Wasn't she on the same level as the foolish Valentin?

Furthermore, the current talk of society was that Neris Trued, the daughter of a lowly knight, had married the Marquis of Mainland. The possibility of Abelus marrying another woman was very low, but not impossible. Anyway, Abelus was weak when it came to pretty women. Therefore, Natasha had to intervene in various ways.

From the lowly maids who learned nothing and were only pretty faces... to the women who Abelus casually touched. Countless women who foolishly dreamed of being able to surpass the Gruenwald Marquis's daughter-in-law.

Yes, not a single one of them remained until now. It was now Megara's turn.