The Villainess Lives Twice: Butterfly's Dream (IF Story) - Chapter 107
The five women laughed and chatted happily as they made their way to the bridal waiting room.
The door was still closed, but Hazel, instead of knocking, cheerfully flung it open.
“Lady Tia, we’re here!”
Inside, the room was filled with the scent of pink roses, even with the windows open. Sitting on a backless chair, Artizea looked as if she was nestled inside a giant basket of flowers.
Garnet gasped with delight.
“Oh my, you look gorgeous!”
A blush that had nothing to do with makeup crept over Artizea’s cheeks. Sophie, looking proud as could be, couldn’t help but announce.
“Master sent these over at dawn, decorating was quite an ordeal!”
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t proper for a maid to speak up like that to the Grand Duchess, but stories like this needed to be shared. Garnet didn’t mind at all, in fact, she just grinned.
“Tia, you’re so lucky.”
Artizea smiled shyly. She’d heard that Cedric himself had chosen and sent the roses, knowing how much she loved pink and roses.
It was said he’d gone out of his way to find so many high-quality blooms from the florist. There was an element of teasing in his gesture, recalling her childhood, and she’d pinched his arm in playful protest.
But it hadn’t lessened her happiness. Handing out the flowers to guests today would be another joy.
“Don’t move your head, we’re not done yet.”
The hairdresser, sent by Eloise, chided gently. She was working Artizea’s pale blonde hair into an elegant updo, pinning loose strands with pearl-tipped pins, then draping a long veil and setting a green jewel in place.
Emily’s masterpiece of a wedding dress was so white it almost seemed tinged with blue, making Artizea’s bare shoulders glow warmly like white hydrangeas.
“You’re absolutely beautiful!”
“The Grand Duke is going to fall for you all over again.”
The bridesmaids laughed and offered words of praise.
From her place at the side, Alice smiled while holding a jewelry box.
“I should put on the necklace.”
“No, Your Grace, that’s a bridesmaid’s duty.”
“I came all this way and now I can’t help finish getting the bride ready?”
Garnet joked, then suddenly paused, as if remembering something.
“By the way, where’s Marchioness Rosan?”
At that, Hazel and Miel flinched, but Artizea spoke gently.
“Mother said she’d be arriving a bit late.”
“On your wedding day?”
How could the bride’s mother be late? Garnet looked shocked. When she’d gotten married, her mother had been up at dawn orchestrating everything. When Skyla married, not only her own mother but Garnet herself had arrived at the crack of dawn.
Granted, Ansagar was in charge of this event, and there wasn’t much for Milaira to do, but still, shouldn’t she be here with her daughter?
Artizea remained calm.
“My mother’s emotions tend to run high. Besides, I heard Brother Lawrence arrived last night.”
A shadow crossed everyone’s faces. Lysia tried to lighten the mood.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll be here in time for the ceremony. Madame Emily and the hairdresser are handling all the preparations anyway.”
“Of course!”
Hazel said quickly, handing the necklace box over to Garnet.
Garnet managed a smile as she took out the emerald necklace. It was a piece from Grand Duchy Evron’s collection, more valued for its history than for the jewel itself.
The necklace, like tiny green seeds gathered into a field of summer wheat, looked like fresh leaves tucked into a white bouquet against Artizea’s pale skin.
Knock, knock. A knock sounded at the door. Lysia ran over, beaming.
“That must be Marchioness Rosan!”
But when she opened the door wide, it was Eloise, the Crown Princess, standing outside.
Eloise took one look at Artizea and exclaimed brightly.
“Oh, a true spring bride! You look perfect, Tia.”
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
Everyone except the seated Artizea, curtsied in greeting.
“Are the roses from Ced?”
“Yes.”
“I can never tell if he’s utterly clueless or not.”
Eloise said with a laugh. Lysia asked.
“Did you stop by the groom’s room?”
“It’s as dark as a cave over there. It’s nothing like this flower garden. Even aside from the suits being dark, the whole atmosphere’s gloomy. Ced’s good-looking, but if you looked in that room, you wouldn’t be in the mood to get married.”
“Your Highness just has a thing for men who look like sunshine.”
Artizea said, making Eloise laugh again.
“I just came from getting scolded by the Emperor and Empress. Guess it’s about time I started thinking about an heir.”
“The Empress will be relieved to hear you say that.”
Garnet smiled. Eloise tilted her head.
“So where is Marchioness Rosan?”
“She should be here soon.”
Miel said timidly.
Eloise looked thoughtful.
“If she doesn’t show, would you like me to walk you down the aisle?”
“Your Highness will?”
“As your big sister.”
Artizea smiled.
“Thank you, but it’s all right. She’ll come.”
“If you’re sure…”
Garnet, who had arrived early to make sure everything went smoothly, smiled as well.
Miel and Hazel exchanged uncertain looks, feeling more anxious than Artizea herself, who seemed completely unbothered.
Guests continued to arrive. Friends Artizea’s age each received a basket of pink roses and returned to the ceremony beaming. A handful of men stopped by as well.
Bishop Akim, beaming as if his own daughter were about to become Grand Duchess, offered a blessing, and Artizea gladly pinned a rose to his lapel.
With the garden filling up with guests, a gentle hum of excitement could be heard even in the waiting room. When even Lysia began glancing anxiously at the door, the long-awaited guest finally arrived.
Without so much as a knock, Milaira swept in looking every bit as striking as ever.
To call her flawless wouldn’t quite be accurate. She was beautiful in every mood, whether put-together or a bit disheveled, pale or glowing.
But today, her appearance was truly perfect. She wore a deep purple dress with elegant lines and minimal decoration, her brown hair swept up and adorned with simple gold hairpieces, her makeup understated, with just a hint of color to her lips.
Even those uneasy around Milaira couldn’t deny she looked every bit the graceful, dignified lady today. Her eyes were red, but it was hard to tell whether from makeup or emotion.
“Mother.”
Artizea greeted her softly. Milaira’s voice was unsteady.
“Looks like you’re ready… You look beautiful.”
It was the first time Artizea had ever heard such words from her mother, and she froze in surprise.
Milaira went on, her voice spilling over.
“Lawrence isn’t coming today. I told him not to.”
“Mother…”
“….”
Milaira covered her mouth, silent for a moment.
Everyone could guess why her voice sounded so strained, she had only just finished crying.