The guests were slightly taken aback. Ariana had dragged them onto the stage, having been watching this new and exciting gossip from a completely outsider's perspective. It was risky to add a claim to the accusation of a fellow noble. However, everyone knew that the Pedegreen family had become a toothless tiger due to a series of failed investments.
'It's much better to look good to the new Duchess than to look after the Marquis.'
Most of them quickly made that calculation. Evelyn was the first to step forward.
"I'll help with the claim. If the Duchess wants it."
"Honestly, I don't believe what that woman is saying... If it's what Ariana wants to reveal the truth."
"I'וו join in on the claim."
Elena's body froze as the situation grew like wildfire.
"What's with this atmosphere?"
Elena's intention was to brand herself as a complete victim in her relationship with Lucas and turn public opinion around. She had never thought about such complicated concepts as accusation or claim. In the first place, the other party was the Marquis of Pedegrin, so she didn't think she could really put him in prison just because he was framing her.
Elena flustered, groped her lips slightly.
"But... Sister. Is that okay? The other party is the Marquis..."
"Don't worry, Elena. So many people have said they'll help you. The truth will prevail."
"But-."
"Ugh."
At that moment, Ariana touched her forehead and carefully leaned against Dante's arms.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I suddenly thought too much about the past, so I have a bit of a headache..."
Oh.. How pitiful...
Mutters of regret erupted here and there. Evelyn also stamped her feet inwardly.
'It must be a past that Ariana doesn't want to recall, but she insists that her younger sister, whom she still hates detests, was actually the victim, so she's going to such lengths to do so...
With Ariana like that, Elena couldn't refuse anymore. If they brought up this topic any further, the guests would personally drive her away.
Dante wrapped his arm around Ariana's head as she leaned against his chest. He whispered, lowering his head slightly.
"You're my wife after all."
Ariana flinched at the voice tickling her ear.
"You really do have fun things to do."
"..."
While Ariana bit her lips, Dante looked around at the guests.
"It seems my wife is very tired, so I think it would be best to call off the reception."
Everyone couldn't hide their regretful expressions. Today's wedding was by far the best party they'd attended recently. It was luxurious and beautiful, and it even provided unexpected gossip at the end. Dante raised the corners of his mouth as he looked at the guests. who were hesitating in regret.
"I was already worried about how to kick the guests out as the night got deeper."
Oh my.
The ladies muttered softly and blushed, and the gentlemen snickered. It was a blatant swearing-out, but no one seemed upset. Wasn't today the first night of the newlyweds? Everyone happily began to leave without a single complaint.
"It's really great, isn't it, Miss Elena?"
Adolf said with an excited face, holding Elena's hand.
"Everyone believes Miss Elena! There are more than ten people who have raised their hands to help, so immunity won't be a problem!"
Elena hid her feelings behind a smile. Adolf wasn't wrong. Yes. There was definitely nothing that didn't go her way. Maybe it was an even greater achievement.
'But, what's this? This uneasy feeling.'
Elena glared at Ariana's back as she walked away in Dante's arms, then quickly controlled her expression.
***
Inside the returning carriage. Adolf was still excited.
"It won't be long before that cruel Marquis pays for his crimes!"
Elena began to do the math as she looked at that simple sight.
'Lucas won't be punished.'
She wasn't stupid enough to believe that Lucas could be put in prison just with her tearful plea. Since there was no solid evidence, the investigation would end up being swept under the rug.
'But...'
Lucas just visiting the police station would be a huge blow. Just the sight of Marquis Pedegreen being investigated by the police station would make the scandal unstoppable. That would be enough. Not only was he having an affair with his fiancée's younger sister bad, but there was also the scandal of his forcibly raping her. Lucas' reputation would be irreparably damaged.
Elena's lips formed a deep smile.
'You shouldn't have betrayed me like that.'
Elena had to have whatever she wanted to feel satisfied. And, if it was something she could never have...
'I'll destroy and ruin it.'
Suddenly, Ariana's face came to mind. Wearing a dress so expensive that it made her mouth drop, wearing a dazzling tiara, and being held by a handsome man who made her eyes dazzle.
'The Duchess of Heigenberg... It's not even funny.'
She had once felt pleasure in stealing Ariana's man, but now she was happily laughing next to a man Elena couldn't even approach. And no one objected to their union. It was a position Elena couldn't even dream of. A commoner's daughter couldn't become a Duchess. But Ariana took the position as if it were a given. Just because she was the granddaughter of a Count.
'It's not fair. We're sisters. We've shared a man.'
If there's a man we can't share, then it's only natural that our sister can't have him.
'How on earth did she seduce the Duke?'
Elena knew Ariana well. It was clear that until recently, there had been no contact between Dante and Ariana. As the world said, they had been comforting each other, naturally met eyes, and started dating.
'It wasn't funny.'
There must have been some kind of deal. But what could Ariana possibly have up for stakes? Her sister, who had nothing...
Soon, lightning struck Elena's head...
'No way?'
On the day she left home after the wedding with Lucas, Ariana had taken a lot of things with her. A few of her mother's belongings, a few jewels, and...
'Edward Lopez's sheet music.'
She remembered Edward belatedly finding out about this and going wild, calling her a thief. Eduardo Lopez's sheet music, a renowned music master, was still valuable—no, its value increased over time. When the Lopez House couldn't produce new hits, those songs were a great source of income. Edward used to ignore them, saying they were just old music from a dead person.
'My brother has a strange stubbornness, too. Is it because he's an artist?'
Elena shrugged and continued her thoughts. Anyway. She wondered if Edward's sheet music alone could have earned her the title of Duchess, but she was certain that those sheet music had considerable value.
Then, if she gets those sheet music back... Ariana's value to Dante would plummet.
At that moment, a subtle voice broke Elena's thoughts.
"Then, Miss Elena."
Adolf said with a deep gaze.
"Wouldn't you like to spend the night at my mansion?"
Although he had a very handsome face, Adolf's gaze was so sensitive that it was unpleasant. Nevertheless, Elena said, controlling her expression beautifully.
"I'm sorry. I'm just too tired today."
"Well... I guess that's understandable. Well, today isn't the only day."
She was licking her lips in regret. Adolf whispered with a burning gaze.
"By the way, I knew this day would come, Miss Elena. Miss Elena, who didn't even take the gifts from other men, took my gift with her."
'No way.'
If she had, it would have been because the gift Adolf sent was expensive. Elena's smile didn't fade even though she was laughing inside.
'Once I've dealt with Lucas roughly... I'll abandon this man too.'
Elena briefly pondered her future plans. A flower on a cliff that is the envy of all men but unbeatable by anyone. That was the image Elena had maintained until now. However, since she had to hold Adolf's hand for her purpose, she had to change her strategy.
'I have no choice but to go with the opposite image.'
How about a poisonous flower concept with a fatal charm? Enchanting enough to charm even her sister's husband.
'Well. When you get older, you can't maintain a pure concept forever.'
She was definitely going to use this crisis as a springboard for recovery. And she was going to get revenge on those who dared to humiliate her.
***
The Duke's mansion, where the guests had left, was quiet as if the daytime bustle had been a lie. A white butterfly flew into the Forru mansion. I looked at the pair of wings shining white in the moonlight outside the window and thought for a moment. Something always came to mind when I saw butterflies.
The Fantasy Butterfly Trilogy. The last part of the Fantasy Butterfly series, which was extremely popular, was never released to the world because my grandfather died in a carriage accident while working on it.
However, three years later, Edward performed the third part, which was thought to be lost, at the National Foundation Day, and swept up enormous fame and wealth.
While organizing my grandfather's legacy, he found the last work late and kept it until it was at its peak value.
When he left the Lopez mansion, I took a few of my grandfather's sheet music with him, but I couldn't find most of it.
"I have to get it back."
Not just Fantasy Butterfly, but everything. They were probably gritting their teeth, thinking that they would rather get it back from me.
That was the moment I absentmindedly stepped onto the stairs.
"Where are you going?"
I turned around at the sudden voice. Dante's red eyes were soaked in moonlight, emitting a more eerie light than usual. I absentmindedly moved my lips.
"...Yes?"
Climbing the stairs was an unconscious act. When entering the mansion, I usually started from this central staircase. Since my guest room was on this floor...
'Ah.'
I blushed as I thought that far. As if he had read my thoughts, Dante let out a low laugh.
"You're not a guest anymore."
A large hand grabbed my waist.
"So we should go to 'our' bedroom."
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