Chapter 2: The Bride Selection Party
“Thank you all for taking the time to attend.”
Thus began the party, with those words spoken by a man who appeared to be the host.
The one seeking a brideâHis Majesty the Kingâs nephew, and at the young age of seventeen already the head of the Rubelga ducal house, Duke Michelâwas a strikingly dignified man.
Being the kingâs nephew, traces of the boy I had guarded for a few days when he was seven could still be seen in him.
It was likely the most intense period of my previous life.
That face, unforgettable no matter how hard I tried, stirred something deep within me.
Before I realized it, my lips had softened into a smile.
“âOh my?”
While young ladies of similar standing surrounded Duke Michel, desperately trying to appeal to himâ
A voice called out to me as I watched the scene from afar, as if it had nothing to do with me, while still smiling.
It was a voice I recognized.
“Fii?”
The moment I turned over my shoulder, the name slipped out.
It was the nickname of my closest friend in this life as FloraâFeel Rebecca.
“Laura? I knew it! Itâs you, Laura!”
A slender woman dressed in a luxurious red gownâFeelâapproached me with lively steps, her voice brimming with excitement as she called my name.
I was also dressed up for this party, so I remained standing where I was, but if not for the dress, she looked like she might have thrown herself into a hug.
“Are you aiming to become the dukeâs bride too, Laura?”
“Yes. Though, to be honest, itâs just my familyâs orders.”
With a wry smile, I spoke honestly.
It wasnât something worth hiding, but it seemed Feel had already figured it out.
She nodded lightly two or three times, as if to say, âI thought so.â
“What about you, Fii?”
“Me as well. Even if itâs impossible, Father told me to at least expand my connections.”
It seemed our reasons for coming here were quite similar.
Confirming that, we looked at each other and laughed.
Feel and I had known each other for over ten years through our families.
We were close enough to be considered sisters.
That was why I could so easily reveal the feelings I had kept hidden.
“I see. That does sound like something your father would say.”
“Itâs not just that it sounds like himâhe actually said it.”
She sighed in exasperation.
“As a father, he should know better than anyone that becoming the dukeâs bride is impossible for me.”
Honestly, I agreed with her completely, so I couldnât help but laugh awkwardly.
“Well, itâs not like anyone would willingly throw themselves into that crowd.”
As I said that, I turned my gaze toward a particularly lively group.
A crowd of girls in dresses surrounded someone, raising excited voices.
At the center of it all was a single man.
The star of this partyâDuke Michelâwas being surrounded as they desperately tried to sell themselves to him.
“Exactly. Itâs not like Father has any expectations of me anyway, so I plan to just get through this party in my own way.”
“Thatâs so like you, Fii.”
“What do you mean, âlike meâ? Youâre no different, Laura.”
“Ahaha, youâre right.”
I stuck out my tongue playfully, and Feel gave me a slightly exasperated look, as if to say, âHonestlyâŚâ
Though, it only lasted a moment.
“Well, this whole thing is probably somewhat of a fixed match anyway, so I donât think youâll be blamed for anything, Laura.”
“A fixed match?”
I couldnât help but ask.
“Yes. Itâs been spreading as a rumor, but Duke Michel apparently wants to marry a certain young lady.”
“Marry? Huh? But isnât this a party to find a bride?”
Then what was the point of holding this party?
As I questioned that, she answeredâ
“Thatâs why itâs a fixed match. Duke Michel already has someone he wants to marry. But apparently, sheâs from a vastly different social standing. So, by holding this party, they can stage it as a fateful encounter. Thatâs the only reason for this setup.”
I see.
Only now did I understand why someone like a duke would host such a party and declare that he would choose a bride.
If my father had known that, I wouldnât have had to come all the way to the royal palace.
As I sighed, a question suddenly crossed my mind.
“I see. But how do you know something like this being a fixed matchâ”
Just as I was about to askâ
A particularly loud voice rose up.
It wasnât a scream, but more like a cheer.
Because of that, my voice was cut off, and Feelâs attention shifted toward the source of the sound.
Why had such a cheer suddenly erupted?
That question lingered only for a fleeting moment.
The dignified voice of the man overseeing the party spoke a single sentenceâ
“His Majesty the King has arrived.”
And with those words, all doubt vanished.