# 16
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Ian raised an eyebrow in confusion at my words.
"escort?"
"escort."
However, Ian asked again, as if he doubted his ears.
“Are you asking me to accompany you to the season’s party at the Duke of Brillose’s estate?”
"Yes."
Realizing that he had heard wrong, he tilted his head with an indifferent expression.
“And why?”
“It's part of the lessons, of course.”
She smiled softly and explained, having already anticipated the question.
"What I need is to change the public image. There is nothing more effective in suppressing rumors than a couple who appear together amicably at social events."
"You promised me, remember? First, to act like a suitable husband for me."
“You haven't already forgotten, have you?”
Ian rubbed his forehead briefly, looking tired. His expression seemed to say, Why should I agree to this, and what do I get from it? He closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded reluctantly.
“…As long as there are no other pressing matters, I will do so. But I cannot change any previous commitments, so let me know the date and time first, and I will confirm.”
'What will he decide this time, another business meeting?'
He really never gives a straight answer. His wife clearly has a lower priority than his personal business.
'Of course, I don't care how he treats me, but if he did this to Diana, he wouldn't escape unharmed.'
I hid my clenched fists behind my back and smiled coldly.
“Fortunately, it's next Sunday, a week from now. You promised to give me your time on the weekends, so even if you're not happy about it, you have to come with me.”
“…I think that’s true.”
“The day before the party, we will be busy choosing clothes, and we won’t have time to spend together after the party either, so… let’s consider the party our meeting that week.”
I shrugged at him.
“I think this is a favorable deal for you, Your Highness. You are saving time by consolidating it into one event.”
At my gentle suggestion, Ian lowered his deep blue eyes briefly before raising them gracefully. As usual, his good looks bothered me the most.
"Good."
Most people would disagree with the idea of “saving time” out of respect for the other person. But not him. It can be predicted.
“Well, uh… right.”
“What's up now?”
“Before that, you'll need to set aside some time during the week as well.”
“I will decide after hearing the reason.”
"It's for the party. I was thinking about calling a jeweler."
“I heard that you have already ordered several pieces of jewelry and dresses from the store.”
As expected, his answer was sharp.
“Yes, but I need something different this time.”
“What might that be?”
“I want to match the accessories to your highness.”
“Is there a reason?”
“To make a fuss.”
"What?"
At his puzzled question, she smiled sweetly.
“To make a fuss. While I was with Your Highness.”
“What does that mean?”
Of course, the Duke and Duchess have not worn any couple pieces, including wedding rings, even once since their marriage.
Ian never understood the point of exchanging such symbols, and Eloise found it annoying. Most likely, at this very moment, their wedding rings were buried somewhere in a drawer, collecting dust.
'It's good for them, because they're a perfect match.'
The real problem will come when Diana returns. Ian would maintain the same attitude even after her arrival. This was an important part of the original story.
About halfway through the plot, Diana returns home after completing her studies abroad and gives Ian a brooch that matches hers as a gift. But this annoying Ian did not spare her feelings and rejected the brooch as uess.
Ian really thought the brooch was an “unnecessary” gift.
“I see no reason to wear a matching brooch.”
I won't even bother describing how much pain Diana felt in that moment.
'Even now, just thinking about it makes my blood boil.'
To make matters worse, Ian never wore that brooch, not even once before the end of the story. His personality was something really special.
For this reason, some of Diana's young but ardent fans made replicas of the brooch, and wore them themves to make up for what Ian had not done.
For the record, I bought ten of them.
‘But now that I am in this world, will I allow this scene to happen?…. On my dead body
So, I planned to use this opportunity to train him in advance. Sharing a brooch once makes it easier to do it again, right?
“Shall we stick to my plan?”
“…So it wasn’t a suggestion, it was an order.”
"naturally."
She smiled shamelessly. Ian looked confused.
"I'll send a request to the jeweler and let you know as soon as I get a response. Thursday sounds good."
When I was about to pass by him to say goodbye, Ian stopped me with his harsh voice.
"my lady."
"Yes?"
His lips remained tightly closed before he finally spoke.
“The dress...fits you well.”
…What?
She blinked rapidly, pausing for a moment. Then I realized he was imitating what I told him earlier.
“When this happens, you're supposed to say it suits me or that I look pretty.”
Ian, who was exchanging glances in the air next to me, nodded briefly.
“I gave you the answer you wanted.”
At this, he turned away from me without hesitation. As she watched him walk away, she let out a faint laugh, too late.
“…Should I take that as a compliment or an insult?”
❖ ❖ ❖
She asked Vivi to send a message to the famous capital jeweler. The response came in less than half a day.
The jeweler will visit the Ducal Palace at around 11am on Thursday.
After a little while, I left my room to find Ian already waiting for me.
When our eyes met, he spoke in a robotic voice.
“...Did you sleep well last night? The weather is nice.”
I looked out the window after hearing that. There was no rain, but the sky was dull and cloudy in the morning.
I could already feel the downsides of rote memorization.
'However, getting it this far is progress.'
I let the small details go smoothly and changed the subject.
“Yes, I heard that the jeweler is waiting in the reception room on the first floor.”
"What are you doing? Aren't you going to hold my hand?"
As if it were the most natural thing in the world, I extended my hand to him. After a short pause, he took my hand and led me downstairs.
As we entered the reception room side by side, the jeweler, who was waiting inside, bent down at a 90-degree angle.
“Your Highness, Her Highness the Duchess! It is an honor to be summoned!”
“Enough, raise your head.”
"Yes!"
"As I mentioned earlier, I'd like to see accessories that can be worn as a matching pair. Have you got them set up?"
"Of course! This way!"
The jeweler hurriedly led us to the jewelry display.
"All the items here are sets designed for couples. Although you ordered brooches, I also prepared necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks, earrings and rings, just in case. Don't hesitate to look."
It was as if he had moved an entire jewelry store here. I couldn't help but quietly admire and pulled Ian closer.
“Your Highness, have you seen anything you like?”
"no."
Oh, if only something could fall from the ceiling and hit him on the head every time Ian gave those short answers.