< — Duchess Vivian — > (4)
TN: Make sure you’re reading at rubymaybetranslations.com
The day of the coronation ceremony was bright. Following tradition, the coronation ceremony proceeded according to a very solemn customary practice and its participants were strictly restricted in an enclosed area. When the morning coronation ceremony was over, there was a big party to be held for three consecutive days, today included.
For today in particular, which was the first day, a light celebration party would be held from noon till dusk then from dusk till dawn, an excitement-filled ball would be held. The other two days were scheduled to have only a ball in the evening.
It was the first party to be held by the new owner of the country so the scale was enormous and the number of participants was also enormous. The number of delegations and aristocrats that came from other countries was nothing to sneeze at. When compared to the victory party that was held last year, the scale was about the same but the nobles participating in todayβs event were qualitatively superior.
The nobles that were absent at the victory party because they disliked the squandering atmosphere would all be present for at least todayβs party.
From early in the morning, Luciaβs mind was in a mess as she made her preparations. She had gone to a few tea parties in the meantime but from the looks of it, her state of mind had been light because the setting was light as well.
However, today was the first official party since the previous kingβs death and this event was going to be Luciaβs official social debut. She could not help but become nervous. Antoine, who was almost an exclusive designer now, punctually brought her assistants early in the morning and dressed Lucia from head to toe.
For todayβs event, Antoine designed a brand new dress with her heart and soul. The image Antoine was going for today was elegance and sensuality.
βPerfection. Duchess is really beautiful day after day.β
The dress was a pink tinged, pearl-gray dress with exquisitely sewn vibrant pearlyΒ pink beads. The neckline was wide so the shoulders were slightly revealed and the collarbone was conspicuous. The sleeve was narrow so it clung to the arm and as it went down the sleeve, it had folds that gave it a flair.
The base of the dress itself was double layered with lace but about 1/3 of the upper arm was made up of only lace so the skin beneath the lace could be seen. Overall, it was still a modest style. But, the twist was at the back.
The back of the dress was cut to boldly reveal half of the back. The shoulder blades were exposed and the shallow valley of the spine was conspicuous. The unblemished white skin at the back gave off a peculiar feeling. The back waist of the dress was raised to emphasize the rich folds of the hem. The thin waist was brought to the fore, giving the body an overall curvy silhouette.
Antoine looked with satisfaction at the result she had made with her hands. She felt the impulse to raise her hand to her lips and laugh βohohohoβ, like a witch in a childβs fairy tale book. It was worthwhile to design for the Duchess in that the designs always turned out like she imagined. The Duchess was the perfect muse that stimulated Antoineβs creativity.
Lucia was also satisfied. Antoineβs skill was improving day by day. The fact that she could make it give off a different atmosphere every time without any awkwardness was amazing. The design was alluring but not overly flashy and its somewhat innocent side was charming.
βWould you like to take a little walk? Please check if there is any inconvenience.β
Lucia took a few steps around. The feeling of the soft fabric clinging to her upper body was nice. The gorgeous lace shook flutteringly every time she moved. The numerous small diamonds embedded in the lace twinkled and shined. It was an expensive dress made with enormous material costs. Antoine had received a blank check from the Duke of Taran for the production of the coronation dress. Her artistic soul exploded.
βThere is no inconvenience. The dress is very comfortable and beautiful.β
βI am glad you like it. You bring out the beauty of my work perfectly. It really suits you.β
Antoineβs flattery was filled with sincerity and Lucia smiled faintly. Even Lucia could see that there was nothing bad to say about herself today.
βMilady. It looks like Master will be a little late.β
A maid quickly came in and reported.
βMm. So? Madame. Would you like some refreshments? I didnβt feel good about just sending away a hard worker and opportunely, there is some time on our hands. If you arenβt busy.β
βI will gladly accept. Thank you for having me.β
After the Duchess left the tea party, there was a flood of orders to Antoineβs boutique. The commissions for βAntoineβs boutiqueβ were accepted but all direct commissions were rejected. There would not be enough time to focus only on the Duchess.
Even though the main designer was not taking charge, the orders were still overflowing. Antoine was laughing all the way to the bank. She had earned well before but now, it seemed to be pouring out a river of gold.
While Lucia and Antoine were enjoying their tea time and whiling away time, Hugo was just entering the mansion. As soon as the coronation ended, he came back to the mansion to escort her.
Hugo was slightly upset. Because he was held back by people, he arrived later than the time they had scheduled for pick up. The person who became King was someone else so why were there so many dregs trying to hang onto him?
βMilady is waiting inside.β
At Jeromeβs report, Hugo immediately went into the receiving room. Hugo saw her sitting there and as he watched her rise from the couch, he forgot to speak. He paused for a moment and fixed his eyes on her. Very slowly, His eyes swept over her, from top to bottom, unhurriedly examining her.
Beautiful. No. It couldnβt be expressed with a single word. His critical gaze lightly brushed past Antoine. The woman didnβt have to do her best to this extent.
βDamn it. This means I have to show this to other people.β
When he thought of other men seeing her, he was filled with so much regret. There was no one who didnβt know how precious life was, to dare to come onto a woman that was accompanied by her husband however, he was worried about the future where she would occasionally have to go to a ball by herself.
When they were in the north, it was good. In those days, at least he didnβt have to worry about tiger-like bastards. If he could, he wanted to forget the party, quit everything, grab her and take her to the bedroom.
She is mine.
His intense possessive desire treacherously overflowed. He was afraid she would run away if she saw the darkness in his eyes so he hid it with a soft smile.
βYou look beautiful.β
Luciaβs expression flushed slightly and she gave a sweet smile.
βYou look amazing too.β
He was dressed in a black tuxedo and looked absolutely splendid. Compared to women who wore colorful dresses like a peacock, men usually wore similar black tuxedos but the look that was brought alive, differed according to body shape.
With his tall stature, broad shoulders and nimble body, the simple black tuxedo had transformed into the most attractive clothing in the word. Knowing his firm and rich muscles that was hidden beneath the suit, Lucia felt his attire was much more risquΓ©.
Antoine watched the ducal couple with sparking eyes. The Duke couldnβt keep his eyes off his wife and his eyes were filled with tender affection. In the aristocratic world where marriage of convenience was rampant, it was hard to see a married couple that was filled with affection like this.
βMadame Antoine has worked hard.β
When the Duke of Taranβs gaze fell on her, Antoine bowed her waist.
βYouβve done a great job. Is there still more left to do?β
βNo, Your Grace. Preparation is complete.β
Hugo escorted Lucia and climbed onto the carriage. Antoine and her assistants as well as the employees of the Ducal Household came out to see the ducal couple off. Each and every one of them were watching the ducal couple with joyful eyes. Meanwhile, Antoine was making new calculations in her head.
There is one concept that vanishes when it comes to a man that has fallen for a woman. It was precisely the financial sense.
Antoine firmly believed that the affection for the woman was in proportion to the money. In any case, the Duke of Taran seemed ready to spend any amount of money for his wife. Antoineβs eyes shone in determination to get all that money in her skirt.
Translatorβs Corner:
*Skirt: A way of saying pocket I believe.
*.*.*
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 67 - December 21, 2024
- Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 21 - December 14, 2024
- Emilone’s Temptation Labyrinth – Chapter 66 - December 14, 2024
This is one of those moments where I wish there was an illustrationβ¦
Thank you for this sweet chapter ^^
I thought exactly the same thing. So I made an illustration myself. Enjoy!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0O9_RpImn2/?igshid=1i5lhsx2erlf5
Thank you for this
Thank you for this!!
Looks great!
I tried to see but it appeared and the link is no longer working.
Oh não tem mais a ilustração!!! Que pena!!!
Trueee huhuhuhu
It’s a shame that the manga hasn’t made it to this part of the novel yet.
First
Sorry i was so excited being the first to comment that i forgot to thank miss Ruby for the chapter. Thanks for the hard work we really appreciate all ur efforts ππππππ
I want to laugh like evil queen too..like this HoHoHo or FuFuFu or Muahaha
Today my heart is black belly for Hugh..
Thanks for the chapter
Business in the front party in the back.π Thx 4 the update!ππ
Aye!
OHOHOHO Indeed. First time the king’s going to see her so.. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA I’m ready for some glaring on Hugo’s part, some nativity on Lucia, and a lot of gawking from everyone else. It’ll be quite the party
Many thanks
surely that dumbass brother of the queen will be there as well, but yeah I agree Lucia will turn heads tonight
Thanks for the update… π
At last, the ball begins…
Thanks for the chapter!
Lol, Hugo getting mad for Antione doing too good a job XD
Just like how Scarlet Johansson got rejected in several auditions because she was too beautiful for the role.
idk Antoine.. do not go overboard.. Hugh is already unhappy his wife is too pretty
βGetting money in her skirtβ conjures an image of a woman with the skirt hem in her hands, trying to catch the banknotes raining from the sky, as many of them as possible. Pretty appropriate, I daresay.
If you have an interest you can type antique skirt and you will see that old clothe didn,t hav pocket ….there was 2 way for a lady to carry object first the lady had a hole in their skirt and they use to tie underneath the skirt ( like a belt ) a little bag so that they could put their money in but this way was not really usefull because the bag could fall and they could lose everything so man usally were the one that carry the money … the second way was with a nappron in the front wich was considered a part of the skirt since everyone noble to peaseant were those. So saying having the money go to her skirt is appropriate since there was no pocket at a point of time ….. ( no idear who invent them but thank god someone did)
I like A….lol skirt….
Say ‘skirtpocket’ then? It’d cover your bases without making people slightly confused for a second.
“Antoineβs eyes shone in determination to get all that money in her skirt.” –> But little did she know she was about to be fired by the overly jealous husband aka the Taran Duke
I’ve seen a lot of novels to the point I just know what happen next to Antoine lol
I dont thinks so …. i like how they describe the dress she will wear or the different impression she gave when going out its refreshing i think they will continue do to so to allow a pause in between the politics the sex and the questionning …Also i believe that Hugo like to see her dress up … he just whant to be the only one to see her like that
Cant wait to see all their reactions toward lucia ππΏ
Thanks for the chapter~
as great as always
Thanks for the new chapter!
I finally got hold of the raws because I was curious what form was Hugo and Lucia were talking to each other with….. and it turns out that it was traditional, palace (kinda, i guess) korean so, i was kinda shocked…
루λΉλ μ λ§ λλ¨νμλ€μ (*v*)b
Aw, thank you
Imagining a lot of gold coins under one’s skirt. I am guessing her purse isn’t large enough.
The designer is by far my favorite character right now π€π€π€
I can imagine lady Antoine swimming in a huge vault filled with coins like a certain duck likes it.
I’t funny. He kept saying in the 1st chapters that she was not pretty and now he keeps saying how beautify she is. LOL!
Thanks. Not sure I approve the greedy dress designer.
Ahdjajhf aaaw, my heart! I can’t even!! <3
I really want to see the dress, I imagined it, it looks so pretty π
Thank you for translating!!
Compared to women who wore colorful dresses like a peacock.
π
Man, how sarcastic that was. Me too prefer one colour suit like Hugo. Full black, full white, or full gray dress. But full of lace π€£
I refuse to show-up like a peacock
I’m so looking forward to seeing what awaits us at this ball.
Thanks for the chapter!