I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration - Chapter 34

“Now let’s go back to the castle.”

“Yes.”

Descending from Mount Philiac, they returned to the castle.

Vincent, the castle’s butler, was busy with the long-awaited return of his masters.

He’d swept and scrubbed the castle inside and out since he’d heard they were coming, but it didn’t seem to bother him.

In truth, neither did Killian.

The castle had been left to the care of caretakers, so it had no decorations and none of the luxuries necessary for aristocratic life.

‘The castle itself is well maintained, but the decorations and furnishings are so crude. How much will Edith fuss over it?’

Despite being a despicable family, the wealth of the Riegelhoffs should not be underestimated.

The amount of money the family had spent on Edith’s clothing alone was staggering, so the castle was no match for her.

‘When I get back to the capital,  the first thing I need to do is find a good upholsterer. I’ll look into some tapestries and insignia…… and I’ll have her look into other things.’

There’s no time to lose, for I intend to come to the castle as soon as I receive the title.

If I have to come anyway, it would be best to come as soon as possible to check on the estate, and I don’t like to think that problems might arise at the Duke’s mansion because of Edith.

‘I wonder if she’ll have a hard time being away from the parties and luxuries of life. What can I do though? There are things she has to endure to become a countess.’

Come to think of it, Edith hadn’t attended a party since her marriage. Maybe she’d get along just fine here.

If it got too hard, I could send her to the capital for the winter.

We’ll make it work.

‘She’ll be fine.’

Despite his worries, Killian decided to look to the future with hope.

During his stay in Ryzen, he spoke in depth with his father about the problems of the estate and the direction they should take, and then returned to the capital.

It was a time when Killian’s heart swelled with the thought of independence.

Though he didn’t realize it, Edith was in the middle of all his thoughts.

***

The day of the long-awaited bazaar has arrived.

Killian, who had gone to inspect the estate he was to receive, returned yesterday, but I haven’t seen him yet as he still has a lot to discuss with the Duke and Duchess since his return.

Not that he’s obligated to report to me, but……

Fortunately, I was busy finishing my embroidery, so I didn’t have time to lament his absence.

“Is this really okay?”

“Of course, miss. There are many noble ladies who have no interest in embroidery, so this is enough.”

Innocent Anna had been suffering from my barrage of anxious questions for days now.

It’s not like there’s anything she can do about it now, but I’ve pestered her again and again, hoping to get a yes. I’d gotten some harsh criticism from Renon.

I made a few more, and then picked the three best ones for the bazaar, which didn’t really stand out.

But as nervous as I was, the morning of the bazaar arrived and I was dead calm.

‘Yeah, well, it’s not like I’m going to die if this doesn’t sell.’

The episode is meant to showcase the difference in Lizé’s and Edith’s skills, so there won’t be any life-threatening consequences if it goes wrong.

I tucked the three handkerchiefs I’d worked so hard to make into my bag and took out my picnic dress to put on.

It was an alteration of the dress I’d brought with me when I got married.

Stripped of all the lace, ruffles, and bows, the light gray cotton dress was so plain that it almost looked like a uniform.

But even so, it has a fresh, cute vibe.

‘Mrs. Ruayal is quite a dressmaker.’

I liked all ten of the dresses I took to her for alterations, as she made them look much prettier and more natural than I had asked for.

When I came out, ready to go to the bazaar, Lizé was wearing a gorgeous dress.

It was an adorable picnic dress in a light blue fabric with a pink bow, and it really suited her blonde hair and blue eyes.

Add to that a bonnet and parasol, and she looked like a doll.

“Huh, Edith, you look so pretty today!”

Lizé smiled brightly and complimented me. Standing next to the fully dressed Lizé, I looked like nothing more than a backdrop, just as I had hoped.

“You look stunning today, Lizé. That dress, I knew it would look great on you.”

“This dress is pretty, isn’t it? Mrs. Ruayal is amazing.”

That’s when Cliff came out and said, “Mrs. Ruayal’s skills are good, but you’re also beautiful. Don’t you think so, Edith?”

“Of course.”

Just when I was wondering why Cliff had appeared suddenly, the Duchess looked at us and said, “We’ll be late, let’s go first. The Duke and Killian will come later.”

Oh, it seems the whole family is going today.

I followed behind them, hoping to see Killian today, but then I realized that nothing good would happen to me even if he came.

‘I don’t think Killian’s default personality has changed just because of that one time the original story went wrong…… and even if he were to come to the bazaar today, he’d probably just get into a fight with Cliff to buy Lizé’s shawl.’

I climbed into the carriage, hoping that the day would pass uneventfully.

Decorative flags were already fluttering in the sprawling garden of Count Ermenia, where the bazaar was being held, and tents were set up with iced tea and snacks.

I hadn’t been looking forward to the event, but the blue sky, warm breeze, and joyful people made me excited.

“Anyone with bazaar items, please drop them off here!”

Someone shouted, and the people who had brought goods rushed to the tents.

I followed the Duchess and Lizé, dropped off three shabby handkerchiefs, signed the donation list, and returned.

After that, we sat in our assigned tents, sipping tea and engaging in light conversation, and greeting those who came to say hello to the Duchess.

The Duchess, wearing the blue dress that Lizé had picked out for her when she called on the Ruayal’s boutique, drew admiring glances.

“Your dress looks great on you, is it new?”

“Yes. I called Mrs. Ruayal after a long time, and this is the design Lizé chose. What do you think, is it good?”

“Of course, it looks just as good as if it had been designed for you! Miss Lizé has great taste!”

Also, I knew it would be like that.

But I’m glad they didn’t compare it to my design choices.

Anyway, I couldn’t sit idly by at such a fun event.

“Edith, the bazaar has started, why don’t we go have a look?” Lizé suggested excitedly.

I gave her a quick nod and started walking around the event with her.

“Wow…… this is amazing!”

People who are good at cooking make things like pecan pies and apple pies to donate, and some offer their unwanted jewelry. There are also rare items from overseas, and high-quality alcohol is also listed.

“Aren’t those earrings so pretty?”

“They’re really cute. Oh, someone got that bracelet, it’s got a ribbon on it.”

“It’s already sold, I guess the competition at today’s bazaar will be fierce?”

Lizé was excitedly pointing here and there, and I felt unnecessarily cheered up, so I followed her around like we were friends.

And Cliff, trailing behind as if he were our escort, was probably just pinning ribbons on things Lizé said were pretty.

I had to put up with shame for a while at the stand where the artworks we donated were displayed.

Anna had told me my handkerchiefs were good enough, but my jaw dropped when I saw the large-scale crocheted pieces and intricate embroidery.

Even Lizé’s shawl looked ordinary.

‘Anna, you’re a liar.’

It was a well-intentioned lie, of course, but if I’d known it was this bad, I would have burned the handkerchiefs……

I scurried away with Lizé to give Cliff a chance to claim her shawl. Not because I was embarrassed to see my work, but for the sake of the male lead!

As we walked back to the tent, leaving Cliff behind, a rather unpleasant-looking lady and her daughters, or perhaps her friends, were looking us up and down.

‘I don’t have a good feeling about this……’

It was an all-too-familiar picture, even for me in modern times.

It was as if they were all waiting for the…… female lead.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the capital, and I can’t seem to fit in with the social scene these days. An illegitimate child wandering around the bazaar.”

“Mother, you must be careful what you say. She’s not just any illegitimate child, but a guest of the Duke of Ludwig, and he and his wife are very dear to her.”

“Really? The Duke and Duchess of Ludwig are very honorable people…… and they keep that as a pet?”

I stared at them with a frown as they spoke, but suddenly I felt Lizé’s hand on my arm tremble.

Lizé’s earlobes were red as she lowered her head.

She clutched my arm as if I were her lifeline.

I was suddenly burning with a sense of duty to protect the female lead.