“There is no need to marry a man who is reluctant to spend money on his own wedding.”

Rubica was rather surprised by Ann’s determined declaration. So, she blinked while staring at the vicious looking Ann. If Edgar had been there, she would have scolded him and make him break the engagement.

“Such stingy men always protest even after the wedding, even when the wife is buying the necessary goods. However, they want their own suits to be nice. And what about the carriage? They all say they can’t use leased carriages and try to buy one way too expensive. They don’t hesitate to spend gold on the horses’ hay but want to save a penny from their wives’ food! They should be caring about their fat belly…”

Ann faltered, realizing she was getting too angry. Then, she glanced at Rubica who just smiled awkwardly. It wasn’t that new to her. Speaking ill of useless husbands was one of the married women’s joy.

“Hmm, anyway, if His Grace says even one offending sentence to you, just let me know. I will speak to him myself.”

Ann was so angry that Rubica rather wanted Edgar to make a mistake and say something wrong. Edgar being scolded by this kind housewife, she really wanted to see that scene.

“I want to decorate the place with pretty flowers and candles. As the wedding will take place at dusk, the dim lights of candles will make embroideries look even more beautiful.”

Ann smiled brightly. As it was almost warm April, spring flowers were in full bloom.

“Considering the dress, white flowers would be better than red flowers, right? It would be good to have small candles floating on wide basins full of water. The embroideries will sparkle beautifully in the light of the setting sun and dim candles.”

As Ann was an aged housewife, she had prepared many events. She quickly realized what Rubica wanted and came up with some ideas right on the spot. As it was going to be a wedding without any guests, that much of decoration was an extravagance.

However, in Ann’s perspective, spending that much money for the duke’s wedding wasn’t even a problem.

“And I want to give the flowers and candles used as decoration to the townspeople after the wedding.”

That was what Rubica was really after.

“… to the townspeople?”

“The Petra Kingdom has a custom of giving flowers used as decorations to the guests after the wedding. They must be disappointed for not being able to witness the wedding. So how about giving them some presents instead?

There was indeed a custom about giving flowers, but that custom didn’t include giving away expensive wax candles. Nevertheless, Rubica wanted to spend more money. She would be able to spend more of the duke’s money and the people will get expensive wax candles, so it was going to be good for all of them.

“There is such a custom? You really know everything, Lady Berner!”

Ann was touched. In fact, the duke’s wedding was supposed to be a good spectacle to the people. Pennies and delights nobles threw to them at weddings was a huge joy they didn’t want to lose. Such a secretive wedding was going to bring some complaints. Ann had been worried it might diminish the duke’s reputation.

But now, Rubica was offering to openly share the joy with them instead of giving them a donation. Even though the Setiros Kingdom had no such customs, it didn’t seem impossible as it was in the Petra Kingdom far in the north.

What Rubica was proposing was going to make the dukes receive praise, not criticized. Ann got excited and came up with her own idea.

“Why don’t we also bake some celebration cookies and give them too?”

“Oh, that is a great idea!”

Rubica had no reason to say no to that. No, she was glad to hear that and smiled brightly. Ann could barely stop herself from crying.

‘She is so kind…’

There was no way she could know that Rubica was trying to spend all the money of the duke. She just thought Rubica was doing what was needed to be done instead of Edgar who didn’t care at all about his and his family’s reputation.

‘But then we will be spending as much as a wedding prepared for a year…’

Money spent little by little will eventually become big. Ann realized giving enough bread and cookies to nearby townspeople will cost as much as inviting noble guests and making expensive dishes.

‘Well, as it is for a good purpose, it should be fine. We still have enough budget left…’

She was caught up in the mood, but she had come up with the idea. She was a little worried, but soon dismissed it and decided to wonder if the cookies should be in the shape of a happy bride and groom or in the shape of the Claymore Mansion.

***

Next morning. The wedding dress Rosa brought was even more than what Rubica had expected. Even the maids, including Ann, clapped in delight. Rubica had never seen such a detailed and delicate embroidery.

Moreover, Rosa had done even more. She had also made a veil that matched the dress. When Rubica wore the veil made with thin golden threads, it looked like a golden mist was surrounding her face.

“We have prepared a matching suit for His Grace.”

“… but this red color will not be right for him.”

Rosa immediately replied as if she had known Rubica would say that.

“The suit is red but a little darker and paler. You don’t have to worry too much about it.”

Rubica nodded. She hated Edgar, but he was annoyingly handsome. She didn’t want to see such a man’s beauty ruined by an unmatching suit.

‘Although he will look good because of his face, no matter what he wears.’

Nevertheless, she wanted to see him in a matching suit. She wanted to praise him for his beauty, regardless of his personality. She wished she could freeze that beauty and pass it down to future generations.

“Hehe.”

One of the maids who helped Rubica to dress couldn’t hold it anymore and laughed. Then, the other maids, Rosa and even Ann started to laugh similarly.

Only Rubica couldn’t see what it was about.

‘She really loves him.’

Everyone except Rubica met eyes. They exchanged glances and nodded. To them, Rubica was a woman in love who cared everything about Edgar, including his suit.

“Well, there is no time for this. We should hurry.”

When they finished preparing and put the tiara on the veil, the sun was going down in the west.

“I think we were right to make the makeup a little deep.”

“Yes, the veil will make it look paler than it is.”

Again, Jennie quietly thanked Rubica for trusting her. She had used a slightly strong red for the lips, but after the veil was put on, everything seemed surrounded by beauty as if it was planned like that.

“Then let us go to the abbey now. The guests will arrive in about an hour, and…”

“Ann, Carl has prepared everything, so don’t worry.”

However, what Rosa said couldn’t relax Ann. She then pouted while saying, “But I really can’t relax.”

To others, Carl the butler appeared to be smart and without mistakes, but Ann felt like he was a child. She especially worried about the unenthusiastic attitude he had shown at the beginning of the wedding preparations.

“Oh, I can’t stop worrying. I must go and check the list of dishes for the feast again…”

“Then we will be late, Ann. Who will take care of Lady Berner if you’re gone?”

“Yes, I forgot that. Oh, my.”

Ann was even more nervous than Rubica and started babbling. Rubica had to stop herself from laughing.

“We cannot introduce you to others without His Grace, the master of this mansion. Although you will depart alone, when you arrive, many guests will sprinkle flowers for you.”

Ann didn’t tell Rubica that Carl had worked hard like a general in charge of an army to get the flowers. She just smiled warmly and took Rubica to the mana stone carriage.

“If you leave now, you will arrive at dusk. You will be coming back in a carriage decorated with flowers led by horses. Don’t forget to wave your hand when the townspeople on the way cheer.”

It wasn’t the first duke’s wedding Ann was going through. She had watched preparations of the late duke’s wedding as a young maid.

Now was the time to use that experience. On their way to the abbey, Ann didn’t stop and kept talking to Rubica about things she had to keep right, and she had been right, the carriage arrived at the destination when the sun was touching the horizon.

The abbey was so beautiful in the sunset. Rubica wanted to check if the hall had been decorated as she had asked, but unfortunately, Edgar’s carriage didn’t arrive yet.

“Let us wait for him in the waiting room.”

Ann didn’t want the small wedding to make Rubica sad. So, she kept exclaiming at the small things to cheer Rubica up.

“Oh, the carriage for the witness has arrived, and the priest has changed into a robe for the wedding.”

“Ann, I want to know about the hall.”

“Should I go and see?”

Rubica nodded. Ann didn’t hesitate to run to the hall, take a quick look, and return.

“It’s perfect. It’s been decorated as we planned. The flowers are much more beautiful with the light of the setting sun.”

Yes, everything was ready, except for one: the bridegroom.