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While reflecting on her past life, Lara thought about Alec. To Alec, protecting her meant protecting her life—at all costs. If someone was innocent, he would frame them and have them executed. If he couldn’t kill them directly, he would drive them to suicide.
Knowing how devastating dishonor could be for nobles, he destroyed others’ reputations without hesitation. His actions were no different from what Valeria or Gladys might do. And yet…
“Your Highness, Madam Mobillen wishes to visit the estate. When would be a good time?”
Lara had already chosen her gown for the ball two weeks away, but she still needed to select one for the opera party a week after that. Diane suggested commissioning a new gown for the opera party, arguing that despite the abundance of dresses in Lara’s wardrobe, keeping up with fashion trends was essential. According to Diane, such extravagance was necessary for maintaining one’s status.
But Lara thought differently. She had more haute couture than she could stomach. When she came to Dranberg, Alec had already ordered a vast collection of dresses for her. Moreover, the people Alec aimed to align with through the opera party were prominent figures in Dranberg with republican leanings.
These individuals were intellectuals accredited by universities rather than wealthy elites. They were interested in radical ideas, such as the abolition of slavery. Overly extravagant attire could do more harm than good.
“Let’s meet her two days from now,” Lara decided.
Still, Diane’s point about staying reasonably fashionable was valid. Adding a few fresh accents to her look to avoid monotony wouldn’t hurt.
“Shall I inform Madam Mobillen now?”
“Go ahead. But ask her to bring any pre-designed dress samples when she visits. If we need to pay extra for a custom dress, we will, but if the sample designs are beautiful, one of those will suffice.”
“But it’s haute couture. It should be made exclusively for Your Highness from start to finish.”
Lara shook her head.
“Many of the attendees at the opera party are even more progressive than Marquis Heslo. What’s the point of giving them a reason to gossip about the princess consort’s extravagance at our first meeting?”
“Ah…”
“These are people who would rather fight for the abolition of slavery than report on it as journalists. Besides, isn’t it said that Madam Mobillen’s assistant has a loose tongue?”
Lara’s gaze shifted briefly. Diane, who had been silent, finally spoke.
“Your Highness is absolutely right.”
A week passed. Madam Mobillen visited the estate in response to Diane’s invitation.
After reviewing the designs and samples Madam Mobillen had prepared in advance, Lara chose one. However, she requested different lacework and accessories for the neckline and hem of the dress.
“What do you think?”
Lara stood before the mirror. As she tried on the dress she would wear to the opera party, Alec’s expression noticeably changed. It seemed his trousers weren’t entirely at ease.
Lara ignored him and asked again.
“It’s beautiful,” Alec murmured from where he sat reading a newspaper in his wing chair. His gaze didn’t leave the brief glimpse of her exposed neckline.
“Are you planning to wear that to the ball and dance in it?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“I’m not going to dance with you.”
Lara turned her head away from him. Alec stood up, but Lara ignored him.
“If you’re not dancing with me, then who are you planning to dance with?”
Her chin was seized, forcing her gaze to meet his gray eyes. Their stares locked. This was how they often clashed—tense, silent battles that wrapped them in a chilling and dreadful stillness.
Since that night—the one after they returned from the Marquis of Heslo’s banquet—they hadn’t had any deep conversations. Only short, mundane exchanges.
“Let go.”
“Lara.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Because I hate that name.”
“I like it.”
Alec kissed her. Lara pushed against his chest and slapped his face. Slowly, he turned his head back to her, his steely eyes now sharp with intensity.
“Call me Afrosa.”
“No.”
An eerie silence settled between them. Lara didn’t flinch as she glared at her husband.
“Gillian, that bastard, knew you. He knew a version of you that I don’t. He knew your time, your life—parts of you I’ve never known.”
Alec whispered through clenched teeth, swallowing his anger. The unexpected remark made Lara’s lips part slightly in surprise. Her cheeks flushed hot. Alec, noticing, softened his expression with a sweet, almost tender look.
“I… I…”
“Lara.”
The name “Lara” brought back memories of a time she wished to bury. It wasn’t just dark and frightening; it was humiliating. A feeling she’d never experienced with Lawrence.
Was it because Alec was royalty? If they had shared the same status, would she feel this way? She didn’t know. All she knew was that it felt wretched to harbor such feelings toward the man she had lived with for so long.
Inferiority.
Lara bit her lip. Feeling inferior to Alec—of all people—made her feel pitiful. But she refused to show it.
This ugly emotion was something she never wanted anyone to see, not even the man she loved. She couldn’t bring herself to confess that she felt small in his presence.
This was why she had never spoken of her childhood—not once. To her, childhood meant the years she spent as the adopted daughter of Brother Dallas.
She barely remembered anything before the age of eight, and what little she did recall was blurry and fragmented. What stood out were the insults, the fear, and the loneliness. None of it mattered now. Or so she told herself.
“I like the name Afrosa.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s mine.”
“It’s the name given to you by the detective’s real daughter.”
“But he gave it to me too. That name…”
Tears welled up in Lara’s eyes. Alec carefully lifted her chin, making eye contact with her.
“If you want, I’ll call you Aphrosa. But…”
“……”
“What I want to love is only you. I want to love all of you. Even if you think… even the parts you don’t want to show me are precious to me.”
Lara stared at him blankly. The tears in her eyes began to cool.
‘He says he’ll love even my inferiority…’
Her lips, which had been tightly pressed, felt bitter. Lara lowered her gaze. Whether he knew she was avoiding him or not, Alec whispered warmly.
“There will never be a moment when I don’t find you lovely. Don’t try to hide yourself from me.”
His large hand embraced Lara’s head, pulling her close. She rested her ear against his chest, listening to the beat of his heart.
At first, his heartbeat was steady, but as time passed, it quickened. Lara swallowed a sigh at the heavy sensation she felt near her abdomen.
After a while, Alec released her from his embrace and, after swallowing something, took something out of the drawer.
Lara recognized it immediately—it was a velvet box that held jewelry.
She pretended not to notice and turned her gaze away while adjusting herself in front of the mirror. Alec extended the box toward her, but she shook her head.
He pulled her gently toward the vanity and sat her down, then took out a blue diamond necklace from the box.
“As you probably already noticed… I’m giving this to you a little earlier than I intended.”
Her heart raced. Lara looked uncomfortably into the box. A tiara, a necklace, and earrings.
The large diamonds gleamed with a vivid blue, more brilliant than the color of her own eyes. The necklace was dazzlingly beautiful, and it immediately stood out as one of the finest jewels.
Lara knew what it was. Her gaze lingered on the tiara, which once belonged to the most noble woman in the empire. Lara had held this tiara before.
“I hope you’ll wear it that day.”
“……”
“After all, it’s yours, so there’s no need to feel uncomfortable.”
Alec’s face showed signs of anxiety. She noticed the subtle nervousness in his expression. She expected him to be worried she’d reject it, but before his lips could form another word, she spoke.
“Put it on me.”
At her words, Alec placed the necklace around her neck. It wasn’t just beautiful; it carried an overwhelming grace and weight, making Lara press her lips together.
It was too much to wear around her neck. The jewels were so precious that Valerie and Gladys had often fought over them.
The necklace was a gift from the emperor’s biological mother, and there had been endless debates over who would own it. From the two empresses’ families to the court nobles, there had been many discussions.
At the time, Lara had never dared to covet such treasures, especially with Valerie and Gladys as her rivals. She didn’t think she could withstand the fierce jealousy of the two women.
In truth, it didn’t matter who Alec gave such a luxurious heirloom to. At that time, everything she received felt dull and dry. But…
“Even the tiara.”
Alec’s eyes sparked with surprise. Lara gazed at his hand as it gently adjusted the necklace.
The morning of the banquet was busy. Diane arrived early to attend to Lara.
Being familiar with social matters, Diane had gotten up at dawn, carefully prepared herself, and rushed to the prince’s mansion to assist the princess. After inspecting the outdoor garden where the ball would take place, she approached Lara, who was sitting at the vanity.
“You’re truly beautiful.”
Her wavy, sandy-colored hair was braided and pulled low, and she looked incredibly stunning. Gladys, the renowned beauty of the Belgenoir family, was said to be one of the best in Empostium, but none had the same pure and lovely charm as the princess.
Adorned with jewelry that depicted golden flowers with sapphires, Lara wore a deep red satin dress.
The crinoline flared out her skirt, and the many pleats made her look like a magnificent lady. The faded blue of the dress complemented her round-cut gem-like eyes and soft skin.
“You look like a magnolia blooming in the spring snow.”
Diane said with a pleased smile. Lara, who had been touching up her makeup in front of the mirror, turned to her and laughed softly.
“Really, you’re beautiful, Your Highness.”
“…Thank you.”
Diane’s gaze fell on the necklace hanging around Lara’s neck.
“It’s the heirloom from Your Highness’s mother-in-law, isn’t it? You received it together with your inheritance from the bank.”
“That’s right.”
“It really suits you.”
“Thank you, Diane.”
Lara answered gracefully, then stood up from the vanity and left the room. Diane quietly followed her out, and they left for the ballroom, which was held outdoors.