The Mansion Awaits Spring - Chapter 143

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 143
In response to Shaper’s continued questions, April and Pejin took turns explaining the situation.
After hearing the entire story, Shaper held his throbbing head in both hands for a long moment.
Once he’d managed to accept the circumstances, Shaper turned to Pejin with a question.
“What about your brother’s consent?”
“Once we have His Majesty’s approval, that man’s opinion won’t mean a thing.”
“Either way, I’ll be coming to the wedding.”
“Of course you will—you’re not going to skip your cousin’s wedding, are you?”
Stung by Pejin’s jab, Shaper bristled again, but at April’s calming gesture he returned to what he’d been meaning to say.
“Fine. I understand. If you need help with anything, tell me. And start thinking about how to keep me from going to the Empire. It wouldn’t be good for the Grand Duchy if I became an Imperial soldier.”
“That’s true. We definitely need to stop that.”
April nodded in agreement.
The three of them spent a long time discussing April and Pejin’s wedding and ways to prevent Shaper from being forced into Imperial service.
April had one more day to stay; Shaper and Pejin decided to leave the Harbor ahead of her.
As they were heading out, Shaper asked April and Pejin something.
“But are you two really okay living on different islands after you marry?”
“I’m fine with it. I won’t have to deal with marriage pressure anymore.”
At April’s answer, Pejin gestured at her and spoke.
“And I’m happy she’s not marrying someone else.”
April’s eyes narrowed at his words. “Why are you always so blunt?”
“You said you liked that I was honest.”
“You’re not honest. Whatever you say, it seems like there’s always something else going on underneath.”
“If you keep hearing honest words, you’ll get used to it. We’re going to have to see each other a lot for wedding preparations. The most urgent matter is…”
Pejin’s thoughts turned to what came next, and he covered his face with his hands.
Shaper, sympathizing with him for once, asked quietly, “…Getting the Merrow family’s approval?”
“Yeah…”
“You’re finished now.”
“I really am…”
Pejin let out another heavy sigh of despair.
* * *
A few days later, Pejin and April traveled to the Merrow Residence to seek approval for the marriage.
The ordeal began at lunch and ended as the shortened daylight faded into evening.
The moment the Merrow couple gave their permission, Pejin bolted from the Merrow Residence, suppressing laughter as April followed close behind.
“Eleonore is truly remarkable,” he said.
“Really?”
“To dissect someone so thoroughly, piece by piece… I didn’t realize I had that many flaws. I feel genuinely humble all of a sudden.”
At his lament, April feigned amazement. “That’s remarkable. You’d have to be reborn to become humble.”
“I practically have been. Look—the new Pejin Dieusz.”
April laughed softly at his half-serious quip.
Following her laughter, Pejin offered a faint smile as he spoke. “But they didn’t really believe it. Either of them.”
“What?”
When April turned to look at him, Pejin continued. “I’m a police officer. I’m usually good at spotting lies.”
“What do you mean they didn’t believe?”
“Us. Getting married because we’re mad about each other. They don’t think that’s why.”
“But they still gave their approval.”
“That’s what’s strange. Ordinarily, they shouldn’t have. That they approved a marriage with the Dieusz family means they trust you that much.”
April said nothing.
“They both think you have some clear purpose. That’s why they didn’t say a word about why you want to marry the enemy’s brother.”
“…Ah, I see.”
April sighed and covered her face with both hands.
Once she’d composed herself, she looked up again.
After giving her sufficient time, Pejin took her hand and pulled. “Well, we’ve cleared the first major hurdle. Now comes the hard part for you.”
The next task was already scheduled: at Pejin’s Town House near the Merrow Residence, April would try on a ready-made dress brought from the Empire and establish the framework for a custom wedding dress.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“What’s ridiculous about it? You haven’t worn a proper dress in so long that your memory’s gone fuzzy. Making a wedding dress from scratch in less than three months is actually cruel and unusual punishment.”
“It doesn’t seem like it took that long before.”
“Are the dresses you wore as a child the same as a wedding dress? This is a wedding dress. The level of detail is completely different.”
Pejin’s pace quickened at the thought of seeing her in a wedding dress, his excitement evident in his stride.
When they arrived at the Town House, three different-styled wedding dresses were already waiting, just as Pejin had said.
Pejin complained, “I didn’t realize the Merrows would keep us that long. Look, it’s nighttime already. Exhausting.”
“I’m not tired. This will be fun.”
“Say that after trying all three.”
“I will.”
“You’re calling me childish? About yourself?”
With that rebuke, Pejin turned April around by the shoulders and, before she could protest, handed her over to the designer’s assistants who’d come from the Empire.
The Dieusz family’s Town House had been built solely for convenient access to the Social Season. It was no exaggeration to say the entire home was constructed around a dressing room.
The dressing room door opened directly into a bedroom. Pejin sat on the single-seat sofa in the bedroom and reviewed a report on the Imperial situation that one of the shop staff had discreetly handed him.
[Miller Dieusz has been requesting an audience with His Majesty, but opportunities for private meetings outside of parties are not easily forthcoming.]
[His Majesty appears quite interested in the Dieusz brothers’ conflict.]
Miller was currently visiting the Empire with Heidi and Joshua, his eldest son, seeking a way to save the family from his younger brother’s threats.
Pejin had assigned officers openly to tail Miller from the moment he’d left for the Empire, and had enough of his own people in the Imperial Palace that he wasn’t worried about Miller’s movements.
What did concern him was that the Emperor was taking an interest in the Brothers’ Conflict.
He needed to meet the Emperor soon, discuss matters, and secure his approval for the marriage. Beyond that, it was urgent to invite influential Imperial guests to the wedding.
As Pejin rubbed his temples wearily, an exclamation of delight echoed from the dressing room.
How many times now?
Pejin finally bolted from his seat.
“Who are you teasing in there? If she looks pretty, the groom should see first!”
“You can’t, Inspector!”
“That’s right, it still needs work, so wait a little!”
“Fair warning, she’s going to be even more beautiful than you expect!”
Playful voices called back from the dressing room.
Pejin returned to the sofa with a pained expression.
He’d thought he’d just praise whichever one came out and declare that to be the one, ending this meaningless wait. That was supposed to be the only—
The sound of the dressing room door opening made him turn his head.
“…”
He’d decided to praise unconditionally.
But his eyes narrowed of their own accord.
“…What is this?”
“What is this?”
April repeated his words, narrowing her own eyes. When Pejin couldn’t find words and began gesturing vaguely, the staff burst into laughter.
“Can’t speak, can you?”
“We told you she’d be even more beautiful than expected.”
The staff was right.
Pejin couldn’t think of praise or criticism; he didn’t even know which part to look at or what his head was doing. April walked toward him, looking up at his expression—one she’d never seen before—and asked, “Say something.”
“It’s white.”
“And?”
“Um…”
“Are you drunk? Your uncle was feeding you quite a bit of liquor.”
It was strange to see Pejin, who was usually so irritating with his words, at a loss for them. April tilted her head, studying his face intently.
After a long moment of silence, Pejin finally managed to speak. “I should see the next one too, to be sure.”
“You don’t like it?”
“Does this look like a displeased expression?”
At Pejin’s unusually serious tone, April shook her head.
Once he’d recovered from the shock, Pejin began offering praise and critique, though for a moment he worried April might suggest stopping at just this one dress. So he added, “Actually, the conclusion is it’s beautiful. It is beautiful, but something feels… incomplete.”
“Jewels would fix it. And the lace, too.”
“Are you tired now?”
“No?”
“Don’t make excuses. Hurry and change. All three dresses. I need to see all of them.”
“…To be honest, I’m getting a little tired.”
“Look in the mirror. Once you see your own face, you won’t be tired.”
At his words, the staff laughed like children, pulling April’s arm while she wore an expression that said ‘what nonsense is he spouting’ and dragging her back into the dressing room.
Pejin returned to the sofa. He sighed and covered his face with both hands.

“Being beautiful is maddening,” he murmured to himself with a hollow laugh.
He found it beautiful, and he wanted to keep looking.
It felt like stepping into a bad maze.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————