The Murderous Duke's Domestic Affairs - Chapter 5

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 5
After exchanging pleasantries, Jasmine Aloria hurried away to finish preparing the garments. The soft clink of a teacup being set on the table reached my ears. As my shoulders relaxed from tension, a faint breath brushed against my ear.
“For a lady one loves enough to marry in secret, one must be willing to do things one has never done before.”
The low voice pierced through me. I nearly leaped from my seat in alarm, covering my ears as I retreated. My wide lavender eyes met his settled green gaze. Aster Veil Lilywood, arms crossed, chuckled softly.
“D-don’t startle me like that.”
My heart thundered in my chest. Feigning composure, I reached for the teacup before me, hiding my flushed face behind it. I sipped slowly, trying to calm myself. Surely my heart was racing only because I’d been frightened—nothing more.
“Forgive the interruption during your pleasant conversation, Your Grace, madam. The preparations are complete. Shall we begin?”
Jasmine Aloria approached with a respectful tone. Aster nodded and leaned back in his chair. Following her guidance, I rose and walked after her into an adjacent room where curtained spaces had been arranged. First, she took my measurements in a partitioned area, using the somewhat antiquated term for the process.
Even the garments worn by the Aloria Dressmaking Studio staff seemed to be samples for display—their colors and patterns were remarkably vibrant and elaborate, like viewing flowers and butterflies of every hue. Against such finery, my own dress appeared hopelessly worn. My faded clothing looked shabby amid all that brilliance. Though heat crept up my ears, I forced myself to lift my chin.
‘What does it matter? There’s no shame in this. I am a duchess now.’
I was led into the curtained space wearing only my drawers and chemise. When cool air touched the nape of my neck, I shivered slightly, drawing my shoulders up.
Yet I had no time to dwell on the chill—I had to examine the garments the staff brought. Blouses, skirts, jackets, and several complete dresses. The thought of trying them all on made my head ache.
The Siaz Baron’s household was not particularly wealthy, so I’d rarely had such opportunities. I was unaccustomed to such things. While other ladies might have delighted in it, I was already growing weary.
“His Grace mentioned urgency, so we’ve prepared several ready-made options. Please try them on and speak freely about your preferences. We’ll handle any alterations immediately.”
Surely she didn’t mean I should try on all of them. Seeing my exhausted expression, Jasmine Aloria let out a small laugh. Yet her hands never ceased assisting me into each garment. The high-collared blouse felt pleasant against my skin, and the wide skirt, though generously cut, remained surprisingly light. I frowned slightly.
“For everyday and outdoor wear, I prefer skirts that allow easy movement. Please remove all lace and frills from the sleeves.”
Contrary to my expectations, Jasmine Aloria simply nodded without protest. I’d worried she might take offense—after all, she was a maker of noble garments—but she showed no such displeasure.
Noble ladies liked to display their position as those who could command others. Since they had no need to work, it had become fashionable to wear excessively wide skirts and adorn sleeves with elaborate lace and frills. Their undergarments were typically lustrous silk, lavished with lace.
What I desired was entirely the opposite. Thanks to my austere father, I rarely indulged in luxuries. From my experience assisting him, I knew that frills and lace only hindered work. I still remembered the tears when expensive lace caught on a pen nib and tore. Ink stains on pretty frills at the sleeve cuffs were nearly impossible to remove.
Moreover, since that incident in my childhood, I’d avoided society entirely. Except for visiting relatives or occasional estate events, I’d had little occasion to wear dresses. I was being somewhat stubborn.
“However, you must display the dignity befitting the Duchess of Lilywood.”
Ah, that’s right. I am no longer a baron’s daughter. I am a duchess. Whether I like it or not, I must enter society. Though I might have frowned, Jasmine Aloria’s face remained serene, a subtle smile playing at her lips.
“For everyday wear, we shall proceed as you’ve specified. For outdoor garments, we cannot entirely forgo decoration, but for newly made pieces, we shall consider your preferences as much as possible.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
When the head of the studio, a woman of considerable age, spoke so graciously, I couldn’t insist further. At least she’d agreed to my wishes for everyday wear. Jasmine Aloria called over a staff member and instructed her to bring different samples. I caught a glimpse of the employee’s eyebrows furrowing slightly, but she departed without a word.
The newly brought garments were slightly lower in quality than the previous ones, but they were certainly closer to my taste. The skirts allowed unhindered movement, the blouses had wide cuffs, and the jackets had clean lines. I nodded as I examined myself in the mirror.
“These are what I prefer for everyday wear. Thank you, Jasmine Aloria.”
“I am grateful that you are pleased, madam.”
Jasmine Aloria bowed deeply. Feeling somewhat awkward at receiving such a formal courtesy from an older woman, I offered a dry smile.
“It will take some time for the formal dresses to be prepared. Would you care to have some tea while you wait?”
“That sounds lovely.”
I was already somewhat tired. I was amazed this parade of garments hadn’t ended, but I tried not to show it. That’s right—I still needed formal dresses. The Emperor could summon me at any time, so naturally I had to be prepared. Whether I wished it or not.
As I turned to return to Aster’s side, I noticed the preparation room’s door was ajar. The staff had worked hard too; perhaps I should offer them a word of praise. As I took a step toward the open door, young women’s voices reached me from within.
“That’s impossible.”
“I’m telling you it’s true!”
“What? Why would someone of the Duchess’s station want to wear governess clothing?”
“But the garments I brought were definitely that sort. Maybe she’s really not much more than that? You know governesses often become nobles’ mistresses.”
My feet stopped. The faint smile that had graced my face vanished. Jasmine Aloria, her brow furrowed, stepped forward, but I held her back. I wanted to hear what they were saying.
“Her old clothes were shabby too—maybe she threw herself at him to improve her life? Otherwise, why would she marry a murderer? If a duke were to marry, it would have been a grand ceremony, but we’ve heard nothing of the sort. Right? Has anyone heard orders for wedding gowns? No? See? Maybe the murderer was too ashamed to present her to others.”
“Come on, even so…”
“Well, I saw him earlier, and he really is handsome. Good physique too. It’s hard to believe someone like that is a murderer. Hmm, should I throw myself at his feet? I’m prettier and younger than that raven anyway. Who knows? Maybe I’ll become the Duchess?”
Lauren’s lips twisted upward. Dreaming was free, but broadcasting it so loudly was unwise. Especially when working for a high-ranking noble family—it was particularly foolish to shame them.
Lauren stepped through the open door. Butterfly, who had been facing the entrance, went pale as their eyes met. Several other seamstresses in the room bowed their heads toward Lauren. But one girl, absorbed in fixing her makeup at the mirror, continued speaking without pause.
“Catering to the ladies’ moods, the endless sewing—I’m so sick of it. There’s no guarantee that if I keep doing this, I can even open my own shop. And even if I do, I’d have to spend my whole life pleasing people… What? Why are you looking like that?”
When her coworker didn’t respond, Butterfly seemed to realize something was odd and turned around from her mirror. She saw Lauren, and Jasmine Aloria standing behind her, and froze. Lauren deliberately offered a soft smile. A raven, was it? These people who wanted to mock her black hair really seemed to have no other words in their vocabulary.
‘This is exactly why I hate places where people gather.’
But as a Duchess, she couldn’t simply overlook someone who had insulted her. Besides, this girl had said things she shouldn’t have said to Aster Veil Lilywood.
“…W-what?! Eavesdropping on others’ conversations!”
Ah, so she’d decided to get angry instead. Lauren’s smile deepened. If she had apologized immediately, I might have thought it was just youthful thoughtlessness and let it slide. But now there was no need for such leniency.
“Jasmine Aloria.”
Lauren deliberately called out to Jasmine Aloria behind her in a soft voice. Jasmine Aloria, her face deeply furrowed, answered in a low tone.
“I believe we should strengthen employee training.”
“I shall see to it at once.”
That girl would now be Jasmine Aloria’s problem. Whether to dismiss her or demand compensation for offending the Duchess—that was no longer my concern. But there was one more thing I needed to address.
“Did I ever say I wanted to dress like a governess?”
Lauren asked Butterfly. The smile that played at her lips and her tone were gentle. Yet her pale violet eyes, gracefully curved, gleamed with a dangerous light. I saw Butterfly’s clenched fists trembling within my field of vision.
“I’m not a pretty doll. I married His Grace to be his companion—to care for the estate alongside him and build a life together. And.”
Lauren paused and looked Butterfly up and down. The widely spread skirt, the dress laden with lace and ribbons—all done up as elaborately as possible, yet her fingertips were rough, unmistakably the hands of a seamstress. My eyes narrowed. What was so wrong with a woman working? Why did she look down on those who worked hard when she herself labored? Did she think it elevated her own worth?
“Aster dislikes the smell of cosmetics.”
Lauren smiled thinly at the heavy perfume, white powder, and rouged lips, then leisurely stepped out of the room. From inside, I heard Jasmine Aloria’s voice ordering Butterfly to wait by the carriage. I also heard Butterfly’s fierce voice calling out to the manager. Lauren leaned against the wall a short distance from the door and sighed softly.
I was accustomed to being insulted. Normally, I would have let it pass without a second thought. But now I couldn’t afford to. I was a Duchess now. Perhaps because I was doing something I’d never done before, my head throbbed. Why was I so angry? Maybe it was hunger. I should have some tea. Lauren made my way toward where Aster was waiting.

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