NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11 - Let's Get Married!
The next day, Brigid arrived at the Marquis’s residence to go to the church and obtain their marriage license. Almost immediately, she was surrounded by maids and whisked away to the dressing room, where she was surprised to find a selection of beautiful dresses provided by the Maison, a purveyor to the Marquis’s family.
“These are a gift from the Marquis. We brought one from the store due to the urgency, but he intends to have a new dress made for you when things settle down.”
The maids worked their magic, transforming Brigid from the girl in Zamasu glasses into a true noblewoman.
Brigid was overwhelmed by the transformation.
Diarmid, upon seeing her, couldn’t help but be convinced.
“It suits you well. Brigid, you are beautiful as I expected.”
His words, delivered with utmost sincerity, prompted chuckles from those around. It wasn’t as if it was a particularly profound observation.
“Um, is this really necessary?”
“If you’re to be a Marquis’s wife, you must dress accordingly.”
Brigid felt relieved to receive such a straightforward response.
(The world of wealthy aristocrats… I can’t keep up.)
Resigned, Brigid decided to stop overthinking it. Little did she know that this was just the beginning of her new challenges.
The two then proceeded to the church. Normally, couples would have to provide notice of marriage before the ceremony, but due to the urgency of their situation, they opted to skip the notice and obtained their marriage license on the spot. They had a simple ceremony and were officially married.
Even their wedding rings were chosen for convenience.
As they exited the church, they were met with the sound of people already gossiping about the Marquis’s sudden marriage to the unexpected fallen young lady, Brigid, known for her glasses and thriftiness.
“The invincible Marquis has chosen an unexpectedly fallen young lady as his partner. Brigid, the miser with Zamasu glasses. What kind of romance is this? Are they hiding a secret love? Well, the truth is… Bat Tabloid, on sale today!”
The town was buzzing with tabloid ballads, peddling rumors and scandal.
Brigid, inside the carriage, held her head in her hands.
“I never thought it would turn into tabloid gossip!”
“Well, aristocratic romances are entertainment for the masses. Don’t let it bother you.”
Diarmid remained expressionless, as if it were of no concern. His demeanor hardly resembled that of a groom welcoming his bride.
“As expected, they suspect it’s a fake marriage…”
Brigid offered a wry smile, finding his behavior quite unnatural.
“I see. That’s not good. Stop the carriage in front of that shop.”
Diarmid commanded and brought the carriage to a halt in front of a magic jewelry store.
“Follow me.”
With that, he disembarked from the carriage, leaving Brigid taken aback. It appeared he had no intention of escorting her. Brigid attempted to exit the carriage by herself, and one of the knights extended a hand to assist her.
“Thank you.”
Brigid expressed her gratitude, and the knight chuckled.
“I apologize for my clumsiness, Your Excellency.”
They exchanged glances and shared a wry smile.
(Not escorting your wife makes it look like there’s trouble between us.)
Brigid sighed.
Diarmid seemed to notice this and returned, extending his hand bluntly to Brigid.
Brigid took his hand, an air of triumph on her face. The onlookers were abuzz.
Once ridiculed as the fallen daughter of Zamasu Glasses, Brigid now appeared as a completely different person. Her trademark glasses were gone, replaced by a fashionable dress. Her hair, usually tied up, flowed down in golden waves. The black eyes hidden behind her glasses were large and mysterious, her movements graceful like those of a genuine lady. Her beauty rivaled even Diarmid’s, taking everyone’s breath away.
“That can’t be… That’s Brigid the Miser…”
“Hey, that’s rude.”
“If that’s true, it wouldn’t be strange for the Ironclad Marquis to fall for her.”
“I should’ve known.”
“Don’t be silly, you’d be rejected in an instant.”
People gathered, and the shop owner was surprised by the unexpected visitors.
“This… This is Marquis Frozevitnir.”
“This is my wife, Brigid. We’d like to see some magic jewelry that suits my wife.”
Brigid suddenly tugged at Diarmid’s clothes.
“Wait, what are you talking about? I can’t afford magic jewelry.”
Magic jewelry was even more expensive than regular jewelry, as it contained magical properties.
“It’s a gift from me. It’s a necessary expense. Don’t worry.”
“That’s quite the problem. I only just received this dress.”
“To dispel the rumors of a fake marriage. You know that these shops are your second social circle, right?”
That was indeed true. Boutiques, jewelry stores, and places frequented by the upper echelons of society served as another social hub where rumors spread quickly. Diarmid wished to create a record of him gifting jewelry to his wife here to quell the rumors of their marriage being a sham.
The shop owner grinned, thinking the couple’s banter was friendly.
“His Excellency the Marquis has an eye for jewelry as well.”
“I want it for my beloved wife. And, ohohoho…”
Brigid hesitated. Even simple acting had its limits.
“I’d like an accessory with protective magic to keep my wife safe.”
Diarmid said this with ease, genuinely meaning it. Since he had vowed to protect Brigid, he was determined to do so.
Blushing with embarrassment, Brigid trembled, tears welling in her eyes.
Seeing this, Diarmid was taken aback.
(I still want to make her cry.)
He thought and smiled. Both the shop owner and his assistant were astonished by his captivating smile.
“You liked the color blue, didn’t you?”
“Why do you ask?”
Brigid was surprised by Diarmid’s question. Blue was indeed her favorite color. In her bedroom at the Marquis’s house, the décor predominantly featured shades of blue and silver.
“You’ll understand when you see it.”
Diarmid replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“I’d also like a platinum setting, as silver tends to tarnish.”
Brigid’s head spun with happiness and confusion.
(I want it… But it’s definitely expensive! It’s frustrating to be pushed into buying something like this just to prove we’re not faking our marriage!)
“The wedding just concluded… I’d like to return home soon.”
With teary eyes, Brigid expressed her desire to leave. Diarmid gulped upon hearing her words.
The shop owner, noticing the situation, grinned again.
“Then, we’ll have everything delivered to the Marquis’s residence at a later date. Together with the designer. You can make your selection again.”
Diarmid made this request.
“Is that acceptable, Brigid?”
(It got even worse!)
Brigid was left speechless.
This time, Diarmid did escort Brigid. As if flaunting their relationship, he placed her in the carriage and glared at the men who were eyeing her lustfully, causing them to scatter in fear.
The tabloid ballad the following day was
titled “The Ironclad Marquis’s True Love.” Brigid held her head in her hands in embarrassment, while Diarmid seemed rather pleased. The events at the magic jewelry store had been heavily dramatized and spread throughout social circles.
Brigid’s name was now known throughout the kingdom as the woman who had ensnared the seemingly invincible Marquis.