DBMDC~28💥

Chapter 28 

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 An Overture That Did Its Job

“Make it tighter.”

Holding onto the column for support, Ariel gave the order with grim determination as she held her breath.

Behind her, Mary pulled on the corset strings with all her strength.

“One, two, three!”

“Ugh!”

The crushing pressure around her waist made a faint groan escape her lips despite herself.

But Ariel endured it.

She thought of that arrogant man’s face.

She would be beautiful today.

More beautiful than she had been on her debutante day.

She would sharpen her beauty—the weapon of women—until she was ready to face Leonardo properly.

Not as someone being played in his palm, but as someone who would place him in hers.

She narrowed her eyes into the empty air with resolve.

With every count, another strained sound escaped her.

Her ribs felt like they were being pressed inward, but after what he had done—after the violation of that finger inside her mouth—she could endure anything.

“Last pull!”

At Mary’s shout, Ariel squeezed her eyes shut.

“Let’s knock Duke Devonshire off his feet today!”

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The Rosenberg carriage crossed the bustling district and came to a stop in front of the Devonshire townhouse.

This was the first formal meeting between the two houses before the marriage—an occasion where lawyers from both sides would negotiate terms and interests in detail.

Ariel stepped down with the help of a servant.

When she lifted her gaze, the grand mansion filled her entire view.

Rows of servants stood in formation.

Beyond them, she saw Isabella and Leonardo waiting.

Just like ten years ago in Elysis, the Devonshire household was there to welcome the Rosenbergs.

The only difference now—

was that the master of this house was no longer Wolfgang, but Leonardo.

“Welcome.”

Isabella greeted them, unchanged by time, as if memory itself had refused to fade.

Margarete responded warmly in kind.

Ariel and Leonardo met eyes while the adults exchanged formal greetings.

A smile appropriate for a future bride appeared on Ariel’s lips—but it quickly stiffened.

Leonardo’s eyes curved in return.

“Meeting you by appointment was worth it.”

“What do you mean?”

She shot him a suspicious glare, assuming he was teasing again.

But the answer that came was unexpected.

“It means you are dazzlingly beautiful.”

“……”

Yes.

The corset had been worth it.

Yet instead of focusing on her original goal of shaking him, Ariel briefly lost her composure under his elegant smile.

The way he offered his arm with the poise of a textbook gentleman made him look like a model of aristocratic etiquette.

“Shall we go?”

When she didn’t immediately take his arm, Leonardo gently urged her.

His tone carried effortless amusement, as though he already knew exactly what she was thinking.

She had promised herself she wouldn’t be swayed.

Ariel inhaled and placed her hand on his arm.

Through the glove, his presence felt solid—undeniably real.

He was taller than she remembered.

For some reason, walking beside him today felt more overwhelming than ever.

She only managed to breathe freely once they reached the luncheon table.

Leonardo pulled out her chair like a proper gentleman, then took his seat opposite her.

But the moment she lifted her head, she met his gaze again—and her breathing tightened once more.

Isabella soon opened the luncheon with polite words.

“It feels quite meaningful to see both families gathered like this. I hope the meal suits your taste.”

Ariel could not decide where to look and ended up staring vaguely at the beautifully arranged table.

Even then, she could feel Leonardo’s eyes on her.

Her skin prickled.

She had no idea how she managed to get through the meal.

She answered Isabella’s occasional questions politely.

She smiled appropriately.

She carefully ensured her hands did not shake as she held her cutlery.

Every time she accidentally met Leonardo’s gaze, the food in her mouth felt like it was turning to lead.

She kept her smile in place because it was an important occasion—but her expression kept stiffening.

She prayed Isabella hadn’t noticed.

Only after the luncheon ended—when Heinz and Leonardo withdrew with the lawyers—did the suffocating atmosphere finally loosen.

The women gathered in the conservatory, enjoying tea and conversation, just like ten years ago in Chessmore.

“The patisserie’s skill is remarkable. This is the best carrot cake I’ve ever had.”

“Then I’ll be sure to tell Mr. Lawrence.”

Seeing Ariel’s happy dimples appear, Isabella smiled warmly.

In her mind flickered the image of a young lady struggling to maintain composure during dull adult conversations.

Now she no longer needed to try so hard.

She already carried herself naturally with grace.

“How I hope the gentlemen’s discussion goes smoothly this time.”

Margarete placed her teacup down with concern.

It was half a joke—but everyone knew it was also realistic.

A harmonious relationship was hard to build and easy to break.

“Don’t worry, Madam. I believe it will.”

Yet unlike everyone else, Isabella showed no sign of worry.

Ariel glanced at her curiously.

Isabella’s warm brown eyes were steady, like sunlight dispersing storm clouds.

“What happened that evening may have been cold, but hasn’t today fulfilled its role?”

Ariel frowned slightly.

Even so… was that enough to be certain?

For the reconciliation between Devonshire and Rosenberg to be finalized, today’s negotiations still needed to succeed.

Could it really go that smoothly?

Heinz’s earlier words—calling Leonardo a man identical to the former Duke—echoed in her mind.

Her thoughts began to spiral.

But Isabella’s calm gaze stopped them.

There was an unwavering certainty in her expression.

Ariel opened her mouth to ask—but before she could speak, footsteps echoed through the conservatory.

Heinz and Leonardo had returned.

“Seems the discussion ended sooner than expected.”

Their presence alone confirmed it.

The negotiation had succeeded.

“Thanks to His Grace’s cooperation.”

Heinz spoke as though Leonardo were not a future son-in-law, but a business partner.

Leonardo, meanwhile, didn’t even glance at him—his attention already elsewhere.

Ariel watched him approach.

Every step he took felt like the embodiment of Devonshire itself.

The idea that she would become his wife made her chest tighten.

Was this a good deal?

How much profit had Devonshire gained from this marriage?

She searched his blue eyes for anything genuine.

But there was nothing.

“Lady.”

Leonardo stopped in front of her.

“I believe the formal matters are settled. Would you care to take a walk with me?”

“…Just the two of us?”

Memories rose instantly.

The library incident.

The kiss.

Her breath grew warm.

“It’s an exhibition at Queen’s Gallery.”

His calm voice and polite extended hand contradicted the images in her mind.

But Isabella spoke before Ariel could respond.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea. There are many pieces brought from Chessmore. You’ll be able to enjoy Devonshire’s collection comfortably.”

Ariel understood the unspoken meaning.

As the future Duchess of Devonshire, this was part of her role.

With a stiff smile, she placed her hand in his.

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A gentle breeze rustled the trees along the palace walkway.

Ariel endured the awkward silence between them.

Time moved too slowly when she was alone with him.

“Our curated selection of fine works should be to your liking,” Leonardo said casually.

She glanced sideways at him.

He looked no different than usual.

It made her earlier determination feel childish.

She just wanted the exhibition to end and go home.

Her corset suddenly felt too tight to breathe in.

Turning a corner, a building resembling an ancient temple came into view.

Massive Ionic columns supported the entablature engraved with:

Queen’s Gallery.

“…Ah.”

A faint sound escaped Ariel’s lips as she lowered her gaze.

The presence of the guards at the entrance felt suffocating, as if they were tightening around her throat.