"May I bring these inside?"
Adelina tilted her head, observing Sophie's bewildered expression. Since the door wasn't fully open, it was difficult to discern what had so thoroughly surprised her maid. Had something extraordinary occurred? Concerned, the girl rose and walked toward Sophie—who, now wearing a broad smile, had already nodded eagerly at Simeon's words.
"Of course! Of course you may!" The maid threw the half-open door wide, and only then did Adelina see what had previously been concealed from view.
Simeon wasn't the only one entering the Duchess's chambers. Behind him walked a procession of maids, their arms laden with an astonishing array of items. Dresses, shoes, gloves, and even hats—they carried everything necessary for an evening out. The exact number was difficult to determine at a glance, but there appeared to be at least **thirty** gowns alone.
The Duchess's mouth fell slightly open at the unexpected sight. Observing their astonished mistress, the maids curtsied politely before proceeding toward the dressing room. The once-empty space began filling rapidly with garments and accessories. At that moment, Sophie sidled up behind Adelina, giggling and bouncing on her heels with barely contained excitement.
"Oh my **God**! Oh my **God**! As expected, His Lordship has thought of absolutely everything!" Sophie whispered urgently in her mistress's ear. Her eyes shone with undisguised joy. Adelina lightly poked her in the ribs, attempting to calm her, but the storm of emotion that had erupted could not be so easily subdued.
While the girls exchanged hushed whispers, Simeon approached and offered a deep bow.
"Madam, His Lordship sent these items. He also requested that you select whatever you'd like for this evening's outing."
"All of this?" Adelina asked again, her stunned gaze sweeping across the mountain of dresses. Simeon cleared his throat with evident embarrassment.
"Yes, Madam. Many social events await you in the coming months."
The man's words caused the Duchess's expression to dim slightly.
Social life was the sacred responsibility of noblewomen. It was commonly believed that men's achievements enhanced a family's prestige—but in reality, it was the ladies' social engagements that quietly and unobtrusively elevated the family's reputation.
_Alexio never explicitly asked for this..._
When she had become duchess, such duties naturally fell within her purview.
_But, to be honest, I'm not confident in my own abilities._
Due to Prince Arthur's strict supervision, the girl had been deprived not only of opportunities to participate in social events but even the freedom to leave the house unaccompanied. Theoretically, she possessed considerable knowledge—but theory differed vastly from practice.
She surveyed the overflowing wardrobe and steeled herself. For the next three years, she would do her utmost to conscientiously fulfill her duties as Duchess of Pembroke. This was her way of repaying Alexio, who had treated her as an **equal**.
"I understand. Please convey my thanks to Alexio."
"Of course, Madam. And one more thing..." Simeon's lips curved into a slight smile as he glanced meaningfully at Sophie, who stood behind her mistress. Adelina immediately grasped what the man was hinting at and turned to address her maid.
"Sophie, please examine the dressing room and ensure everything is in order. Select something suitable for today—you understand these matters far better than I."
"Yes, Madam!" The maid craned her neck, staring intently at the dressing room as though she'd been waiting for precisely this permission, then moved forward with evident delight. Adelina watched her go with a soft smile and, once satisfied there was sufficient distance between them, turned back to Simeon.
"Do you have any news regarding Luka?"
"Yes... Madam." The man—who had been contemplating how best to broach the subject of the child—found himself surprised by the Duchess's direct approach. He bowed respectfully.
Simeon was among the few who knew the truth about Alexio and Adelina's arranged marriage. He understood they would never be able to live as a normal married couple. Nevertheless, the matter of adopting the child remained extraordinarily delicate. After all, it meant Adelina acknowledging a child to whom she bore no blood relation as her **own**. Although his master had informed him the couple had reached an agreement, Simeon hadn't expected Adelina to accept the situation with such apparent equanimity.
The Duchess, unaware of the thoughts swirling through Simeon's mind, continued matter-of-factly.
"I will adopt Luka, as I promised Alexio. He will become the Duke of Pembroke's rightful heir—but he will not be able to claim any royal title."
"Of course. His Lordship wouldn't even dare contemplate such a thing."
"Yes, I know. I simply believe it necessary to state this explicitly."
"You are absolutely correct." Simeon smiled softly and inclined his head, pleasantly surprised by Adelina's decisiveness. He appreciated people who were straightforward to work with. He couldn't yet gauge precisely how intelligent or resourceful the new Duchess might prove, but he sensed she wouldn't create unnecessary complications. "To complete this matter before Lady Pembroke becomes aware, I've already prepared the necessary documents. All that remains is your signature." The man extended a folder of papers—which he had been holding since entering the room.
The girl accepted the documents and began examining the contents with careful attention. Everything aligned with their agreement. Reaching the final page, she took the pen Simeon naturally offered and inscribed her name upon the document.
**Adelina Brielle Estria-Riochel.**
Beside her majestic signature stood her husband's name: **Alexio Pembroke.**
Estria-Riochel and Pembroke. Despite their marriage, their surnames remained distinct—a visual reminder that seemed to emphasize the distance between the spouses.
Adelina was a noble princess and, according to tradition, retained the right to keep her surname regardless of whom she married. "Estria-Riochel"—this was the only title that could ever be bestowed upon the princess born of the union between two royal families. Thus, if she neither bore a child nor took her husband's name, she would forever remain the **only** "Estria-Riochel" in existence.
_But I never planned to have children._
This meant she would never truly connect her life with another person, calling them **family**. A strange, hollow loneliness washed over the girl at this fleeting realization. But there was no time to indulge in sentimentality. Adelina forced herself away from her melancholy thoughts and handed the signed documents to Simeon.
"I'll ensure everything is completed as swiftly as possible, Madam." The man bowed courteously, accepting the papers, just as Sophie burst from the dressing room clutching a gown in her arms.
"Madam! What do you think of this ensemble?"
Adelina nodded her gratitude to Simeon and, indicating he could take his leave, turned to face her eager maid. It was time to prepare for the outing.
---
Alexio stood at the estate's entrance, waiting for his wife to emerge. Leaning against the polished automobile, he kept opening and closing his pocket watch—though despite appearances, he wasn't particularly anxious. It was simply **habit**. For businessmen, time was precious; every minute and second counted. He typically wore a wristwatch, which allowed him to check the hour with a mere glance at his wrist. But today, preparing to accompany the princess, the Duke had chosen a more old-fashioned yet undeniably elegant pocket watch.
Although, of course, he had already come to regret the decision.
The man instinctively raised his head and studied the sky. The sun hung high overhead, signaling that it was already somewhat past midday. If not for his planned meeting with Adelina, he would still be sprawled in bed, savoring the rare opportunity to rest.
He recalled the tense business meeting of the previous evening. Alexio couldn't remember precisely how much had been consumed under the pretense of "a light meal." Once the decision had been made to see matters through to conclusion, a renowned whiskey—celebrated for its formidable strength—had been placed upon the table.
_When I stopped counting, I had already consumed more than ten glasses._
In the end, the Duke of Pembroke had achieved his desired result—but the evening had been far from easy.
And yet, his decision to spend the day with Adelina, forgoing any rest whatsoever, had been entirely **spontaneous**. The man himself couldn't understand why he had even mentioned wanting a gift. It was thoroughly out of character for him.