How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 221

“Yes, I checked the carriage’s emblem. It’s definitely Ajas.”

 

“Oh my goodness, I knew the Marquis and Marquise of Ajas were coming to the capital, but I never thought they’d stop by our shop!”

 

No matter how large the capital was, it took mere hours for rumors to spread—especially when a wealthy noble like the Marquis arrived with her wife.

 

Within less than an hour, word would reach every dress shop and jewelry shop, thanks to the street urchins who dashed over to sell information for a few coins.

 

‘Wait a minute, come to think of it, the Marquis and Marquise of Ajas…’

 

Madam Stella’s steps suddenly stopped in the middle of the hallway as she thought about the recent rumors circulating in social circles.

 

After checking the carriage pattern and confirming with a staff member that the couple had been escorted to another VIP room, Madam Stella asked quietly,

 

“How did those two look together?”

 

“Huh? What do you mean?”

 

“Did they look like they were getting along? Or not?”

 

Why had the Marquis, who rarely came to the capital, suddenly shown up?

 

The social world was already buzzing with talk of the couple’s alleged discord. Even the Noble lady waiting in the adjacent VIP room had casually suggested that the two had come to the capital to get divorced.

 

“Uh… well, I don’t think they looked like they were on bad terms.”

 

“Really?”

 

Although it wasn’t the answer she had expected, Madam Stella breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that the worst had been avoided.

 

In fact, it didn’t really matter to Madam Stella whether the Marquis and Marquise divorced or not.

 

‘As long as they don’t take it out on me.’

 

Even a lowly baron could be insufferable with his attitude—if a high noble like the Marquis of Ajas decided to cause a scene, how could she possibly deal with it?

 

She took a deep breath in front of the VIP room, praying that today wouldn’t be one of those days when all the salt in the shop would be used up.

 

Just as she raised her hand to knock—

 

“Oh my, these macarons are delicious. You should try one too.”

 

“I’m fine. I feel full just watching my wife eat.”

 

“What nonsense. Come on, try it. Ahh… delicious, right? Isn’t it?

 

“It doesn’t suit my taste. I think it would be better if you eat it all.”

 

“Liar. Your eyebrow always twitches like this when you eat something good.”

 

The sound of cheerful laughter rang out, followed by a sheepish voice trying to make excuses. Though she couldn’t see them, just hearing their voices was enough to tell how soft and warm the atmosphere inside was.

 

Madam Stella, who had unconsciously turned to look at the staff, raised her index finger and pointed beyond the door. Asking if what she had just heard was correct.

 

The staff, equally stunned, nodded blankly.

 

‘Are they… really getting along that well?’

 

The staff member mouthed silently, glancing nervously at the door. She, too, was well aware of the rumors in the social circles.

 

The scene behind the door was so drastically different from what they had heard, she couldn’t help but sneak a peek inside.

 

“I bet Rake would like this too. I should ask the owner where they got it.”

 

“You can probably buy them here too. Usually, the snacks in these shops are provided free of charge by the dessert shop for promotional purposes to the ladies.”

 

“If Rake knew that, she might’ve insisted on coming with us.”

 

“That’s exactly why I kept it a secret.”

 

The Marquise laughed lightly, saying she bought more desserts than dresses during her first visit to the capital.

 

The Marquis gazed at his wife with eyes so full of love they seemed to drip with honey.

 

His hand, resting on his chin, couldn’t stay still. The moment he saw the chance, he gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

 

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he brushed a crumb from her lips with his thumb and, unable to resist the brief contact, took her hand in his.

 

The Marquise, clearly used to such affectionate gestures, paid no mind. She bit into a macaron and, smiling, held it up to his lips.

 

High-society nobles would never share food in such an intimate way.

 

But the Marquis accepted the half-eaten macaron without the slightest hesitation.

 

He didn’t stop there, he lightly sucked the tip of the lady’s finger and made a sucking sound.

 

Blushing, the Marquise lightly smacked his shoulder and scolded him.

 

“Stop joking around.”

 

“Do you think this is a joke?”

 

“If you’re not joking, then… ugh, you’re always like this.”

 

Red-faced, she playfully hit his shoulder again, telling him to watch the time and place.

 

But the Marquis only laughed, clearly unbothered by her gentle punches.

 

“So what? No one is watching.”

 

His slow, drawling voice was followed by a sharp glance straight at the door.

 

The moment she met the blue eyes that already knew she was there, Madam Stella flinched and stepped back.

 

In the process, she bumped into the staff member, who had also been backing away.

 

Thank goodness they hadn’t screamed out loud.

 

‘He knew we were watching.’

 

‘Of course, he did! He wasn’t just any noble. People said he could handle dozens of monsters on his own!’

 

“Still, what if someone comes in? The staff should be arriving any minute.”

 

“If they do, they’ll knock.”

 

Was that his way of scolding them for not knocking?

 

‘We’re in big trouble.’

 

Cold sweat ran down her spine.

 

If the Marquis got upset about that, she would just get on her knees and beg. Even if this shop was turned upside down, she would have nothing to say.

 

“But really, why is no one coming? They should be here by now…”

 

A rustling sound was heard from beyond the slightly open door.

 

‘If Marquise opens the door, it’s really over.’

 

Madam Stella reflexively knocked on the door.

 

“Oh, perfect timing. Come in.”

 

The Marquise apparently had no idea they had been eavesdropping.

 

‘Stay calm.’

 

Exchanging a glance with the staff, Madam Stella swallowed hard and opened the door.

 

Fortunately, the Marquise greeted her with nothing but a clear, pleasant expression.

 

“It’s an honor to meet you, Marquise. I’m Madam Stella, the chief designer of this shop.”

 

“Nice to meet you too. I’ve heard much about you. Becky really liked your dress.”

 

“Becky…? You mean…”

 

“Ah, I mean the Duchess of Khalid.”

 

Duchess Khalid!

 

‘She came here because of the Duchess?’

 

Madam Stella quickly raised a hand to cover her gaping mouth.

 

“Ah! You mean the Duchess. Yes, she used to visit me often even before she was married. I also made her wedding dress.”

 

“Oh, that was your work? I remember it well—the diamond embroidery on the hem was quite striking.”

 

“I’m honored you remember my design. Truly, it’s a great honor for my family.”

 

Madam Stella gracefully knelt in front of the Duchess, but her mind was racing like a duck paddling beneath the surface.

 

‘That’s right, the Marquise caught the bouquet at the Duchess of Khalid’s wedding! I completely forgot.’

 

There are two ways to receive a bouquet: either you are of high status, or you are very close to the bride.

 

At that time, the Marquise accepted the Marquis’s proposal, but in terms of status, she was just the count’s daughter.

 

Still, the fact that she was able to receive the Duchess’ bouquet meant that the two were very close.

 

‘That is, if I make a mistake with the Marquise, I would lose the Duchess, my biggest regular customer.’

 

Madam Stella once again regretted her reckless behavior.

 

“May I ask the reason for your visit to our shop today?”

 

“I’d like to order a dress. I need to buy a few ready-made ones for now, and then order two dresses to wear to the banquet separately. Is that possible?”

 

“If it’s a light design, a week would be enough. But for something like the Duchess’s wedding dress I mentioned earlier, it takes at least fifteen days to complete just one dress. May I ask if there’s a specific date you’re aiming for?”

 

“I’ve been invited to a banquet at the Imperial Palace… Come to think of it, when is the banquet being held?”

 

“It will be held in two weeks. His Majesty has said that he will send a separate invitation, so someone will probably come to the mansion today or tomorrow.”

 

‘Imperial banquet?’

 

Madam Stella’s mind was filled with the schedule of banquets held in the capital.

 

‘If it’s the Imperial banquet scheduled fifteen days from now…’

 

“Are you referring to the banquet that Her Majesty the Empress is hosting at Queen Rose Hall?”

 

“Hmm? This is an official banquet to announce and celebrate the imperial heir’s conception, but is it held in the name of Her Majesty the Empress rather than the Emperor?”

 

Of course, the banquet held in the name of the Emperor was also hosted by the Empress, but there was a difference in whether the Emperor’s attendance was certain or not.

 

An event to announce and celebrate the imperial heir’s conception, and yet the Emperor’s attendance is uncertain?

 

“That…”

 

The Marquis was about to say something to his wife, who seemed a little surprised, when he glanced at Madam Stella and the staff member standing next to her.

 

As if telling them that this conversation was not for their ears, the Marquis leaned in, covering his mouth with a hand as he whispered directly into the Marquise’s ear.

 

The Marquise’s left hand gently overlapped the Marquis’s, which still shielded his mouth.

 

“As she nodded softly—“mm, mm”—her shoulder brushed his chest.

 

The two of them looked very natural, as if that level of skinship was not even within the scope of physical intimacy.

 

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