As Cedric had promised the day before, they set out for the bustling city center on a bright, sunny morning.
Their destination was simple—to find the perfect dress and jewelry for Emily to wear at the upcoming royal wedding of King Killian and Princess Asha.
As the carriage rolled through the lively streets, Emily quietly rested her chin on her hand and gazed out the window.
Come to think of it…
Isn’t this the first time Cedric and I have gone out alone together since we started dating?
Her eyes slowly widened.
Wait…
Does that make this our first date?
GASP.
Emily quickly covered her mouth, her cheeks warming with embarrassment.
“Is something wrong, Emily?” Cedric asked, immediately noticing the change in her expression.
“N-No.
It’s nothing,” she replied, shaking her head a little too quickly.
A soft chuckle escaped Cedric’s lips.
Without saying another word, he gently reached for her hand.
His fingers intertwined with hers before he lifted it to his lips, placing a slow, tender kiss on the back of her hand.
BLUSH.
Emily froze.
“W-Why are you suddenly doing something like that?” she stammered, unable to meet his eyes.
Cedric smiled, his gaze never leaving her.
“Because I want to enjoy spending today alone with the woman I love.” THUMP.
Emily’s heart skipped a beat.
Cedric…
You’d better take responsibility if my heart stops working because of you.
Where was the cold and distant Grand Duke described in the original novel?
The man who never smiled.
The man who treated everyone with icy indifference.
The man who was said to have a heart colder than winter itself.
He was nowhere to be found.
Instead…
The man sitting beside her was simply a young noble hopelessly in love.
Emily let out a tiny sigh before turning her face toward the window, hoping Cedric wouldn’t notice how red she had become.
“Cedric…
if you keep acting like this, I’m going to get diabetes from all this sweetness.” A faint smile tugged at Cedric’s lips.
“Why?” he asked softly.
“Don’t you like it?” He tilted his head ever so slightly, looking at her with such an innocent, almost pitiful expression that he resembled a lonely puppy abandoned in the rain.
THUMP.
THUMP.
THUMP.
Emily could practically hear her own heartbeat echoing inside the carriage.
No fair…
How can someone who looks so intimidating make that kind of face?
That’s practically cheating!
She pressed a hand against her racing heart.
Calm down…
Please…
You’re embarrassing me enough already.
…
Half an hour later, their carriage came to a stop in front of the largest fashion boutique in the capital.
Cedric stepped down first before offering Emily his hand.
Once she had descended safely, he gently placed her hand on his arm.
The moment they entered the boutique, every employee lined up neatly at the entrance and bowed in perfect unison.
“Welcome, Your Grace.
Welcome, My Lady.” Emily blinked in surprise.
Is this what being ridiculously rich feels like?
Unused to receiving such grand treatment, she instinctively tightened her grip around Cedric’s arm.
When she glanced at him, however, Cedric looked completely unfazed, as though this level of attention was nothing out of the ordinary.
Standing at the center of the welcoming staff was a graceful woman in her forties.
She wore an elegant smile polished by years of experience.
“It is truly an honor to welcome Grand Duke Cedric and Lady Emily to our boutique today,” she said with flawless courtesy.
“How may we be of service?” Emily couldn’t help admiring her.
Now that’s what I call the smile of a true business professional.
“I’d like several evening gowns and dresses suitable for tea parties,” Cedric replied, gently gesturing toward Emily.
“They’re for my fiancée.” A hint of delight flashed across the woman’s eyes.
“Of course, Your Grace.” She gave another graceful bow.
“My name is Veronica, the owner of this boutique.
I’ll personally assist Lady Emily today.” She then extended her hand toward Emily.
“May I?” Emily instinctively looked at Cedric.
Receiving a reassuring nod from him, she placed her hand in Veronica’s.
“This way, My Lady.” Almost before Emily realized it, Veronica had whisked her away into the ladies’ fitting salon, while a boutique attendant respectfully guided Cedric toward the adjoining VIP lounge.
The women’s salon was breathtaking.
Rows upon rows of exquisite gowns shimmered beneath crystal chandeliers, each one more beautiful than the last.
Apparently, the boutique separated its men’s and women’s sections to give female customers complete privacy while trying on dresses.
“Do you have anything specific in mind, My Lady?” Veronica asked.
Emily smiled awkwardly.
“To be honest…
I don’t know much about fashion.
I’d appreciate your recommendations.” That wasn’t entirely true.
The real problem was that Emily had no idea what styles were considered fashionable or appropriate in this world.
Choosing the wrong dress could easily make her the laughingstock of high society.
Leaving everything to an expert seemed far safer.
Veronica smiled confidently.
“Leave everything to me.” At her signal, several attendants stepped forward and carefully took Emily’s measurements.
A few minutes later, Veronica returned carrying several carefully selected gowns.
“I believe these will suit you beautifully.” She then pointed toward a crimson curtain separating the fitting salon from the VIP lounge.
“Grand Duke Cedric is waiting just beyond that curtain.
If you’d like his opinion after trying each dress, we can invite him to take a look.” “Thank you.” “My assistants will help you get changed, My Lady.
Please follow me.” Emily nodded before disappearing into the dressing room.
…
Meanwhile, Cedric sat quietly in the VIP lounge, sipping freshly brewed tea while a butler served delicate cookies on fine porcelain.
This was a surprisingly unfamiliar experience.
He had never gone shopping for someone before.
Even his own wardrobe had always been handled by Philip.
Just then, Veronica emerged from behind the crimson curtain with a warm smile.
“Your Grace,” she announced, “Lady Emily is ready.” She stepped aside.
For a brief moment…
Cedric forgot to breathe.
Emily slowly walked into view wearing an elegant off-the-shoulder crimson gown.
The design itself wasn’t overly elaborate.
Yet that simplicity only accentuated her natural beauty.
She looked like a blooming red rose beneath the morning sun—graceful, radiant, and impossible to ignore.
Cedric simply stared.
His silver eyes never left her.
Emily shifted uneasily beneath his unwavering gaze.
Her cheeks gradually turned pink.
“…Does it look strange on me?” she asked quietly.
Cedric shook his head without hesitation.
“No.” His voice was gentle but certain.
“You’re breathtaking.” “So breathtaking that I can’t seem to look away.” Emily’s face instantly turned scarlet.
“You really do know exactly what to say, Your Grace,” she muttered, pretending to sound annoyed.
Without waiting for another word, she hurried back behind the curtain.
The moment she disappeared from Cedric’s sight, she pressed both hands against her burning cheeks.
Seriously…
Is there anything this man can’t do?
Or is he simply too good at making a woman’s heart race?
…
Emily had never imagined that shopping for clothes could be so exhausting.
For the past three hours, Veronica had helped her try on countless gowns, each more elegant than the last.
Every time she stepped out from behind the curtain, Cedric would look at her with the same expression.
A quiet smile.
Eyes filled with admiration.
And always the same answer.
“You’re beautiful.” At first, hearing those words had made Emily’s heart flutter.
But after the twentieth time…
She began to grow suspicious.
Isn’t he wearing rose-colored glasses at this point?
Can his opinion even be trusted anymore?
In the end, they left the boutique with so many shopping bags that Emily wasn’t even sure whether Cedric had bought half the store.
If he was planning to buy everything anyway…
Then why did I spend three whole hours trying on every single dress?
She silently mourned the energy she would never get back.
After a short walk through the shopping district, accompanied by Arthur and Philip, they arrived at their next destination—the largest jewelry boutique in the capital.
Emily looked up at the familiar building.
“…Wait.” “I’ve been here before.” Her eyes widened.
Oh!
This is the same jewelry store where I sold my mother’s necklace.
The memory resurfaced almost instantly.
Sure enough, the moment she and Cedric stepped inside, two familiar faces were already waiting to welcome them.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace.
Lady Emily,” Sir Brianna greeted politely.
“It is an honor to have you visit our boutique again,” Madam Patricia added with a warm smile.
“I’d like to purchase several jewelry sets suitable for tea parties and formal banquets,” Cedric said, gesturing toward Emily.
“They’re for my fiancée.” Emily could only offer an awkward smile.
Please don’t spend too much…
“Certainly.
Please follow us to our VIP salon.” Sir Brianna led them into a luxurious private room furnished with elegant sofas surrounding a large glass table.
While Arthur and Philip remained outside, Cedric and Emily took their seats.
Moments later, refreshments arrived, followed by several attendants carrying velvet display cases.
One after another, dozens of dazzling jewelry sets were carefully arranged across the table.
Diamonds.
Rubies.
Emeralds.
Sapphires.
The gems sparkled brilliantly beneath the crystal lights.
“This is our finest collection,” Sir Brianna said proudly.
“Please take your time.” Cedric turned toward Emily.
“Choose whichever you like.” Emily nodded.
Before she could respond, Cedric added calmly, “If you can’t decide…
I’ll simply buy all of them.” Emily nearly choked.
“W-What?” “No, Your Grace!
That’s completely unnecessary!” Just because you’re rich doesn’t mean you have to buy the entire store!
After calming herself, Emily carefully selected ten jewelry sets in different gemstone colors, making sure they would match the gowns she had chosen earlier.
When she finally finished, she let out a small sigh of relief.
Done.
Or so she thought.
“Could you also make us a pair of wedding rings?” Cedric’s calm request left Emily completely stunned.
“C-Cedric?” Madam Patricia smiled knowingly.
“Of course, Your Grace.
Please allow us a moment.” The attendants swiftly replaced the jewelry cases with dozens of elegant wedding ring designs.
Gold.
White gold.
Platinum.
Simple bands.
Intricate patterns.
Every design was exquisite.
Madam Patricia looked between the couple.
“Do you have a preferred gemstone?” “Red,” Cedric answered without the slightest hesitation.
Emily blinked.
“Red?” Cedric met her gaze.
“I don’t know why…” “But I think you look the most beautiful when you’re wearing red.” BLUSH.
Emily immediately looked away, unable to hide the heat rising to her cheeks.
Cedric…
At this rate, you’re going to give me a heart attack.
After another two hours discussing ring designs and placing the custom order—which would be completed within a month—they finally finished their shopping.
Sir Brianna and Madam Patricia escorted them to the entrance.
“Thank you for honoring us with your visit today.” The couple bowed respectfully.
Cedric and Emily turned to leave.
But after taking only a few steps, Emily suddenly stopped.
She turned back and walked toward Madam Patricia.
Before anyone could ask why, Emily gently took the older woman’s hand.
“Thank you.” Her voice was soft, yet filled with sincerity.
“I’ll never forget the kindness you showed me.” Madam Patricia smiled warmly and gave Emily’s hand a gentle squeeze.
“It was my pleasure, My Lady.” “I pray that all your wishes come true.” Emily smiled back.
“They will.” Her eyes shone with quiet determination.
“This time…” “I’m going to fight for my happiness.” No matter how difficult the road ahead became…
No matter how many obstacles awaited her…
She would never allow history to repeat itself.
This time— She would save Cedric.
No matter the cost.