Sofia carefully untangled the duchess's hair as Rose rummaged through the chests for clothing. Given the cooler climate, Rose selected one of the new outfits Olivia had purchased. When she presented the choice to the duchess, she was met with a request, "Today, I'll wear a dress, please find one that is simple yet elegant."
"As you wish, my lady."
From one of the trunks, Rose retrieved a purple dress adorned with floral embroidery at the neck, sleeves, and a few pearls encircling the waist. She showed it to Olivia, asking, "What do you think, my lady?"
"I love it."
Although Olivia had bought an array of stunning dresses from Madam Maragaret, she still favored trousers as she often tripped over the hems of dresses. Yet, with a dinner with her in-laws scheduled, she chose to don a dress.
Once Sofia finally freed her hair of tangles, she fastened a pearl brooch gifted by Leonard, coordinating with her dress. Leaving her hair partially loose, Olivia descended the stairs upon finishing her dressing ritual and headed for the dining room, where others awaited her.
Taking her seat beside Leonard, the servants swiftly filled the table with delicious fare, making Olivia's mouth water. She waited for others to commence before she ate.
The meal was as delectable as it looked, and Olivia refilled her plate multiple times. Leonard's parents marveled at how such a petite figure could consume so abundantly.
During dinner, Leonard's mother inquired about the food to Olivia, "Is the meal to your liking?"
"Everything is delicious."
Delighted at her enjoyment, the mother prodded about their wedding, "Tell me, how was your wedding?"
The question nearly caused Olivia to choke, which prompted Leonard to ask, "Darling, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm sorry."
"Well then, as we were saying, why don't you tell me about the wedding?"
Unable to admit to Leonard's mother that their wedding had been dreadful-an event she'd tried to forget-Olivia simply stated, "It was a modest affair."
Leonard, who hadn't even been present on the day, could only add, "I was preoccupied, so it was conducted hastily and simply."
Olivia turned to gauge Leonard's expression as he spoke, for he hadn't witnessed the wedding's depressing nature himself.
The mother's curiosity piqued further, "Just how modest was your wedding?"
Recalling the slight on her special day, the butler were in attendance. Leonard was too busy to make it."
Shocked by the revelation, Leonard mother rose, grabbed him by the collar, and exclaimed, "You scoundrel, you missed your own wedding!"
Leonard was taken aback by his normally calm and composed mother's fierce transformation. Unable to divulge that his absence was due to the crown prince's incessant nagging, he tried placating her, "Mother, there was an urgent matter in the palace that day."
Her reply was sharp, "It it was so urgent, you should have postponed the wedding. Every woman dreams of her wedding day, and you've ruined hers. You're an inconsiderate wretch. I don't know who you take after. I am shocked she hasn't left you already."
Olivia had spoken the truth hoping Leonard would squirm, but she didn't expect the matriarch's furious reaction. though she was not incorrect.
Leonard's mother declared firmly, "You better arrange a grand wedding while you are here or prepare to return to your mansion alone. You understand me, DEAR. And you know I always fulfill my promises. Starting tonight, you shall sleep alone."
Taking Olivia by the hand, she said, "Come, let's leave this fool to ponder his mistakes."
As the two women left, Leonard's father sipped his wine, remarking, "You brought this upon yourself. If you want to bring your wife back with you, you'd best heed Serena's words, or you might as well bid her goodbye. You know how extreme she can be."
Leonard knew full well, replying, "That's why I seldom visit. How did you fall for someone like her?"
His father laughed, "Well, what can I say? Love is blind. Despite her ways, I can't imagine life without her."
"Do you really think she meant the bit about sleeping alone?"
"To me, she seemed quite serious, and she's likely taken her room. So, you better think of something fast because it looks like I'll be sleeping alone until her anger subsides."
Leonard had hoped to enjoy his time off with Olivia and had never anticipated his mother would separate them. Regret for his absence at their wedding washed over him.
Saria escorted Olivia to her room and ordered the maids to retrieve Olivia's luggage and bring it to her new quarters. Then, she requested that one of them fetch some snacks and tea for them.
Sarina beckoned to Olivia, "Come sit here with me." Taking her hands, she continued, "You must have had a terrible time on your wedding day. I always knew Leonard could be rough, but I never imagined to what extent. The audacity o not show up on your wedding day, it's all Leonel's fault, my foolish husband. His only concern was teaching him to fight, and look what that's led to."
Olivia listened as her mother-in-law ranted on, unsure how the blame for Leonard not attending their wedding fell on his father. Not wanting to upset her about her spouse, that the crown prince summoned him urgently that day, so he couldn't attend our wedding. I don't blame him for it."
In truth, Olivia was fibbing to soothe her mother-in-law, and since blaming the crown prince would prevent him from finding out, it seemed a perfect excuse until out, it seemed a perfect excuse until her mother-in-law exclaimed, "i will write to that fool! How dare he disrupt my son's wedding!"
"HA!"
"That spoiled brat can't do anything without my son. I told my brother he should choose another heir, but he wouldn't listen."
"Ah... Perhaps we should let it go. It's been almost two years since then."
"Wait, did you say almost two years?"
"Yes, our second anniversary will be in a few months."
"Leonard thought it had been a year and a half."
"I suppose he forgot."
"has Leonard ever remembered your birthday or your anniversary?"
"Hmm... No."
Sarina placed her hand on Olivia's shoulder, comforting her, "Dear, if you decide to leave him, I'll support you."
"Even though he forgets such things, he is kind to me and shows his love in his way. I can't imagine life without him, even if I tried."
Tears filled Sarina's eyes as she gave Olivia a tight hug, saying, "You are truly a sweetheart; I'm glad you're my daughter-in-law."
Sarina's embrace was so firm it stifled Olivia, who despite her delicate appearance, possessed formidable strength. Touching Sarina's arm, she gasped, "I can't breathe."
"Oh! I'm so sorry, sometimes I get overly excited."
"It's okay."
"Tomorrow, I'll summon someone to make your wedding dress. How about that?"
"There's no need for that."
"Of course, there is; a wedding is a milestone for every marriage. Even though you started on the wrong foot, it's never too late to make amends. We should invite your parents to attend."
"I'm not sure they can make it. The journey is long, and they probably can't be away that long."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, they were present for the first one, so this one is more for you to attend."
"Darling, it's true I want to be there, but it's also because there's nothing more beautiful than walking down the aisle towards the man you love, waiting for you. I want you to have that memory forever."
The dream of such a moment resonated with Olivia, and the responded, "Thank you."
Sarina and Olivia enjoyed tea, cakes, and cookies that were served. Afterwards, Sarina brushed Olivia's hair and shared tales of Leonard's childhood before they retired for the night.
Leonard, meanwhile, headed to his own room to sleep alone-his mother had been serious about sleeping separately until he orchestrated a grand wedding for him and Olivia. He appease his mother and get Olivia back to his room.
Leonel's father was relegated to the guest room as Olivia stayed in his room with his wife, perturbed that the blame for everything that went wrong was laid at Leonard's feet for not getting things right from the start.
Come morning, the family gathered in the dining hall for breakfast. Sarina took her seat between Leonard and Olivia, thus denying her son a place next to his wife.
After breakfast, Olivia asked one of her maids from her mansion about the whereabouts of her puppy, as her mother-in-law. The maids informed her that it was in the garden, leading both women to go find him. Upon seeing Olivia, the puppy darted to her, tickling her with licks to the fingers. Olivia then presented the animal to her mother-in-law, "Sarina, I want you to meet Vandal, my puppy."
Leonard's mother was instantly charmed at the sight of the fluffy white puppy with gray eyes, exclaiming, "He's stunning! Where did you get him?"
"I found him in the woods a month ago."
"He's adorable; may I hold him?"
"Of course."
Handing Vandal over to Sarina, the puppy initially growled but eased into her caress behind his ears, licking her hand in enjoyment.
"Ah, he's so sweet; I want one too!"
As Leonard and his father approached, overhearing her wish for a similar pet, Leonard remarked, "Mother, what you're holding is a wolf pup. If you want a pet, you should find a dog instead."
Sarina glanced back at the content pup in her arms, replying, "Well, I find it cute no matter it being a wolf."