Dear Ex-Fiancé, I Hope You Regret Everything - Chapter 14

Most people in Haira have wheat-colored skin. As for Lord Skyford, while I think his complexion is healthy, compared to Haira’s standards, he’s quite fair-skinned.

Perhaps everyone found me unusual, because as we moved through the city in the palanquin, I became the center of attention from passersby.

“…Um, I feel like we’re getting quite a lot of attention. This isn’t just because I’m with Lord Skyford, is it?”

“That’s right. People from Isac are probably rare.”

(That might be true, but somehow…)

The way people were whispering and looking at me out of the corners of their eyes felt exactly like the contemptuous gazes I always felt in social circles.

(Am I strange? Am I different from you all?)

I clenched my hands tightly, and Lord Skyford’s hand came to rest over mine.

He smiled at me as if to dispel my anxiety.

“Are the stares bothering you?”

“…It would be a lie to say they aren’t.”

“My apologies, but please lower the blinds.”

The blinds rolled down from above the palanquin, softly enveloping us.

They gently blocked both the strong sunlight and people’s gazes.

“This should help distract you a bit.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m sorry to make you feel uncomfortable so soon after your arrival.”

“No, it’s not that.”

Even as I said that, the growing anxiety remained swollen within me.

It was just as we were about to enter the royal castle we’d finally reached.

As I got out of the palanquin and was gazing at the beautifully designed castle, one of the maids approached and bowed.

“I presume you are Lady Iris Dostoevsky. My name is Fonmi, and I will be attending to you starting today. I look forward to serving you.”

The woman who introduced herself as Fonmi had a healthy, beautiful wheat-colored complexion and abundant black hair.

(What beautiful black hair she has.)

“I’ve told her everything about you, so please feel at ease.”

Just as Lord Skyford said this, a noble came rushing over and whispered in his ear.

“My apologies, but I must go ahead. Fonmi, I’m counting on you to take good care of Iris,” he said before hurrying off.

Fonmi bowed as she saw him off, then indicated, “This way,” pointing to an entrance different from the one Lord Skyford had taken.

That entrance had a small door, and when opened, the inside was dimly lit.

“This is according to Haira’s unique customs. Please remove everything you’re wearing here.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Beyond this is the bathing area, so after you bathe, we will dress you in this country’s garments.”

They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do, but being told to undress suddenly without any prior information—it would be strange not to hesitate.

(This is for the bath; this is for the bath…)

I tried to convince myself and began to undress, but none of the several waiting maids made any move to assist.

After all, I am a guest and a count’s daughter. But if this is their way, there’s no point in fussing over every detail.

When I had removed everything, several maids began stuffing my discarded clothes into a bag, so I asked in surprise.

“What will you do with those?”

The response was astonishing.

“We will dispose of them here.”

“Throw them away? Is that it?”

“It is Haira’s custom.”

She responded matter-of-factly as she guided me to the bathing area.

The place was simply vast, so dim that I couldn’t read the maids’ expressions, and the scent of rose oil drifted through the air.

“We draw hot springs from underground. Please wash away your travel fatigue.”

Doing as told, I gently dipped my toes in to test the water before immersing myself. It was neither hot nor warm, with a smooth spring quality.

“To have hot springs drawn into the castle. Haira truly is a wealthy country.”

“Is that so?”

“I’ve heard you have abundant resources and use magic beyond what someone like me from Isac can imagine. It seems I’ll have much to learn from everyone. I’m embarrassed by my lack of knowledge, but I’d appreciate it if you could teach me various things.”

The hands massaging my head stopped with a jolt, and a murmur fell.

“…Lord Skyford truly doesn’t understand.”

“Huh?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“Each country has its own culture, customs, and etiquette. Since I’m unfamiliar, I’ll do my best not to cause any trouble.”

I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

“Do your best you say?”

“Actually, earlier on the way here, many people were staring at me, so I thought something must be different. That’s why seeing you, Fonmi, working so efficiently made me feel my anxiety ease. Once again, I look forward to working with you though I probably shouldn’t be saying this while completely naked.”

Now completely smooth and bare, I changed into the prepared dress, but it wasn’t much different from the one I’d arrived in.

Since they went so far as to discard a guest’s dress, I thought I’d be dressed in Haira’s traditional clothing, so I felt somewhat let down.

The makeup and hairstyling were first-class, but aside from being neatly arranged, nothing had changed.

(Indeed, Lord Skyford and his attendants are all dressed similarly to us, and I’ve only read about Haira’s traditional clothing in books. I’ve never seen the real thing.)

“Since you said it’s the Haira way, I thought I might be made to wear traditional clothing, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Fonmi looked at me, tilting her head as she spoke.

“…Would you like to try it on?”

“No, not at all…! It’s true I came from Isac, and for someone like me to wear traditional clothing would be presumptuous.”

“Not at all. Since you mentioned it, please go ahead and wear it.”

With that, before I knew it, I was being made to change.

I’ve heard that the traditional clothing of the southern country Haira is designed to catch the wind well.

Indeed, the brightly patterned fabric had many pleats. I thought it might be heavy due to the amount of cloth, but surprisingly, it was light as a feather.

Women wear lace over the fabric and secure it with a sash, I’m told.

The shoes are flat, making it seem like you could walk anywhere.

As Fonmi redid my hair in a traditional style, she said,

“Lord Skyford will surely be surprised.”

“…But is it really alright for someone like me to wear this?”

Feeling flustered, I proceeded to the hall I was guided to, where my eyes met perfectly with Lord Skyford, who was there.

“Iris, you Fonmi, what is the meaning of this?”

Lord Skyford, walking toward me, was clearly angry.

Fonmi bowed and said,

“Lady Iris expressed her desire to wear the traditional clothing.”