What’s Wrong With My Marriage? I Was Bought as a Wife, Yet My Husband Is Madly in Love With Me! - Chapter 16

“Adorable! You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, Luce.”

“Th-thank you.”

“That dress suits you perfectly. It’s as if it were made specifically for you.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Truly, how can you be this charming? I feel like my heart is being stolen over and over again.”

“…Ugh, I’m so embarrassed.”

“Please don’t hide such a beautiful sight. I’m trying to sear this image into my mind right now. This is a memory for a lifetime.”

Ever since she started trying on dresses, Klaus’s excessive praise hadn’t stopped for a second. The shop staff simply watched on with beaming smiles. Luce, on the other hand, felt dizzy from the sheer volume of his words.

“Honestly, every single one looks so good on you, it’s wonderful. I really can’t pick just one since we’re at it, shall we hold a wedding once a month for the next ten years?”

“Klaus, I think one wedding is plenty.”

“You think so? Well, if you say so, Luce. Then how about you change outfits multiple times during the debutante party?”

“That sounds a bit exhausting.”

“Then should I buy them for everyday wear? The thought of Luce greeting me in bridal wear at home. I think I’d ascend straight to heaven.”

“A wedding dress is supposed to be special.”

“Every day I spend with you is special.”

Whenever there was an opening, Klaus relentlessly whispered sweet nothings to her. It had been intense enough during the fitting, but the follow-up comments were even more overwhelming.

(This man breathes compliments. It’s strange, though—there’s not a hint of sarcasm or insincerity in them.)

Klaus’s blue eyes were sparkling, making it clear he spoke from the heart. That was exactly why Luce found it so unbearable. She had never been spoken to like this in her entire life.

(I feel like I’ve received a lifetime’s worth of praise in one afternoon.)

“Madam, shall we take a short break? I’ll bring some tea.”

“Yes, please.”

Seeing Luce let out a long, heavy sigh, Klaus asked worriedly if he had worn her out.

“Just a little. I’ve never had the experience of choosing a dress before.”

When he had bought the entire shop the other day, he told her everything was hers, so she hadn’t exactly “chosen” anything. She was relieved that he didn’t seem to be buying the whole store this time, but the unfamiliarity of the task was still mentally taxing.

“I see. Then let’s take our time. You don’t have to decide today. You can agonize over it for a year or two if you like.”

“If I worry about it for that long, I’ll be too old to suit a wedding dress.”

“Luce, you will be charming no matter how many years pass.”

Unable to look at Klaus’s smiling face any longer, Luce calmed her nerves by sipping the tea the clerk had brought.

Ultimately, Luce couldn’t choose a dress. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say she wasn’t allowed to choose just one. Since Luce didn’t have a specific preference, she tried to go with whatever Klaus liked.

However, that would have resulted in him buying the entire shop, and his absurd idea of monthly weddings would have started looking like a reality. To avoid that, she non-committally said she wanted to think about it a bit longer.

“Every dress was wonderful, so shall we just buy the shop?”

“Klaus, let’s take a deep breath. Okay?”

Luce stopped him in his tracks, firmly declining the purchase of the store. Instead, she suggested she would like to come back and look at dresses with him again another time. At this, he gave a radiant smile and suggested they come every day.

“Every day would get in the way of your work.”

“It’s fine, Luce. I’ll finish all my work while you’re sleeping, so don’t worry.”

Since Klaus said something that was anything but reassuring, Luce told him that being left alone in the bedroom made her feel lonely.

For as long as Luce could remember, she had been an outsider within the framework of her family. When she was alone, doubts about Klaus would bubble up one after another, filling her with anxiety.

That’s why I want to sleep peacefully in Klaus’s arms.

When Luce put those feelings into honest words, Klaus looked at her with a grave expression.

“I was wrong, Luce.”

“Klaus, please don’t push yourself until you get sick.”

“Of course not! I’ll gather doctors and establish a research institute immediately!”

Luce could only tilt her head in confusion, having no idea what he was talking about. But she sensed that if she said the wrong thing, he would start planning something even more outrageous, so she stayed quiet.

“Since we’re already out in the city, would you like to eat something before we go home?”

This time, it was a perfectly normal suggestion. Luce gave a relieved smile and nodded.

“There’s a great fish place nearby. Do you like fish, Luce?”

“Yes, I don’t really have any dislikes.”

“It’s my grandfather’s favorite shop. He loves fish so much he decided to retire near the sea.”

Klaus said this with a bitter expression, as if he were sulking. It was so unexpected that Luce couldn’t help but giggle.

“It’s not a laughing matter, Luce. That old man is a glutton, but he’s also incredibly picky and annoying to deal with. …Ah, we’re here. This is it.”

Escorted by Klaus, Luce stepped into the restaurant.

The interior wasn’t overly luxurious; instead, it had a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that catered to a wider crowd. The customers inside all looked happy as they ate.

The waiter led them to a seat in the back. Luce ordered a fried fish dish that Klaus’s grandfather favored and a stew of fish and shellfish. Klaus added several more dishes, and soon the table was full.

“Everything here is delicious, so I highly recommend it.”

“…!”

The moment Luce took a bite, she realized he was right and nodded vigorously in silence. She immediately worried if her reaction was unladylike, but Klaus didn’t seem to mind at all as he continued eating.

“Watching you eat delicious food is truly adorable, Luce.”

(There he goes saying things like that again…)

Embarrassed, Luce looked down slightly.

“Why can’t I get in?! I’m telling you I’ll pay! Clear a table this instant!”

At the sudden sound of a rude, shouting voice, Luce’s body jolted with a shiver.

(No way. Why? Why here…?)

Turning pale, Luce shifted her gaze toward the entrance where the commotion was happening.

(It’s my brother.)

Standing there was Luce’s older brother, Ideon.