# 7
### Chapter Seven
The bridal waiting room was only open to female family members, and as expected, Amanda came to see me.
“Remember when I said we should meet soon? Miss Diana.”
“It's good to see you again, Diana,” she said, linking arms intimately with Ella.
'Their relationship wasn't bad in the novel either.'
Amanda valued beauty above all else, and Ella was described as the most beautiful woman on the continent. With a strong reputation in high society, Ella was likely a satisfactory partner for her son.
“I still don't understand why you married Harold while you were chasing Kayden, but I think it's better for you to be.”
Amanda pulled a bright white sheet of paper from her handbag and handed it to me.
“There's no way you could really love Harold instead of Kayden.”
“It's annoying, but I really care about Harold.”
“You? The one who just a month ago didn’t stop chasing Kaiden? Even if Harold seems sincere, it’s hard to believe that you’re being sincere.”
She was right, if I was the real Diana, that would be hard to believe.
“If you're marrying Harold for money, don't worry—I'll make sure you get plenty. So stay out of Kayden's way and sign this.”
I grabbed the paper and checked what it said. It was a document relinquishing any claim to Harold's inheritance after his death. You could smell the greed behind it; The idea of not wanting to share even a penny was very clear.
I furrowed my brow slightly. Greed based on someone's death was not a pretty sight.
“Miss Diana, I hope you don’t enjoy getting into dirty fights.”
It was a subtle threat—if I didn't sign, I'd better be prepared. I paused for a moment, then spoke.
“How much do you offer?”
“I will make sure you get 500 gold coins.”
“2000. I won’t settle for less.”
Amanda's eyes twitched for a second.
"Good."
She wrote “2000” on a blank check and handed it to me.
“Go to the bank and collect it yourself.”
"Sure. Oh, can I borrow a pen?"
Without hesitation, I signed the document.
"Help yourself."
“Right on, I like that, Miss Diana.”
Amanda smiled contentedly. I smiled in return, thinking of the useless paper I had just signed and the easy money I had earned.
“Mom, can I talk to Diana for a moment before you leave?” Ella asked as Amanda was about to leave, having achieved her goal.
“Of course, my dear.”
“Thanks, mom.”
After Amanda left, Ella stood in front of me.
"The Duke is not a bad choice for someone in your position. Congratulations on the marriage."
"Thanks."
She clasped her hands on her chest and smiled gently.
“Starting from today, I will pray for you. I will ask God to let the Duke live a little longer for your sake.”
The way she said it made it clear that she thought it impossible for Harold to live longer.
As a reader, I knew exactly what she meant.
When I didn't react, Ella pushed some hair behind her shoulder and opened her mouth again.
“There's something I want to tell you before the official announcement.”
"What is it?"
“I will be officially adopted into the Garcia family soon. The Count wants me to be his daughter.”
Ah, so this is when it happens.
In the original novel, this was mentioned briefly, so I didn't know exactly when it happens.
“Congratulations, Ella.”
“…You don’t care if I become the Count’s daughter?”
I smiled and nodded.
“Of course not, it's okay.”
Ella pursed her lips, clearly dissatisfied with my lack of reaction.
She thought Diana was easy to manipulate. Even though she played the role of 'good Ella' to others, she always acted a little differently towards Diana.
Diana's short-tempered nature made her an easy target for manipulation as a villain, and reinforced Ella's sense of superiority. After all, Ella could feel better than Diana, who was born as the illegitimate child of a large family.
If it weren't for Diana's tragic past, I doubt there would be any readers who would have supported Ella as a heroine.
“You… never mind.”
Ella quickly regained her composure and took out a pocket watch.
“It's already late. Kayden is probably looking for me. I'll go now.”
"Give yourself to me."
“Oh, and Diana.”
She turned around, her golden eyes softening as she smiled.
“Thank you for signing the document. I’m glad we won’t have to argue about inheritance later.”
* * *
It's time for the bride to enter. The maid behind me adjusted my wedding dress, and the flower girl stood ready to scatter petals.
The moment I entered the ballroom, the eyes of the noble guests turned towards me, sharp and wise.
“…Why is that villain here!?”
"Shh. She'll hear you."
The crowd moved, recognizing who I was. But I remained calm and walked towards Harold, who was waiting for me at the beginning of the corridor.
Harold extended his arm to me, and I placed my hand on it.
Through the veil, I could see the shocked and confused faces of the guests. There were many familiar faces in the crowd.
At that moment, my eyes crossed with Kayden's. His expression was frozen, and the intensity of his gaze made her even more terrifying. He didn't take his eyes off me.
“Diana,” Harold muttered.
He immediately noticed that I looked.
“Are you looking at another man while standing next to your groom?”
“No, I was just watching a mosquito fly.”
"Hmm. I like that comparison, so I'll let it pass."
We whispered in voices low enough to be drowned out by the music. I looked at Harold, then squeezed his arm hard.
“Harold, are you okay?”
Harold's figure looked perfect under the sparkling chandeliers. Especially his muscular build, which somehow remained despite his illness, made the black tuxedo look great on him.
But since I was so close, I could see the tension in his jaw as he gritted his teeth.
“…I should be.”
Its color was deteriorating rapidly. Cold sweat was gathering on his forehead, which was exposed by his pulled-back hair.
I bit the inside of my cheek.
Of all times…
Empire wedding dresses required gloves.
'I can't let this continue.'
As I was about to take off my gloves, Harold intertwined his fingers with mine.
"I've been through worse pain than this. Don't do anything that might look suspicious."
“…”
Harold smiled, pulling his lips into a calm smile. He still looked composed and continued to walk with perfect posture.
It was amazing how strong his mental toughness was. If I hadn't been right next to him, I wouldn't have noticed anything wrong.
Suddenly, I thought of Amanda and Ella, who had visited me earlier. The look in their eyes, full of eager anticipation of Harold's death, was still fresh in my mind.
'They're not the only ones.'
At Harold's future funeral in the novel, several people congratulate the hero behind his back. Most of the nobles present at our wedding probably wished Harold dead as well.
From the moment he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, his fate seemed sealed. His life was destined to be taken from him, and many were just waiting for it.
Despite this, Harold fought to protect what was his until the end, and in the end met his inevitable fate.
In the novel, Harold was a charismatic supporting character, but now his life has become my reality.
The man who looked perfect under the chandelier now looked like a knight fighting alone, surrounded by enemies.
I could not help but pity the crushing misfortune that had been thrust upon him. Before I knew it, we reached the altar.
“Do you, like her husband, pledge to love her unconditionally, in happiness or sorrow, in sickness or in health, until death do you part?”
“Yes, I promise.”
“And do you pledge, as his wife, to love him unconditionally, in happiness or sadness, in sickness or in health, until death do you part?”
"Yes."
Now, all that remains is the kiss of the bride and groom.
I turned to face him.
'Its color has gotten worse.'
But as his face moved closer to mine, he wore the same calm expression, as if he wasn't in any pain at all. Seeing him hide it so well made my heart hurt even more.
I swallowed a sigh and thought to myself, 'I can't take this anymore.'
We had already agreed to just pretend to kiss, but I reached out and grabbed his cheek.
His narrowed eyes flashed with astonishment, his dark blue eyes reflecting confusion.
"I'm sorry. I can't stand there and do nothing."
"What do you do…?"
I whispered, looking directly at him and kissing Harold directly, hoping it would bring him even the slightest bit of comfort.