My Mate Chose My Best Friend, So His Uncle Claimed Me novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45: The Famous Seamstress

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The next day, Lucretius left early in the morning to meet the wedding organizer, and the packhouse was alive with preparations for tomorrow’s second wedding. It would be held in the ceremonial ground where I officiated as Luna.

While they were occupied, I was handling the paperwork from the military, which was delivered by a messenger before Lucretius left. He asked me to take care of it, instead of joining him to meet the wedding organizer.

As much as I wanted to help him finalize the preparation for our second wedding, I could tell from his tone that he preferred that I handled things on his behalf with the help of Joaquin, his Beta. Even told me that he wanted to surprise what could be the outcome tomorrow, which I did not honestly look forward to because we had already gotten married, but he said that I would love the arrangement he had made.

By midmorning, a knock came at the study room.

“Luna,” Isolde announced, bowing as the door creaked open while I was arranging some documents. “Lady Rosemarie has arrived from the capital. She brings your wedding gown.”

My eyes slightly widened from excitement. “Please, let her in.”

I lowered my gaze to the segregated documents on Lucretius’s desk, one was needed for his signature, and the other stack was military reports. It still amazed me that I could sit behind his desk as the Luna of this pack.

Lucretius didn’t restrain me from going into his study room. He was helping me to analyze the ledger accounts and some reports that happened a few years before becoming his Luna, so that I could understand how the pack ran under his reign.

And I was impressed by how detailed the records were because of how Joaquin did his job as the Beta. He and Joaquin had a good combination as Alpha and Beta, just as he also had good teamwork with Lieutenant Colonel Leofrick.

Moments later, Rosemarie entered, looking so elegant and poised as always. Her hair was pinned in her usual meticulous bun, the same hairstyle when I first met her. She curtsied before me.

“Greetings, Your Grace, Duchess Franciosa,” she greeted with a gentle smile.

“Please,” I halted her and approached her. “Just by my name is fine.” I could already tell that my face was as red as a tomato.

Being addressed as the lady of the House of Franciosa felt strange yet comforting at the same time. Even being called Luna made me feel the same way.

Perhaps it was meant to be this way. I must get really used to it that I was the wife of one of the strongest Alphas in the Waevalon Kingdom.

“It still feels strange to be addressed that way.” I couldn’t help but utter what was on my mind as I chuckled.

Being a tactical keeper helped me in a certain way to voice out my thoughts. It was a muscle memory that was hard to remove from my daily routine.

She clasped her hands together. “My, my. You will get used to it soon,” she said. “My assistants brought the wedding dress. Though I made a few final touches last night. Do you wish to see?” Her eyebrows wriggling.

Her bubbly attitude infected as I nodded. But she hesitated before smiling again. “Of course. But perhaps later, once everything is arranged in the room reserved for your dress.” She winked, eyeing me up and down. “Oh, my beloved Moon Goddess… Your figure hasn’t changed from the last time I remember!” she exclaimed, walking towards me.

She even scrutinized me by circling. Her smile deepened as if her masterpiece still roused her even to this day.

That made me gulp. I didn’t think that I would still take her interest because she measured my body for the dresses.

“Mm… Mm… I have the feeling we would only need a few adjustments.” She looked thrilled just by seeing my body. “And look at you now!” she exclaimed. “You are blooming! Way blooming than the last we met!” She giggled, softly clapping her hands together.

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I tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear, feeling a little embarrassed from her compliment and with the way she was looking at me as if she could already imagine me wearing the wedding dress she had tailored. I was delighted that she still had this joyous attitude whenever she saw me.

It interested me as this must be her secret to looking so young. She and Romina were good examples of this. I must take note of it.

I cleared my throat. “Perhaps you are exhausted from your trip. Would you like some refreshments before you retire first?” i asked politely, gesturing my hand so I could lead her to the parlor room.

“Lemonade water would be lovely,” she replied warmly.

We were enjoying each other’s company and chatting as she told me about her journey from the capital, but as we turned the next corner, someone nearly collided with us.

It happened too quickly, but since I grew up training back in the Starry Shadows Pack, I swiftly avoided it. However, on the other hand, Rosemarie nearly stumbled backward.

“Rosemarie!” I gasped, immediately supporting her back.

“Oh! My apologies!” the woman blurted at the same time I spoke.

I didn’t have to lift my eyes to see who it was. That familiar, dramatic feminine tone that she always used to catch someone’s attention was no other than her.

I didn’t turn to her, but my attention was fixated on Rosemarie. “Are you alright, Rosemarie?” I placed my hand on her back, looking at her in concern.

Rosemarie fluttered her eyelids, her hand rubbing on her chest. “Yes, yes, I am fine. I am really fine,” she uttered in her usual vivacious tone, fanning herself as she turned to me. “You have fast reflexes, Lady Euphyllia. I envy you.”

I only smiled as a response, and before I could say anything, Lilith chimed in again.

“I am really sorry. I am such a klutz. I wasn’t looking where I was going,” she reasoned, her soft laughter following, as if her charm could erase what had just happened.

Her voice was sweet as honey. And I knew that using that kind of tone would be enough for someone to be smitten with her. Others thought that she was like an angel in disguise, but in fact, she was a scheming bitch behind that gentle, delicate behavior.

Rosemarie straightened, brushing her sleeves with mild irritation before giving Lilith a polite and tight smile. “No harm done. It is just an accident,” she said, though I could hear the slight annoyance in her tone.

And that was a first; I couldn’t help but be surprised. I met her smiling and full–spirited, then the next moment, she would tease me that I was the most special woman that Lucretius ever brought to his tailor shop.

Now, there was another emotion that I was impressed to see in someone who had that kind of zestful behavior.

Lilith’s gaze briefly flickered to the two assistants behind Rosemarie, who were holding several boxes and the large covered trunk that must contain the gown. Her eyes lingered there longer than necessary before she smiled again.

“Oh, what lovely fabrics,” she complimented in her sweet tone, her eyes eyeing her up and down as she gasped as if she was starstruck. “Are you… Lady Rosemarie from The Gilded Stitch?”

“I am,” Rosemarie replied with pride, clasping her hands together.

Lilith gasped softly, pressing a hand to her chest as if she had just seen someone she had admired all her life. “Oh, heavens! I knew it!” she exclaimed. “Your creations are famous even beyond the capital. I once attended a ball where half the noblewomen wore your gowns.”

Rosemarie chuckled lightly, her mood shifted, too. “I am flattered to hear that, Lady…?”

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“Lilith,” she replied quickly, elevating her charm. “Lilith Haven. I am Redmund’s fiancée,”

Rosemarie’s brows arched, her expression brightening with realization. “Ah, Lord Redmund,” she said, nodding. “Lord Lorenzo and Lady Romina’s son, yes? I remember him. Quite the fine young man.”

Lilith’s lips curved in a smile. “He is,” she said.

For a brief moment, her mocking gaze landed on me as if she was trying to make me jealous that she was marrying my former

mate.

“We’ll be married once the ceremony between Lord Lucretius and… Lady Euphyllia concludes,” she added.

Her tone sounded pleasant, but I could sense the bitterness with which she addressed me. I had a feeling that she was furing inside.

Rosemarie smiled politely, unaware of the quiet tension that was lingering between Lilith and me.

“Oh, so that’s why you look familiar,” she uttered, stroking her chin. “Now I remember. He visited my atelier in the capital a few months ago to inquire about a made–to–order groom’s suit, as well as his bride’s gown.”

My forehead slightly creased at what she said. At the same time, I felt the pinch of pain in my heart.

Redmund’s rejection of our mate bond happened a month ago. And I would fit the timeline of him seeking Rosemarie, it meant that while Redmund and I were still in a relationship, he was already discussing the wedding plans with Lilith behind my back.

And I even failed to realize that they were secretly together if it weren’t for filing a leave just to visit and spend time with him.

These two… They were truly unbelievable…

Lilith’s eyes widened a little. “Truly?” she asked, her tone feigning modest surprise. “He never mentioned you by name, though he told me that he had known you since he was little.”

Rosemarie chuckled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Oh, I see. Well, I had to decline his request, unfortunately. My schedule has been rather full ever since I took on the honor of crafting the Duchess of Franciosa’s wedding dress, casual dresses, and formal dresses.”

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