Interlude : My Princess's Wedding
###2014 spring in Shanghai
Gently opening the reception room door and entering, I found Miss Jia standing before a white box.
A large box the servants had just brought in.
I approached quietly, confirming the lid was open.
Pure white dress spreading from within.
Delicate lace embroidery catching light, glowing softly.
Off-shoulder sleeves falling in a silhouette as if gently embracing Miss's shoulders.
(...Too beautiful. Perfect for Miss.)
I could tell immediately she'd chosen it herself.
To meet the world's eyes as "the woman the Tyrant CEO Li Haotian finally chose."
Not too flashy, yet elegant--a dress everyone would approve of, carefully selected.
That's who Miss is.
Miss spread the dress and stood before the mirror.
White fabric falling along her body.
I drew a soft breath.
In the mirror, Miss seemed to smile quietly.
But I knew.
There was always a faint shadow behind that smile.
I had been by her side long enough to see it.
Miss was the kind of person who hid her anxiety behind a smile.
(“A bit of a step down in pedigree compared with other sisters, but he has momentum—”)
Her parents’ cold gazes. President Li’s distant eyes.
She had always borne those things alone.
I almost spoke, but swallowed the words back down.
Now, just watching is enough.
This moment when she wears the dress she chose herself,
examines it with her own eyes--
I don't want to disturb it.
Miss, finished dressing, slowly turned around.
"Xiaomao, how...?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
I immediately smiled and approached.
"Beautiful. Miss. The President will surely...be captivated."
Truly, I don't know what the President will think of this dress.
He's someone who doesn't properly look at Miss's face.
But wanting to lighten Miss's heart even slightly, I wove words that weren't lies.
Miss nodded small and returned her gaze to the mirror.
"...Thank you. Xiaomao."
That voice held gratitude mixed with loneliness.
The President's instructions were strict.
“I don’t want more people in the house. Any maids will be day staff only.”
Miss said, "Thanks to my study abroad years, I can handle things myself. I don't need help."
But truly...
Imagining Miss alone in the new residence makes my chest ache.
That man is surely busy.
If I could be by Miss's side, talk with her late at night,
receive even some of Miss's anxiety.
But wishing for Miss's happiness is my role.
So I held back. "If I were there, I'd just be in the way of newlyweds."
Here, today, just this moment, I can be beside her.
I helped Miss remove the dress and return it to the box.
Carefully folding the lace, I murmured in my heart:
(Miss, when you stand at the altar wearing this dress,
may the President truly see you.
And may he open his heart, even just a little.)
When closing the box lid, Miss exhaled softly.
I gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's alright, Miss. You are a strong person."
Miss placed her hand over mine.
"...Thank you, Xiaomao.
When you're here, I feel safe."
Those words warmed my chest.
The dress slept quietly in the box.
As if waiting gently for Miss's new life.
I prayed in my heart.
(President Li.
Please make My lady happy.
That is my only wish.)
