Belle Poupée_archive_chapter 1. The True Nature of the Beautiful Doll

 italicize parts are Leticia's words**

this is a short story

Main Story: 10 chapters plus 2-part epilogue

Epilogue: "Gilbert's Plans and the Dragon Emperor": 11 chapters and epilogue

Side stories: 7.

1. The True Nature of the Beautiful Doll

"I prefer more mature, beautiful women. No matter how much you may resemble a perfect doll like Belle Poupée... it’s not my type at all. Don’t compare me to those men who were easily charmed by a simple smile from you."

 

His crimson eyes narrowed lazily as he tied his black hair, which reached past his shoulders, behind his head. His attire was disheveled, as though he could barely breathe. The second prince of the Rosman Empire, Gilbert. Just as the rumors described, he was free-spirited.

 

We were at the venue for the National Founding Ceremony party, yet I couldn’t help but think that he didn’t even realize the woman standing before him was his fiancée.

Belle Poupée. The woman who was nicknamed the "Beautiful Doll," Leticia Orlesian, returned his harsh words with a gentle smile.

---

The glittering Grand Hall Sparkling with Chandeliers

The venue was as magnificent as could be imagined. The deep red carpet, the paintings adorning the walls, the dishes lined up on the tables—everything was top-tier.

The large windows, almost reaching the ceiling, reflected the room's light, creating a magical atmosphere that could only be described as splendid.

Naturally, elegant ladies and young women were scattered throughout the hall, their beauty catching the eye. But among them, it was Leticia who stood out the most.

Her silver hair shimmered like silk, swaying lightly. Her deep blue eyes, resembling sapphires, sparkled under the lights. Her skin was so pale that it almost seemed unnatural, leading one to question whether blood ran through it. At only sixteen, her small stature, barely 150 cm, only made her appear even more doll-like.

Above all, she seldom spoke, and her expressions remained unreadable. That was why she was known as the beautiful doll, Belle Poupée.

As the "Doll Princess" of the Orlesian Duke’s house, she was famous in high society.

When it was announced that she was engaged to Gilbert, who was notorious for his wild ways, constantly causing trouble with women, everyone was taken aback. No one could believe it.

---

"Don’t you have any emotions? I don’t want my wife to be an artwork. If you want to break off the engagement, just say the word, and I’ll sign right away. Remember that."

Leticia lifted her skirt and bowed her head quietly in response to his words.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

All of it was condemnation for Gilbert and pity for Leticia. It was no surprise. The reputations of the two of them in social circles could not have been more different.

Leticia, behind her smile, tilted her head slightly in contemplation.

---

Italicize-are her inner monologue/thoughts

「This is pretty much as expected. I’ll check later whether the rumors about his visits to brothels are true, but he should know better than to make such a rash statement in public. I find it a bit forced, but if he’s truly that ignorant, then he’s just a fool.」

---

The reason Leticia became engaged to Gilbert was simple. While every other noblewoman had turned down the proposal, Leticia was the only one who hadn’t.

But there was another reason, too.

---

「No point in listing just the negatives. His face is passable. Beautiful things are valuable simply for being beautiful. That’s good enough. I’ll appreciate him as a piece of art! I won’t mind if my husband is nothing more than an artwork! 」

---

Leticia, much too worldly for her age, had little in common with the image of a typical young girl.

Belle Poupée was just a mask.

Behind the mask was her strong will, an easy-going nature that made her unafraid of most things, and yet a stubbornness that would never bend her principles. She had a prideful, almost childish arrogance as well. Even the Orlesian family, who secretly controlled the nation, had fallen one by one to her.

There was even a secret fan club for Leticia, which included not only the maids and servants who worked in her household but also nearly all the family members except for her parents.

Because of this, her parents trusted her enough to send her off with confidence. However, she vaguely remembered hearing her father say something like, "I can’t hold the reins on you anymore." But she had long since discarded such trivialities.

She quickly followed Gilbert, who was about to leave, walking just behind him.

Though he shot a frustrated look in her direction, Leticia remained unaffected. As his fiancée, it was only natural that she should get to know him better.

With a bright smile, she watched him let out a resigned sigh and turn his gaze away from her.

---

「Hm, I thought he might say something by now, but he’s surprisingly weak when it comes to pressure. Maybe I can push a little more. It’s best for a married couple to get along, after all.」

---

Leticia continued to observe Gilbert closely, now that he hadn’t rejected her completely.

His posture as he walked, the way he took his glass, the way he bowed to the guests—all of it was elegant, despite his disheveled appearance. His manners were so graceful that she couldn’t help but admire him. This, surely, was his true nature, the result of careful upbringing. Perhaps he had also studied on his own.

Leticia found herself revising her earlier assumptions.

---

Well, occasionally it’s a hassle since I can’t talk much

---

It would have been easiest to talk things out, but opening her mouth would expose her weakness immediately. She couldn’t help but feel that her mother, with tears in her eyes, was pleading with her to be quiet in public. Even Leticia, who prided herself on her hard-headedness, was soft-hearted when it came to the tears of a woman.

She could cover up short words easily, but that wouldn’t lead to real conversation. And that was how she had earned the nickname Belle Poupée.

---

"So, how long are you planning to follow me around? We’re not mother ducks and their ducklings."

"Mother ducks? Heh."

"...What? You can laugh normally after all? --No! I told you not to follow me!"

Gilbert raised his voice, but it was easy to tell that he was only trying to hide his embarrassment. Leticia stifled a laugh, narrowing her eyes as she apologized, "Sorry."

Eun: I've read the manga. The art is simply exquisite~ and I LOVE THE FL!!!! And how in love the ML will be later on. 🫶

 

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