Setting aside the servant who truly did sneak off to write to the Old Countess Aldridge, Adonis himself was seriously considering Felix's proposal.
As a newly appointed and excessively young noble, the death of his father had thrust Adonis into the position of leading the Aldridge family. Though their territory was prosperous and wealthy, it was also riddled with factions and hard to govern. No matter how capable Adonis might be, at his age, it was difficult to earn full respect from others. Many might act obedient on the surface but don't take him seriously in their hearts.
Of course, given enough time, he was confident he could make them all submit. The process would be arduous, but Adonis was already mentally prepared for that.
Still, while he had a steady mindset, his family members weren't as composed. That was why the usually discreet Aldridge family had agreed to the royal proposal of a political marriage, marrying off Adonis's sister to Prince Andrew. This move effectively bound the Aldridge family to the king's faction. Adonis himself had opposed the idea. He had no desire to get involved in the battle for the throne. But, he couldn't deny that the arrangement had ultimately benefited him. Since news of the engagement broke, those who used to treat him with veiled contempt toned down their behavior. They no longer dared act so brazenly in front of him.
Contrary to Felix's assumptions, the reason Adonis personally accompanied his sister to the capital and stayed for so long wasn't his idea—it was his mother, Countess Aldridge, who had ordered him to.
She hoped that during the marriage negotiations, Adonis would also find a suitable bride for himself.
"Suitable," of course, did not mean someone he liked—it meant someone whose family could offer strong support.
In other words, his trip to the capital was essentially a matchmaking mission. His mother believed he should marry a young lady from a prestigious noble family to solidify his power base. And that was exactly the kind of expectation that had given Adonis a persistent headache. With his excellent appearance, he was always popular, but he had never felt moved by anyone. While he didn't think he had to deeply love his future wife, he also couldn't accept a loveless, purely political marriage like the one his sister endured.
Unfortunately, just as he couldn't stop his sister or mother from submitting to the demands of the family, he too was suffering under his mother's pressure. He genuinely feared that one day she might arrange a marriage for him without his consent—and in this era, such things were common. Parental command and arranged matchmaking weren't exclusive to the East.
To avoid ending up married to a stranger, Adonis had secretly observed the noble ladies who had shown interest in him while he was in the capital. Sadly, as always, he hadn't found anyone who truly piqued his interest. He had braced himself for a scolding upon returning home, but he had no intention of developing any of those half-hearted encounters.
Then, just as he thought the matter settled, he unexpectedly ran into Dolores.
It wasn't that he had strong feelings for Dolores—it was simply that, so far, she was the only young lady who matched him in status and left him with a distinct impression.
That alone was rare for him.
Although it didn't show on the surface, Adonis had been "spoiled" when it came to matters of love. From a young age, he had been adored by many women. Unlike other men who had to chase after love, he had always been the one pursued. Countless girls had fallen for him. If it weren't for his distaste for romantic entanglements, he might've become a well-known playboy like Allen.
Having been pursued so often, he had long since grown used to ignoring admirers. He could maintain a facade of politeness and warmth, then forget the person entirely the moment they turned away. He didn't just forget names—he often didn't even remember faces.
So, for a girl he had never even spoken to before to leave such a vivid impression—it meant she was indeed different. To be fair, she did have a face that was difficult to forget.
If Felix hadn't come to speak to him in person, Adonis might've missed the chance to realize this. But now that he had noticed, and given that he could be forced into a marriage at any time, he naturally wanted to consider whether this young lady might be a suitable candidate.
Understanding the full implication of Felix's request, Adonis gave it serious thought. After pondering carefully for a day, he didn't go to Felix with his answer the next morning—instead, he went to Dolores and invited her for a walk.
He came very early—eight in the morning. At that hour, most nobles were still in bed. But Dolores had already finished breakfast and was just about to accompany Caroline for their usual morning outing in the garden.
As soon as they stepped out with Caroline, they ran into Adonis.
The only reason he timed it so perfectly wasn't due to prior planning, but because his meddling servant had taken it upon himself to snoop around and learn Dolores's daily routine. Although the castle staff had been warned not to leak information about their masters, small details like this weren't hard to dig up—and Adonis had been informed accordingly.
Otherwise, Adonis wouldn't have come so early. By noble standards, an invitation should have been made in the afternoon.
Still, Adonis's daily routine was different from most aristocrats. Others stayed up late for parties and rose late in the morning. He disliked parties, and even when he had to attend them, he never stayed long, so he didn't have a habit of staying up late. His schedule happened to align more closely with the Williams family.
Dolores was stunned by the invitation—not just surprised, but extremely nervous. She hadn't forgotten what Weiwei said yesterday about asking Adonis to be her dance partner. And now, here he was, personally inviting her for a walk—did that mean he had agreed?
Just the thought made her heart pound. Her cheeks turned rosy, and she had an overwhelming urge to hide. She didn't even dare look him in the eyes.
Still, she nodded and accepted the invitation.
Being able to take a walk with someone she liked—even if she was too nervous to know what to do—was still something that made her happy.
In truth, Adonis hadn't yet fully decided to be her dance partner. He understood the significance of that position. His reason for inviting her on a walk was to test the waters. If she gave him a good impression, he'd accept the invitation to the ball and continue developing their acquaintance. But if they didn't get along, he'd politely back out.
Even if it meant being scolded by his mother afterward, he wouldn't force himself.
He was prepared for the latter outcome. But to his surprise, after just half an hour of walking with her, his conclusion was: not bad at all.
Dolores was a quiet and shy girl who avoided speaking in front of strangers—especially men. But she had changed significantly over the past two years. If someone initiated the conversation, she would respond out of courtesy. When asked for her opinion, she could be surprisingly articulate. On topics that interested her, she spoke with insight and confidence—qualities rare even among noble young ladies.
That was thanks to Weiwei's guidance. When she first arrived, Dolores was not only shy but also insecure. Neglected by her father, she hadn't received a proper education. The tutors hired were mediocre, and Dolores disliked reading. She was just an ordinary country noblegirl of modest capabilities.
But once Weiwei intervened, she subtly addressed Dolores's self-esteem issues, cultivated her interests, and encouraged her to read. With time, Dolores grew more knowledgeable and began engaging with the outside world. Slowly, she became the girl she was now.
She was like a piece of jade that had been carefully polished. She might not shine like a gemstone, but her quiet beauty was impossible to ignore once you got to know her.
As they walked and talked, Adonis listened as Dolores shared ideas—some immature, some surprisingly refreshing. He realized that beneath her quiet demeanor, she was quite capable of conversation on topics she cared about. She also seemed adept at managing household affairs, and her grasp of numbers rivaled that of educated men—an unexpected and impressive trait.
She was a clever girl. And Adonis happened to appreciate intelligence. More importantly, she didn't flaunt her smarts.
Adonis believed he had made a wise choice. Had he not invited her for this walk, he might have missed out on discovering a hidden gem.
As for Dolores, she was far too nervous to focus. Her mind was in a daze the entire time. She didn't even remember how she got back to her room, nor what they talked about.
Once she came back to her senses in her room, the first thing she did was throw herself onto the bed. Hugging the blanket, she rolled around in excitement, unable to hold back a few gleeful squeals.
She didn't remember much about the conversation—but she remembered what Adonis had said before leaving.
He said he wanted to invite her to be his dance partner at the banquet!
He wanted to invite her!
He agreed!!!
Dolores had hoped he would say yes, but the best she had imagined was Felix or Weiwei delivering the message: "Adonis agreed."
She hadn't expected him to personally, and seriously, extend the invitation—right in front of her!
She had no idea how she came across at that moment—was she awkward? Did she look silly? All she remembered was that she'd said yes, and then he had smiled. That dazzling smile had left her completely lightheaded. She couldn't even recall when he left.
So, once her excitement wore off, she immediately started worrying:
Had she looked too flustered? Did she seem immature? Would he regret inviting her?
The little girl tossed and turned between joy and anxiety, her expression changing by the minute.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she jumped up from the bed, ran barefoot to her wardrobe, and started rifling through her clothes.
She was so absorbed in her task that she didn't even hear the knock on the door.
Weiwei had already gotten word that Adonis had come to invite Dolores personally. Curious, she had even snuck up to one of the castle's high points and watched the two walking together in the courtyard garden for quite some time.
And now, after they'd returned, she waited a bit before heading over—eager to find out how things had gone.
Though she had secretly spied on them—even using a telescope—and seen that the two seemed to get along well, laughing and chatting during their walk, Weiwei still wanted to come in person and (shamelessly) dig for more details.
She knocked for quite a while, even resorting to pounding the door before Dolores finally opened it.
The girl's cheeks were rosy, her blue eyes sparkling like a rainbow after the rain or like the sunlit surface of the ocean—bright and dazzling. Her carefully braided hair was now a bit messy, with fine strands escaping, a far cry from her usual neat appearance.
Their eyes met, and Dolores immediately looked away, flustered.
Weiwei pointed inside. "May I come in?"
"Oh—of course." Dolores finally remembered her manners, opened the door wide, and stepped aside to let her in.
Stepping into the room, Weiwei's eyes quickly swept over the bed, now piled high with dresses. She could already guess what Dolores had been up to.
Dolores's room hadn't changed in layout since she was a child, but it had once been extremely bare. Neglected by her father, the servants didn't pay her much attention either, and no one cared what her room looked like.
Now, though, it had become what a noble young lady's room should be.
The ornate vanity was filled with various lotions and bottles. An opened jewelry box revealed exquisite accessories. On another side of the vanity were several silver and gold combs in various styles. The oval mirror set into the vanity—and the full-length mirror beside it—were both made of clear, high-quality glass, the kind that cost a fortune.
Beyond the dreamlike vanity setup, the rest of the room was elegantly decorated. Dolls and plush toys were placed here and there, adding a charming and girlish touch.
Weiwei sat down on the sofa and casually picked up the star-shaped pillow that had been occupying the seat, hugging it to her chest as she teased: "I heard Count Aldridge asked you out. So? How did it go?"
Dolores's face turned bright red as she shook her head. "It wasn't a date—we just went for a walk," she insisted. But the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her delight.
Weiwei had only come to see if Dolores's first real interaction with Adonis went smoothly, and what she thought of him. From the look on her face, it was obvious—Dolores hadn't found any flaws that dampened her interest. She was probably even more smitten.
Still, Weiwei didn't say much. For now, Adonis did seem like a good match. The fact that he had thought to approach Dolores and get to know her first was already a very promising sign.
She mentally gave him a few bonus points. "So… did he invite you to the ball?"
Dolores nodded shyly. "Yes, he did."
Perfect. That confirmed it—Count Aldridge was handling this with care and sincerity. A personal invitation to the ball was much more meaningful than if he'd sent a message through Felix. Weiwei raised his score even more.
Smart, tactful, from a compatible family… If this match worked out, Weiwei—playing matchmaker—would be more than pleased.
"So, you're picking out a dress for the ball?" Weiwei stood and walked over to the bed, surveying the array of clothes Dolores had laid out. She picked one up. "Weren't you already planning to wear this one?"
Dolores now had quite a wardrobe. Even just for the current season, she had at least a dozen suitable outfits, including many elegant gowns.
That might not sound like much by modern standards, but in this era, where commoners couldn't afford even one decent outfit, Dolores's closet—with dozens of pieces—was considered extremely lavish, even among noble ladies.
Yet it wasn't wasteful—most of Dolores's clothes were handmade by herself. They only cost fabric, and under Weiwei's influence, Dolores had developed a fondness for cotton rather than luxurious gold- and silver-threaded fabrics. She also didn't care for overly jeweled embellishments. Her favorite decorations were fabric flowers and lace trims, all crafted by herself and her maids. Cheap yet beautiful. Even if she had dozens of dresses, they likely cost less than a single gown from another noble girl made entirely of gold thread and encrusted with gems.
Moreover, Dolores was still growing. She had recently shot up in height and was now taller than Weiwei. Her older clothes no longer fit well, so making new ones was a necessity.
Antonio's full-month banquet had been planned long ago, and Dolores had already prepared her dress. She had even made one for Weiwei, who hadn't had the time. Weiwei had seen both dresses and instantly recognized the gown Dolores had originally planned to wear.
It was a sweet, adorable design: a long dress with lots of pleats, ruffled trim down the front, and an outer pink layer over a white underdress. Bows decorated the neckline and waist. With the support of a petticoat, the skirt formed a pretty bell shape—perfectly fitting Dolores's usual cute and youthful style.
Weiwei remembered that Dolores had been especially proud of this one. She had sewn every part herself—from the lace to the final trim—and had shown it off to Weiwei just to hear her praise it.
Although the pastel color wasn't Weiwei's taste, she had to admit it suited Dolores very well, and she hadn't held back her compliments. Dolores had blushed with joy.
But now she wasn't satisfied with it. Why?
"I think… it looks a bit childish," Dolores said, a little dejected.
She had just turned fourteen, and girls her age were already getting married. Their fashion leaned more toward maturity—deep reds and greens, not soft pinks. When she was in the capital, Dolores had overheard someone say her clothes looked too immature.
She knew it was probably jealousy—her dresses were prettier. And sure enough, not long after, the style she wore started trending in the capital. But she still remembered the snide remark from that noblewoman, made just loud enough for her to hear.
Before, she hadn't cared. Supported by her family, she always wore what she liked. But now, after receiving Adonis's invitation, she started second-guessing.
What if he thought she was childish too? Back in the capital, she had heard plenty of girls gossiping—everyone said men preferred mature women.
The thought that Adonis might dislike her style made her lose confidence. Suddenly, the dress she had loved didn't seem good enough. But no matter how she looked through her wardrobe, all her dresses followed the same youthful style. Not a single one could be considered "mature."
"So what should I do?" Dolores looked to Weiwei for help.
Weiwei sighed. She hadn't expected Dolores to start spiraling into insecurity so quickly. That wasn't a good sign.
Still, she needed comfort. "Don't worry. If he preferred mature women like everyone else, he wouldn't have invited you in the first place. He doesn't mind your style—or he wouldn't have asked you."
"But…"
"Alright, alright. If you're not happy with it, let's think of a way to tweak the dress a little. Time's short—we shouldn't waste it overthinking."
Weiwei rolled up her sleeves, hands on her hips, and stared at the pile of dresses.
Fixing up a dress last minute? Please, that's child's play!