CHAPTER 149: THE BEAUTIFUL DEVIL

Lydia was still brushing her hair. The strokes were slow, unhurried, as if she had all the time in the world. She sat at the small vanity table, her robe loosely tied, leaving the pale line of her neck bare. Each time the comb slid through her hair, the soft rustle seemed to echo in the quiet room.

Ivan was still sitting on the bed, leaning forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees. His eyes followed every movement she made, but his face was unreadable. He didn’t speak. He didn’t even blink often. It was as if the sight of her had trapped him in some invisible net he couldn’t escape.

A knock came at the door.

Without even turning around, Lydia said, "Come."

She said it like this was her room, her space, and Ivan was simply a guest.

The door opened and Katherine stepped in. She was holding a neatly folded set of fresh clothes for Lydia, along with a small box of jewelry. In her other hand, she carried a lamp, its soft light making her expression clear. She looked tense, almost nervous, as her eyes flickered between the two of them.

Her gaze lingered on Ivan for a moment before returning to Lydia.

"He doesn’t mind my presence," Lydia said casually, setting the brush down. Then she turned her head toward Ivan, her lips curling slightly. "Do you?"

Ivan didn’t answer.

Lydia’s smile widened, almost like she had been expecting his silence. She let out a short, amused giggle. "See?" she said to Katherine.

Then, as if she hadn’t noticed the stiffness in the room, she asked, "Dinner is almost ready, right?"

Katherine hesitated before answering. "Yes."

"Good," Lydia said. "Tonight will be a special dinner. Everyone should be perfect."

"Yes, Your Highness," Katherine replied quietly.

Lydia turned to Ivan again. "You’ll come, right? I want you to come. It’s going to be special."

Her tone wasn’t pleading. It wasn’t even a request. It was an invitation wrapped in command.

Ivan still said nothing, his gaze fixed somewhere on the floor.

Lydia didn’t wait for his reply. Instead, she turned back to Katherine. "Help me get dressed."

Katherine nodded slightly, but her eyes went from Lydia to Ivan again, like she wasn’t sure if she should do this here. Before she could voice her hesitation, Lydia added, "Let him watch. We are married, aren’t we? Plus, I don’t mind."

Katherine swallowed hard, looking more uneasy than before. "Yes, Your Highness."

The air in the room grew heavier as Katherine helped Lydia out of her robe. Ivan didn’t move from the bed. He just sat there, his hands loosely clasped, his eyes refusing to leave her.

Lydia knew he was staring. Of course she knew. Her lips curled into a faint smirk as she let Katherine fasten the soft white dress around her shoulders and waist. The fabric fell perfectly over her figure, the short sleeves leaving her arms bare except for the delicate gloves Katherine slid on afterward.

When Katherine was done, she lit the lamps in the room, filling it with warm, golden light. The soft shadows made the moment feel even more intimate, though nothing was being said.

"Dinner should be ready by now," Katherine said quietly.

Lydia didn’t answer her immediately. She walked toward Ivan, her steps slow and deliberate. Stopping in front of him, she tilted her head slightly. "I look pretty, right?"

Up close, the details were striking. The dress was white, almost pure, and the pearl jewelry rested perfectly against her skin. At first glance, she looked soft, gentle—like the Lydia she used to be when she dressed just to please him. But her eyes told a different story. There was a sharpness there now, a deliberate control.

"White is your favorite color, isn’t it?" she continued. "So I thought I’d dress to please you. So... how do I look?"

Ivan’s lips parted slightly, but no words came. What could he even say? She didn’t just look pretty. She looked otherworldly—so beautiful it hurt to look at her. And yet, the weight of her presence pressed on his chest, making it hard to breathe.

When his silence stretched, Lydia let out an exaggerated sigh. "Do you not want me here?"

His eyes lifted to hers. "Huh?"

She took a small step closer, then sat beside him on the bed. "You keep ignoring me," she said softly. "You’re not even talking to me. I’m sad. All I said was—do I look pretty?"

Ivan hesitated, his jaw tightening as if unsure whether to speak.

Leaning in closer, she lowered her voice. "Please don’t ignore me. I don’t like it. If you do..." she pouted faintly, "I’ll cry."

Then, without warning, she smiled again. "So... I look pretty, don’t I?"

He gave in. "You do. You look beautiful."

"Good boy," she said with a light giggle.

Standing up, she smoothed the skirt of her dress and glanced at him one last time. "Get ready for dinner." Then she walked out, her scent and warmth lingering behind her.

---

The dining room was already glowing under the light of chandeliers. Tonight’s meal looked more like a royal feast than a regular dinner. Silver trays of roasted meat, bowls of seasoned vegetables, baskets of bread, and plates of colorful desserts filled the long table.

Irina was already seated. Tatiana sat calmly in the seat to the right of where Ivan usually sat—the same seat Lydia had always used before.

Lydia entered with slow, graceful steps. Her dress moved like it was part of her, and her head was held high. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Tatiana.

Her voice, when she spoke, was cold enough to cut. "You’re in my seat."

Tatiana turned slightly toward her. "I thought you weren’t using it anymore."

"I never said that," Lydia replied without missing a beat. "It’s not my fault you’re dumb. Besides, I’m the Grand Duchess. I can sit wherever I want."

Tatiana’s hand clenched into a fist beneath the table, but her face remained calm, her smile forced and polite. "Sure thing, Your Highness." She began to move to the seat on the left side of Ivan’s place, but before she could sit, Lydia’s voice came again.

"Don’t sit there either."

Tatiana blinked, her patience clearly wearing thin. "What?"

"Why should you sit near my husband?" Lydia asked, her tone still smooth but laced with challenge. She nodded toward a seat farther down the table. "Move to the next seat."

"Yes, Your Highness," Tatiana said, her voice tight.

At that moment, Ivan walked in. His eyes caught on Lydia first, surprise flickering briefly across his face. She was seated in her old place, the one beside him, looking perfectly at ease.

He sat down without saying anything.

Lydia smiled at him, but it wasn’t the sweet, warm smile she used to give. This one had an edge to it. "Let’s have dinner," she said.