Chapter 20
The salon was vast, and the variety of dresses on display reflected its grandeur.
Most salons maintained a uniform style for their dresses, adhering to a single aesthetic, but Helen’s salon embraced a multitude of designs.
It was clear why people of all ages and genders adored her creations.
Though each dress had a distinct look, they all carried the signature elegance Helen intended. It was a rare opportunity to experience her artistic range firsthand.
Having already scanned Lillian earlier and grasped her preferences in an instant, Helen guided them to the second floor.
Following the pink signs, they entered a space as sweet and charming as the color itself. Had the real Lillian seen this, her eyes would have sparkled with excitement.
Ribbons adorned the bodices, lace fluttered along the hems, and the dresses radiated an undeniable delicacy and cuteness.
Even though these designs were far from Lillian’s personal taste, she couldn’t deny how exquisite Helen’s craftsmanship was.
“They’re so beautiful! It’s as if they were all made just for me!”
She clapped her hands together, exclaiming in a way that Lillian herself might have done.
Daisy and Helen took it upon themselves to hold up different dresses against her.
Daisy marveled at how everything seemed to suit her perfectly, while Helen, though more reserved in her praise, appeared to silently agree.
Each dress was wonderful. This one was good, that one was even better—how could they all be so perfect?
The two of them enthusiastically gave a thumbs-up with every dress they selected, piling them up in the process.
Before Lillian knew it, an overwhelming number of dresses had been chosen.
“You just need to remove the ones you don’t like.”
“…Rather than picking my favorites, I’m eliminating the ones I don’t want?”
“Yes!”
Daisy’s confident response left Lillian speechless. Understandably so—there were simply too many dresses.
Feeling slightly overwhelmed, she hesitantly began sorting through them, setting aside those that seemed too extravagant or cumbersome to move in.
Even after narrowing them down to about a dozen, it still felt excessive. However, Daisy and Helen’s visible disappointment every time she removed one made it difficult to discard any further.
Daisy, now holding the remaining selection, suggested she try them on in the fitting room.
Lillian was taken aback. Even with two people carrying them, there were so many dresses that some had to be hung on the back of a chair.
“…All of them?”
“It won’t take long. The dresses are designed for easy fitting.”
Fortunately, Helen’s salon specialized in gowns optimized for quick changes, making it possible to try them on alone.
Of course, some finer details—such as precise adjustments to the fit or sleeve length—would need to be considered separately.
“There’s no need to try them on. Just purchase them all.”
The previously silent man suddenly spoke, his words leaving everyone momentarily stunned.
Lillian, who had been following Helen toward the fitting room, froze in place. Daisy and Helen also halted in their tracks.
He was suggesting that she buy every single dress without even trying them on.
Ersivan met their bewildered stares with a nonchalant shrug, his expression radiating utter confidence.
“There’s no need to waste time.”
“…Ah. Yes, I nearly forgot how much Your Highness values efficiency.”
Helen, recognizing that she had nothing to lose in this situation, wisely refrained from arguing. Instead, her eyes gleamed as she recalled the generous compensation he had mentioned earlier.
She quickly summoned an employee and instructed them to mark down all the selected dresses for purchase.
The staff member, confirming that this was all for a single client, appeared momentarily astonished. Stealing a quick glance at Lillian, they efficiently recorded the order before stepping away.
“Now then, shall we take your measurements, Lady Mernard? This way, please.”
Led into a private room, Lillian complied with the request and removed her outer garments.
She shed her shawl, skirt, and the mid-layer of her dress, leaving only her chemise and drawers.
Helen, holding a measuring tape, diligently noted down each measurement, moving from one part of her body to the next.
It wasn’t until she finished measuring Lillian’s neck that she finally set the tape aside.
“You’re far too thin, Lady Mernard. I strongly recommend eating more nourishing meals. While it may look aesthetically pleasing, your health should come first.”
Helen, assisting her in putting her dress back on, spoke in a concerned tone, motioning toward her waist.
Despite the ribbon tie being relatively short, there was still excess fabric left over. If exaggerated, she could have wrapped it around twice and still tied a bow.
Lillian could only smile awkwardly and nod.
“If you’re still this thin the next time I see you, I’ll be sure to mention it to the Duke. Honestly, you look like you could be blown over by the wind.”
With her measurements taken, they returned to the dress room.
“That ended rather quickly. If Lady Mernard is interested, would you like to explore another section? Truthfully, my specialty lies elsewhere.”
Helen gestured toward the staircase leading to the upper floor. The sign at the top was purple, indicating an entirely different aesthetic from the one below.
As they ascended, the atmosphere shifted. The dresses displayed here had a distinct elegance, and even the mannequins were different in shape from those downstairs.
The dominant styles were mermaid and princess gowns, designed to accentuate the wearer’s silhouette, exuding a refined, graceful aura.
Compared to the vibrant colors Lillian had worn thus far, the palettes here were much more subdued.
“Oh, that’s right! My lady mentioned wanting to try a different style!”
“Is that so? Then we should select a few from here as well. Take your time and look around.”
The moment Helen finished speaking, Lillian moved forward without hesitation.
As though entranced, she admired the dresses, carefully inspecting the fabrics and even draping a few over herself with Helen’s permission.
Since she couldn’t select too many, she had to be discerning. But the problem was… every single one was breathtaking.
She found herself thinking that she would rather wear just two of these gowns repeatedly than cycle through an entire wardrobe of the previous ones.
“It seems our lady has discovered a newfound appreciation for this style.”
“Of course. Lady Mernard would look stunning in anything, so just admiring the dresses is a delight.”
Daisy and Helen were pleased to see her taking an interest in a different aesthetic. However, Ersivan had a different perspective.
In truth, it seemed this style suited her preferences far more from the start.
“You seem quite taken with them.”
Ersivan, now standing beside her, murmured.
At that moment, Lillian’s grip on the dress she was holding slackened.
Diana bit her lip gently before answering calmly, even managing to smile at him as if unaffected.
Had she been too obvious? Shopping—especially for something purely to her taste—was a first for her, and she couldn’t deny she had been rather excited.
“Is that so? Now that I think about it, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you in such a dress before.”
Ersivan smiled as well. It was an arrogant smirk that perfectly suited the word conceit. Unconsciously, Diana took a step back.
Whenever he wore that expression, he was bound to cause trouble…
“Helen, make a record of every dress my fiancée looked at. I intend to purchase them all.”
“…Pardon?”
“Have them delivered to my estate as soon as they are ready. The faster, the better. I shall pay extra for the urgency.”
As expected, he had caused a major incident before Diana could even protest.
“I hope you had a pleasant time today. Please have a safe journey home. The dresses will be delivered to the Duke of Valencia’s estate as soon as they are prepared.”
Helen’s voice was noticeably more spirited as she saw the three of them off.
Judging by her enthusiastic tone, today’s earnings must have been substantial. Unlike when they had first met, her expression now carried a polished, businesslike smile.
“Evan, would you mind telling me the total amount spent today? Since these were purchased for me, I’d like to reimburse you in full.”
Seated in the carriage, the first thing Diana asked was this.
Ersivan, upon hearing her question, turned to her with an incredulous look. His thick eyebrows twitched momentarily, suggesting his displeasure.
Yet Diana did not retract her words. She had anticipated this reaction from his prideful nature, so it hardly surprised her.
Receiving something from him unsettled her. Regardless of their engagement, the fact that he had spent such an extravagant sum so easily made her suspect ulterior motives.
The situation had happened too suddenly for her to stop him, and while she did like the dresses, she would feel much better if she could at least repay him.
It wasn’t an amount beyond what her family estate could handle. And if it came to it, she could always supplement the funds with a portion of Lillian’s assets.
“It is an engagement gift. There is no need to feel burdened.”
“But I have given Your Highness nothing in return. I do not wish for this to be one-sided. If you are not deliberately trying to make me feel indebted, then please do not refuse my offer.”
Ersivan shook his head slightly at her firm response.
Even he knew that fulfilling his own selfish desires came with a cost.
In other words, if he wished to see her in those dresses, then he had to bear the expense himself.
“I understand your feelings, so I shall not outright refuse. However, instead of repaying me with money, would you be willing to compensate me through our contract terms?”
“…Contract terms?”
“As the future Duchess, you are to oversee the management of the ducal estate.”
The terms he referred to were the conditions outlined in their marriage negotiations.
For example, The House of Mernard shall support the House of Valencia in establishing a presence in high society.
Even so, Diana did not seem entirely pleased with his offer.
“Please, just let this one go, Lily.”
With that, Ersivan sealed the matter.
Yes, Lillian would undoubtedly let this pass. Her dear sister—so sweet and kind—would not be able to resist when faced with such a desperate plea.
Playing the part of Lillian, Diana reluctantly nodded.
“Very well. Please, wear them freely and without hesitation. I truly wish to see you in those dresses, Lily.”
Moments later, Ersivan smiled brightly. Not his usual playful grin, but one that seemed utterly sincere.
Even Diana, who had grown adept at discerning his every pretense, could tell that this time, it was genuine.
And that only unsettled her further.
The thought that he genuinely wished to see Lillian dressed in the gowns he had chosen for her…
It left an odd feeling lingering within her.
For now, though, she decided to let it go.
