Chapter 12
“It’s been a while, Mrs. Lube. As you can see, my brother came with me today.”
Unlike the familiar way she greeted Aisha, Mrs. Lube greeted Edward with proper manners and a respectful tone. Some people found the contrast strange, but Mrs. Lube’s ability to adjust her words and actions based on each guest’s preferences was widely praised. As expected, both Aisha and Edward followed her into the special room for VIP guests without showing any discomfort.
“Please, have a seat. I’ve asked them to bring out some tea.”
The room Mrs. Lube led them to had several full-length mirrors and enough space in front of them to look over the dresses comfortably. There were curtains from ceiling to floor that could be used for changing, making it easy to show the dress to others right after wearing it. Aisha glanced at the various dresses hanging behind the half-opened curtain, but quickly turned her head when tea was placed in front of her.
“Please try it. It’s not as fine as what you drink at the Count’s house, but it’s a special tea I’ve been saving.”
As she offered the tea, Mrs. Lube also brought out several small fabric samples and design sketches. When Aisha lifted her cup and looked at the sketches, Mrs. Lube began to speak.
“You haven’t visited in such a long time that I started worrying my sense of fashion might be getting dull. I was so happy when you said you were coming today.”
“Thanks for welcoming us on such short notice. I heard that a new batch of blue fabric from Levant arrived, so I wanted to order a few summer dresses.”
“I already set aside some for you. But does the Lord need anything as well? I was told only about your dresses, but just in case, I prepared some men’s designs and reference materials too.”
“I’m fine. I came today just to see the dresses for Aisha, so you don’t need to worry about me.”
Hearing Edward’s answer, Mrs. Lube nodded and spread the design sketches on the table. The designs didn’t just show the dress style they also listed the fabric types, colors, and matching accessories in detail.
“These are really well-prepared There are so many that it’s hard to choose.”
“Your dresses are the pride of my boutique. Everyone, from me to our junior designers, makes at least one exclusive design for you every month.”
At that, Edward looked even more pleased than Aisha. While sitting stiffly at first, he relaxed a little and even started wondering if investing in the boutique might be a good idea.
Regardless of what her brother was thinking, Aisha focused on the sketches and shared her preferences. Mrs. Lube took notes on Aisha’s selected designs and gave quick instructions to the assistant standing nearby.
It took nearly two hours to complete the order. Mrs. Lube suggested Aisha try on some ready-made dresses, but Aisha smiled faintly and shook her head. The dresses had low necklines and some chest exposure perfect for summer but not something she wanted to wear in front of her older brother. She felt a little bad seeing Mrs. Lube’s disappointed face, but what could she do? She hated nagging.
“I’ll send someone over as soon as the dresses are ready.”
“Thanks for taking such care.”
“Of course. Please come again. If you’d rather not come here, I can visit your home too.”
Just like when they arrived, Mrs. Lube politely escorted the siblings out. But as they reached the entrance, she clapped her hands like she had remembered something.
“Oh! I almost forgot. Levant released another type of blue fabric that I haven’t shown you yet. It just arrived this morning. Since you’re already here, why don’t you take a look? The new color is lighter and gives a cooler feeling.”
“So Levant made a new blue fabric?”
“You probably haven’t heard yet. Only a few boutiques, including mine, have received it. It’s not officially on sale yet, and since the quality is good, the other shops are keeping quiet about it.”
“That’s useful to know. I should keep an eye on Levant’s fabric market. But why did they suddenly make something new?”
“It’s already been ten years since Levant’s blue fabric came out. No other blue has matched it, but relying on just one type of fabric was starting to be a risk. Other brands have improved their skills and created their own signature items. Levant seems to be reacting to that.”
Aisha agreed that it was worth taking a look at the new fabric and turned toward the couch. Just then, Edward quietly spoke up.
“Aisha.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll go outside and check on the carriage.”
His awkward expression made Aisha laugh without realizing it. Unlike her second brother Daniel, Edward didn’t complain, so she hadn’t noticed he was bored. But even her patient eldest brother seemed to be getting restless. Aisha nodded and told him,
“Okay. I’ll be out soon. Just wait a little.”
‘It’s completely different from ordering at home. Now I understand why Daniel hated it.’
After leaving the boutique and getting into the carriage, Edward shook his head. Sitting in a boutique was a lot harder, even for someone as patient as he was. And the strong scent of fabrics was overwhelming totally different from the ink smell he was used to. It even gave him a headache.
‘Looks like a late lunch today.’
He checked the time with the pocket watch in his coat and leaned back into the seat, closing his eyes. The street was noisy, but he figured resting until Aisha came wouldn’t be so bad. Just as he shut his eyes, he heard the boutique door open and several footsteps approaching.
“Did you see that? That was Aisha Parden, wasn’t it?”
“It was. Wow, how shameless. If it were me, I’d be too embarrassed to even go outside.”
Hearing his sister’s name through the open carriage window, Edward’s eyes flew open. He quickly hid behind the curtain and looked outside.
Three young women were walking in the direction of the carriage. Their gossip grew louder as they got closer, and Edward listened carefully.
“What are you talking about? Am I the only one who doesn’t know?”
“Oh my, Miss Rena, you haven’t heard? Aisha Parden’s engagement with Marquis Lloyd has been called off.”
“What? But they’ve known each other since they were kids. Now that I think about it, there were always rumors, but nothing ever happened. Something must have gone wrong.”
“You don’t know the half of it. They say Aisha Parden has been fooling around with several men. The Marquis found out and rejected the engagement.”
“Oh dear. How disgraceful.”
Edward’s face grew serious as he heard the women continue gossiping about Aisha. Unaware that anyone was listening, they chatted without pause while waiting for a public carriage.
After leaving the boutique, Edward took Aisha to a well-known restaurant. But his expression remained strangely grim throughout the meal. Aisha noticed and waited until the staff cleared the plates and brought tea and dessert before speaking.
“Brother, is something wrong?”
“Hm? What makes you say that?”
“Well, your face looks kind of dark.”
“Ah I was just thinking about some work. Anyway, look it’s your favorite strawberry cake. Try some.”
He smiled and shook his head at Aisha’s worried face. But inside, a fire of anger was burning.
‘So that kind of rumor is going around…’
Edward had no idea who the young ladies spreading gossip were. Since he often worked near the Crown Prince and knew many nobles by face, the fact that he didn’t recognize them suggested they weren’t from important families.
‘Rumors from nameless houses It won’t be easy to find where they started.’
After arriving at the restaurant, Edward secretly sent a note to Mrs. Lube’s boutique via the coachman. The note described the appearance of the three young women and asked who they were. Mrs. Lube wouldn’t want to lose such an important customer she would definitely reply.
‘Whoever it is, they’ll have to pay for this.’
Looking at Aisha enjoying her cake, Edward raised his teacup to cover his mouth and clenched his teeth. He didn’t usually care about gossip in high society. But if those filthy rumors were about his sister, it was a different story.
“Aisha.”
He calmed himself with a sip of hot tea before calling her name. Aisha looked up. With a calm expression, Edward asked,
“When you went to the Marquis Lloyd’s house recently, did something happen?”
Aisha paused, then smiled softly and shook her head. Her smile looked natural, but Edward didn’t miss the flicker in her eyes. Normally, he would let it go to avoid making her uncomfortable but not this time. He looked at her seriously and continued.
“Be honest with me. I don’t want to pressure you like Daniel does, but I’m worried.”
At his words, Aisha slightly opened her mouth, then closed it again. Her lips showed the stubbornness typical of the Parden family. Edward sighed quietly, took another sip of lukewarm tea, and made a stern face. But just as he was about to speak again, Aisha’s expression suddenly stiffened, and her pale blue eyes began to shake much more than before.
