Chapter 008
The next day, my father sent me to the most famous tailor in the capital under the pretext of fitting a wedding dress.
The party consisted of four people: Iswen, the advisor to the duke; Paiden; and my attendant maid, Apple.
Demian, who had been beaten up by Iswen yesterday, locked himself in his room and didn’t come out.
There were two carriages departing from the mansion.
Apple and I took one carriage, while Iswen and Paiden took the other.
Apple, sitting across from me, looked out the window and muttered,
“…They all lack any sense of conscience.”
Apple had heard all the details when I returned to the mansion last night.
“Still clinging to that tree and planning to marry you off? They must be completely out of their minds.”
With a face pale from anger, Apple trembled. Normally, she held back harsh words to avoid worrying me, but at that moment, she seemed ready to run to my father and confront him.
Fortunately, Apple didn’t go to push my father off the balcony.
“No, still, Duke Raslet is a good person.”
At that, Apple turned her gaze from the window to me. Her warm brown eyes were fixed on me.
“You only see the positive side of people.”
Though her tone was blunt, there was affection in her gaze. I smiled to reassure her.
Apple was the one who saw me positively.
If she knew how many flaws I found in the mirror, or how suffocating it felt to sit at the dinner table surrounded by my family’s undeniable flaws, she wouldn’t say such things.
“He really was a good person.”
Apple sighed softly and eventually agreed with me.
“There must be a reason you’ve said that twice.”
But still, don’t trust people too much. The moment she said that, the carriage came to a stop.
We arrived at the tailor’s shop.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
A beautiful blonde woman standing in front of the shop smiled at me. She was Lathilde, the owner of the shop.
Lathilde ran the tailor shop under her own name and was the most famous dressmaker in the capital.
Originally, she was invited to the mansion to fit my clothes, but today my father deliberately scheduled an appointment at her shop.
This was to spread rumors about the marriage as much as possible.
The story of my marriage to Sioden had somehow transformed into a love story that transcended the rivalry between our families. It had been scattered far and wide.
Even I, who was late to the news, soon learned of it.
However, those who knew about Rowen’s cruelty and that my father had poisoned the previous Duke Raslet could only wear expressions of ambivalence, neither fully supporting nor completely despising it.
Just like Lathilde now.
“I see the young lord has come as well.”
Lathilde, who couldn’t hide her troubled eyes despite her smile, greeted Iswen as he got off the carriage and led us into the shop.
“I’ve cleared the entire second floor instead of the first floor, where customers usually come and go.”
Lathilde said as she ascended the stairs ahead of us.
Paiden, my father’s advisor and faithful overseer, puffed up with pride as soon as we reached the second floor.
“You told me to make it splendid.”
He stroked his mustache, which he considered his greatest pride, although no one else thought it was impressive.
I thought he would surely receive some harsh words from Iswen for that.
Despite both being my father’s pawns, Iswen and Paiden did not get along well. I had never heard the reasons, but I could guess some parts.
Iswen disliked anything loud or oblivious.
Paiden had both qualities.
“Enough to match Rowen’s name. To make you look like the most radiant bride of the year…”
“Stop.”
As expected, Iswen interrupted Paiden mid-sentence.
“My father has spoken to me as well, so you should remain quiet.”
He then addressed Lathilde, who was diligently preparing various fabrics while Paiden rambled on.
“Isn’t that fabric too thin?”
Lathilde was spreading pure white silk on the long table.
With a calm smile that exudes professionalism, she replied, “This material is the most popular for wedding dresses.”
“It seems it should be at least brocade.”
That was when Paiden chimed in.
“The lord insisted on using the most beautiful fabric without exception.”
Iswen silently turned to Paiden. His eyes suggested he wanted to drag him straight to the training hall, just as he did with Demian.
Reading the atmosphere, Lathilde spoke up.
“There is a silk that is slightly thicker but looks very similar to this one. If we add a thermal lining underneath, it will appear warm.”
Her unwavering smile showcased her expertise.
Just as Iswen was about to say something, Paiden interrupted again.
“Won’t layering the fabric make one look bulky?”
In an instant, the entire second floor fell silent.
Though “the entire floor” only included our party, Lathilde, and the shop staff, at that moment, it felt as if everyone was united in thought. Everyone present glared at Paiden with cold eyes.
Especially Apple, who stood next to me, looked at him with an expression of utter disgust.
Apple had disliked Paiden for a long time. There were many reasons, but the biggest one was that she hated how he fawned over my father.
Noticing the atmosphere had turned cold, Paiden rolled his eyes and cleared his throat.
“Uh, um. I just want you to look your best, my lady…”
“Did my father ask you to evaluate the appearance of his daughter?”
“No, he did not.”
“Then I would appreciate it if you would refrain from speaking so boldly.”
Lathilde forced a smile as she spoke.
“You’re so slender that you needn’t worry about such things. It’s easy to ensure the lining doesn’t show.”
Fortunately, Paiden didn’t speak again, preventing his tearful attempts to lighten the mood from going to waste.
With Paiden silent, the only one expressing opinions was Iswen, allowing the process to move quickly.
After deciding on the dress’s detailed decorations, double-checking that the recorded measurements were accurate, and ordering a white fur outer garment to wear if needed, Iswen concluded the matter.
As we headed downstairs, I heard voices, suggesting someone had visited the tailor shop.
I hoped it wouldn’t be someone difficult to face. That thought crossed my mind.
I was already exhausted from having my clothes fitted. I had no energy for social conversations with others.
Considering the gazes around us, I held Iswen’s hand as we descended the stairs when someone approached us briskly.
“Ella.”
It was a familiar voice. Startled, I looked over the railing to see Sioden looking up at me.
His gaze, which met mine, then shifted to Iswen beside me. His brow slightly furrowed.
It was as if he realized he had made some mistake.
“Lady Rowen.”
From his correction of my title, I understood what mistake he felt he had made.
“May I have a moment to speak with you?”
It was a bit sad that he treated me so coldly, but I had things I wanted to say to him as well.
However, before I could respond, Iswen interjected.
“I’m sorry, but my lord.”
He slightly raised the hand he was holding, as if to show Sioden.
“My sister is planning to return to the mansion with me.”
Sioden’s expression turned icy in an instant. I was a bit surprised by the change. Until now, I thought his stiff expression was the extent of his displeasure.
But now it seemed that Sioden could wear an even colder expression.
“I did not ask you, my lord.”
“My lord, just because Iella likes you doesn’t mean everyone in Rowen thinks the same.”
Iswen continued down the stairs. Since he still held my hand, I followed him, almost being dragged along.
As we passed Sioden, Iswen smirked slightly.
“Until the ceremony is over, Iella is a Rowen person. If you wish to talk, you should make an appointment and come to the mansion.”
His mocking demeanor clearly revealed his ill intentions.
As I exited the tailor shop following Iswen, I heard Sioden’s voice from behind.
“Lady, it will only be a moment. I won’t take up too much of your time.”
Iswen tightened his grip on my hand as if to prevent me from responding. The only thing I could do was turn my head as far back as possible.
“I’ll see you later.”
Sioden looked at me with a mix of slight disappointment, confusion, and an emotion I couldn’t quite name.
After that, I received no further contact from Raslet.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Instead of Sioden, someone else came to visit.
As I opened the drawing-room door, a man waiting inside turned to look at me.
“Iella.”
I saw the face of a young man with golden blonde hair and light blue eyes.
It was Aiden, who looked somewhat haggard for some reason.
