FDSML CH 04

r Chapter 4

“What did you say?”

“You weren’t going to buy something someone else already bought anyway, were you? Don’t take it out on the staff—either pick something else or just leave.”

To anyone listening, it sounded brutally cold.

But to the clerk, those words were salvation.

Nanael’s tantrums were already infamous around the shopping district.

Lately, her reputation had gotten even worse—people said she raised a ruckus wherever she went.

Honestly, the moment the clerk saw her, she felt afraid.

So when the Duke of Ainruck himself stepped in, she was so grateful she could’ve cried.

“This one looks better. Has anyone bought it yet?”

Alperen tapped a random new item in the pamphlet.

The clerk quickly shook her head.

“No! No one has bought it yet!”

“Then we’ll take this. Bill the House of Ainruck.”

“Your Grace! What do you think you’re—!”

When Nanael started to protest, Alperen cut in, voice icy.

“You dragged me here just for appearances. This should be more than enough.”

“You—!”

“It means you’ve already used more of my time than I can give, Your Highness.”

His patience had clearly run out, and Nanael flinched.

Cold to his own fiancée—and now even a hint of menace.

That chill stung Nanael’s pride.

She knew perfectly well this was a formal engagement and that Alperen had no affection for her.

If not for the holy water issue, they would’ve broken the betrothal long ago.

She was the one who needed something from him; rather than bowing low, he kept his neck stiff—that was infuriating.

But he was one of the four ducal lords. Even with leverage, the imperial family couldn’t afford to make him an enemy. Nanael swallowed her fury.

“Funny enough, that’s what I was going to choose. You really know my taste.”

Nanael smiled sweetly, and the clerk hurried to wrap the shawl.

“Thanks for coming even though you’re busy. I’ll be going first. I want to look around some other shops.”

She handed the shopping bag to her maid and swept out.

Alperen didn’t care that he’d basically been abandoned.

Only after he was sure Nanael had left the floor did he tap on the curtain.

When he tried to pull it aside, it didn’t budge.

He chuckled and murmured,

“You can come out now, Deli.”

Rodelia’s small voice came back,

“The princess? Is she gone?”

“Yeah. She’s gone.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

After triple-checking, Rodelia eased the curtain open and poked her head out.

She glanced left and right, sighed in relief, and slipped from the fitting room.

“Don’t expect thanks. That was almost a disaster.”

She glared lightly at him as she smoothed her wrinkled clothes, grumbling under her breath.

Her face was flushed—she must’ve been really rattled.

Seeing that, Alperen’s fingers twitched.

Then he asked softly,

“Don’t tell me you did it on purpose?”

“Did what?”

“The shawl. The Third Princess was about to buy that exact one.”

He jerked his chin toward her shopping bag.

Caught dead on, Rodelia jumped.

“T-t-that’s ridiculous! How would I know what she was going to pick? I’m not a mind reader!”

She babbled excuses.

“I’ve been waiting for this one forever, okay? I called dibs the second I saw it. Look—doesn’t it look like it was made for me?”

She even pulled the shawl out and draped it around herself—so over-the-top it was like she was shouting, I’m the culprit! with her whole body.

What is she thinking? Makes me want to peek into that cute head of hers.

Alperen barely held back a laugh.

The clerk had said Lady Ferris ordered without even seeing the pamphlet.

If he pointed that out now… what would happen?

The thought alone was funny, but Rodelia looked ready to short-circuit.

Her shifty eyes and scrambling excuses were too adorable.

He considered teasing her more, but the Third Princess might come back any moment.

It was better to get Rodelia out safely now.

“True. Must’ve been a coincidence.”

“Exactly! That’s what I said!”

She huffed and stuffed the shawl back into the bag.

Alperen smiled lazily and held out his hand.

“I’ll take you home.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be at training?”

“It’s probably over by now.”

He lied smoothly, and gullible Rodelia took his hand at once.

“Honestly, my legs were shaking at the thought of going alone.”

“So you were scared.”

“I was not.”

She pouted and tugged his arm.

Letting himself be dragged along, Alperen chuckled.

She’s just too cute.

The long-awaited debutante day drew near.

Dressed to match the villainess’s taste, the look screamed extravagance.

I usually prefer clean, simple designs, so this felt awkward.

“Is it… too much?”

“Too much? Not at all! It suits you perfectly. Mei has dreamed of a day like this!”

My close maid, Mei, practically snorted steam as she launched into a speech.

“Honestly, my lady, you’re far too frugal! Other young ladies never wear a dress twice, but you? You wear the same one again and again.”

“Comfort is king.”

“Anyway, it pains Mei that she never got to play dress-up with you.”

“Normally, you keep thoughts like that inside, Mei.”

“Then let’s pretend I said it in my head!”

With great conviction, Mei added another swipe of lip gloss.

Mei had been with me since I was little—practically a friend.

So we were this casual with each other.

She could be a little eccentric, but she was fun to have around.

Once we finished, Adrian knocked.

“Oh, wow—who’s this? Did an angel just descend? No, wait. Our Deli was an angel from the start!”

As he showered me with praise, the butler chimed in.

“Indeed, you are most beautiful, Lady Rodelia. How you’ve grown…”

He even dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief, leaving me embarrassed.

“Okay, enough. People will think something’s wrong if they hear you.”

“Anyone who dares insult Deli dies by my hand.”

The butler backed him up.

“Leave the cleanup to me. No one will ever know.”

“This won’t do. You’re too pretty. All the weirdos will stare only at Deli. Good thing I came prepared.”

Adrian fished out a ridiculous hat.

A wide-brimmed thing covered in tiny flowers—about as tasteful as an old pair of baggy pants.

In short, it clashed horribly with the dress.

Where did he even buy that? Honestly, the seller’s worse than the buyer.

I was still doubting my eyes when Adrian approached.

Mei threw out her arms to block him, face set like she’d accepted death.

“Surely you don’t mean to put that strange hat on her?”

“That’s exactly what I mean.”

“I forbid it. It doesn’t go with my styling.”

“Move.”

Adrian grinned.

Warnings given with a smile are the scariest kind.

After a few seconds of resistance, Mei’s eyes watered as she looked to me for help.

She’d worked hard to make me pretty; she couldn’t let it be ruined.

Honestly, I hated that hat too…

So it fell to me to persuade my brother.

“Oppa, I like how I look right now.”

“But…”

“If any weirdos approach, you’ll scare them off, right? I’ve been counting on you.”

At my smooth line, Adrian’s expression melted.

A moment later he said, teary-eyed,

“Deli, I didn’t know you trusted me that much.”

I don’t, actually.

But if I didn’t say that, I’d have to wear that cursed hat.