Chapter 10
Inside the shop, two women — so beautiful it almost hurt to look at them — were glaring daggers at each other.
I froze on the spot.
Every instinct I had screamed that I should not go in there. Turning to Mrs. Reman, I said carefully,
“Should we… maybe look somewhere else first?”
“Hmm? Oh, no. This place is the most popular one these days,” Mrs. Reman replied cheerfully, oblivious to the tension as she glanced around the store.
Near the counter, someone peeked their head out from a small door. Mrs. Reman’s face brightened immediately.
“There she is. Miss Selene, would you please take a seat on the sofa for a moment? I’ll go have a word with the madam.”
I awkwardly sat down.
Which, unfortunately, meant I got front-row seats to what promised to be the most entertaining catfight in the world.
I can already tell.
Ridiculously pretty faces, dazzling hair colors so bright they almost hurt the eyes—
These two were definitely the main characters.
The one with pink hair and pink eyes — innocent and cute — must be the female lead.
“Lady Viviana, I don’t think this dress really suits you.”
And the red-haired, blue-eyed one with that sharp, confident look — obviously the villainess.
“And do you, Lady Eloi, even have the money to buy it?”
Every line they threw at each other sparked like lightning.
I had the overwhelming feeling that I should not get involved in this. I quietly pulled at my skirt and hunched down.
I’m invisible. Just furniture. Please, no one notice me…
Mrs. Reman, who’d said she’d only be a minute, had long disappeared into the back.
Naturally, the fight in front of me continued, their voices filtering straight into my ears.
“Even if you buy that dress, it’ll just sit in your closet! The dress deserves better!”
“Isn’t it worse if someone wears it every single day? I feel bad for the dress.”
Neither was backing down.
Whoa, intense. But…
I tilted my head.
What exactly are they fighting over?
I took a careful look at the dress between them.
Not great.
I wasn’t exactly a fashion expert, but I knew what looked good — and this wasn’t it.
It was a dark brown dress with horizontal lace ruffles across the chest and scattered white gems that clashed horribly. The skirt was way too puffy.
Why would anyone fight over that?
See, one of my secret hobbies back home was commenting on those “Help me choose!” posts online.
Lying in bed and picking out cute clothes and accessories for strangers was weirdly fun — and I’d gotten good at it.
All that experience was telling me one thing:
I really want to pick something else for them.
But I wasn’t stupid. There was only one safe move here:
Look down.
I kept my gaze firmly on my knees, though I couldn’t help worrying that maybe all the dresses here were as awful as that one.
Surely not. Right?
Just a peek.
I sneaked a glance at the dresses hanging on the wall. Fortunately, most of them were much better.
Phew.
But maybe looking up was my mistake — because the two girls suddenly turned toward me at the same time.
“Then let’s ask this young lady.”
“Excellent idea.”
“My lady, what do you think?”
…Excuse me? What?
“…Me?” I squeaked.
Eloi smiled sweetly. She really was beautiful — the kind of face only a heroine could have.
“My lady, listen to this. The moment I saw this dress on the mannequin, it caught my eye! So I told the madam I’d like to try it on.”
“Ah… I see.”
“But while I was in the fitting room—this person just snatched it up!”
“Oh dear…” I said, giving my best sympathetic reaction.
Viviana tilted her head and cut in smoothly,
“And what’s the point of trying it on when she clearly won’t buy it? I paid first, so the dress is mine, isn’t it?”
“Ooh…” I murmured, pretending to think.
Maybe if I answered fast, they’d leave sooner.
I took a cautious breath.
“Well… this is just my personal opinion, but…”
“Please, tell us,” they said together, eyes glittering.
Their combined beauty was almost blinding.
Swallowing hard, I managed to say,
“I just… don’t think the dress is that pretty.”
Both glanced at the dress, then back at me.
“I mean… the color’s kind of… off?”
Sweating under their gaze, I stammered on,
“For you”—I nodded to Eloi—“since you have pink hair, something softer or maybe a matching pink tone would suit you better. Like, that one over there…”
I pointed to a dress hanging nearby. Eloi turned to look.
“And you”—I nodded to Viviana—“since your eyes are blue, something in a blue shade would look amazing. You’ve got striking features, so it’d suit you. Maybe that one…?”
Before I could finish, Viviana grabbed the suggested dress and looked around.
“Where’s the clerk? I’ll take it.”
Judging by her satisfied tone, I’d nailed it.
Good. Now they’ll leave, and I can finally shop in peace.
Sure, I’d just spoken directly to the main characters, but that didn’t mean I was involved, right?
…Right? Please?
Once things calmed down, the clerks reappeared and helped them pay. Mrs. Reman and the shop owner returned too.
“Shall we take your measurements, miss?”
A clerk approached me with a measuring tape.
“Please step behind the partition to get your size, and we’ll try a few ready-made pieces.”
Arms full of dresses, I trudged toward the fitting room.
***
When I came out dressed, the two women were sitting side by side on the sofa, watching me.
“What’s going on now?” I muttered.
Eloi beamed at me.
“Since you picked a dress for me, I’ll return the favor.”
Viviana crossed her arms.
“Two people picking is better than one.”
“You don’t have to listen to Lady Viviana. If Mrs. Reman and I choose, it’ll be perfect.”
“No, I and Mrs. Reman will be choosing.”
Strangely enough, the two who had been at each other’s throats moments ago were suddenly perfectly in sync — at least when judging my outfits.
Thanks to that, I chose my dress quickly.
“Thank you,” I said with a polite bow.
Eloi smiled.
“By the way, my lady, what’s your name?”
“Selene Wedon,” I replied.
Wedon? Waden? I keep mixing that up.
At my answer, the two exchanged glances, then gracefully spread their skirts in greeting.
“I’m Eloi Callat, daughter of Baron Callat.”
“Viviana Erileon, of House Erileon, the Marquess family.”
I just wanted to go home, so I slipped out while they whispered to each other.
As I approached the carriage, someone called behind me,
“Miss Selene!”
“Yes?”
Eloi ran up and clung to my arm.
“It must be fate that we met today. Let’s go have tea together!”
I laughed awkwardly and tried to pull my arm free.
“Oh ho ho… I, uh, already had tea before coming out.”
Viviana promptly grabbed my other arm.
“Then dessert, perhaps? There’s a lovely place I know.”
“Oh, perfect! Lady Viviana knows all the best spots — she’s so good at spending money.”
I’m… not going.
Neither of them listened to my refusal.
To make matters worse, Mrs. Reman excused herself for another appointment — leaving me in their “care.”
So there I was, being dragged along by both arms, while they chatted away.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you in the capital before.”
“Ah, yes. I just came from the countryside…”
Trying to avoid suspicion, I used the “I’m from the countryside” excuse.
“Oh my! I came from the countryside too! Let’s explore new places together!”
“I was born and raised in the capital. I’ll show you around.”
“You must be tired of the capital, then. Why not stay home?”
“And you, Lady Eloi — aren’t you busy exploring your own mansion? Perhaps you should stay there.”
The two began glaring at each other again — with me stuck in the middle.
I just want to go home…
Then, as we walked, a gilded carriage stopped beside us.
The door swung open, and a neatly dressed man stepped out.
“So, here you both are…”
“Tch.”
Both women clicked their tongues and turned away.
Who the heck was this now?
“Please, get in,” he said curtly.
They obeyed immediately, stepping into the carriage.
Wait.
Why am I getting in too?!
Before I knew it, I was seated inside as well.
“I— I have to go home! My rabbit-like—!”
—pillow and blanket are waiting for me!!
But my desperate plea was drowned out by the sound of the horses.
***
Some time later, I sat in a reception room so luxurious “fancy” didn’t even begin to describe it.
Before me was a man with golden hair, so handsome it almost didn’t seem real.
“I didn’t expect to meet you like this, Lady Wedon.”
No kidding.
“I am Noel Bradford, Crown Prince of the Empire.”
