Episode 25
‘For a while?’
Autumn’s ears perked up at the unfamiliar phrase that wasn’t agreed upon beforehand.
Caitlyn was jotting down Autumn’s measurements in a small notebook while mumbling softly.
“Hmm~ You’re taller than I expected? Was I mistaken because you always wore such high heels?”
Autumn hadn’t anticipated that she’d even have a rough idea of Rosalynne’s measurements.
In a flash, Autumn stepped slightly behind Seymourlin, as if trying to shield her own trust.
“…This is a bit overwhelming.”
“Don’t be so tense. Consider this a small favor, with a touch of my personal luxury.”
Caitlyn glanced over the design of the clothes Autumn was wearing and continued,
“Ah, this is Madame Coco’s design, isn’t it?”
Despite Autumn’s cautious, almost defensive gaze, Caitlyn paid no mind.
“It probably is. This color, and that bluish dress, wasn’t it the one you wore two summers ago? I heard the loans tripled… no, quadrupled after that.”
Pausing mid-sentence, Caitlyn elegantly walked back to her wardrobe and returned with a selection of dresses.
She picked the one that would suit Autumn the most and handed it over.
“So please accept this. It’s not just a simple gesture of goodwill.”
Rosalynne Kiss was that kind of woman.
The kind whose name alone could triple the value of a dress—just because she wore it.
“So for now, go in and try this on.”
But Autumn wondered whether it was necessary to change clothes in a place where no one else was around.
“I’m fine, really—”
“If it’s just my brother, maybe, but His Highness Theodore is downstairs as well.”
But her opponent was a seasoned woman who seemed to read Autumn’s thoughts with ease.
“Still, he is royalty after all. Wouldn’t it be best for our VIP guest—uh, I mean, His Highness—to see Lady Rosalynne dressed a bit more formally?”
With a playful wink, Caitlyn whispered into Autumn’s ear.
“Randell isn’t the type to care about these details. Just bear with it a little, okay?”
“Come on now, go ahead.”
A few minutes later, Autumn emerged wearing the dress Caitlyn had picked out.
“Much better.”
There was a similar dress in Autumn’s own wardrobe.
But the subtle differences in Caitlyn’s version made Autumn’s charm stand out all the more.
‘She’s right.’
The deep navy dress was made of fine-quality fabric.
After wearing black for so long, even a little bit of color looked stunning.
‘Autumn, go pick out something to wear for the outing. Since I’ll be the one wearing it, it needs to suit my taste, right?’
In the past, with just one sentence like that from Rosalynne, Autumn would quietly step into a boutique.
‘Please, just give me something plain and unnoticeable.’
‘Something comfortable that someone from the countryside might wear is fine.’
Now, Autumn could understand why Rosalynne had scolded her when she sent those dull dresses to the marquis’ house.
‘Oh Autumn, are you repeating exactly what I did when I first arrived in the capital?’
‘Why? Don’t you think it’s pretty? The fabric is high quality too.’
‘As long as I’m comfortable, it’s fine.’
—Rustle.
Caitlyn helped smooth out the last bit of Autumn’s dress and muttered,
“Besides, I have a debt to repay you—something that’s been weighing on my heart.”
Her voice was quiet yet firm.
With a slight smile that was difficult to read, Caitlyn returned to her vanity to resume her unfinished makeup.
While lifting her dark blue hair to fix her style, she spoke casually.
“So… how long are you staying this time?”
“Was there any talk between you and my brother about… how long this relationship would last?”
“It seems you’ve misunderstood something…”
Autumn replied calmly.
“Sir Randell and I are not like that.”
“Hmm… I guess not. You are rather famous, after all.”
Finally finished with her makeup, Caitlyn glanced at herself in the mirror, then walked gracefully toward Autumn.
—Click clack.
“Nice to meet you again. Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Caitlyn of the Bellucci family. I’ve known Randell since we were children.”
Caitlyn gave Autumn’s hand a polite shake.
Then, in a whisper only close bystanders could hear, she murmured,
“And… I know everything.”
That was it.
The smile Autumn had forced on her face stiffened instantly.
‘What does she mean by that?’
Gripping the dress fabric tightly with both hands, a cold sweat formed on Autumn’s palms, betraying her unease.
A whirlwind of thoughts crossed her mind.
As though reading her, Caitlyn teased with a sly smile.
“I only receive the script right before the curtain rises, just like the other actors—it’s kept strictly secret until then.”
Only now did Autumn realize that this ‘Miss Caitlyn’ was the same one Huson had mentioned before.
‘That’s right. She also knows the playwright’s identity. Within the troupe—or perhaps even more than that, she must be someone important to him.’
“Well… how much are you being paid for this performance? There might be things going on in the theater even my brother doesn’t know about…”
Her detailed words made Autumn quietly exhale a breath she’d been holding in.
‘Wow, I really was startled.’
Then Caitlyn playfully winked and added,
“Oh, and I even know the measurements of our secretive lady.”
“…That’s a bit much.”
“So you don’t need to hide anything from me. Chances are, if you know it, I do too.”
With calm confidence, Caitlyn gently guided Autumn out of the room.
“My father invested when my brother bought the theater, so I hold a bit of ownership. I’ll be taking over his business soon, so I have to know what’s going on here.”
Caitlyn turned to Autumn with a sharp glance.
“Think of me as your slightly foolish younger sister. I plan to be here every weekend from now on.”
“What? Did you say every weekend…?”
“You can go now! I’ll see you downstairs in a bit.”
With that, Caitlyn gave Autumn a nudge out the door.
Dressed up prettily and left alone in the wide hallway, Autumn could only stand there, dumbfounded, staring back at Caitlyn.
Her eyes widened at Caitlyn’s parting words.
With a meaningful smile, Caitlyn said,
“I need my brother, and right now, he needs you.”
Autumn once again showed a confused expression.
“I just thought you should know.”
Though she wore a radiant smile, Caitlyn’s final words were cryptic.
“So let’s get along, us beautiful women.”
And with a final wink, Caitlyn shut the door.
“Uh…”
And so, completely dressed up and caught off guard by the rapid developments, Autumn stood frozen in place.
—
“Want a drink before dinner?”
Dinner was running late.
The men had moved from the study to the lounge to chat quietly.
Randell glanced at his wristwatch.
It was already past 7 PM—the usual dinner time.
His expression was full of disapproval.
“She declined.”
“Then I’ll drink alone.”
Somehow, Theodore had already procured a bottle of wine and glasses from the banquet hall.
