ICLWKIWML 61

Chapter 60

As soon as we stepped outside, the two of them screamed as if they had seen a ghost.

Their harsh cries made me scream without even realizing it.

When our eyes met, they immediately covered their mouths, and for a moment, silence hung over the space.

The problem was that the man in question had apparently heard the scream too.

The round eyes staring through the large window proved it.

The eyes that met mine twisted and softened as they focused on me.

“No way…”

It really was Edwin.

“Could it be that he’s been waiting for me since this morning because of yesterday?”

And then there were his hands, folded so neatly.

It was a posture quite different from the narcissistic image of Edwin I had in my head—so absorbed in himself.

Perhaps it was because of the conversations of the staff.

From one angle, he seemed endearingly cute; from another, quite handsome.

Maybe it was because he mingled with the fashion-forward Crown Prince.

His clothes, chains, boots, and even his face radiated nobility.

“Damn it.”

“I can’t believe I’m thinking like this.”

The early signs of being absorbed in Edwin, influenced by the staff’s chatter, were unmistakable.

I shook my head to clear it and moved on.

When we stepped outside, a prince-like, mesmerizing smile greeted me.

The slight diagonal tilt of his stance made him look as if he had just stepped out of a magazine spread.

“What brings you here…?”

Before I could finish, he quietly bowed his head.

“I apologize for yesterday.”

The playful man I knew now displayed a polite seriousness, with no trace of a smile.

He seemed so sincerely apologetic that I felt almost embarrassed for him.

In truth, Edwin hadn’t done anything wrong.

If anything, the only mistake might have been encountering Aria.

“No, it’s fine.”

My voice came out hoarse, perhaps from lack of sleep.

Maybe that’s why Edwin, stiff as stone, kept repeating his apologies.

“I’m truly sorry about yesterday. Please give me another chance…”

I felt like I’d heard this for the tenth time already.

I repeated my reassurances just as many times…

And in the end, we even set a date.

Amid busy schedules, the appointed day inevitably arrived.

It seemed I had gotten caught up with Edwin, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

In fact, I found it secretly amusing to feel a hint of anticipation.

“Last time he was so loud… I wonder where he’ll take me today.”

Fortunately, the place he brought me to suited my taste perfectly.

Mannequins filled the room, surrounding me completely.

The outfits shone as if freshly pulled from a fashion encyclopedia.

The clothing was arranged as if the mannequins themselves were alive, perfectly paired with tiaras.

A mystical aura rose like steam from freshly steamed buns, impossible to look away from.

I was so captivated that my jaw dropped, oblivious even to the possibility of a fly entering my mouth.

The outfits before me gleamed as though sculpted by the gods themselves.

Most were suits, but the number of dresses wasn’t lacking either.

As I observed, my professional instincts kicked in again.

Before I knew it, I was analyzing the advantages and drawbacks of each outfit, sorting their types in an instant.

Compared to Frill Blue Rose, the biggest difference was the design technique.

Every outfit in this atelier followed the Empire’s traditional design methods.

Thanks to Mr. Taylor, who generously shared his extensive reference materials, I knew more about the Empire’s authentic design than anyone else.

While Frill Blue Rose emphasized individuality and trends, this place focused on tradition and grandeur.

As a designer, I couldn’t help but admire the craftsmanship, even though the techniques differed greatly from mine.

Just as I imagined dozens of models walking down a runway in these outfits… Edwin finally spoke.

“How do you like them?”

I was so engrossed in the clothing that I hadn’t even noticed him.

I felt a bit guilty for unintentionally ignoring him.

“They follow the Empire’s traditional design techniques faithfully.”

Edwin’s expression seemed slightly unsure, as if my answer lacked detail.

Glancing at him, I added:

“From a traditional perspective, these could easily be considered top-tier designs. Could you tell me who the designer is?”

Honestly, the question that mattered most was: who had created these clothes?

At that moment, a memory flickered across my mind—the first fashion parade I saw in the capital, hosted by Yurihard.

“Could this be… the Crown Prince’s atelier?”

For some reason, Edwin’s previous uncertain expression was replaced by a radiant smile.

“That’s correct.”

Though he was skilled in governance and warfare, fashion seemed to be a hobby.

Of course, knowing his personality, he likely pursued any endeavor seriously, so calling it just a hobby might be an understatement…

Even so, the level of his work was remarkable.

“You’re even more impressive than the rumors suggested.”

Every time Edwin praised the Crown Prince, his smile seemed to soar to the sky.

His loyalty to his lord was clearly not trivial.

After all, showing respect and admiration for one’s master is the right thing to do.

Loyalty is a noble sentiment, unmatched by anything else.

“You have excellent taste and know a lot.”

“…Pardon?”

“I meant that His Highness Yurihard is truly remarkable in many ways.”

I had assumed knights were just straightforward and earnest, but Edwin was very different from any Brentius knight I had met.

Seeing him praise his master so skillfully, it was clear he was naturally perceptive.

“He really has been a long-time friend of the Crown Prince, huh?”

“Ah, yes. I’d love to meet him someday.”

Honestly, just seeing this atelier was already incredibly lucky.

But now, wanting to meet the enigmatic Yurihard as well… I imagined Edwin muttering a curse under his breath.

It seemed he had snuck me here, much like during the Karotia incident.

Otherwise, there was no way the place would be empty.

The atmosphere was tense enough that staying longer felt risky.

After quickly taking in the clothing, we stepped outside.

Then Edwin muttered unexpectedly:

“I can introduce you…”

Introduce? To whom? Could it really be… Yurihard?

“Really?”

“Not for free. There’s a condition.”

Of course. I had suspected it wouldn’t be easy.

“What is it? Let’s hear it.”

Edwin’s face lit up with a mischievous smile.

“Meet me three times.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Then I’ll arrange for you to meet His Highness Yurihard.”

A brief silence followed.

“Ah, well…”

Honestly, meeting Edwin three times wasn’t difficult.

For my purposes, it was perfectly doable.

But playing with someone’s feelings wasn’t my style.

I could feel Edwin’s obvious affection, but… my heart wasn’t available.

Above all, I didn’t see him as a man.

During the silence, he seemed to anticipate what I would say.

When I slowly raised my head, a calm gaze fell on me.

Under thick eyebrows, his eyes trembled as if wounded.

“Am I that remarkable to you?”

His platinum hair shimmered unrealistically in the breeze.

His skin, as white and soft as snow rice cakes, seemed almost transparent.

Dark eyelashes framed eyes that were undeniably captivating.

“No, that’s not it…”

He wasn’t unattractive, but that didn’t mean I liked him.

Yet…

“Then I’ll meet you.”

Why did it always end like this?

Edwin was always like this.

Every conversation with him seemed to conclude the same way: “Meet me.”

Do knights usually flirt this boldly?

Recalling Cayman long ago, I didn’t think so.

It might be unfair to generalize from just one example… but this was all I had experienced from knights.

Still, Edwin, who was so unlike other knights, somehow maintained boundaries.

Bold, but not unpleasant.

“Why do you like me?”

We hadn’t met that many times—did it make sense for him to like me this much?

“Does there have to be a reason to like someone?”

True, there’s no reason needed to fall for someone.

The short time we’d spent together was just an excuse.

I’d been naive to ask that question, having experienced it myself long ago.

“Consider it just an excuse to meet the Crown Prince.”

“….”

“You can use me as you wish.”

He’d only known me a little and already said something like that.

He looked naive enough to be taken advantage of—but someone who earned the Crown Prince’s trust was clearly experienced.

Having someone like him as a friend might actually be quite fortunate.

And since he said it so plainly, it seemed impolite to refuse.

So, having rationalized it in my mind, I said:

“Then I’ll take advantage of you once.”

“Anytime.”

He smiled brightly.

“When shall we set the appointments?”

Edwin stared at me in a daze, as if confirming he had heard correctly, when I took the initiative.

He murmured softly in that state.