ICLWKIWML 63

Chapter 62

Right. It would be boring if it just ended with children’s clothing.

At the back of the catalog, there was something new—no, the real plan that would define this season.

I couldn’t afford to lose the adult dress and suit clientele I had already secured while trying to expand demand for children’s clothing.

Attracting new customers was important, but keeping existing ones was just as crucial.

“The second project we’ll be launching this time is…”

“…”

“Similar Looks.”

This was a concept I had been developing for quite some time.

“It’s the idea of parents and children wearing coordinated outfits. They’re not identical, but the colors and designs are intentionally similar—that’s the point.”

Since the Empire had no such concept as ‘Similar Looks,’ everyone’s faces lit up with surprise at how fresh the idea felt.

In the catalog, the children’s outfits I had just shown were now paired with adult dresses and suits.

That subtle sense of unity made the designs instantly eye-catching.

The small differences that kept them from being identical only enhanced the sophisticated feel.

Looking at the visualized designs, the staff immediately understood the concept of Similar Looks.

Soon, gasps of admiration escaped their lips.

“There’s even an evening dress here!”

“And a matching one for the child too! How adorable!”

Pajamas had never once become a major trend in the Empire. After all, most people believed sleepwear didn’t matter—you could just throw on anything at home.

But what if even pajamas carried a touch of cuteness and meaning?

Perceptions would change completely.

Even without attaching any grand significance, the designs alone seemed enough to redefine them.

The reactions grew more enthusiastic with every page—especially when it came to couple-themed Similar Looks.

“How did you even come up with this?”

“This is going to be huge. Absolutely huge!”

Gradually, the employees were being won over.

To a project that, at first glance, had seemed absurd.

But really, it was the accumulation of all the past successes at Frill Blue Rose that lent credibility to this vision.

Their eyes burned with passion, as if they couldn’t wait another day to start creating the outfits from the catalog.

When the meeting ended, the staff immediately returned to their workstations and threw themselves into pattern-making and sewing.

Every single one of them trusted me—and worked with zeal.

After watching them fondly, I returned to my own office and got straight to work.

My sense of responsibility for this project weighed heavily.

I refined the sketches based on the finalized design drafts.

Revised our system for more efficiency by quantifying details.

Filed patents for every design in the Similar Look catalog.

.
.
.

Selected fabrics appropriate for each piece.

And finally, sent a letter to the Eustice Trading Company.

I hadn’t told the employees yet, but this project’s true end goal was not just Similar Looks.

What do I mean?

In a few years, the entire clothing industry would be turned upside down.

According to the original timeline, ready-made clothing would flood into the Empire from the Kingdom of Itarina, which bordered Carotia.

Aria Atelier tried to enter the ready-made market far too late and struggled terribly.

If even the Empire’s largest atelier couldn’t keep up, it went without saying that the others fared worse.

That massive shift destroyed countless ateliers that weren’t prepared.

Even with the Imperial Family’s enormous support, only a handful—including Aria Atelier—barely managed to undergo restructuring.

They eventually made it into the ready-made business, but only in name, with pitiful results.

If Frill Blue Rose didn’t start preparing now, it was obvious we’d face the same fate.

That’s why, behind the scenes, I had no choice but to begin laying the groundwork for a ready-made clothing project.

The ultimate goal was to sweep the Empire, dominate the continent, and establish Frill as a true brand.

If I prepared properly, this wasn’t just a dream—it was achievable.

But such success required many things.

A factory to produce and distribute the clothes. The land to build it on.

Talented designers who would one day elevate Eustice to new heights.

Skilled workers to operate the factories.

And even educational institutions to train them.

Both the factory and the academy would be built in Eustice.

If this plan succeeded, the town would rise as a sacred place of fashion.

Eustice could easily rival the capital itself in development.

I can’t let an opportunity this great slip by.

Thankfully, all my prior preparations would let things move smoothly.

The Academy’s unused Atelier Buildings 20 and 21 were perfect for the new institution.

And convincing ‘Lizlet,’ the architect I’d sponsored in Eustice, would be easy. Now a renowned architect, he was sure to remodel the buildings to perfection.

As for the factories, I planned to purchase the Keltrun and Nerdin plots near Eustice.

Those lands were practically abandoned and could be bought dirt cheap.

Their closeness to Eustice had made me keep an eye on them for some time.

Once factories were built and the area developed, people would flock there.

The land value would skyrocket hundreds of times over—maybe even more.

Just imagining it filled me with adrenaline.

If this project succeeded, surpassing Aria Atelier would only be a matter of time.

And soon enough, Frill Blue Rose would claim the undisputed number one spot.

Eustice would flourish into a true fashion capital.

And before long, not just the Empire—but the entire continent—would be wearing clothes bearing the Frill label.

A dream I had only ever imagined was now within reach.

The thought alone was overwhelming.

I was so deep in thought about the factory sites and academy construction that time slipped away.

The ticking of the clock’s second hand echoed loudly in the quiet office.

I finished my work earlier than usual, preparing to head to Master Tailor’s room—when a knock came.

Clurne entered hesitantly.

“I… I have something to tell you.”

She looked troubled.

Don’t tell me… Clurne got a scouting offer?

My heart sank.

“What is it?”

“…”

“It’s fine. Speak freely.”

After a pause, she finally forced the words out.

“Actually… this morning, on my way to work, I saw Master Tailor.”

I let out a breath of relief—it wasn’t what I feared.

But then—

“She was with… someone from another atelier.”

“!”

They say unexpected news hits hardest.

My chest tightened.

The thought that Master Tailor might leave Frill Blue Rose…

No, I had never even imagined she could.

At that moment, a faint creak came from the door, and I sensed something odd.

But when I checked, the corridor was empty.

Must’ve been my imagination.

Click—the door shut, and the tense atmosphere returned.

Clurne stood with her head bowed like a guilty prisoner.

Seeing her like that only unsettled me further.

“Another atelier? Are you sure you didn’t mistake her?”

Master Tailor wasn’t the type to meet others from competing ateliers.

If anything, I knew that better than anyone.

But Clurne’s voice was firm.

“When I was at the Academy, that man and I submitted applications at the same time. I remember him clearly.”

“…”

“And I even double-checked.”

Despite telling myself there was no way, my heart dropped like a stone.

Which is why I blurted out something unexpected.

“Which atelier?”

In truth, the name didn’t matter.

Clurne looked hesitant, as if worried the answer would shock me.

“Well… it was…”

“Say it. It’s fine.”

A chill washed over me.

My worst suspicion came true.

“Aria… Atelier.”

“!”

At that very moment.

Tailor sat in a nearby café.

Her elegant bell-shaped dress and matching fedora drew eyes wherever she went.

And then, with the sound of heels clicking, someone approached.

Aria Hart.

The brim of her hat cast a delicate shadow, but her face was unmistakable—the same as years ago.

If Tailor exuded elegance, Aria radiated dazzling extravagance.

Once, Tailor had been hailed as a master. Now, across from her, sat Claude Aria—the one dominating Carotia’s fashion world.

The meeting of these two women was breathtaking in itself.

Even those unaware of their reputations couldn’t look away.

But soon the whispers died as the two began to speak.

“I’m sure you already know why I called you here.”

Aria pushed forward a scouting contract.

“As you already know, there isn’t an atelier in the Empire that can rival the reputation of Aria Atelier.”

Crossing her legs with arrogant composure, Aria smirked.

“Isn’t it a waste of your talent to rot away in some tiny little shop?”

“…”

“So, I’m officially offering you a scouting deal. Name your terms.”

Aria was certain Tailor would jump at the offer.

Every designer she’d ever met had been desperate to work at Aria Atelier.

Yes, Tailor had a reputation for being difficult, but surely that was nothing more than rumor.

After all, she was working at something like Frill Blue Rose.

And Aria’s prediction seemed spot-on.

“How much pay are you offering?”

Aria’s lips curled with confidence. Of course—just another money-chaser.

That confirmed it.

Though the casual tone grated on her pride, she sneered inwardly.

She’ll be under me soon enough. I can endure it for now.

“Double your current salary. Plus bonuses, of course…”

Frankly, no designer in the Empire enjoyed such treatment.

Working at Aria Atelier alone was considered an honor, let alone being offered this kind of compensation.

It was, in every sense, a groundbreaking deal.

Something no one could possibly refuse.

But Tailor’s reaction was strange.

She swirled her teacup leisurely, smiling faintly.

She even looked away, as though the conversation bored her.

And then, with a cruel smile, she said:

“I knew you had no shame…”

“…What did you just say?”

“But I didn’t realize it was this bad.”