Chapter 20
The day of the party prepared for Sevila was approaching.
But there was a problem.
In just a few days, Sevila’s health had gotten much worse.
Her naturally weak constitution was part of it, but the biggest reason was the long journey from the capital to Iraz Castle.
The day before, she had been groaning with fever, and even after the physician visited, her face remained pale.
Even standing up to move to the table for tea was difficult.
The young ladies sat around Sevila’s bed, watching her with worried eyes.
Despite her bad condition, the party had been arranged because of her stubbornness.
“Sevila, you don’t have to push yourself too much. If you wear the hairpin I gave you, I’m sure you’ll feel better.”
“Right. Health is more important than any party. Still, sometimes moving your body lightly is better than lying down all day.”
“The band’s music will give you strength. But of course, your health comes first.”
Each word of concern carried a hidden message—that the party would somehow help her recover.
‘She must have gone to countless parties in the capital. Yet here they still talk about nothing but parties.’
The reason they were so eager was obvious.
This was a kind of party they could never dream of in the capital.
Shiraz, his knights, and the elite soldiers were considered the most desirable men even in the capital. This was a rare chance to have them all to themselves.
Knowing their expectations, Sevila smiled softly to reassure them.
“Don’t worry. Since you came all the way here for me, I will attend the party no matter what.”
At that, the young ladies’ faces lit up with relief. Only Gemma still looked at Sevila with worried eyes.
Just then, a servant knocked softly on the door.
“Young Lady, people from the tailor’s shop have arrived.”
The girls’ eyes sparkled.
Because Sevila wasn’t well, the finest tailors and assistants nearby had come directly to the castle.
And because these were dresses meant for noble ladies from the capital, the tailor’s shop had loaded their carriage full with clothes.
I too had to help move boxes of dresses, shoes, and accessories into the room.
“Wait, you’re not going to try on all these dresses just to pick one for the day, are you?”
Alicia, who had never seen a noblewoman’s life up close, was amazed.
As for me, I wasn’t unfamiliar with it.
I had once been, at least in name, the wife of a lord.
Of course, I wasn’t the one enjoying luxury back then—it was another woman.
The Lord of Willinger never made her his official wife, but he never withheld money from her.
Recalling her obsession with dresses and jewels, I said calmly,
“They probably won’t even try them on. They’ll just buy them all.”
“No way… all of these?”
Alicia glared at me.
I only shrugged and carried more boxes.
Everything prepared for the Grand Duke’s younger sister was of the finest quality.
The young ladies looked pleased.
“I didn’t expect much out here in the frontier, but these are good.”
“I’ve never even seen lace like this in the capital.”
“They say this region borders the western tribes, so there are many unique fabrics with native patterns.”
The tailor beamed with pride at their compliments.
“There’s also silk from the Far East, with very delicate and special designs.”
“Look at this pretty pattern.”
“Of course, we brought only the finest for the Grand Duke’s sister.”
The tailor glanced at Sevila, waiting for her reaction.
My eyes also turned toward her.
Though she wasn’t fully recovered, she only smiled faintly.
Instead of fussing over dresses like the others, she gently touched the fabric and spoke to the tailor.
“If I were feeling better, I would’ve gone myself and tried them on one by one. I’m sorry you had to come all this way for me.”
“It’s our honor, Young Lady.”
“Since you brought so many, I’d like to give my friends a gift. Choose what you want.”
The girls’ eyes brightened instantly.
“Then we won’t hold back, Sevila.”
They pounced on the dresses like hunters after prey. Poor Gemma was shoved aside by Britania again.
From behind, I watched sadly as Britania snatched a beautiful dress that would have suited Sevila perfectly.
But I wasn’t the only one restless.
The mustached tailor, anxious as the best dresses disappeared, urged Sevila.
“These have been made to your size, Young Lady. They will fit perfectly. Please try on just one. Dresses look very different when worn than when seen.”
The girls nodded in agreement.
“It would be nice if you tried at least one.”
Sevila shook her head gently.
“I have no strength to lift a finger. But it would be rude to ignore the tailor’s effort. What should I do…”
Her eyes searched the room. A sharp-witted veteran maid stepped forward.
“We will help the Young Lady.”
I somehow ended up stepping beside her.
Then Sevila’s gaze fixed on me, sparkling like stars.
“I have a good idea.”
Everyone looked puzzled.
“It will be easier to choose if I see the dress on someone else. And there’s someone here with almost the same figure as me.”
Sevila’s satisfied smile turned every gaze in the room toward me.
Startled, I looked to the maid beside me, hoping she would refuse.
But instead, she looked me up and down and said firmly,
“You heard her.”
My hope shattered instantly.
“But…”
“Do as the Young Lady commands. Hurry.”
The tailor backed her up.
“It’s common to have another person model. That way, you can even see the parts invisible when you wear it yourself. A brilliant decision.”
At his signal, the assistants moved quickly.
They skillfully chose a dress, shoes, and accessories to match.
Dragged behind the curtain, I was treated like a doll.
Hands pulled clothes over me, tied strings, adjusted hems, and even undid my pinned-up hair so it flowed down.
Isn’t it enough just to try it on? Why so much fuss?
But their passion left me no room to protest.
Finally, someone gasped.
“Unbelievable. How can it fit so perfectly?”
When the ribbon was tied and the hem spread out, the maids looked at me with astonished eyes.
No—it wasn’t me they admired, but the dress.
“How beautiful!”
The dress hugged my body without a wrinkle. Even I had to admit it was stunning.
Curious, I wanted to see the mirror.
Just then, a maid pulled the curtain wide with a flourish.
It was like a scene from a drama, where a bride shows her gown for the first time.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward me.
“The Young Lady has such good taste. Look how perfectly it suits her maid.”
The tailor clapped his hands with satisfaction.
Sevila smiled, looking between me and the dress.
“I like it very much.”
The young ladies stared wide-eyed.
Only Britania scowled with displeasure, her face screaming:
“How dare a maid wear her lady’s dress so boldly?”
I glanced at the large mirror outside the curtain—and even I was shocked.
“Is that really me…?”
The saying was true: clothes make the person. I looked completely different.
The red dress shimmered with tiny jewels that sparkled under the light.
The soft fabric clung gracefully, falling in an elegant line.
My plain honey-colored hair, flowing down my back, looked almost luscious.
Compared to this, the dresses I wore as a lord’s wife had been nothing but scraps of cloth.
Feeling embarrassed by the stares, I quickly turned my head.
“I can change back now, right?”
I asked the tailor—but suddenly the room grew tense.
His face froze. I turned back to the mirror—
And saw someone standing behind me.
‘No! Of all times…!’
The one staring coldly at me was Grand Duke Shiraz.
I quickly stepped back and bowed my head like the other maids.
‘Why is Shiraz here?! Standing there like that nearly gave me a heart attack!’
