IPTRAFMVB CH 11

Silence filled the fitting room.

Aila Emil, an elegant noblewoman with a faint floral scent, was personally taking the measurements of a clerk born as nothing more than a commoner.

Ruellia couldn’t even breathe properly, afraid she might make a mistake in front of the woman the Duke seemed to have feelings for.

Then Aila clapped her hands, breaking the silence.

“Oh my, your lower-body proportions are better than I expected. You really chose the perfect dress.”

Ruellia’s cheeks turned bright red.

She had never received this kind of praise before.

“R-Really?”

“Yes. You chose the design that suits your body best. If you wear this dress, you’ll be the most noticeable person at the banquet. I guarantee it.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Lady Emil.”

“On the contrary, I should be the one thanking you.”

Aila smiled brightly.

She was truly charming—someone who could melt anyone’s guard down. A soft voice, gentle manner, and yet never losing her noble elegance.

Now Ruellia understood why the Duke had supposedly fallen at first sight.

Which made her even more worried.

‘If someone like him, who’s usually strict even with himself, falls that hard… won’t he become obsessed? Like losing all control?’

Someone like Kailles, who always held himself to rigid standards, might see intense love as the biggest deviation of his life.

Burning himself without even realizing it.

Just as she was about to sigh, Aila suddenly took Ruellia’s hand and leaned closer, eyes sparkling.

“I’m honored that you chose Lutillus for your first dress. I’ve always admired you, Lady Ruellia.”

“P-Pardon? Admired? That’s far too much praise.”

“Oh my, I’m serious. I’ve been hoping for a chance to get closer to you.”

This wasn’t empty politeness—it was genuine interest.

‘Good. I can use this.’

A faint spark of hope lit up Ruellia’s eyes.

What she thought was a doomed future might not be so blocked after all.

“R-Really?”

“Of course. So if you ever need anything, just tell me. I’ll do anything for your request.”

So sincere, it was almost dangerous.

Ruellia almost got swept away by it.

“…Then could you save me?”

She threw out her honest “bait” immediately.

Aila’s eyes widened in shock. She quickly glanced around and lowered her voice.

“Lady Ruellia… are you perhaps being threatened by Duke Avere?”

“Eh?”

“As I thought. That’s why you left Bellona Trading Company and came to such a notorious ducal house?”

Ruellia blinked slowly.

She felt both relieved and strangely hurt.

‘Why is my reputation so bad?’

The Duke’s public image was clearly not great.

Still, this was problematic. Starting off with prejudice would make things difficult later.

“No, the ducal house is a good place. The salary is high, the benefits are amazing. I’d stay here forever if I could.”

“Then why did you ask me to save you?”

“The dress. If it can’t be finished in time, my recommendation of this place to the Duke loses meaning.”

Of course, there was also a genuine plea hidden in it.

Her future depended heavily on the woman in front of her.

“Oh my, don’t worry about that. I’ll make sure your dignity is preserved.”

“Thank you.”

Ruellia smiled softly.

Aila winked meaningfully.

“Then, as a sign of cooperation, shall you call me by my name from now on?”

“Pardon? If I did that, it might harm your reputation…”

If a commoner spoke too casually with her, nobles would surely look down on her. That was just how high society worked.

Ruellia slowly shook her head.

“I want to maintain a long relationship with you, Lady Emil. So I must respectfully decline anything that could put you in a difficult position.”

Aila looked slightly disappointed, but then smiled again.

“Honestly, I knew I was right about you. I’d really like to keep you close and work with you.”

Whether it was politeness or sincerity didn’t matter.

What mattered was using this connection to properly present the Duke.

“Sorry. I already have someone I’ve sworn loyalty to. Duke Avere is the most upright and admirable noble I’ve ever met.”

“Oh my, hearing you say that makes it sound like he truly is an incredible person.”

Good. A positive signal.

Ruellia enthusiastically praised the Duke for a long time.

“So I have no intention of leaving the ducal house, hehe.”

By the end, Aila looked somewhat regretful.

“Then there’s no way for me to work with you?”

Ruellia tilted her chin slightly, satisfied.

“There is one way.”

“What is it? If you won’t leave the ducal house… ah!”

Aila seemed quick-witted.

‘Yes, exactly! Become the Duchess, then you can be his master too!’

Ruellia’s eyes sparkled as she waited for the correct answer.

“I could become the Duke’s retainer, perhaps?”

“……”

She had forgotten.

This world was a novel. And the woman in front of her was the heroine.

And heroines, in matters of love, were always painfully oblivious.

* * *

Kailles approached the fitting room. The chatter and laughter growing from inside only made him more irritated.

Why are they so close?

“Is it not done yet?”

He knocked firmly on the door. The laughter stopped immediately.

“It’s finished. Please wait a moment.”

When the door opened, it wasn’t Ruellia.

The woman he already found irritating stepped out, looking far too pleased.

Kailles immediately sharpened his tone.

“Why hasn’t Ruellia come out?”

“She is still wearing the dress.”

“She was undressed? What did you do to Ruellia?”

“Oh my, Duke. Measurements must be taken in the same condition as when wearing the dress, otherwise it won’t fit properly.”

It would have been normal to feel embarrassed after such a misunderstanding. But Kailles only sharpened his edge further instead of backing down.

Aila immediately realized he disliked her. The reason was obvious even without words.

“Duke… I’m jealous of you.”

Kailles’ brow twitched.

“Ruellia said she serves only one master she can devote her loyalty to.”

His sharp edge immediately softened.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Arrogance. Or confidence.

Either way, it was irritating for Aila.

Then she decided on a small retaliation.

“By the way, Ruellia told me something interesting.”

She began writing the dress estimate.

“What is it?”

“That’s a secret between Ruellia and me.”

Aila placed a finger lightly over her lips.

Kailles’ expression darkened.

Seeing his composed mask crack was satisfying.

Then she handed him the estimate.

“Here. The quotation.”

“200,000 gold?”

Kailles immediately saw through the trick. Price inflation. A common merchant tactic.

His aura turned sharp and heavy.

The staff of Lutillus nearly collapsed under the pressure.

Only Aila stood firm.

“If you think it’s too expensive, you are free to go elsewhere, Duke.”

At that moment, Ruellia finally came out of the fitting room with a bright smile—but froze.

‘What is going on?’

She had taken her time to give Aila and the Duke a peaceful moment alone.

But instead, they were engaged in a tense standoff.

‘No wonder his first love becomes unrequited.’

A sense of despair quietly settled in.