~Chapter 80~
“Good work, Gerard.”
“It was nothing.”
With a bright smile, Gerard removed his spotless gloves. Then he handed Christan the evidence—a recording magic stone with the confession, written transcripts, and other documents.
Christan looked very satisfied with the suddenly abundant proof.
“I knew it was right to call you.”
Until now, the assassins had kept their mouths firmly shut. But the moment Gerard stepped in, their attitude flipped. After only a few rounds of questioning, they were so terrified that they were desperate to spill everything they knew.
Christan admired Gerard’s ability.
For some reason, whenever Gerard interrogated criminals, even the most vicious ones instantly broke down—confessing their motives, their backers, and everything else.
Curious once, Christan had observed Gerard’s interrogation personally. To his surprise, Gerard hadn’t even used extreme violence. Yet the criminals trembled before him more than they ever did before Christan himself.
“Well, good is good enough.”
Outwardly, he sometimes snapped at Gerard, but inwardly Christan trusted him completely and never questioned it.
“The originals from today’s session—I’ll take them with me, my lord.”
“That’s for the best. Do as you wish.”
“Yes.”
Humming a tune, Gerard packed up the materials. Then he suddenly asked:
“By the way, are you really not going to seek the Count’s permission?”
“What?”
Meeting Christan’s eyes, Gerard shrugged.
“Why leave things unresolved without explanation or apology? Even if marriage comes later, wouldn’t it be better to clear up misunderstandings quickly and grow closer to Lady Amelie? Besides, if you’re recognized by the Count and stay at the mansion… then I could enjoy a spacious hotel room all to myself.”
In the end, that last part was the real reason. Christan let out a short laugh, but quickly turned serious again. This wasn’t the time for idle jokes.
Especially when—
“Do you know I sent new assassins to Viscountess Britney?”
“Well, it’s natural you didn’t know. Because it was a lie.”
…Gaspar’s words still lashed at him like a whip, snapping him back to reality.
In such a threatening situation, meeting anyone would be no different from dragging them into danger. He couldn’t possibly involve Amel.
“…Gerard.”
“Yes?”
In a low voice, Christan quietly repeated what had happened with the Emperor. Gerard’s face stiffened.
Glancing at the collapsed assassins, Gerard muttered:
“I knew something seemed off with you today.”
“If you understand, then help me keep her away from all this.”
“You’re the one who said you’d make her a duchess…”
He grumbled, but couldn’t argue further. Gaspar was far too dangerous. There was no guarantee the same tricks wouldn’t be used again.
So—Christan could not meet Amel.
“This is our second meeting, Lady Winterfall.”
Madam Creta arrived at the Winterfall mansion with her staff. Entering the parlor, she immediately scanned the floor.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
Startled, Amel asked. Creta replied in a calm, natural tone:
“I’m looking for strands of hair.”
“Hair? But the floors are cleaned every day.”
At Amel’s words, Creta looked disappointed. But she quickly put on a determined expression.
“Then I’ll just say it outright. I’ve fallen in love with the Winterfall family’s unique silvery-blue color. Someday, I’ll design a dress that perfectly imitates that mysterious aura.”
“….”
Amel blinked in surprise. Then—
“M-my lady?”
Nina gasped. Amel had plucked a strand of hair from her head.
“Though it feels a little embarrassing… it makes me happy to hear that. Please take it and use it for your design.”
With that, she handed it to Creta. The woman accepted it as if it were a sacred relic.
“Thank you so much, Lady Winterfall. Since you’ve given me such a great gift, I’ll make a dress that suits you perfectly.”
“Haha… alright.”
They began discussing designs.
Creta, who usually made mature and elegant styles, now wanted to expand her range with something pure and cute. Being able to design Amel’s dress thrilled her.
“Since Lady Winterfall has such a slender figure, I think frills on the bodice would suit you. Do you have a preferred design or color?”
“Ah, as long as it’s not too revealing, I don’t mind the design. As for color…”
Amel almost said her usual red or yellow—but then paused. She remembered the blue diamond jewelry her father had recently given her.
“…Could you make something in silvery-blue?”
“Silvery-blue?”
“Yes, just a moment.”
Amel hurried off and returned with the jewel box. She opened it to reveal the necklace and earrings.
“My father gave them to me. I’d like to wear them at the banquet, and I think this color suits me best.”
“…It truly does.”
Creta stared, captivated. The blue diamonds sparkled against Amel’s silver hair—it was the perfect match.
“But I’m not sure if it’s possible. I want to recreate the Winterfall shade, but for now it’s just ambition. I don’t know if I can make it in time…”
“Is that so…”
Amel looked disappointed. She signaled to Nina, who swiftly adorned her with the jewelry. Creta could only watch, entranced.
“….”
“But aren’t the necklace and ring beautiful together? Look.”
Amel extended her hand, showing the ring like a lady expecting a kiss.
Just as she said, the ring, earrings, and necklace all suited her perfectly. Even in simple clothes, her silvery hair made her shine brighter than any lavish gown.
“If it’s not possible this time, that’s fine. But someday, if you do design a dress in this color, you must show it to me.”
“…No.”
Creta’s eyes hardened with resolve. She quickly spoke before her determination could falter.
“I’ve changed my mind. If I create a dress that mimics Winterfall’s color, it has to be worn first by Lady Winterfall. Otherwise, it’s meaningless.”
Clutching the small box holding Amel’s hair, she stood up suddenly. Amel blinked in surprise.
“You must be the first model of my masterpiece. I promise to make you shine at the Imperial banquet—the grandest stage of all!”
“…Alright.”
Caught off guard, Amel nodded. She had given Creta a little push on purpose, but never expected such passion in return.
“Once the fabric is ready, I’ll return. Today was truly meaningful, Lady Winterfall.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
After that, Madam Creta visited the mansion several more times to discuss designs, sometimes even borrowing the household’s collective ideas. Through that process, Amel’s personal dress steadily neared completion.
And finally—the day of the Imperial Summer Banquet dawned.
