KBRV 34

Chapter 34

Before the sun had even risen, I left the mansion and headed to Edelweiss Central Station. There was a place I needed to stop by before going to the detention zone.

It was so early that there were no carriages for hire. After walking for quite a while, I stopped in front of a small clothing shop nestled between a flower shop and a coffee house near the station.

[Madame Sarah’s Boutique]

‘It’s still quite early, but Madame usually opens up shop early.’

Sure enough, when the station clock struck 7 o’clock, Madame opened the shop door. She gasped in surprise when she saw me standing there.

“Oh my goodness, you startled me!”

“It’s good to see you, Madame Sarah.”

I smiled and greeted her politely.

“I came because I’d like to buy an outfit from your shop.”

At my request, Madame replied in a bewildered tone.

“Judging by your appearance, you must be someone of status, young lady. But this isn’t a luxury boutique. We don’t make custom dresses for nobility.”

“But your daughter has made some dresses, hasn’t she?”

“What? How did you know that…?”

Momentarily surprised, Madame’s expression hardened, and she spoke firmly.

“Young lady, those dresses were made by my daughter as gifts. They weren’t meant to be sold.”

“Madame.”

“Those clothes already have an owner. No matter how powerful you may be, I cannot sell them. Even if you torture me—!”

“Calm down, Madame. I’m not here to steal them. I’m the rightful owner of those clothes.”

“What? What do you mean—”

“I’m Albrecht’s daughter, the lady whom Lise serves.”

Madame’s eyes widened, and without another word, she dashed upstairs, calling out urgently.

“Lise! Lise!”

Soon, Lise came hurrying down the stairs in her nightgown and robe, looking surprised.

“Miss…?”

“Did you sleep well, Lise? I feel bad for dropping in unannounced when I was the one who gave you a vacation.”

Though I said that, in truth, this visit was anything but unplanned. I had sent Lise home for this very purpose today.

“I know visiting on your day off is improper, but I truly need your help today.”

Thankfully, Lise looked delighted.

“What are you talking about? You’re always welcome here, Miss! Please, come in.”

“Thank you. I’ve become spoiled after wearing your dresses. I simply can’t wear anything else now. I need a glamorous outfit—will you help me?”

I showed her the pouch of silver coins I had asked Goetz to prepare separately.

When Madame received the pouch and checked its contents, her face went pale in shock.

‘I stuffed it full enough to seem obscenely generous.’

Madame Sarah took my arm and shut the shop door behind us with a grin.

“Of course, Miss! My daughter will make you the most perfect outfit today!”

“I like how easy it is to talk to you, Madame.”

“Ohoho! And I like this pouch you brought me. Oh! I’ll coordinate the accessories for you—hats and gloves are actually my specialty, you know!”

I knew that already.

‘Charlotte, the future trendsetter of society, got her signature ribbon from this very Madame Sarah.’

In The Garden of Fragments, Charlotte was a brilliant but poor apothecary who bought a single hair ribbon from this small boutique near the station.

And that ribbon’s fresh and delicate charm went on to become the height of fashion in high society.

‘By then, Lise had already died, and a heartbroken Madame Sarah sold off her goods like clearance items.’

So of course I knew her skills were real.

My thoughts quickly faded as Madame Sarah took the lead, ushering me into the fitting room. I soon found myself wearing a two-piece dress made by Lise.

‘Goodness. Lise’s talent never ceases to amaze me.’

A pristine white puffed blouse and a light lavender high-waisted skirt.

It looked modest at first glance, but the fine details elevated it to something elegant.

The blouse, made of high-quality silk, clung gently to my body, and the delicate embroidery sparkled, enhancing the brightness of my face.

“You’re truly stunning, Miss. No wonder Lise is always saying how you inspire her!”

Madame Sarah exclaimed as she braided my hair into an elegant updo. With a large ribbon on top, the whole ensemble exuded luxury.

From head to toe, it screamed wealth.

The outfit of a noblewoman overflowing with gold coins—just the image I needed for today.

“Now then, my daughter’s work is done. Time for me to work my magic. Chin up, please, so I can apply your makeup.”

“That won’t be necessary. I think this is more than enough.”

“Oh my, Miss. Coming in is your choice, but leaving without a proper look? That’s my choice.”

“Really, it’s fine. There’s no one I want to look pretty for.”

But Madame Sarah’s eyes were already blazing with passion.

“Ohoho! You’re wrong, Miss. There is someone to look pretty for—yourself! You should look beautiful for your own sake!”

“Madame, I appreciate the sentiment, but—”

“That’s why I can’t stand women who are too beautiful—they lack desperation! Born with a face like that and no appreciation for beauty? Where’s your philosophy?!”

“Madame, please calm down and let’s—”

“Do you even know what a little touch of color on a balanced face like yours can do? Beauty is valuable for its own sake! Someone to impress? Ha! As if that’s all that matters!”

“Ma—”

“No! That’s no way to live! Why do you think God gave us beauty? Just to please others? No! Beauty is sacred in itself! The pursuit of beauty—aesthetics! That very pursuit is a form of beauty! What is beauty? Why do humans seek it? To ask these questions, to philosophize on beauty—do you know how noble and elegant that makes a person?!”

“Please do my makeup, Madame! After hearing you, I must have it done. I’m begging you.”

Unable to withstand her ever-intensifying monologue, I finally gave in. Madame instantly stopped, her excitement switching off like a light, and smiled sweetly.

“Thank you for allowing me. You’re such a delight to talk to, Miss.”

The soft, polite voice was oddly unnerving in contrast to her earlier fervor.

Thoroughly overwhelmed, I sat still and let her do my face.

‘Y-Yeah. I guess it’s better to look pretty if I want to get on the kids’ good side. They say children don’t just recognize faces, but facial expressions too. Besides, I have time before the train leaves.’

Too proud to admit defeat, I rationalized it to myself.

After a short while, Sarah sighed in admiration.

“Absolutely enchanting.”

She had just completed her finest masterpiece. The very pinnacle of beauty.

She felt proud. To polish a rough gem already known as the empire’s most beautiful—truly, she was a genius.

“Amazing, Madame Sarah. Your skills are incredible.”

Even the young lady, blinking at her reflection in the mirror, looked surprised.

‘Ahem. That’s the power of my artistry.’

Of course, her face was beautiful even before makeup, but the young lady didn’t seem to understand her own strengths.

It meant she hadn’t had the time to explore herself or develop her own tastes.

But Sarah could tell just from her outfit—the girl had lived a harsh, demanding life. Her heart was likely broken in places.

The makeup she applied made the weary girl look her actual age, bringing out the best features of her face.

But that admiration quickly vanished. Her face returned to its usual blank expression. Sarah felt a tinge of sadness at the desolation behind that beauty.

“Oh, Madame. I’d like to buy a few ready-made clothes as well.”

Sarah nodded. After all, the shop’s main revenue came from ready-made clothing for wealthy commoners.

Odette purchased one lavender dress for a child, two navy suits for boys, and a set of adult men’s clothing.

While Lise packed them into a trunk, Sarah placed a fedora with lace trim onto Odette’s head, neatly tucking her platinum hair into the updo.

“Lise, I’ll see you again after your vacation.”

“I will, Miss! I’ll bring back all the dresses I’ve made, so you’d better wear them!”

“Take care!”

Carrying the trunk, Odette headed for Edelweiss Station, bidding farewell to Sarah and Lise.

She looked every bit the part of a wealthy, aristocratic lady—poised and commanding. But Sarah couldn’t help but think that her back looked lonely and tired.

‘Must be because of the Founding Festival—so many people on the train.’

Odette mused as she shut the door to her first-class cabin. Compared to how she used to travel in her previous life, the difference was stark.

‘Last time, I had to hide and sneak aboard a freight car on an empty dawn train, heart pounding in fear.’

She hadn’t known trains even had seats this comfortable.

The steam puffing from the engine, the scent of blooming flowers and soft spring wind through the open window—

And petals drifting inside, carried by the flowering trees along the tracks.

‘Feels like I’m on a relaxing trip.’

But the scenery gradually grew bleaker as time passed. Especially as they neared the final destination: Fenrir Foreigners’ Detention Zone.

[Fenrir Foreigners’ Detention Zone]

And when the train finally stopped at the last station, the only passenger remaining on board was Odette.