~Chapter 7~
“All done.”
Riden placed the final period and finished her letter.
It was addressed to Marie Hern, the female protagonist.
According to Corel, Lady Hern had returned to her baronial home, right?
So, sending it there should ensure it reached her.
“I hope I get to hear from you.”
Riden read her final sentence aloud.
The main content of the letter was a heartfelt apology for treating Marie coldly in the past.
She explained that her parents, the late Count and Countess McCurry, had promised Baron Hern to ensure Marie’s successful debut in society. Riden admitted she had neglected that promise while grieving and recovering from their loss.
She wrote that she had finally pulled herself together and offered to send a carriage and escort upon Marie’s reply.
She also promised to support her debut with a tiara, dress, and everything else—inviting her to shine together on the ballroom floor.
“This should be enough to entice her, right?”
Riden was secretly hopeful.
As Dain in her past life, she had been a lonely orphan.
She had never experienced parental love or shared any sibling bond.
But in the novel, the heroine was always portrayed as warm and lovable.
If she apologized sincerely for her past cruelty and treated her well, maybe they could even become friends—sisters, even. The thought filled her with excitement.
“The letter’s done.”
The moment she tugged the bell pull, Glenn entered.
“Glenn, please send this to the Hern barony. It’s for Lady Marie Hern.”
“Understood.”
As he turned to leave with the letter, Glenn suddenly paused.
“Milady, shall we talk about the Ladies’ Society?”
“Oh… the Ladies’ Society…”
It was a gathering of noblewomen in the capital—where the female lead, despite lacking a patron, eventually built alliances and defeated her enemies with flair.
As Riden hesitated, Glenn gently pressed on.
“You’ll need to join if you want to find a good chaperone.”
His voice carried subtle concern.
A chaperone—an older noblewoman who introduced and protected debutantes—was a crucial figure.
Seeing her uncertain expression, Glenn quickly handed her two forms: an application for the Ladies’ Society and a chaperone request form.
“It will be difficult to find a chaperone without joining.”
“Hm, I suppose so.”
But do I really need one?
She had no plans to marry the Duke of Kenwolf or find another match.
Her goal was to support the heroine through the debut season, attend her wedding, and then retire to the countryside.
The chaperone wasn’t someone you learned much from—it was more about flaunting noble connections to land a good marriage.
“I’ll pass. No need for the society or a chaperone.”
She didn’t want to end up lectured and corrected by some scary older lady.
“Oh right, the dress shop appointment is today, isn’t it?”
Even without a chaperone, a tiara and dress were must-haves for any debutante.
Let’s do this! I want a dress tailored just for me!
Time to enjoy luxuries she never had in her past life.
With a stretch toward the ceiling and a toss of the chaperone form onto the desk, Riden grinned.
Riden sat pressed into the corner of her carriage, marveling at the sights through the window.
After arriving in the capital, she had gone straight to the estate. This was her first real glimpse of the world beyond the forest inn and McCurry mansion.
“So cool.”
Flattened against the glass, she murmured in awe.
The carriage rolled down a straight street lined with shops, heading deeper into the bustling marketplace.
“A vibrant fantasy shopping district…”
She watched noble carriages pass, and a child excitedly pointing at a blacksmith’s hammer strikes while holding their father’s hand.
The energy of the street was palpable.
As Riden took it all in, they soon arrived at a central fountain plaza surrounded by shops.
She stepped down and read the sign aloud.
Laria Boutique.
The biggest dress shop in the capital. Sunlight sparkled off the elegant gowns in its giant windows.
Renting the whole day must’ve cost a fortune…
But Glenn had a reason for renting it out completely.
Riden turned to see their attendants carrying stacks of fabric prepared by her late mother.
Alright—let’s make the most of today!
“Shall we go in?”
“Yup!”
Upon entering, the front parlor immediately revealed its luxury.
A staff member sprang up to greet them.
“Welcome! Do you have a reservation?”
“Lady Riden McCurry booked the entire day.”
“Oh! My apologies. Please wait just a moment.”
The staff member scurried off, and Riden, glancing around from a step behind Corel, tilted her head.
Why did his face go pale at the mention of McCurry?
The rumors of villainous Riden were surely out there, but were they really that bad?
Soon the staffer returned, bowing low.
“I’m terribly sorry, but preparations for your fitting aren’t complete yet. Could you wait just a little longer?”
“But they said we could come any time today…”
Corel frowned and looked back at Riden for guidance.
It was frustrating, but if they weren’t ready, what could she do?
Riden smiled calmly.
About thirty minutes later—
Corel snapped.
“I heard the late Countess used this place often too! What’s this? We made a reservation and are still left waiting? Do they think this is the only dress shop in the capital?!”
Riden, quietly seated, let Corel rant beside her.
Then she softly asked,
“Corel, did I ever ask how much it costs to rent this place for a day?”
“Just for the space—without the dresses? 3 gold coins.”
When she first arrived, Riden had studied the currency. 1 gold coin equaled a month’s living expenses for commoners.
The boutique’s hours were 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—seven hours.
So 3 gold coins for 7 hours meant… 30 minutes of waiting cost her—
No, wait. That’s the shop’s time. What’s my time as a noble worth?
“Milady?”
Riden stood silently and looked at Corel.
“Do you know what ‘preparation’ means in this case?”
“Maybe… they haven’t cleaned?”
“I’m going to check.”
“What?”
“I need to know if the delay is truly unavoidable—or something else.”
Riden marched forward.
The inner entrance wasn’t a door, but a red velvet curtain, like one in a theater.
As she approached, she could hear whispers.
When she reached the curtain, she yanked it open.
Two heads snapped toward her.
One was taking measurements. The other stood with arms outstretched for easy fitting.
Clearly a customer and the boutique owner.
Wait… I booked the whole place. Why is someone else being served?!
Riden calmly turned away and muttered.
“I guess I’ll tell my friends Laria Boutique is known for double-booking clients.”
She had no friends—yet. But once Marie came, she would.
Laria Boutique had appeared in the original novel. Its owner was skilled but calculating, moved by the heroine’s warmth to create a dress for her for free.
The heroine wore it to a ball and dazzled everyone.
I was going to bring her here too, just like the original… but forget that!
There were plenty of dress shops.
The boutique owner, Laria, rushed after her.
“Lady McCurry!”
Riden didn’t want to engage.
She respected earning money—but not by cheating others.
“I’m truly sorry. I had no idea this would happen. I thought the 3 gold coins were to guarantee exclusive service for the day.”
People like this feared one thing most:
Their popular store getting ruined by bad word of mouth.
Riden nudged Corel and added,
“I should make sure none of my friends go through this.”
Corel picked up the cue and dramatically added,
“Oh dear! And how many friends was it, again? One by one? You’ll lose your voice warning them all!”
“That’s not it, Lady! It’s a misunderstanding!”
As the two exchanged lines, Laria, stunned, bowed low.
“Whenever I made dresses for your late mother, I was always struck by her warmth. I’ve been so looking forward to seeing you.”
Then why did this happen today? Riden’s cold stare said it all.
Laria leaned in and whispered,
“Do you recognize the woman inside?”
Through the parted curtain, Riden saw her.
A beautiful, middle-aged blonde woman.
Riden shook her head.
Laria whispered even more quietly—
“She’s the Marchioness of Florence!”
Her finger discreetly pointed to none other than Mrs. Kim Si-eom.
