~Chapter 14~
The four fashion specialists leaned in together, teacups at their lips.
They had three clues.
The baby mentioned by the Duchess, the “chick,” and the tiara catalog she insisted they not forget.
As they exchanged glances, the same words left their lips:
“The new Duchess.”
Tiaras were used on many occasions, but were especially essential for debutante balls — the grand entrance of young noblewomen into high society.
And the Duchess of Kenwulf putting this much effort into someone else’s debutante?
She was not the type to care about others enough to act as a chaperone for a stranger.
Serawang, beaming, said with excitement:
“It’s been a while since I made a wedding dress. How exciting. I wonder what kind of person she is.”
The others — Twiffany, Minolo, and the assistant — were equally thrilled.
Until now, they had only designed for the Duchess and her two sons. Though their work was well appreciated, things were getting monotonous.
What they needed was a fresh muse.
‘A chick…’
‘A chick, huh.’
‘A newly hatched chick soon to be covered in jewels.’
‘Can a chick even wear heels? Then again, it’s not like the Duchess walks much. I’ll just make a ton!’
They each fantasized about the girl they’d soon be dressing.
Knock knock.
Someone tapped gently on the drawing room door.
*
Baron Dolomy had waited for this day.
A former knight, he was a longtime retainer of the Kenwulf family. After earning great merit in the conquest of the Duchy of Reuben, the Emperor rewarded him with a barony.
He was also tasked with managing part of the duchy’s land — including the Eduard Villa — since the Kenwulf family already had too much to oversee.
That year had been the greatest moment of Baron Dolomy’s life.
He believed managing Eduard Villa near the capital would be his springboard into central nobility.
But!
“Who could’ve expected the late Duke Kenwulf to disappear like that?”
After the Duke vanished, Dolomy’s ambitions were dashed.
He pleaded with the Duchess — now the acting head — to recognize his talent, to no avail.
He tore at his pillow in frustration each night, cursing her.
But now…
“If she accepts my daughter as a daughter-in-law, everything changes!”
Snap!
He eagerly opened the letter from the Duchess:
“I will be staying at the Eduard Villa for two weeks. This is related to the Kenwulf family, so even the smallest detail must not be leaked. I trust you will make sure everything is prepared for a comfortable stay.”
“Hahahaha!”
“Let me see too, Father!”
Baron Dolomy’s daughter snatched the letter from his hand and hugged it tightly.
“Lord Ethan… ahh…”
She checked the mention of the Duke’s name several times and clutched the letter as if embracing Ethan himself.
“Now all that’s left is our love.”
She reminisced about their time at the estate when she was merely a servant’s daughter and could only gaze at Ethan from afar.
Then her father received a title — their class gap closed!
But then came the Duchess, forcing Ethan to choose duty over love. He escaped to the battlefield, wounded by love.
And now, triumphant from many battles, Ethan had returned — surely to reclaim their love!
“I’ll give him a love greater than anyone’s, to make up for all his suffering.”
Yet watching his daughter in such bliss, Baron Dolomy grew uneasy.
“Henji… are you sure this visit is really about your marriage? There’s no mention of ‘wedding’ or ‘debutante’ in the letter…”
“Father!!!”
She nearly exploded.
“Look around, what do you think all this is?!”
They were in Serawang’s room, rummaging through luggage from the Kenwulf household.
Every bag revealed luxury fabrics, jewelry, and shoes — all suited for a debutante, not the Duchess.
“You see? These things aren’t for the Duchess. They’re for me.”
Baron Dolomy couldn’t help but think:
“I did send a lot of letters…”
He had begged the Duchess to chaperone his daughter’s debutante event, as he lacked ties in central society.
Until now, her replies were cold: uninterested in social matters.
But now — this was a clear sign. Right?
“They must be supporting Henji’s debut and our marriage!”
“Ha, you’re right,” Baron Dolomy said sweetly.
“So your love story began at the estate?”
“Yes! He always smiled at me with such deep eyes…”
“Haha! Having a daughter like this really pays off!”
Imagining her reunion with Ethan, Henji blushed beside her father, who laughed so hard the villa shook.
*
Knock knock.
The four stylists turned toward the sound of the knock, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“Is it our muse?”
“It’s the chick!”
“No matter her type, I can enhance her charms… but I hope she has good fashion sense.”
“Or none at all — that way, she’ll wear whatever I design! Come to me, tasteless little chick!”
