RYL Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Thus began the second phase of my “Live However I Want” plan—Operation: Make My Ex-Fiancé Lose Interest.

For this, Lilianne dragged me around for an exhausting shopping spree.

“We need to completely change your sweet and innocent image! You should be more alluring, more dangerously seductive!”

…Seductive?

I squeezed my eyes shut as I looked at the tight, red dress that clung to my body and revealed way too much of my skin.

How did it come to this…?

Originally, I had wanted to discuss a salon event with Lilianne and Sabrina.

Given Lilianne’s sense of style and the potential partnership with the boutique that will soon open on the second floor, I had intended to propose a fashion show.

Right now, well-known boutiques already controlled the noble fashion scene.

Even if the salon was successful, it would be tough for a boutique outside the city center to gain attention.

But what if we combined a fashion event with the salon?

Both the salon and boutique could benefit from it.

Of course, I was relying on Lilianne’s aesthetic sense.

She wasn’t a designer herself, but she had hired designers and staff who were bound to attract attention.

“A fashion show?”

Lilianne, who had been focused on picking out my dress, looked at me with wide eyes.

Sabrina, on the other hand, seemed thrilled.

“That sounds fun!”

Lilianne, however, looked uncertain.

“But the boutique isn’t even open yet.”

“That’s the point! We create buzz before it opens, so people start wondering, Where is that dress from? I need one too!”

“But… I’ve only ever helped dress up Claire and Sabrina. I’ve never done anything this big before.”

“You just need to oversee it like you do with the boutique. Trust your instincts.”

Lilianne hesitated for a while before asking,

“What about models?”

I responded confidently,

“We’ll find them!”

After some thought, Lilianne finally nodded.

“Alright. But it won’t be easy. The dresses will take at least two months to complete.”

That was all right; finding models and converting the VIP area into a runway would take time.

“That’s perfect. It gives us time to prepare.”

Then Lilianne gave me a long look and muttered,

“The models need to match the dresses…”

Feeling a little uneasy under her gaze, I awkwardly laughed and said,

“I’ll do my best to find the right people… Haha.”

Then, Sabrina chimed in with a suggestion.

“Lilianne should help pick the models. After all, it’s her boutique.”

I nodded eagerly.

“Great idea! You and Sabrina should both be involved.”

Lilianne still looked a little dissatisfied but agreed.

Then, Sabrina murmured thoughtfully,

“But a regular fashion show feels a bit boring… I mean, it’d still be fresh for this era, but…”

I agreed.

Just showcasing dresses wasn’t enough to make it an exciting event.

But since I didn’t have a better idea yet…

“We can figure that part out later.”

Lilianne and Sabrina nodded.

Still, even if the fashion show was months away, we needed an event right now.

Ugh. Back to where we started.

While I was deep in thought, Lilianne finished my makeover and beamed at me.

“Done! My masterpiece! A female killer who can seduce any man in ten minutes—just with a glance!”

Standing in front of the mirror, I stared at my reflection in shock.

Even with my lack of fashion sense, I could tell this was art.

How did she transform someone so completely, like magic?

I looked… not just beautiful, but dangerously alluring.

Behind me, Sabrina nodded in approval.

“Now we’re fully armed! All that’s left is to win the battle!”

Like a general hyping up their troops before war, she sounded way too serious about this.

Feeling awkward, I shifted uncomfortably and mumbled,

“Isn’t this… a bit much?”

But Lilianne cut me off firmly.

“Did you forget? This is exactly what we’re aiming for.”

Then she smirked mischievously.

“A woman who looks very suggestive and scandalous.”

***

After an exhausting day of shopping with Lilianne and Sabrina, I finally returned to the mansion.

Unexpectedly, my stepmother, Ophelia, greeted me with an overly friendly smile.

“You’re back! You must be tired. I had the maids prepare tea for you.”

It was painfully obvious that she was watching my reaction.

Without much emotion, I replied,

“I’m heading straight to my room. No need for that.”

As I tried to walk past her, Ophelia quickly stepped in front of me.

She fidgeted, clearly wanting to say something.

I narrowed my eyes.

“Do you need something from me?”

Ophelia finally spoke, as if she had been waiting for the chance.

“Well… It’s about the Laurentino Duchy’s banquet…”

Ah.

I finally realized what my stepmother was trying to say and let out a small sigh.

I had already received the invitation to the banquet personally from Mathieu. However, my father, the Count, had recently declared that I would accompany him to all future social events as his heir. That was why Ophelia was acting like this.

“Well… don’t you think it would be a bit awkward for you to attend your ex-fiancé’s banquet?”

I found her words amusing, so I let her continue speaking.

“There’s no real need for you to force yourself to go. Since it might be uncomfortable for you, perhaps I should attend as the Count’s partner instead…”

“We’ll see.”

My firm response made Ophelia’s expression stiffen.

I continued, ignoring her reaction.

“I’m not attending as the ex-fiancée of the young duke. I’m going as the heir of the Devonshire family.”

Not only was I attending as the Count’s successor, but as the madam of the Clina Salon, the Duke’s banquet was an excellent opportunity.

It was the perfect place to meet potential future clients—people who would be my source of income.

Ophelia’s expression darkened even more, but I simply looked at her with amusement.

“You should just ask me to take you along instead.”

“…What?”

“If you beg me, I might consider taking you as my companion.”

That was the final straw for Ophelia. She dropped her polite facade and raised her voice.

“You’re not seriously planning to attend the Duke’s banquet dressed like that, are you?”