Chapter 15
Rachel examined the fabric without any expression and made her choice. She had a cynical attitude, as if it didn’t matter what she wore.
“Daisy, what do you think?”
“It suits you very well, Miss.”
“Then we’ll go with this.”
She didn’t even hesitate between the two options. She simply asked her maid for input, and the maid, without properly examining it, said it looked good.
‘Should I intervene?’
The large floral lace didn’t suit her at all. I hesitated for a moment and then offered her a different lace.
“How about using this lace for the neckline? Since you’ll be wearing diamonds on the chest, an overly ornate lace might look too much.”
“Alright. Daphne knows best. Let’s go with the lace you chose.”
I marked the lace she selected and let out a heavy sigh inwardly. Occasionally, I see ladies who visit my shop with a gloomy expression because of a fiancé they don’t particularly like. To cheer them up, I throw out all kinds of compliments, real or made up.
“Oh my! Lady, your skin is so fair that even ivory silk suits you perfectly. It’s been half a year since we brought this fabric in, and no one could pull it off until now.”
“Since you like extravagant dresses, how about adding some crystals? Hm, it would go perfectly with Miss Jeanne’s striking features. Of course, I don’t know if we can make a dress that matches Miss Ella’s beauty.”
Using such grandiose compliments wasn’t difficult at all. I naturally felt grateful to every lady who came to my shop and thought of them as shining in their own way.
But Rachel didn’t give my small compliments a chance to slip in. Was she just lazy about dressing up? Absolutely not. She was far more aesthetically sensitive than most people. The royal family would never place a lady with poor taste in the position of Crown Princess.
‘I need to be careful not to irritate her unnecessarily.’
Complimenting someone on their appearance when they don’t want it doesn’t bring any pleasure. I focused only on balancing the ornate dress to cover her flaws.
“Then we can do the first fitting in about a month. Should I come to the mansion then?”
“Yes, please do.”
“Understood. I’ll tidy things up and head out. Thank you.”
As I was about to straighten the scattered fabric, she called out.
“Wait a moment.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Miss Daphne left something at the mansion last time. I’d like you to take it.”
Rachel glanced at her maid and quickly conveyed her message. Her maid seemed unconcerned.
“I’ll deliver it. Miss, you should go rest.”
“No. Since it’s valuable, I should deliver it myself. What if it gets lost? It’s precious to Miss Daphne.”
Rachel argued as if testing her willpower. Being caught in the middle was awkward.
“But if not in your parlor…”
“So, Miss Daphne, stop by my room before you leave. Daisy, wait here until Miss Daphne sorts everything out and then accompany her.”
“Yes? Miss…!”
Rachel stubbornly left the parlor first. Suddenly, Eva and I were left to endure the awkwardness.
‘Let’s just finish tidying and get this “lost” item.’
But had I left anything here? I had brought a few gemstones that would match well, though they weren’t expensive. They were just for checking the atmosphere. I hadn’t brought a whole yard of lace or fabric, so losing some scraps wouldn’t be a loss. And I knew I hadn’t forgotten anything here. I was meticulous with my belongings. Competitors sometimes tried to sabotage by spying on where I sourced my fabrics, even stealing sample lace or veils. Only clients commissioning wedding dresses could see my materials.
I quickly finished tidying and approached Rachel’s maid.
“Daisy? Could you guide me, please?”
She scanned me from head to toe and said briefly, “Follow me.”
Does she not know I’m a noble? Even though I’m a baroness… I decided to let it slide since I’m not the type to scold someone else’s maid. Maybe she feels arrogant thinking the person she serves will soon become Crown Princess and eventually Empress. If she behaves rudely again, I’ll have to give a warning.
We reached Rachel’s room and knocked.
“Miss, I’ve brought Miss Daphne.”
“Alright, open the door.”
The door swung open. Rachel sat at the table, giving commands with regal elegance.
“Daisy, stay outside. I’m going to give Miss Daphne something containing confidential shop information. No one else can see this.”
Did I really leave something so important lying around?
“…Understood.”
“Good. Bring a glass of water from the kitchen too; I’m thirsty.”
I left Daisy outside and entered alone.
‘This used to be a room full of rocking horses and dolls.’
The bright and warm room of the young marchioness was gone. The neatly organized room, even with the curtains drawn, radiated a cold, sterile atmosphere.
“…Would you like to come here?”
“Yes.”
I approached Rachel. She glanced around anxiously and quickly pressed something into my hand. A pendant.
“I like my sister.”
“…What is this? This isn’t mine…”
“Keep it with you. For when you meet my father or brother… and also when you go to the temple.”
She spoke in a puzzling way, urging me to hide the pendant immediately. I slipped the mysterious pendant into my bag. Before Daisy arrived, I thought it best to leave quickly and headed to the carriage.
‘What is this?’
It was a locket pendant. Inside, instead of a portrait, there was a small magic stone and an unknown vine-like pattern around it. It looked suspicious, but I didn’t think Rachel would give me something harmful. She seemed desperate when she handed it to me, gripping my wrist tightly and bowing her head, urging me to leave quickly.
‘Better keep it with me. Edin knows more about magic stones than I do, so I can ask him later.’
I clutched the pendant tightly. The embossed floral pattern on the cold metal locket glowed faintly between my fingers.
A few days later, I went to the Motron residence.
‘Isn’t it strange for me to meet Laila? After all, there was a scandal with Edin.’
Edin was impatient in certain matters. He had sent a letter to Laila first, suggesting she meet the person helping him and get to know him slowly.
‘Just meet in the capital ten days later.’
I wiped away the tears that wouldn’t come and grumbled.
‘Laila’s strange too.’
If it were me, I would have refused. It could wait. Why insist on meeting me? My heart trembled as I followed the Motron butler. He led me to a table in the garden. Laila Motron sat there, propping her chin and looking at me.
‘She’s staring at me like a meerkat.’
She looked lovely, but from my perspective, her gaze felt rude. Laila stood and greeted me.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Yes, I’m Daphne Algerf. I’m here on the Duke of Richewarden’s errand…”
“I know.”
Ah, cold. Just as the rumors said, distant and cold.
I sat in front of her, trying to think of what to say. She spoke first.
“I once broke off the marriage discussion with the Duke.”
“…Ah, I heard about that.”
“Yet we’re still connected. Maybe we are fated with the Duke.”
“Yes, perhaps…”
Why did this make me so uneasy? I nodded along but avoided her gaze, even knowing it was impolite.
“Well, sending Miss Daphne might also be a way to explain.”
“Pardon?”
“To show we have no relationship, you sent Miss Daphne to reassure me about the rumors, right?”
