Chapter 44
In the end, the one who lost was me.
Unable to hide my displeasure, I opened the drawer of the reception room table.
Because I used more force than usual, it made a loud noise.
Ignoring Edin’s gaze on me, I pulled out the measuring tape stored inside.
“Of course, since this is a place that deals with clothes, there must be measuring tapes here and there.”
“Yes, well, that’s true. There are more measuring tapes here than tea leaves.”
“Really?”
“I haven’t counted them though.”
I answered indifferently, closed the reception room door, and walked toward Edin.
“Would you take off your jacket, please?”
“That’s not difficult.”
When he took it off, the solid body under his white shirt came into view.
…I should ask him to take the shirt off too.
Couldn’t he just wear something that didn’t fit perfectly instead?
While thinking completely unprofessional thoughts, I stepped closer to him.
“I’ll start with your waist.”
“Ah, wait a moment.”
He loosened his cravat and began unbuttoning his shirt one by one.
What the heck? Is he out of his mind? I don’t want to see this!
Though my heart strongly resisted, it took about two seconds of delay before my reason returned.
Just as Edin finished unbuttoning and was about to turn around, I snapped my head away.
“There’s no need to undress for measurements. It’s not even a dress.”
“Still, this is for a tailored shirt. Isn’t it important to make it perfectly fitted?”
“Well, yes, but…! I’m experienced enough to make it beautifully by eye alone, you know? Of course, only for women’s wear! Still, please keep your shirt on!”
He hesitated for a moment, then seemed to start fastening the buttons again.
That should do it.
I turned my head back… and at that very moment—
I caught sight of Edin’s abs.
“……”
“Ah, sorry. I was just picking up the cravat I dropped.”
So the sound I heard wasn’t him buttoning up, but bending down to pick it up…
Just before that, I nearly screamed at the unexpected sight of a man’s bare torso.
Wow, his body’s amazing! Really amazing!
As expected of this world, where even physique was inherited flawlessly.
I narrowed my eyes, reminded anew why he was the son of the male lead.
“Now, have you really buttoned them up?”
“You’ve already seen, so… can’t I just take the measurements without the shirt?”
“No. Absolutely not.”
Sorry, but I was way too conservative for that.
He seemed to understand and finally buttoned his shirt.
Once I confirmed it, I timidly approached him with the measuring tape.
“I’ll really start now. Please don’t move.”
I took a deep breath, exhaled slightly, and wrapped the tape around his waist.
Then carefully measured his forearm, wrist, and chest.
Every time he mischievously turned to look at my face, my temperature shot up—but still, I kept going.
“If you move, I can’t take proper measurements.”
“Apologies. It just feels unfamiliar.”
What nonsense.
As someone who had new clothes made monthly, surely meticulous measuring was routine.
That excuse was laughably flimsy, just to tease me.
Now it was time to measure his shoulder width.
…He might be the broadest I’ve ever measured.
I had expected it, given his perfectly V-shaped torso.
But the actual measurement was astonishing.
Twenty-two inches!
Good thing he often wore custom-made clothes.
If he bought ready-made ones, a jacket that fit his shoulders would hang ridiculously loose at the waist.
Hooh—
I admired the numbers I’d jotted down.
Then suddenly, Edin appeared behind me.
“What are you doing?”
“Checking the measurements.”
“Is it something that serious?”
“Your shoulders are slightly broader than last time, and your waist slimmer… I was wondering if you’ve been training. This will be fun to tailor.”
Forgetting my feelings toward him, I became completely absorbed in the world of creation, and my long-lost excitement bubbled up again.
“Now we need to choose the fabric. Do you have any preferences? Though I think it’s best if I go tomorrow myself to examine and purchase the cloth.”
I realized my voice had gotten more animated than it had been when making the dress earlier.
“Ah, Miss Daphne. This just feels a bit ticklish, that’s all.”
Edin said nothing more, simply brushing back the stray hairs that had slipped loose onto my forehead.
I pressed my heated forehead and continued.
“So, should I just pick whatever fabric I like?”
“Yes. You can bill it to Richebarden.”
“Hm, with the design I have in mind, you might owe me a mansion afterward.”
It was a joke I often tossed to other ladies.
When he fell silent, I instantly regretted my slip.
“Shall I, then? Move in with you?”
“…No. I doubt I could obtain fabric that expensive. Ten gold is enough.”
I quickly retracted my words.
But his response strangely left my heart aching.
It felt different from when other ladies bantered back with me.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
“It’ll take at least four months. As for the design…”
“Please decide on your own. Something that suits me.”
I nodded and looked up at him intently.
It was my way of asking why he was still here when our business was done.
“I hear rumors that you’ve been staying here instead of returning home.”
“I often do that.”
Indeed, every May and October I practically lived at the shop.
Emma would even pack her things and stay with me, working day and night on dresses.
We’d hire several temporary workers then, and it became like a small dress factory.
“You’re still young, so it’s fine now, but it’ll surely wear you down eventually.”
That was something my mother always said, like clockwork, in May and October.
I let it go in one ear and out the other, and retorted.
“But working like this is the only way to achieve results.”
“Do you really need to push yourself so far?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then… when it gets too hard, visit this place.”
Edin pulled out a business card from inside his jacket.
“Merdisen’s Pharmacy”
“A famous place. I’ve heard of it.”
Known for selling all kinds of rare medicine—so effective it put physicians to shame.
Of course, also expensive.
“It’s run by someone I know. I’ll give them your name, so anytime you need something to boost strength or vitality, have them prepare it for you.”
“Oh, no… that won’t be necessary.”
I wasn’t the frail type, skipping meals to stay slim like other ladies.
I wanted to refuse, but he was relentless.
“If you don’t, I’ll have medicine sent here. You need stamina not just for this shop, but also to help me.”
“…Said like that, I really do need to stay healthy. Thank you very much.”
I let out a huff, but Edin didn’t care and rose to his feet.
“I’ll rely on you. Please take care of your health.”
Since he gave a formal farewell, I responded in kind with stiff courtesy.
What a strange, peculiar man.
As soon as he left, I turned my head sharply and locked the shop door tight.
…Now that I think about it, I didn’t keep my guard up against Edin.
Ever since learning that Radipal and his disciples were skilled in disguise, I’d made a habit of pretending the shop was closed after hours.
I parted the curtain slightly and peeked out.
I saw him meeting Lord Royche and heading toward the carriage.
…Why does such a busy man keep coming here?
Grumbling, I struggled to calm my pounding heart.
All right, enough.
Muttering to myself, I returned to making dresses.
“I’m really giving you a special price, Lady Daphne. You know that, right?”
“Of course! And you know I only buy silk here.”
“Of course! I’ll send it to your shop by noon. It’s too heavy to carry alone.”
On a rare morning outing away from the shop, I managed to buy fabric at a lower price than expected, leaving me in a great mood.
Who would’ve thought they’d just imported such high-quality silk today of all days?
I got to browse to my heart’s content and felt better than usual.
“……”
Truly—
At least, until I saw Edin and Luana sitting together in the cafeteria.
