CHAPTER 27
Just as I was sitting there absentmindedly in the subtly tense atmosphere…
“If… if you need anything, please call for me.”
The staff member, awkwardly caught between the two of us showing signs of some competitive affection (?), quickly made their escape.
I stared at Idris, who was smiling nonchalantly, utterly dumbfounded—then let out a laugh, as if I had just surrendered.
“You always seem to smile when you look at me. Am I really that funny?”
Then, seeing his puzzled face, I spoke honestly.
“I used to think you were just a scary person. But after actually meeting and talking with you… you’re kind of fun.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s interesting how you do things I could never even imagine doing. I guess… I envy that a little.”
Idris already knew that I had avoided him before I regressed.
‘Plenty of people find him scary. But that doesn’t mean he welcomed my presence either, I suppose.’
And yet, he reached out and offered to cooperate with me without hesitation.
That’s why I wanted to say it now.
That I had misunderstood him.
That he wasn’t as frightening as the rumors said.
That, in fact, he was quite an interesting and good person.
But instead of focusing on that part, he zeroed in on something else entirely.
“Hearing that makes me curious. What made you think it was a good idea to just approach such a scary person and propose a deal?”
I paused.
This is the world of a book I read in my past life. And after seeing the male lead—whom I trusted—betray me, I decided to ignore the original plot!
‘…No way I can say that.’
Instead, I chose to answer truthfully—without lying.
“…After being betrayed by someone I believed was good, I started wondering… maybe someone I thought was bad could actually turn out to be good too.”
“That’s impressive.”
His unexpected praise made me look up at him, startled.
“You’re admitting you might have been wrong. Most people refuse to even entertain that thought, let alone say it out loud.”
His eyes as he complimented me were devoid of the usual mischief.
No—he even looked firm, as if stating a simple truth.
‘I thought I didn’t need anyone’s approval…’
But being acknowledged like this—felt better than I expected.
Like a soft feather gently tickling my heart.
It was a feeling I had long forgotten while living with a family that belittled me and a man like Feydan who constantly undermined my abilities.
“Since we’re being honest… I used to think you were just one of those boring types, like everyone else.”
He took a sip of now-lukewarm tea and continued.
“But now that I’ve actually met you, you’re far more interesting than I expected. I’ve been enjoying myself lately because of you.”
“…”
“So I hope you’ll keep entertaining me for a long, long time.”
If he’d said that the first time we met, I might have been scared.
Because he’s the villain of the original story. Because I was under pressure to win his favor.
But now I know.
‘He’s a good man. And those words… they’re his way of encouraging me.’
I chuckled lightly and replied,
“I’ll do my best.”
We shared tea and dessert while chatting about this and that.
When our teacups were nearly empty—
‘Huh?’
Another couple was just coming up, being guided by a staff member.
Instinctively, my eyes were drawn to the woman’s outfit.
‘That dress… looks similar to mine?’
Just like the woman I saw earlier on the first floor by the window.
Lately, I keep seeing people wearing clothes similar to mine.
‘Is this really just a coincidence?’
Two people wearing last year’s fashion trend at the same place?
Just as that small suspicion formed, my eyes met the woman’s.
She had been walking in this direction with the staff, but once our eyes met, she panicked and took a seat far away.
And at that moment, it hit me.
Where I had worn that dress design before.
‘Wait… that design—wasn’t it from the time I went to the boutique with Idris?’
That day, Feydan had stormed in with a bunch of reporters.
Because of that, pictures of me and Idris had spread all over the front pages the next day.
And once I remembered that, the situation made sense.
‘People must’ve seen that article and ordered the dress design!’
But I’d already worn that dress several times before.
So why was it suddenly becoming a hot topic now?
Most likely…
I looked at the reason sitting right across from me.
‘It’s probably thanks to this man.’
Despite his infamous reputation, he was universally recognized as the most handsome man in the Empire.
Everything he did became news, and anything he wore would spike in sales the next day.
The popularity of my dress was probably all thanks to Idris.
Think about it.
The most influential man in the Empire had fallen in love.
And the woman he fell for? Her clothes would seem like a stamp of approval from his impeccable taste.
‘Why didn’t I think of using this before?’
He’s the perfect model—right in front of me!
An idea struck like lightning, and I couldn’t help but grin deviously to myself.
And just then, my eyes met Idris’s—he was leaning his chin on one hand, lazily watching me.
“That’s the look of someone who just had an interesting idea. Why not share it instead of keeping it to yourself?”
“Ahem… Was it that obvious?”
“Yeah. Your eyes are sparkling—just like our dear crown prince when he finds a new toy.”
His comparison to the crown prince was oddly annoying, but I was too excited to care. I grinned.
“Thanks to you, I think I’ve got a new business idea.”
A peaceful afternoon.
Madame Bouar was assisting customers when a staff member hurried over and whispered.
“M-Madame. A very important guest has arrived.”
A VIP.
A term used to refer to royals or high-ranking nobles.
Madame Bouar quickly handed off her current client to another staff member and asked as she headed toward the guest,
“And who exactly is this ‘important guest’?”
“Well, um…”
The employee hesitated, unable to answer right away.
‘What in the world…?’
Frowning in confusion, Madame Bouar picked up her pace.
And by the time she reached the designated room—
Her professional smile froze awkwardly.
Because…
‘W-What is he doing here?’
A man towering close to two meters with an overwhelmingly intimidating aura was standing there like a boulder.
She, like most people seeing Wigeur for the first time, was momentarily terrified.
But then a soft, pleasant voice broke the tension.
“It’s been a while, Madame Bouar.”
The voice belonged to Leticia, seated nearby.
At that moment, Madame Bouar understood why the staff had hesitated to name the guest.
Should they refer to her as the Duchess of Farnese?
Or as Lady Chloel?
In the past, it wouldn’t have mattered much.
As Duchess Farnese, Leticia wasn’t particularly influential.
But now it was different.
‘After the scandal with Grand Duke Delrua, and the boutique that made the dress she wore that day broke sales records…’
In other words—
‘If she buys clothes from our shop, they’ll become the next big hit!’
This was the perfect opportunity to skyrocket their revenue. They couldn’t risk offending her over something like a title.
She had to make Leticia buy something—no matter what.
“Oh my, madam. If you had informed us ahead of time, we would’ve come to your estate.”
By calling her “madam,” a conveniently vague honorific, Madame Bouar gracefully avoided the awkward title situation—though Leticia could see right through it.
Even as Duchess Farnese, Leticia had never been treated poorly due to her status. But now, there was a kind of desperation in the Madame’s attitude she hadn’t seen before.
Still… having someone grovel for her favor didn’t feel all that bad.
‘So this is why people chase after power and wealth.’
Leticia smiled at the pleasantries and sat on the sofa, elegantly crossing her legs.
“Madame, show me the best ready-to-wear pieces you have.”
“Would you like to try them on now?”
“No, I’ll just take a look for now.”
Shortly after the staff left to fetch the items—
A dress made of visibly luxurious fabric was placed before her.
Leticia here just flexing her money😎😎