Chapter 58
Keith sat down beside Nina, crunching on the half-eaten cookie Katya had left, and asked kindly,
“Why are you just sitting there, little one? Don’t you see anything you want to wear?”
“I just tried some on earlier. But… I think they’re all good.”
“All good?”
“Mm-hm. They’re all so pretty, I think any of them would be fine.”
Keith looked awkwardly at Rabian.
Rabian gave a wry smile.
Of course Nina had no idea that saying “Anything is fine” was the single deadliest phrase to a man.
“What do you usually wear? Do they have something similar here?”
At Rabian’s words, Nina glanced around.
If there had been a style like what she usually wore, it would’ve been easy to point out…
“It’s not here, but over there I think they have something like it.”
She pointed toward the store across the glass wall.
Following her gaze, Rabian immediately frowned.
“That…?”
“Yeah, it looks just like the one that mannequin is wearing.”
“…”
While clueless Keith stayed quiet, Rabian fell silent for another reason.
The shop across the way was a vintage boutique.
Not practical clothing, but pieces meant for display or costume parties.
And the dress on the mannequin Nina pointed out—its skirt hem overly long, with a whale-bone corset cinching the torso—was exactly the type of design now banned for children’s health.
Rabian knew because those were the very dresses that had been in fashion when he was young—right up until the outbreak of the maritime war, when Anna and Diana had constantly complained about them.
What the hell is this now?
His already tangled thoughts twisted further, making him nauseous.
It felt just like that time at the café, when he’d seen Nina clasp her little hands together while gazing longingly at a brunch set.
Because that was exactly what young Diana used to do.
Though unlike Nina, Diana hadn’t been forced into it by her mother.
“So you mean you used to wear things like that.”
“Mm-hm. It’s a bit flashy though, right?”
Nina muttered sheepishly, clearly unaware of the problem.
Is she really losing her mind already?
Rabian began seriously reconsidering the rumor that Diana was going senile early.
If it wasn’t senility, then why on earth would she repeat the same cruelty she herself endured as a child—forcing her daughter into those clothes, teaching her that nonsense about grinding teeth, and letting maids feed her Sally Juice?
In the imperial family, there’s no way the Empress wouldn’t know what’s happening to the young prince.
This wasn’t some tragic old fairy tale about a mistreated bastard princess.
What the hell is my damned brother doing?
“Uncle?”
Rabian barely swallowed the curses aimed at his brother and sister-in-law, and turned his head.
Nina was gazing up at him, her tiny hand gripping his sleeve.
Her bright little face was mixed with worry and unease—almost as if she were checking if he was okay.
Who’s worrying about who here?
Completely exasperated, Rabian smoothed out his frown and called out,
“Hey.”
“Yes, sir?”
Like a puppy desperate for affection, a store clerk rushed right over.
Lohas employees really were transparent about everything.
“You’ve taken her measurements already, right?”
“Of course! She’s a bit smaller than average, but fortunately in our store—”
“Then from here to there, ring it all up in her size. I’ll send someone later, so have it delivered.”
It was pure laziness.
He just wanted this nuisance over with as soon as possible.
When Rabian spread his palm wide to indicate the entire store, the clerks—and even his own companions—gawked, mouths wide open.
It was the legendary “From here to there, give me everything” maneuver!
“E–everything…? O-of course, sir, leave it to us! We’ll even provide complimentary gift wrapping—”
“Do whatever, just bring me the bill already. And set aside something she can change into right now.”
“L-love… I mean, th-thank you very much, esteemed customer!”
While the clerk trembled with excitement, Nina stood silent, half in shock.
Do other children’s families do things like this all the time?
But judging from Charlotte’s surprised face, it wasn’t normal at all.
Trying to calm her pounding heart, Nina asked cautiously,
“Uncle, are you sure this is okay?”
“Are you looking down on me? Clothes for kids are pocket change to me.”
“I’m not looking down on you, it’s just…”
Nina knew well enough that even children’s clothing from such luxury brands cost a fortune.
The few pretty things she’d managed to hold onto at the palace had often been stolen away by the maids.
Even the old teddy bear with gemstone eyes had vanished one day.
So, worried she wouldn’t be able to keep all these expensive clothes safe, Nina voiced her concern.
“I just… I’m scared I might lose them. Or someone might steal them.”
At that moment, a clerk hurried over clutching the bill.
Rabian snatched up the pen, snorting derisively.
“Who’d dare steal something I bought?”
It was a convincing enough retort that Nina faltered.
“But what if someone who doesn’t know you bought it tries to sneak it away?”
“Then should I engrave your name into every single piece, so no one dares touch it?”
“Like your clothes?”
Recalling the day she’d worn his jacket, Nina perked up and asked curiously.
Rabian turned away with an incredulous expression.
“Just hurry and change already. Are you planning to walk around in pajamas all day?”
Nina quickly shook her head.
Just then, Diete shot Rabian a disapproving glare.
“You bastard. First you made her cry, now you’re trying to look cool all by yourself? I was gonna buy Nina something too!”
“I don’t accept bribes from guards.”
“B-bribes?! Don’t you dare taint my pure feelings for Nina with your twisted values!”
“If you really want to prove your pure feelings, why not buy a gift for Nina’s caretaker instead?”
Rabian teased with a sly grin.
Katya, who had just changed back into her maid’s uniform, nearly jumped out of her skin.
“N-no thanks! I don’t need clothes like that anyway…”
“Alright.”
His unexpectedly quick agreement left Katya staring wide-eyed.
Diete cleared his throat, putting on a mature air.
“I said something rude earlier, so consider it an apology gift. Since Nina’s friend is also my friend…”
“Is it okay for the Guard Captain to act like this?”
“Shut it, you ignorant brute!”
“Boss, the guard captain keeps insulting me, calling me a brute.”
“Challenge him to a duel. I’ll be the referee.”
Nina and Katya exchanged sparkling looks.
“Perfect! How about the one you tried earlier? It looked amazing on you.”
“I mean, I don’t really have anywhere to wear clothes like that…”
Still, Katya obediently handed the outfit Nina chose over to the clerk.
No girl could resist free new clothes.
Meanwhile, Nina slipped into a blue dress with a wide, white-trimmed collar, with the help of the friendly staff.
Its knee-length skirt felt far lighter and freer than the long, dragging gowns she’d worn in the palace.
Paired with white stockings and chunky shoes, her mood grew unexpectedly buoyant.
“My, my, the clothes really shine when the model is this pretty.”
Letting the clerk’s flattery pass in one ear and out the other, Nina stared in astonishment at her reflection in the mirror.
All she had done was change her clothes—yet she looked like a completely different person.
Like she was a whole new girl.
“Wow, Nina, you look so pretty! It really suits you!”
Katya and Charlotte’s enthusiastic praise made Nina’s face flush bright red.
