Chapter 89
“Haha, and who might this be for?”
Ophraje began with a question.
It wasn’t unusual among nobles to keep a mistress besides a legal wife.
But this was someone chosen by Beiadin, who had lived in seclusion for so long.
“Since Doshen is also here, I’d better be careful. I really don’t want to die later at the hands of a furious Grand Duke Beiadin. And I definitely don’t want to get caught in some messy love affair.”
“Why, for Tristan, of course.”
Maya answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“Oh.”
Ophraje blinked as her misunderstanding shattered.
“Haha, right. If not the Grand Duke, who else could it be?”
Maya then realized Doshen had made a very odd assumption.
“This dress is for Tristan and me. I want Tristan to feel his heart skip when he sees me.”
Even if Maya showed up wearing rags, Tristan would feel that way—but this was something Maya didn’t know.
Having said it out loud, she grew embarrassed. Scratching her head, she glanced aside.
“So… I’ll be in your care.”
“This is my specialty, after all.”
Feeling a little guilty, Ophraje threw herself into sketching the dress with passion.
“Then, how about a bell-shaped gown like this?”
The sketch showed a dress with a wide, elegant hemline.
“It looks like a giant bell.”
“Yes, but the lines of the body will be beautifully shaped, so it will suit you well.”
“The last dress you made was wonderful too. I like this.”
Maya found herself pleased with all of Ophraje’s suggestions.
“Then… I’ll take your measurements today and start production right away.”
Luckily, her schedule was clear. As Ophraje held the measuring tape against Maya, she couldn’t help but admire the muscles of her body again.
“I thought she was well-toned before, but… what did she do in such a short time? Her body looks even better now. Has she been training?”
Come to think of it, the Grand Duke hadn’t come up to the capital.
Maya had been away for quite some time.
All people heard was that she had been active in the West—perhaps she had even fought alongside the Grand Duke.
Surely the Grand Duchess alone couldn’t have fought.
“…Guess married life must be good for them.”
Ophraje reflected on how foolish she had been to doubt their relationship, and resolved to spread rumors to prevent others from doing the same.
At that moment, she welcomed Seren’s arrival—it had been a long time since she’d seen her.
“Now then, I’ll take your measurements.”
Usually, when measurements were taken, other ladies would step aside.
But Maya and Seren stood side by side.
Catching Seren’s gaze, Maya spoke first.
“Ophraje, there’s something I should tell you in advance.”
“Yes?”
“After hearing this, you can decide whether to make Seren Baker’s dress. If you choose not to, you won’t suffer any disadvantage.”
The sudden statement made Ophraje frown.
It carried the heavy air of something serious.
Still, after once making the mistake of misjudging, she hesitated.
“Am I misunderstanding again?”
But the atmosphere between Maya and Seren was far too unusual for that.
“Since your shop and Count Baker are closely tied, I should tell you beforehand.”
Seren stepped in.
“I’m going to cut ties with Count Baker.”
“With Count Baker?”
His one and only beloved daughter, Seren?
Thinking she had misheard, Ophraje asked again, but Seren only nodded gravely.
Why were there so many shocking things happening today?
Heavens!
What on earth had happened to Seren Baker?
And judging from the two speaking together, this matter connected them somehow.
“Why didn’t you say anything when planning Her Grace’s dress, then?”
“Because my dress is only to be worn inside the mansion. It won’t be seen outside.”
Should she be glad her dress wouldn’t be shown outside?
Well, if the wearer herself was truly happy, that was what mattered.
Still, other worries came rushing in.
“But the Count supplies my shop with fabrics and dyes…”
For Ophraje, this was a thunderbolt.
“I know he knows I like your shop. Which means he might cut off resources for a while.”
Seren muttered, frowning, imagining her father’s cowardly antics.
It was a nightmare for Ophraje.
“The amount of material I get from the Baker family is enormous…”
But she couldn’t bring herself to say “no.”
After all, despite the occasional strain, Seren had been the first client to recognize and appreciate her skills.
…And Ophraje knew Seren wasn’t someone who would make such a move lightly.
Though she thought of her as just a client, it seemed she had grown attached after all.
“May I ask… why you’re cutting ties?”
Seren blinked—she hadn’t expected Ophraje to ask.
“I’d like to hear your reasons.”
She felt she needed to know before deciding.
Seren had thought she’d be refused outright, but this unexpected show of support touched her deeply.
More so because Ophraje had seen her over time.
“How much can I say…?”
She had to be careful, since this involved not only herself but also the Beiadin and Rebur families.
Maya, standing beside her, mouthed: “Just say it all.”
Seren chuckled faintly.
Of course—such straightforwardness was exactly like Maya Beiadin, Grand Duchess.
So she decided to be honest.
“I’m going to fight to inherit the countship.”
“…The countship?”
“Yes.”
“I haven’t seen the countess much…”
“You’ll see her soon. And you’ll also meet the first female knight commander.”
Maya added with a smile.
“A knight commander?”
“Yes. The investiture hasn’t happened yet, so don’t spread the word. But I’ll be commander of the Imperial Knights.”
“The one in the position now…”
“His Majesty will take care of it.”
“I… I see.”
Ophraje nodded blankly.
“Do you need more time to think? Or you can tell us right now—it really is fine.”
Ophraje carefully reflected on everything.
“…Couldn’t this be an opportunity?”
She couldn’t forever bow and scrape to Count Baker.
Right now, every little thing depended on him.
He was her only supplier.
She had tried to build other connections, but it had been nearly impossible.
Since she was already linked to him, few nobles wanted to deal with her.
And since he was known as a close aide of Liserfield, no one wanted to cross him.
In that sense, this proposal could be a chance.
“…But if His Majesty supports Count Baker, how will you manage to succeed to the title?”
Because it touched the Emperor, she was extra cautious.
“Oh, that won’t be a problem.”
Maya raised her hand.
“I’ll handle His Majesty myself.”
Her confidence was startling.
“…Do you really think His Majesty will allow it?”
“I swear on my life—he will do exactly as I want.”
That unshakable confidence, from who knew where, made Ophraje feel trust.
Or perhaps, she just wanted to believe.
Because this was the chance she had never had.
“…This could change my whole life.”
She hated when people cared only about the dress and not about the person who made it.
“I’ll make it for you.”
Ophraje clenched her fist.
“But in return, help me make my own name known.”
Since starting her business, she had made countless choices to survive.
Her whole life had been about “surviving.”
“But as I’ve earned more money, I’ve wanted something else. I want people to respect me, to look up to me—not just my dresses.”
“…And how will you secure fabrics and materials?”
“If you accept my terms, I’ll think of ways step by step.”
Her eyes shone with determination.
“You’re ready to follow us even without preparation?”
“Sometimes in life, you have to take dangerous chances.”
Maya liked her words.
Seren, Ophraje, Maya—all of them had this in common: they were gambling for their futures.
“Because that’s how we survive.”
Maya extended her hand.
“We’ll discuss the details later, but very well. I’ll do my utmost to make your name more famous than your dresses.”
“It would be an honor.”
Ophraje grinned—a mischievous expression Maya had never seen on her before.
“Now then, shall we talk about Lady Seren’s dress?”
But Maya raised her hand.
“Before that, shouldn’t we deal with the uninvited guest outside?”
