Chapter 41
Normally, once one of us made a gesture of reconciliation, the other had to accept it. That was the unspoken rule between siblings.
Adrian hugged me tightly and said,
“If that guy ever makes you cry, tell me.”
“Okay, I’ll tell you for sure!”
“If he ever bores you, tell me too.”
“Ren oppa’s face alone is entert—ugh. Okay, I’ll tell you.”
I couldn’t finish my sentence because Adrian squeezed me harder, warning me with his eyes.
And so, the two of us stayed locked in a dramatic sibling reconciliation hug for quite a while.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Mei peeking from behind a pillar, clutching her ruby ring like it was the most precious thing in the world, sneaking glances at me.
Her expression clearly screamed: ‘Mei didn’t say anything!’
I was speechless.
* * *
After Rodelia Ferris joined the club Magia, she soon realized the hideout was a mess.
The security? Terrible.
The cleanliness? Even worse.
And there wasn’t even an elevator, making it feel like climbing a mountain every time.
She thought about moving, so she toured properties. But in the central district, all the good clubhouses were already taken. Money alone wasn’t enough—reality was harsh.
The most prestigious clubhouses were especially unavailable.
In the end, while waiting for a suitable property, they decided to renovate their current hideout.
They couldn’t keep using a place where a rat might jump out at any moment.
So, they hired a manager and cleaners specifically for the fifth floor, remodeled the hallways and rooms, and brought in new furniture.
Even if they couldn’t build an elevator, at the very least it had to be a place where one could live comfortably.
Settling onto a fancy sofa she had personally chosen, Rodelia asked again:
“So, you’re sure we don’t need to move?”
“Yes, this is more than enough for us, my lady,” Sierra replied with a gentle smile.
The natural way she used “my lady” startled Rodelia.
“Wait—why are you suddenly calling me ‘my lady’?”
“Because you’re the one loved by the Tower Master. To us, that makes you no different from a lady we must serve.”
“Just call me Rodelia.”
“I couldn’t possibly—”
“If you keep that up, I’ll quit the club.”
“You’re so impatient. I only meant to say that yes, I can call you that. Rodelia.”
Sierra backpedaled quickly, while Glaster shuffled over and began fanning her with devotion.
The sudden switch in behavior was confusing enough, but then she spotted Edwin sitting by the window, sulking.
He looked like a lonely lion, a little too dramatic—like a teenager with a case of “dark brooding hero” syndrome.
Honestly, it was like he was begging for attention.
“Edwin,” she called.
“What?”
“You’re blocking the view. Can you move?”
“…This is my regular seat.”
He scowled and turned his head sharply.
But the way he subtly shifted his body to the side made it obvious he wasn’t a bad guy—just prickly.
Still, that wary attitude toward her was hard to ignore, and it made things uncomfortable.
“Well, I still think we should move once a place opens up. This is supposed to be the Magical Flora and Fauna Club—what are we doing stuck out here in the sticks? Let’s dream big.”
Glaster answered with enthusiastic clapping like a seal, and Sierra giggled into her hand, amused.
Edwin muttered “waste of money…” under his breath, but no one paid him any attention.
That was when Rodelia noticed Lottie sitting quietly next to her, sketching something.
“What are you drawing?”
“Oh, nothing…”
She quickly hid her sketch, embarrassed.
But with her sharp eyes, Rodelia had already caught a glimpse.
‘Wait a second—that’s…!’
It was a design for a dress that would soon become a huge trend.
In high society, fashion was everything. Women were pressured to maintain slim figures and wear tight, constricting corsets.
Summer heat plus heavy, layered dresses often left women fainting at gatherings.
The savior of those women would eventually be the signature dress of Rosy Boutique—Lottie Beige’s family shop.
The boutique’s name itself came from the first and last letters of Lottie.
The design first spread among expectant noblewomen, but once Summer wore it, it exploded in popularity with young ladies too.
‘I knew Summer’s famous dress was Lottie’s design, but… how is she already thinking it up now?’
The one Lottie had sketched was a stylish, practical dress—something Rodelia recognized from modern Korea.
A tweed one-piece, A-line cut, formal enough to replace a gown but far more comfortable.
Especially that A-line—finally, something breathable!
Noticing her stare, Lottie admitted nervously,
“I was… designing a dress.”
“You’re interested in fashion?”
“My mother works in that field. She’s planning to open her own boutique soon.”
“I see.”
Pretending not to know more, Rodelia nodded.
Encouraged, Lottie continued,
“Actually, I thought of it because of something you said, Deli. Remember? You complained that dresses were always too tight and uncomfortable. So I thought—why not make something prettier and more comfortable, not just standard sizes?”
“…Because of me?”
She vaguely remembered saying something like that once, as a quick excuse when Nanael had mocked her.
Yet Lottie had taken those casual words and turned them into inspiration.
‘She really is the daughter of Rosy Boutique’s head designer. So talented!’
“Lottie, that’s amazing! You came up with this just because of something I said?”
“I-it’s still too rough…”
Flustered by the attention, Lottie’s face turned bright red.
Rodelia clasped her hands earnestly.
“You should show your mother. I’m sure she’ll be impressed!”
“My mother’s strict… She’ll probably say it’s no good.”
Rodelia felt frustrated—she already knew this was destined to be a hit.
“Don’t say that before trying. Who knows? It might even become your boutique’s signature dress!”
This was a winning stock. Time to invest!
Moved by Rodelia’s encouragement, determination flared in Lottie’s eyes.
“Then… Deli, will you be the first to wear it?”
“Huh?”
“I actually designed it while thinking of you.”
And just like that, she’d become the muse of a future star designer.
It felt like she had stolen another of Summer’s roles—but there was no reason to refuse.
“Of course! I’ll wear it. Just promise to make it beautiful.”
“Yes! I’ll do my best!” Lottie exclaimed, gripping her hands tightly, face shining with excitement.
* * *
Meanwhile, high society was abuzz with the news of Rodelia and Alperen’s romance.
Everywhere she went, people were talking about them.
And no one was more irritated than Nanael.
At that moment, Cesare—recently returned from studying abroad—added fuel to the fire.
“I heard you got dumped. Guess you should’ve behaved yourself. And look at you—you couldn’t even snag a boring guy like the Duke of Ainruk? Pathetic.”
“He’s a different breed from you, brother,” Nanael shot back.
“Pfft.”
Her sarcasm only made Cesare laugh harder as he propped his chin on his hand.
Fiery red hair, golden eyes.
Her twin brother, older by just one minute—her lifelong rival and source of constant insecurity.
As the pampered prince raised under their mother’s wing, he carried an air of boredom in everything he did.
He pretended not to care about the throne, wandering foreign lands, but Nanael knew the truth.
Like their mother, he coveted the crown.
For now, the crown prince’s firm position kept him in check, but secretly, Cesare was building his influence abroad.
“I thought you weren’t coming back for a while.”
“I wasn’t. But then I heard something too interesting to miss.”
Judging from his smirk, she didn’t even need to ask what that “interesting news” was.
