Chapter 41
When Father heard that the Crown Prince had visited, he came rushing to my room the moment he returned home.
“A high-ranking priest visited not long ago, and now the Crown Prince? Why do they always come when you’re alone?”
Faced with Father’s troubled question, I—having reached a state of enlightenment—smiled calmly.
“I was surprised by the sudden visit, but he left without any issues.”
“It’s not that I’m worried something might happen. I’m worried you might’ve been uncomfortable.”
Father took my hands, which had been resting on the table, and let out a deep sigh.
“I’m sorry. I feel like I’ve burdened you in so many ways.”
“Please don’t say that. I only did what I should as a member of the Jurn Marquessate.”
“Harna…”
Father lowered his head with moved eyes, then forced back tears and smiled. He pulled out a small box and held it out to me.
“What’s this?”
Judging by the luxurious box, there was a high chance it was a gemstone like the one Kardin had given me—but I pretended not to know.
“Open it.”
Nodding, I opened the box and found an enormous gemstone inside.
“Is this a ruby?”
“Yes. I hope you like it.”
I closed the box and hugged it to my chest, amazed that a ruby could feel so vividly red and pure.
“Dad! Thank you so much. It’s beautiful. I’ll treasure it!”
When I smiled brightly at the unexpected gift, Father looked deeply satisfied. Then he cleared his throat and asked casually,
“Harna.”
“Yes?”
“You know… uh… you like the jewel your father gave you more than the one that duke gave you, right?”
His hesitant, stumbling words made me laugh inwardly. I stood up and hugged him.
“Of course! I love rubies the most. It’s a precious gift from my beloved father!”
The moment I hugged him, Father’s lips twitched before he burst out laughing.
“That’s my daughter. Of course what your father gives you is the best. Next time, I’ll give you an even better jewel.”
I smiled, rubbing my cheek against his chest as he clumsily patted my head. His adorable jealousy put me in a good mood.
* * *
After the imperial ball, I received many invitations from high society, but I declined them all. Too many things had happened in a short time, leaving me exhausted—and I’d also found something new I wanted to challenge.
After staying in the estate for so long, I finally prepared to go out. I wore a pretty dress and carefully did my hair and makeup. The dedicated maids gave me double thumbs-up with praises overflowing.
Chuckling, I headed toward the carriage bound for the bustling district.
A long time had passed since I possessed Harna’s body. At first, I was overwhelmed just trying to survive as Harna, but now I had some breathing room.
That was why I decided to finally begin something I’d only been thinking about.
A dress business.
Many people had shown interest in the dress I wore to the imperial ball. With countless astonishing dress designs from another era stored in my mind, I decided to use them.
That’s why I planned to visit Coma—the one who had created a perfect dress despite my terrible, childlike sketches.
Once seated in the carriage, Vera, who had followed me, picked up the bag filled with designs she had drawn beforehand.
‘If I earn money… maybe I can build it.’
The ultimate goal that began with the dress business was to establish a theater troupe.
When I lived as Yoon Seung-ah, I dreamed of teaching and nurturing juniors who wanted to become actors. I wanted to open an acting academy or agency when I retired, to help actors in need. But I never got the chance—and instead became Harna.
Because I regretted not starting sooner in my previous life, I decided to take a bold first step now so I wouldn’t regret it again.
When we arrived in the bustling district, I saw buildings and crowds passing by outside the carriage window. Among them, a familiar beautiful figure caught my eye.
“May?”
The platinum-blonde young lady walking with slumped shoulders was unmistakably May.
I stopped the carriage and stepped down. We had exchanged letters occasionally since the short tea party with Kardin, but it had been a long time since I’d seen her in person.
Had something difficult happened? May looked thin and exhausted. The sight made my heart ache.
If the original story had continued as written, May would have received Kardin’s help and begun a new life like Cinderella.
But because I had become Harna, the story diverged. The changes that should have occurred in May’s life never came, and her circumstances remained the same. Though I thought of her as a precious younger sister, guilt weighed on me—I felt as if I’d taken her place.
“Unni?”
I had gotten off the carriage but couldn’t bring myself to approach. Then, perhaps sensing my gaze, May turned around. The moment she spotted me, her face brightened and she ran toward me.
As I watched her approach, I pushed aside the guilt filling my chest. The story had already changed. Simply feeling sorry wouldn’t change May’s life.
‘Then…’
I would help May in Kardin’s place—so she wouldn’t suffer, so she wouldn’t lose her bright smile.
Since the story was already different, wouldn’t it be fine for Harna, no longer on the villainess route, to help May?
Once I made that decision, my heart felt lighter. I opened my arms, and May ran into them as if she’d been waiting, chattering like a little bird.
“I can’t believe I ran into you! I think I used up all my luck for today!”
I stroked her platinum-blonde hair as she rubbed her face against me. After a while, perhaps finding my silence strange, May looked up at me.
Having found a way to help her, I gently held her slender shoulders.
“If you’re okay with it, would you like to start a business with me?”
“A business?”
“Yes. I’m planning to sell dress designs and make money.”
“But… I can’t do anything. I don’t have anything either…”
Though it was clear she wanted to work with me, May hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers. I took both her hands.
“There’s something only you can help me with.”
“Me?”
“Will you become the model for the dresses I design?”
Her eyes widened at my request. After a brief explanation, May accepted the offer happily.
Together, we headed to Coma’s dress shop—where our future business partner awaited.
The moment I entered, Coma, who had been displaying a dress on a mannequin, jumped and rushed over.
“Why, if it isn’t Miss Harna! Welcome!”
I greeted her and looked around the shop. The first thing I noticed was several dresses similar in style to the one I’d worn to the ball. Even the dress she had just been displaying matched the style.
As I examined them, Coma—watching my reaction nervously—smiled awkwardly.
“Thanks to the dress you wore, our shop’s reputation has soared. Many customers asked for something similar to the imperial ball dress, so I adjusted the design and created variations. I hope you’re not offended?”
“Offended? On the contrary—I’m relieved.”
“May I ask what you mean by that?”
Coma swallowed nervously, clearly worried I might make an unreasonable demand. To reassure her, I spoke.
“Let’s become partners, Coma.”
“Pardon?! Wh— huh?!”
She shouted in surprise, then quickly covered her mouth, probably thinking I might get angry.
“It’s okay. Anyone would be startled.”
“I apologize, Miss. But when you say partners…”
I took a step closer.
“I have many unique yet beautiful designs in my head—like the dress I commissioned last time. I’ll draw the designs, and you’ll make the dresses.”
At my low, tempting voice, the wariness in Coma’s eyes turned into greed.
Noticing she was already swayed, I extended my hand. She took it without hesitation.
“We’ll be the best partners.”
“It would be an honor.”
We grinned at each other.
* * *
I sat comfortably in a plush chair like a wealthy male lead, waiting for the female lead to undergo her transformation. After some time, the curtain hiding the fitting area opened wide.
“Wow!”
I jumped up reflexively and clapped loudly.
Having shed her outdated dress, May now wore a form-fitting gown that showed off her lovely figure. She clasped her hands shyly, her face flushed.
“Does it suit me?”
“Would you believe me if I said I fell for you all over again?”
To ease May’s nerves—since this was her first time wearing such a style—I deliberately acted like a cheesy boyfriend. Thankfully, it worked, and her clear laughter rang out.
“But… is my job really just wearing dresses?”
“Yes. And it’s the most important job. It’s promotion.”
“If I do this, I can help you, right?”
“It’s your work too. We’re doing this together.”
Seeing May beam happily while murmuring the word together, I smiled in satisfaction.
In noble society, no one bought a dress that someone else had already worn. Wearing the exact same dress was considered dishonorable.
That’s why the plan was to slightly modify the designs—just as Coma had done.
First, May would promote the base design by wearing it. Then we’d produce similar dresses with small changes and different highlights.
Talented Coma understood my idea perfectly and agreed wholeheartedly.
Now, May would become the model for my designs—the trendsetter of social-season dresses.
“You’ll be very busy from now on. But I promise—you’ll never have to do difficult or dangerous work for other nobles again.”
I deliberately omitted the words dangerous and dirty as I held her pale hand.
“Let’s become the queen of high society.”
“Yes. I’ll do my best!”
Light sparkled brilliantly in May’s eyes. Smiling at her beauty, I nodded.
Thus, the partnership between me, May, and Coma began.
