CHAPTER 41
Holding his breath as he listened to Louisa, Albert Rosé suddenly took a deep breath and widened his eyes.
“…Lady! You truly are a genius. How do you come up with such brilliant ideas?!”
Watching him wriggle excitedly as if he wanted to go try it right away, Louisa couldn’t help but smile.
“There’s no need to rush. Let’s take it slow. First, we should stabilize the existing product properly.”
“Ah, right. I’ll focus on our current work first!”
“Good. Then let’s talk about the sparkling wine later. Lastly, for the upcoming Imperial celebration banquet—”
“Yes?”
“I’m thinking of supplying Rosé Wine through Count Dallio’s family.”
He used to seem like someone who only cared about wine, but just hearing this suggestion, Albert Rosé instantly understood what she meant and nodded.
Seeing his eyes sparkle with excitement, Louisa smiled calmly.
“Even if it’s given away for free, the fact that it’s served at the Imperial banquet will make it even more popular, don’t you think? We might end up busier than ever.”
So take good care of your health.
After many rounds of adjustments, the dress was extremely satisfying.
Charcomin, being a famous designer, truly lived up to her reputation—she remade anything that wasn’t perfect without hesitation.
Louisa slowly examined her reflection in the mirror.
The light sky-blue dress spread out at the hem like soft, layered petals. The puff sleeves gently hugged just the ends of her shoulders and upper arms, leaving the collarbones exposed. A white ribbon cinched her waist, embroidered with delicate patterns that added to the harmony of the design.
Louisa subtly turned left and right, checking how the tiny jewels embedded in the lace reflected the light.
‘This will sparkle so softly at the banquet.’
Honestly, she usually found banquets bothersome, but wearing such a beautiful dress lifted her mood. She was about to smile at Charcomin but froze mid-motion.
“Bra-vo! This is truly my masterpiece… Ah…! I could die happy now! But! It is also my fate to continue discovering even more beautiful legacies!”
She really was a narcissist. While dramatically praising herself, she pretended to wipe away dry tears with her hand and theatrically covered her mouth.
“I’m already excited to see what dress milady will wear next! Hoo, hoo—!”
…Maybe it’s her silver tongue that makes her a top designer.
Louisa turned her head, eyes slightly glazed. If she left this woman alone, she’d probably follow her around all day spewing compliments.
It was so draining that Louisa thought she might as well wait in the drawing room instead.
She was just finishing brushing her light brown hair and had resolved to leave the room when news came that Raphael had arrived.
Who would’ve thought she’d ever be so glad to see him? Life was full of surprises.
Wearing new shoes for the first time, Louisa carefully but quickly made her way downstairs. As the sound of her heels echoed off the staircase, Raphael, who stood at the center, slowly turned around.
“Your Highness, good afternoon.”
Louisa offered a slight smile. Unlike his usual messy look, Raphael’s platinum blond hair was neatly styled to match his formal attire. His clear blue eyes sparkled brightly.
‘As expected, he came in his Holy Knight uniform. A man who wants to constantly remind the Emperor of his affiliation wouldn’t show up in party wear.’
Louisa extended her right hand, just as she’d expected he would appear. But something felt off—Raphael hadn’t reacted at all.
He looked somewhat dazed. His gaze was on her, but something seemed off, as if a screw was loose. Louisa tilted her head slightly, lowering her hand.
“Your Highness?”
“Ah.”
Though it was a low murmur, he seemed to snap out of it. Raphael flinched and blinked, regaining focus.
“Is something wrong?”
“…No.”
He really didn’t look okay. Was he unwell? Watching him fidget with his ear, Louisa quietly held out her hand again.
“If something’s bothering you, please tell me. I don’t mind.”
“It’s nothing.”
Raphael gently took her hand. His skin felt rough, but warm.
‘Hmm, this feels a little awkward. Maybe I should’ve gone with my brother instead.’
As she walked toward the carriage, Louisa thought of Demian. Though he said it was fine, and of course, it made sense to go with one’s fiancé, his eyes had betrayed his disappointment.
Even more ridiculous was how Duke Blake, standing beside him, also looked glum.
To an outsider, the difference might not have been noticeable, but to her, it was clear.
They weren’t particularly close, but lately, they’d had more meals together. Perhaps because of that growing familiarity, she had become attuned to the subtle changes in the Duke’s expression.
“Sigh, per-fect. What a beautiful couple! How do you match so well? I hope I get to design your wedding attire someday!”
Honestly, she might be better at talking than designing… Louisa glanced at Charcomin, who was now dramatically dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.
In the quiet carriage, Louisa blankly stared out the window as usual. The red sky was streaked with clouds like brushstrokes.
Thankfully, the breeze today was lukewarm rather than hot, gently carrying away the lingering heat.
“…How are you feeling?”
There it was. She had wondered why he’d been so quiet today. The health crusader… Louisa responded with a passive expression.
“I’m fine.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Then, would it be alright if I came by tomorrow to teach you how to use the artifact?”
“Ah, tomorrow…”
Louisa trailed off, turning to look at him. He had been staring at her, and their eyes met as if he’d been waiting for it. A hint of red shimmered in his blue eyes.
“We still have a standing appointment this week, don’t we?”
Right. That. She had completely forgotten due to seeing him so frequently in the north.
“You’re right. Then where shall we meet?”
“I’ll come to your estate. It’s best to learn in a quiet place.”
“Makes sense. Shall we have lunch together, then?”
“Let’s.”
Raphael nodded. He stared at her for a moment before speaking.
“If Seinf gets bothersome at the banquet, let me know.”
“Huh?”
Louisa blinked in surprise, then gasped softly. Hearing Seinf’s name reminded her—she hadn’t replied to the gift he sent.
Wouldn’t that be considered insulting a royal?
Especially with that strange comment he made about sensing divine power from her…
But unlike His Highness, I can suppress it… would he still sense it?
Her mind raced with questions.
Louisa bit her lower lip slightly and asked Raphael:
“If I don’t respond, will that be a problem?”
“A response? Ah. You mean to the gift he sent?”
“…Yes.”
Looking slightly glum, Louisa’s reply made Raphael bring his clenched hand to his mouth, pressing his thumb to his lips. He seemed to be thinking as he warmed up his voice, but Louisa was too caught up in her worries to notice.
“It’s fine. If he gives you trouble, just blame it on me.”
“…Blame you?”
“Yes. Just say I told you not to reply.”
“Would that really be okay?”
“Yes. It will.”
“Ah… thank you.”
Relieved, Louisa glanced at him, then turned back to the window.
Then, after a few back-and-forth glances and biting her lower lip slightly, she finally asked:
“By the way, does the Second Prince have the ability to sense divine power?”
What she really wanted to ask was Why are you being so kind?
But she couldn’t say it aloud. His true intentions remained a mystery, and the end of their relationship was inevitably approaching.
She was on her way to meet the original female lead—the turning point of the story. There was no reason to stir up unnecessary trouble. So, she asked the thing she’d been most curious about: Seinf.
“He can sense it faintly, from what I’ve heard. But he has to be nearby. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, nothing. He just said he felt a bit of divine power from me the day I was carrying holy water. I was just curious.”
“You’re wondering if your divine power can be sensed?”
“Mm… yeah.”
“Well, I can answer that. I can sense it. But these days, it’s much fainter than before.”
Louisa’s eyes widened. She had mentioned it casually, but his serious response threw her off. And the fact that he could sense divine power from her made her mind reel.
“…Since when?”
“It was vague in the capital. But I became sure of it after we met in the north.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“You seemed like you wanted to hide it. Was I wrong?”
Raphael’s clear blue eyes stared directly at her, unwavering. That gaze, filled with no doubt, gave Louisa a strange feeling she couldn’t quite describe.
