Chapter 21
Just as the coachman was opening the door, a rider came galloping toward them.
He dismounted quickly and called out to Celia.
“Are you Lady Celia Hilly, daughter of the Marquis?”
“Yes, that’s me. Why?”
“An urgent message, milady.”
“Urgent?”
Celia’s eyes widened as she accepted the folded note from the man.
“Oh dear, Your Highness, I’m terribly sorry! It seems I won’t be able to accompany you after all. One of my closest friends has sent an urgent message—what bad timing!”
The awkward tone in her voice, the overly theatrical gestures—it was all too obvious she was lying.
But Ruena chose not to call her out on it.
This childish young lady clearly had no interest in stepping into the shop with her.
So she merely nodded.
“Go on.”
“I’ll come back once I’ve taken care of it! Just stay here until I return, all right?”
For someone supposedly dealing with an “emergency,” Celia’s face was glowing with joy as she climbed back into the carriage.
She even waved with a sweet smile.
“See you later, Your Highness!”
Watching the carriage roll off, Luena muttered to herself,
“The Marquis of Hilly must have quite the headache with a daughter like her.”
She stepped through the door.
Inside, the shop was noticeably dimmer than outside, and her eyes narrowed against the low light.
Once her vision adjusted, she saw glittering accessories glinting softly under ambient lamps.
As Celia had claimed, the items looked impressive—elegant and well-crafted.
“Welcome,” came a voice.
The woman who greeted her looked far too young and plainly dressed to be the shop’s owner, but something about her bearing hinted at responsibility.
***
At that same moment, Elle was speaking with Catherine, discussing a handkerchief she’d embroidered.
Just then, one of the noble ladies browsing the shop suddenly collapsed.
“I’ll call for the carriage,” Elle said.
While Catherine checked on the young woman, Elle went out to summon help.
Moments later, the carriage arrived, and the two of them helped the lady inside.
“I’ll stay and watch the shop. Go on.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
As the others departed, Elle tidied up the items the lady had knocked over and sat down to read.
It was a book she’d already finished, but reading it once more before returning it didn’t seem like a bad idea.
She had only read a few pages when the door creaked open, and another customer stepped inside.
Elle set down the book and stood.
“Welcome.”
The woman who entered wore a dress of modest design, yet the fabric, the thread, even the subtle adornments were of the finest quality.
She was clearly a lady of high status.
It was unusual, though—such noblewomen rarely visited shops like this alone.
Among noble circles, a young lady had little presence on her own.
Their power grew in twos, in threes, in cliques.
And yet, this one needed no entourage.
Though she said nothing and simply looked around the store, her presence filled the space completely.
She moved with the confidence of someone who needed no one else—a woman who could hold her own against a dozen.
Prideful, poised, and radiating an effortless nobility that made defiance feel impossible.
‘She’s… magnificent.’
Elle was struck by her, and approached with quiet grace.
“The owner stepped out for a moment. Please take your time. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to help.”
“Very well.”
Ruena began to browse, slowly and deliberately.
As Celia had said, the shop’s selection was beautiful—filled with tasteful and unique items.
‘What would pair well with a violet dress?’
She picked up a fan, its panels opening with a crisp flutter.
It was made of layers of ornate lace—so lavish and detailed that it needed no additional ornamentation.
‘It’s beautiful on its own… but would it suit the dress?’
She hesitated for a moment before picking up a fan beside her.
It was lavish, adorned with jewels on a black base—another extravagant piece.
After a brief pause, Ruena gently set the fan down again.
In truth, she had never gone shopping alone before.
Her accessories were usually crafted by artisans based on her own designs, so choosing from ready-made items felt even more difficult.
As her lips slowly tightened into a firm line, El quietly stepped closer and spoke in a careful tone.
“Would you like some help?”
“Oh… Which one do you think is better?” Ruena asked, showing her two fans.
El tilted her head slightly, examining both options before asking, “What kind of event is it for? And what dress will you be wearing?”
“Excuse me?”
“A fan is just an accessory. The main piece is the dress, so it’s easier to pick the right fan if we know what it needs to complement.”
“That… makes sense.”
Ruena described the dress she had chosen, and El listened intently.
Then, instead of selecting one of the two fans Luena had shown, she reached for a different one.
“How about this one?”
“A white one?”
“Purple already has a luxurious feel on its own, and judging by your current outfit, I’m guessing your dress is of the finest quality too. When the dress is rich and refined, going with a more understated, elegant fan will actually draw more attention in a good way.”
It was a convincing explanation. The contrast between El’s modest clothes and her graceful speech, as well as her calm, unwavering manner even while dealing with someone clearly of higher status, left quite the impression.
Ruena found herself liking her suggestion.
“Recommend a handkerchief and gloves as well.”
“Hmm… These two, I’d say.”
“Narcissus embroidery?”
“It’s the latest trend among noble ladies.”
“And why is that?”
The question came in a slightly imperious tone—she must be from a very distinguished family.
Still, it was a bit surprising she didn’t know the meaning behind the embroidery.
After all, the wizard Pilate was wildly popular these days.
“It’s a flower from the novel The Wizard Pilate. It’s the one the male lead, Pilate, would give to the women he loved. That’s why it’s become fashionable.”
“Hm.”
She had heard the title before.
It was the kind of book that was all the rage among noble ladies these days—though she herself had never read a single line of it.
Ruena glanced down at the handkerchief and murmured, “I’ve never bought something just because it was trendy.”
“I see. But… having this might help other young ladies feel a little more comfortable approaching you.”
At that unexpected comment, Ruena’s eyes widened ever so slightly.
El hesitated, then spoke again—more cautiously this time.
