KMPEG CH 16

Chapter 16 

In that moment, I finally understood what it meant when people say someone “shines.”

“Was the weather always this nice? I thought it was cloudy earlier.”

Frederick’s room was glowing with sunlight.

He had slicked back his hair neatly and trimmed his beard. He wore dark reddish-brown pants and a black shirt—a combo that could easily look tacky, but on him, it gave off this cool, vintage vibe that somehow made him look mysterious too.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!”

I circled around him a few times, full of admiration.

“You seriously look amazing!”

“What are you talking about?”

Frederick scratched his head, his cheeks turning a bit pink. He looked embarrassed, but his words were still as blunt as ever.

“Young Master, wow. You’ve got such a nice face that anything you wear looks good. You don’t even need to buy new clothes—you could wear a sack and still look good.”

Frederick gave me a look that said, “Enough already,” and put on his coat.

When he slipped on a long leather coat that reached his knees, the soft and delicate Frederick suddenly gave off a wilder, more rugged vibe.

“You seriously look like a celebrity or a model. Everything just fits perfectly.”

“Cele… what? Mode…?”

“Oh, nothing. Let’s just go.”

He gave me a suspicious look but still followed me without a fuss.

‘This guy’s only a total pushover for Charlier. With me, he’s sharp as a knife. Gotta be careful.’

I smiled sweetly, trying to look harmless. Frederick frowned like he was annoyed and turned his head away.

‘Yep, still rude as ever!’

But still, he pays me well and on time. Not a bad employer, all things considered.

Oddly enough, even though he was rude, I didn’t find it annoying.

‘Leo is super polite, but somehow he manages to rub me the wrong way. This guy, though…’

“We’ve arrived at Gartiart Atelier.”

As soon as the coachman opened the carriage door, I jumped out like I’d been waiting forever. That carriage was way more cramped than I thought.

‘Ugh. Sitting in that tiny box with that rude guy in awkward silence was torture. Pure torture.’

Stretching my arms, I looked up at the atelier.

Gartiart was the oldest fashion boutique in Shairo. All the duke families had their clothes made here.

‘This is also where Mom almost went broke getting ten dresses made.’

The building was charmingly vintage, with reddish cherry-molded trim that gave it an elegant, classic feel.

“Alright! Let’s get fitted. One outfit for me, one for you. But you’re paying for your own, got it?”

Frederick slowly climbed out of the carriage like he was being dragged.

“…”

He didn’t say anything.

‘Hmm, is he nervous?’

His face was stiff, and his eyes darted around quickly—yep, definitely nervous.

I couldn’t help but feel a little concerned. It was probably his first time going out in years. Maybe this place was too overwhelming?

Of course I’d worry. Dragging someone who hasn’t left the house in ages into a busy place like this? Of course he’d feel uncomfortable.

I shrugged and walked into the boutique first.

“Welcome, Lady Delphine.”

The manager greeted me as he opened the door. Normally you need an appointment to enter, but not our family. We were an exception.

‘That’s how much money my mom poured into this place.’

“Are you here for a dress today?”

A silver-haired middle-aged manager asked politely.

“Yes. One dress for me, and one suit for him.”

I nodded toward Frederick, who was still standing outside.

The manager turned and glanced at him, and looked a bit surprised.

“Ahem.”

He cleared his throat and whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

“Miss… this is a private atelier reserved for Duke families. I don’t recognize that gentleman.”

“So?”

I stared him down like I didn’t understand what he meant. He looked awkward and flustered.

‘Must be hard for him. If he lets us in, he’s worried about his reputation. But if he turns us away, he’s offending the VIP Plerrin family.’

I just looked at him blankly like I had nothing to lose. After looking between me and Frederick a few times, he sighed and nodded.

“No, of course. I’ll welcome the other guest as well.”

“This is Frederick Feredi. Young Master Frederick.”

When I told him the name, the manager looked surprised for a second, but quickly composed himself and smiled.

“Yes, understood. This way, Young Master Frederick.”

Frederick looked a little sour but followed us inside. He clearly wasn’t used to places like this.

The manager guided us to a sofa and had a servant bring us some tea and snacks.

I whispered to Frederick.

“Pay attention. This is Charlier’s favorite place to shop.”

The moment I said her name, his eyes lit up. That awkwardness disappeared, replaced by curiosity.

“She’ll probably want to come here again when she’s back, right? Just think of today as practice. Let’s make you a great outfit.”

Normally, Frederick wouldn’t even be allowed in here alone—this place was strictly for dukes and their families.

But if he came in with Charlier next time, like he did with me today, it’d probably be fine.

Frederick calmly scanned the boutique, studying everything like he was taking mental photos. It was so serious that I almost laughed.

‘This guy completely loses his mind when it comes to Charlier.’

I took a sip of hot tea. It had a slightly bitter but smooth taste.

Knock knock.

“Coming in.”

A tailor entered with a measuring tape—it was the head tailor of the Gartiart Atelier.

He was in his mid-30s, known for being picky but incredibly good at making dresses. He was also the personal designer for the Plerrin family.

He gave me a happy nod but didn’t even glance at Frederick. He stood next to me and asked,

“Lady Delphine! Oh my! It’s been so long! Your mother comes all the time. Since you’re here, I’ll take your measurements now!”

His nasal voice rang in my ears.

‘Ugh, that fake tone. Such a sly fox.’

I shook my head and pointed at Frederick.

“Nope. Just use the same size as last time for me. Measure him instead—Young Master Frederick.”

Frederick looked a little nervous. The tailor also looked clearly caught off guard.

“If you say so… Ahem. Then, for your dress—what color or design?”

“Just do what you always do. I trust your skills completely.”

He nodded and finally turned to look at Frederick. He eyed him up and down, then said with a dramatic sniff,

“Young Master Frederick, let’s measure you. This way, please.”

Frederick tensed up and glanced at me.

He looked just like…

‘…a nervous puppy at the vet, staring at its owner for help!’

His face was stiff, and his eyes were darting around like he didn’t know where to look.

‘Ugh. This guy. He’s making me feel bad now.’

Honestly, it wouldn’t be surprising if he started crying from nerves.

It was his first time out in years, and everything was new. Of course he’d feel uneasy.

‘Sigh. This is gonna look weird, but I don’t care anymore.’

“I’ll stay here while you measure him.”

The tailor looked at me with his mouth hanging open.

No wonder. To take measurements, you usually have to strip down to your undergarments and put on a thin robe the boutique provides. And now a duke’s daughter and a baron’s son were about to be in the same room during that? Scandalous.

It could totally destroy the Plerrin family’s reputation.

‘Tch.’

I clicked my tongue mentally.

The tailor’s shocked expression made it clear—this would be the talk of the town soon. He didn’t seem like the type to keep secrets either.

‘But I’m not leaving that poor, trembling puppy alone. And it’s not like I care about seeing his body.’

Ignoring the tailor’s reaction, I looked at Frederick and asked,

“You’re okay with this, right? Getting measured here?”

He finally looked more relaxed and nodded.

“Th-then… we’ll begin. Please come this way.”

The tailor nervously led him to the measuring area. Frederick took off his clothes and changed into the robe. The tailor politely held up fabric to block the view of his body.

“Whoa…”

“…”

“Hmm…”

“…”

“Sigh…”

“…”

Just to be clear—those weren’t my sounds.

The head tailor, who had been slightly dismissive of Frederick earlier, was now totally stunned. Once Frederick changed, the outline of his well-toned body showed through the thin robe.

The guy just stared in awe.

‘Even I’m getting embarrassed now.’

Frederick’s body really did look like a sculpture. I already knew that, but the tailor was acting like he’d never seen anything like it before.

‘Jeez, I’m the one blushing here.’

The sunlight from the window made his muscles stand out even more.

The tailor finally spoke, practically gasping.

“In all my years… I’ve never seen such a beautiful body.”

‘This guy needs to get a grip. He’s about to drool. Where’d all that professionalism go?’

Then again, it’s probably rare—even in the empire—to find someone with Frederick’s looks and physique.

The tailor gulped, pulled his tape measure tight, and said,

“Alright, let’s begin.”