Chapter 72
“What are they chattering about so much? I’m curious.”
“Pardon?”
Madame Casta tilted her head and stopped her hands.
“Nothing. I meant my friends outside. Have you finished taking all the measurements, Madame?”
“Not yet, Your Highness. I’ll hurry.”
I spread my arms again.
“Thanks for taking me in when I barged in so suddenly, Madame.”
Honestly, it was a bit shameless to say that after barging in with my hood thrown back and flashing my title. But if I didn’t keep talking, I’d end up eavesdropping on Kylian and Adel’s conversation outside, and I was far too curious about it.
At this point, I figured their relationship was something they had to work out on their own.
“I was surprised, but it’s an honor to have you here, Your Highness.”
“I’ve heard your reputation is quite impressive.”
“You flatter me. I still have much to learn. But Your Highness—seeing the numbers written out like this, I can’t help but notice how beautiful your figure is. I feel a surge of inspiration for designs!”
“Heh, really? Thanks. But isn’t Adel prettier than me? I’m short, so if I wear the wrong dress, I can end up looking stumpy.”
“Oh no, Your Highness. Lady Lewendif is beautiful, of course, but you are the epitome of the delicate, traditional beauty.”
“Madame, maybe you’re famous not for your dresses, but for your way with words?”
“Hohoho. You’ve uncovered my business secret. With Your Highness, the young viscount, and the marquis’s daughter together, I truly can’t wait for this season’s debutante ball.”
Madame laughed, fanning the air with her words.
The debutante ball.
It was the Empire’s version of a marriage market—where noble sons and daughters of age officially entered society. Basically, a matchmaking party.
No, calling it a mating party sounded too animalistic. Let’s just say it was more like a “dating reality show.”
Kylian and Adel, having turned fifteen, would be making their debut this year as well.
I could already imagine how many young noble ladies would be setting their sights on Kylian, just like Shuberry had. And Adel? As the world’s female lead, all eyes would naturally gravitate toward her.
“If only they could just keep their mouths shut.”
“Pardon?”
Madame Casta clamped her lips shut at my mutter.
“Not you, Madame. I enjoy talking with you.”
“Thank you. I was worried my chatter might be tiresome… but we’re done now, Your Highness.”
“Thanks. You’ve worked hard, Madame.”
“It’s nothing. Please wait in the lounge, and we’ll bring the dresses and suits out shortly.”
I nodded and stepped out beyond the curtain.
Kylian and Adel, who had been leaning in close to chat, sprang apart the moment they saw me.
“All done, Tia?”
“Yeah. You two weren’t fighting, were you?”
I gave them a suspicious look. Adel waved her hands frantically.
“Fighting? Why would we fight? You know we haven’t since that day.”
By that day, she meant the one when she and Kylian had such a massive fight that they were banned from seeing each other for a while.
“Right, Tia. Never fought since. We get along great…”
Only after Kylian chimed in did I ease my doubts.
“Good. That’s a relief. Hehe.”
Catching my breath, I began browsing through the fabric swatches and design books Madame Casta’s assistants had brought in. Adel, jiggling her leg, asked,
“By the way, Tia, I actually already had a dress made. I don’t have to wear two at the debutante, do I?”
“No, but after the ball, there’ll be banquets one after another. The more dresses you have, the better.”
“Oh… I thought that only applied to swords, the more the better…”
…Now I understood why the Marquis of Lewendif wept every day.
How did our Adel end up becoming such a sword fanatic?
I sighed.
Just as I was about to switch design books, quick-witted Kylian smoothly did it for me.
“Thanks, Kylian.”
“Don’t mention it, Tia. These books are heavy—be careful with your wrists.”
So thoughtful…! I was genuinely touched.
But then—thump.
My heart dropped.
Why, oh why, heart?!
Heat rushed to my face. Just then, Madame Casta came in with mannequins draped in dresses and suits, and I quickly shut the book.
“Wow…”
True to her reputation as the Empire’s top salon owner, Madame Casta had picked out exactly what suited us best.
“They’re unfinished, so the details are lacking, but these are the designs I poured my heart into, Your Highness. You may try them on if you’d like.”
For Adel, she’d prepared a champagne-colored gown straight out of a fairy tale princess’s wardrobe.
It was an off-shoulder dress with sequins at the bodice that entwined like branches, lace layered on the skirt like rippling waves, and a graceful, regal silhouette.
“Try it on, Adel. I bet you’ll look gorgeous.”
“Do I really ha—of course I do!”
Adel, caught by my pointed stare, was dragged off by Madame Casta, smiling through gritted teeth.
“Doesn’t it suit Adel perfectly, Kylian?”
“Yeah. It does.”
His eyes, however, were fixed on the mannequin in front of him.
Ahh.
The suit, clearly meant for him, was striking: deep navy instead of the stark white of a knight’s uniform, heavy with gravitas, adorned with silver tassels and trim that matched his silver hair flawlessly.
“You did get a suit made, right?”
“Huh? Oh, I… uh.”
“What? Then what were you planning to wear to the debutante?”
“Just, um… whatever I have at home?”
His gaze wavered.
That damned Norten Märchen. He hadn’t even gotten his son a suit for his debutante.
Sure, Kylian could make anything look good, but this was still too much!
I clenched my fists.
“T-Tia? Calm down.”
Kylian looked uneasy.
Fine. I’ll just buy it for him. That’s why I came here anyway.
I took a deep breath and let it go.
“Your Highness, Lady Lewendif is ready.”
“Great, Madame.”
My goodness!
Never had I so desperately wished for a camera.
Even unfinished, Adel’s gown was breathtaking.
“This is insane. So beautiful.”
I clapped a hand over my mouth.
“How is it, Tia? Do I look okay?”
I nodded furiously, all dignity gone. This was pure fantasy come to life.
Madame Casta was explaining about adding pearls and adjusting the hem, but I barely heard her.
“This one! Definitely this one!”
“Yay! So I don’t have to try on the others? Lucky me!”
Well, her sense of “lucky” was odd, but Adel’s dress was decided.
“Kylian, your turn.”
“I’ll just slip the jacket on over my clothes.”
With an uncharacteristically shy look, Kylian donned the suit jacket Madame Casta handed him.
“Holy…”
“Hm? What did you say, Tia?”
At that moment, Adel, who was munching on snacks from the table, gulped down an almond and asked,
“What is it?”
“Just look at him. No one else in the world could make anything look that good but Kylian.”
“Heh. True.”
Adel laughed absently and went back to nibbling chocolate-coated marshmallows.
“These are tasty.”
While she chewed, I looked back at Kylian. Our eyes met—his ears turned bright red.
“You look amazing, Kylian. Let’s go with this one for you too.”
“Thanks, Tia. I’ll wear it well.”
Hurriedly, he returned the jacket to Madame Casta.
“Now, it’s Your Highness’s turn.”
“Me? Is that really necessary?”
“What do you mean! We both tried ours—of course you have to as well!”
I thought Adel was too busy eating, but she suddenly shouted.
“Ugh. Fine, Adel.”
I followed Madame Casta into the fitting room.
The dress she showed me was unique—two contrasting colors and fabrics above and below the waist.
The bodice was heart-shaped, overlaid with sparkling silver lace like diamonds, while the skirt was deep green, embroidered with blooming flowers that seemed to blossom with every step. The full petticoats made it almost heavy to move in.
“It may feel a bit heavy, Your Highness, since we spared no fabric.”
“You’re right, Madame. It is heavy.”
“But so beautiful. Two petticoats underneath, a bold necklace, and your décolleté is exquisite—your hair would look best swept up.”
Chattering, she adjusted the gown until everything was perfect.
“Ready, Your Highness?”
“Yes, Madame.”
At my word, the red curtains parted.
*
While Tia was trying on her gown, Adel finished another cup of tea.
“So? Did you ask her yet—to be your partner?”
“Yeah.”
“Oooh.”
Adel smirked and gave him a mischievous thumbs-up.
Kylian’s feelings for Tia were an open secret between them.
Once upon a time, Adel had sworn she’d never let Tia marry, that she’d guard Tia’s side no matter what… but after watching Kylian remain so unwaveringly, foolishly devoted all this time, she’d quietly decided she wouldn’t interfere, at least.
“What about you? Who’ll you go in with?”
“Me? I… don’t know.” Adel shrugged.
It didn’t seem that important who she entered with, but picturing Tia and Kylian side by side made her think she should probably have someone next to her, too.
“We’ve had a lot of applications at home. I’ll look through them, I guess.”
“Just don’t pick some random guy. Ask Tia or the Marquis first.”
“Yeeees, sir.”
Adel exaggerated a sulky pout.
“That face, too…”
Kylian was about to seize the chance to scold her, when suddenly—he forgot every language he knew.
