Chapter 12
In truth, those fabrics weren’t distributed anywhere in the Empire—most tailors would be lucky to touch them even once in their lifetime.
Nevertheless, Alcade wanted to dress Lorr in every single outfit in the catalog.
Made anew, from the finest cloth!
“First, let’s have her try on just the clothes we picked out.”
“Yes! I’ll have them prepared in the fitting room!”
The madam of the boutique nodded with a practiced customer-service smile. But behind that smile, she was furiously running calculations in her head.
Since the Duke himself brought her, I thought she must be a young lady from some great house… But if he shows so little interest, perhaps she’s just a child he’s sponsoring.
The Duke’s cold, impersonal voice—spoken out of habit, without a trace of warmth—was more than enough to mislead the madam.
Leaving the choice of clothes entirely to the female aide, not even wanting to be here… Yes, he clearly found the whole matter troublesome.
Then it made sense that the child was dressed so shabbily.
One wouldn’t sponsor a child who already had parents. That would mean this girl must be an orphan.
What a pity. Tsk.
Had it been a noble young lady trying on their dresses, the publicity alone would have been priceless.
Still, the Duke of Atelleon himself had brought her here. She couldn’t very well ignore that.
Having sorted out the situation in her mind, the madam crooked a finger to call over an employee.
“Amy. Come here.”
Amy was one of her sharpest, most quick-witted staff. She quickly stepped forward.
“Help this little lady transform into something lovely!”
The madam gestured toward Lorr. Amy bowed her head politely.
“Yes, Madam.”
Then she walked up to Lorr, dipped in a graceful bow, and spoke kindly.
“Shall we go, young miss? I’ll help you change into your dress.”
But Lorr didn’t rise from the sofa. She simply looked toward Alcade.
What should I do?
Her clear eyes seemed to be asking. Alcade’s lips tugged upward ever so slightly.
Because he was her father.
Because he was her father, she would always look to him whenever she didn’t know what to do—trusting that he would never make a choice that could harm her.
Looking into the face of the child who so strongly resembled Elaine, Alcade felt his heart soften.
“…Go on.”
He turned his head slightly as he spoke. And immediately regretted it.
Damn. He should have said it more gently.
“Mm-hm!”
But Lorr didn’t seem to mind. She hopped off the sofa and stood firmly at Amy’s side.
After bowing again to the Duke of Atelleon, Amy turned on her heel, and Lorr trotted along after her.
The moment they rounded the corner—
Tch, damn it…
Amy cursed under her breath, raking her fingers through her hair.
When word came that the Duke himself was visiting, the boutique had opened specially for him. Amy had eagerly volunteered to come in on her day off.
How often in life would one even glimpse such a man, let alone serve him directly?
For the store—and for Amy herself—it was the honor of a lifetime.
What could bring him here? She had come to work brimming with anticipation.
But then…
That child’s obviously from the common folk. Likely an orphan, judging by the sponsorship. And me? I’m supposed to dress an orphan?
Her irritation boiled over.
An orphan wearing the clothes from our shop? Clothes even most nobles can’t afford?
Tap, tap, tap—
Her footsteps quickened, forcing Lorr to almost run to keep up.
They finally reached the fitting room, but Lorr had no time even to catch her breath before Amy snatched up the dresses that had been prepared in advance.
Treating guests like this could have been disastrous, but Amy didn’t care.
“Here. Try this one first.”
Normally she was the picture of courtesy with the noble clients who visited.
But to this little commoner orphan? She couldn’t bring herself to use honorifics.
Still, since the girl had been brought by the Duke himself, Amy softened her tone as much as she could.
This is more kindness than she deserves. When else would an orphan ever be treated like this?
“Mm-hm!”
Lorr nodded. She carefully examined the dress Amy handed over, then raised both arms high.
“But, um… I don’t think I can put this on by myself!”
It was a soft pink dress, sprinkled all over with tiny golden embellishments that shimmered faintly in the light.
The bodice was luxuriously decorated with delicate lace, and the wide ribbon tied in a butterfly bow at the back accentuated its charm.
The skirt was layered so that every little movement would make it ripple and sway like a dance.
In other words, for Lorr—
It’s soooo complicated.
She had only ever worn simple dresses she could slip into herself. A dress like this was completely new to her.
Amy smirked at the child’s wide-eyed wonder.
“Of course you can’t. That’s why I’m helping you.”
“Wow! Thank you~!”
Mom said, whenever someone is kind, I should say thank you!
Just as Elaine had taught her, Lorr placed both hands neatly before her belly and bowed her head.
But Amy, busy arranging the dress, didn’t even notice the perfect etiquette. She only heard the bright, ringing voice.
And despite herself, Amy’s irritation began to ease a little.
Still, she thought grimly, why am I even doing this…
“This dress is extremely precious. Do you know what ‘precious’ means?”
“Nooo, I don’t know, I don’t know!”
Ha.
Amy sighed inwardly. Noble children had tutors from an early age, so even difficult words were familiar to them.
Of course, that also meant one had to be much more careful when speaking with them.
This exchange convinced Amy all the more that the girl in front of her was an orphan.
Without hesitation, Amy stripped off Lorr’s shabby clothes, pulled on the underskirt, and layered the dress over it.
Her hands were far rougher than they ever would have been with another client.
Still, Amy thought, for an orphan to receive this kind of treatment—what incredible luck.
“You should be grateful. To His Grace, the Duke.”
“The Duuke~?”
Lorr slipped her arms into the sleeves of the dress and replied:
“He’s not the Duke, he’s my dad.”
“What on earth!”
What nonsense was this child spouting!
Amy was dumbfounded. To call Duke Alcade Atelleon father? Impossible.
His wife had been gone for years, and there was no way his child would be wearing rags fit only for peasants.
Moreover, if the Duke of Atelleon did have a child, society would be in an uproar.
“Don’t say such outrageous things. Know your place. You must call him ‘Your Grace.’”
She spun Lorr around, claiming it was to tie the ribbon.
“My head’s spinning!”
Lorr giggled as she twirled like a top. But once she stopped, she swayed unsteadily, dizzy—while Amy only pulled the bow tighter, ignoring her.
“Understood? Don’t you dare forget it.”
Amy straightened the girl, smoothed the tangled hair and rumpled fabric, and spoke sternly.
What child has so little sense, so little manners? What are these orphanages teaching them these days?
She imagined the greedy orphanages that only craved donations, parading children with pretty faces just to secure patrons.
Amy clicked her tongue, blaming the world for going to ruin.
“Since your mother isn’t here, His Grace is buying these clothes for you. Of course you must be grateful to him. You must thank him properly—by calling him ‘Your Grace.’”
“Aha, I see!”
Lorr nodded, satisfied.
It meant, since her dad was the one buying clothes, she should thank him.
“Exactly. That’s proper etiquette. Now you must learn to observe it.”
Nod.
Yes. Mama said I must always be polite.
Watching her nod so earnestly, Amy clicked her tongue again.
Children with no education…
And I’m the one who has to deal with them?
Still, unwilling to risk offending the Duke, Amy decided to give the girl a little “lesson” on manners while she dressed her.
