Chapter 86 …
“Miss, I apologize for approaching you like this. I thought you might want some quiet time, so I didn’t speak earlier.”
“That’s alright. I’ve heard the news from Davina. It’s not your fault, so there’s no need to worry.”
“You’re as kind as silk. But I feel so sorry that I’d like to give you a small gift. Would that be alright?”
I looked at Cordelia, who seemed flustered, with a gentle glance and nodded slightly.
I didn’t particularly want a gift, but I felt bad rejecting her sincerity.
“Thank you. I’ll have the gift sent to the hotel where you’re staying.”
“I see… Actually, would it be alright if I came to pick it up myself? I’m planning to return to the Vallienor estate soon.”
“Oh, is that so? Then I’ll prepare it right away. Please take your time and stop by. Our boutique is on the fourth floor of this building.”
Cordelia smiled firmly and politely stepped aside.
At the same time, the table was adorned with fragrant teas and sweet desserts.
Excited, Davina waved her fist holding a fork wildly and poked Jeremiah’s arm.
Jeremiah let out a silent scream and tapped Davina’s head with his teaspoon.
“Brother, what’s going on? Are you starting this now?”
“You started first.”
“I was an accident, but you did it on purpose!”
“How is that an accident? There’s a hole in my arm!”
“No, there isn’t! It hasn’t gone through yet! Want me to make it happen right now?”
“Kids, holes are supposed to go in the cake.”
I stopped their fight by putting cake into their mouths. The moment they tasted the sweetness, my younger siblings calmed down.
Sweet food really works wonders. Nothing else quiets anger like this.
“Miss, you should try some too. It’s really sweet and delicious.”
“Big sister, it’s even better than what we have at home! The chef here is a genius!”
I laughed off Davina’s comment and took a bite of the yellow half-moon-shaped cake.
The rich custard cream blended harmoniously with the raspberry jam, striking the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
I finished the cake in no time and exchanged a mischievous glance with Davina.
“See what I mean?”
“How much will it cost?”
“I’ll negotiate and come right back.”
I calmed my excessively capable secretary and fed him some cake as well.
“Mikhail, try some. It’s good.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Mikhail, expressionless as always, neatly finished the cake in front of him.
My siblings and I watched him with wide eyes. None of us had ever seen him eat before.
“Big sister, does Mikhail eat?”
“Don’t be foolish. Please keep your mouth shut outside.”
“What are you saying? You’re the bigger fool. Last time, in front of Lady Sansa…”
“Hey! Don’t mention that!”
“Fine! Then this chocolate cake is mine.”
“Hey, at least give me a bite!”
I listened to my siblings’ ordinary chatter and murmured to myself.
“…This is nice.”
So peaceful.
Peace isn’t much—this is peace.
After spending a leisurely and joyful time, we finished all the cakes and headed to the fourth floor of the building.
“Oh my, everything’s pink.”
“Yes. Just like your hair, big sister.”
I walked toward the pink velvet entrance that matched my hair color.
Madam Cordelia’s boutique was as lavish as most noble estates. Its distinctive color choices made it obvious that it was a designer boutique.
“Welcome, Lady Vallienor.”
“Welcome, Lord Vallienor.”
The staff we had seen during the fittings, familiar faces, greeted us at the entrance. But, strangely, Cordelia was nowhere to be seen.
“Where is Madam Cordelia?”
“Um… well…”
The employee’s voice trembled with hesitation and fear. She glanced at the innermost room before carefully continuing.
“A VIP has arrived, so she is attending to them. I apologize for keeping you waiting.”
“A VIP?”
How many VIPs could there be who take precedence over Vallienor?
If not someone from the royal family…
A bad feeling flashed through my mind, and it quickly turned into certainty.
Loud, cheerful laughter echoed throughout the boutique.
“Ahahaha!! As expected of Cordelia.”
Like a wild animal sensing its rival, my senses sharpened. The VIP that Cordelia was attending to was the First Empress.
I glanced at my siblings, then at Mikhail, signaling that we should leave.
Not because I was afraid of the Empress, but the situation was simply unfavorable. It had been only a few hours since I had taught my siblings not to grab anyone else’s hair.
But as I hesitated, the door to the inner room opened. I turned without thinking, and a petite lady cheerfully greeted us.
“See, Cordelia? I told you a guest had arrived. Nice to meet you, Lady Ariel.”
My siblings and I exchanged reluctant glances and greeted her with blank expressions.
“Your Majesty, First Empress.”
“Oh my!! It’s hilarious that all three of you are Vallienor. Your expressions are just like Meterio’s! Not that it’s strange—I’m just happy. You know how much I love Vallienor.”
“…?”
This woman just says whatever comes to mind. Does she even realize what she’s saying half the time?
When I blinked in confusion, the Empress’s cheerful smile only grew brighter. She scanned me and Davina from head to toe with her sharp gaze and slowly approached us.
“I heard about Roxanne’s blunder. Maybe I spoiled her a bit too much, so she keeps causing problems. Anyway, it’s good timing. You’re here to return the dress, so wear it nicely.”
“Excuse me? Returning the dress?”
“Initially, I didn’t know it was a custom-made dress for Lady Ariel and was just happy it looked pretty. But when you tried it on, it was too big. So I questioned Roxanne, and, well… she did something outrageous. I’ll apologize on her behalf.”
My brain froze at the unexpected situation. The Empress’s words were too reasonable.
I hesitated, unsure whether her apology was sincere or if she had ulterior motives, and missed the chance to respond.
The Empress stared at me, as if trying to read my thoughts, then interpreted my silence as she pleased.
“Oh, how cute. You’re wondering how to respond politely. When adults make concessions, you just say thank you and accept it.”
“Th-thank you.”
“That’s right. Well done. Cordelia! Send someone to the Empress’s palace to pack the dress!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Madam Cordelia seemed flustered, trying to read both the Empress and me simultaneously.
While I struggled to gather my scattered thoughts, my eyes landed on Davina’s happily beaming face.
“Big sister, the Empress seems like a good person.”
“…?”
In Davina’s simple mind, the person who returned the dress must be good. That was her formula.
Before I could agree, the overly attentive Empress intercepted my response.
“Oh! Our little lady knows how to read people! There are few better people than me in the royal family. What’s your name? Davina, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Hmm, quiet like your sister. Well, Vallienor are all like that. By the way, Lady Davina, do you like cake?”
Davina’s wide eyes rolled nervously. It seemed she was startled by the sudden question.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then shall we go to my palace and have some cake together?”
I quickly answered for her, afraid she might say “yes.”
“We already ate a lot of cake on the first floor. It would be difficult today.”
“I understand. But cake is always delicious, isn’t it, little lady?”
Understand? What does she understand?
Did Cordelia tell her we met on the first floor? Surely she didn’t know we came into town and deliberately come here… but knowing this woman, it’s possible.
I exchanged a glance with Mikhail to confirm my suspicion. He nodded subtly, as if reading my thoughts.
“Uh, big sister, what should we do?”
“Your Majesty, thank you for the invitation, but we’ll come another time.”
“Hmm, how can I believe that? You ignored my invitation recently, pretending you were unwell. Now that I think about it, that was rude.”
The Empress’s cheerful voice carried an edge of severity. I forced a smile and responded nonchalantly.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I really was unwell that time.”
“I see. Then here’s what we’ll do. If you want the dress, both Lady Davina and Lady Ariel should visit my palace. You can see the dress and have some tea.”
Wait, why does it end like that… Ah, I see.
I was being oblivious. The conclusion was obvious from the start.
The Empress had come all the way here to bring me to her palace. The dress was just a good excuse.
But why? Even with the previous invitation, why is she so intent on bringing me to her palace?
While I continued to ponder and hesitated to respond, Davina’s small, innocent voice asked a simple question.
“If we don’t go, does that mean we won’t get the dress?”
