Chapter 25
Inside the box were cufflinks.
I narrowed my eyes and glared at them.
“What is this? Why would someone give me this?”
The confusion lasted only a moment. I unfolded the letter that came with it and finally understood why he had sent me the cufflinks.
⌜To Miss Daphne,
Please create an outfit that goes well with these cufflinks.
I worry that I may be asking too much while you are busy with commissions.⌟
Well, then you shouldn’t have asked. I shook my head.
⌜But I believe Miss Daphne can make it beautifully.
Have a wonderful day.⌟
What is this attitude?
⌜Ah, I hope this gift is useful to you, Miss Daphne.
I thought it would suit a lady.⌟
What else is in the box? I lifted the thick stack of paper wrapping the cufflinks.
“Ah.”
As expected, there was something else inside.
A magnolia-shaped corsage.
“And what is this?”
I slid it aside for the moment and fell into thought. To make the outfit, I needed to take measurements. And that meant I’d eventually have to meet Edin.
Not that it was impossible, but it was a rather burdensome condition. After thinking for a long time, I finally made up my mind.
“Yes! There must be a way to overcome this.”
I sat down and wrote a letter right then and there. I asked Berry to send it directly to Edin.
⌜Thank you.
The gift you sent is lovely. I will consider it part of the commission fee and make the outfit with care.
Ah, please send me the Duke’s upper-body measurements at your earliest convenience.
I am so busy moving around that I cannot visit in person.
I trust the Duke will understand.
Sincerely,
Daphne⌟
Hah, I liked it. I felt satisfied sending a fitting reply to someone who had suddenly sent me only cufflinks.
I stretched and glanced at the corsage I had set aside in the corner.
“What should I do about this? It seems like an extravagant thank-you for just making a shirt.”
The letter didn’t mention it as a “commission fee,” but it looked expensive enough that I concluded it on my own. It was pretty, luxurious, and would look fantastic on a dress.
“But I can’t just wear it everywhere… my pride won’t allow it.”
Feeling a little embarrassed, I leaned back on the sofa. Suddenly, a new thought struck me.
The Royche I would meet was Edin’s aide. And Edin already knew I would meet Royche.
“Ah… so he expects me to wear it when I meet Royche?”
Somehow, the theory seemed to fit. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking that he wanted his subordinate’s gift to succeed.
“Ah, whatever. I didn’t charge for the shirt anyway.”
I carefully set aside the corsage Edin had sent. If he asked for it back, there was nothing I could do. I was already busy; I needed to live my life without feeling indebted.
“I hope he sends the measurements soon.”
I tried to suppress a sigh, but I couldn’t. There were too many things on my mind. I disliked that I couldn’t focus on the wedding dresses other ladies had commissioned.
“This is dizzying. Being at a matchmaking meeting is…”
Mrs. Salvia was taking it seriously. I followed her to a corner of the tea house she recommended—or rather, insisted upon.
It was a high-class tea house where curtains could be drawn for each table and magic ensured nearby conversations couldn’t be overheard. A perfect spot for a proper matchmaking meeting between two socially known individuals.
“Sometimes Mrs. Salvia’s thoroughness is frightening.”
I brushed my arm along the curtain and peeked inside. There was Royche, already waiting for me.
“…Hello.”
“Yes, hello.”
“I am from the Alzerph family—”
“I know about you, Lady. Please, have a seat.”
Then I wouldn’t refuse. I sat down directly in front of him and gave a soft, polite smile I had practiced. I hadn’t studied what conversation to make at such a meeting, so I decided to just speak casually and end it quickly. I had no desire to spend extra energy. I would simply appear as a courteous lady paying attention.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you like this. You look more beautiful than usual.”
“Really? Thank you for the compliment. The blue suits you too, sir.”
Exchanging these superficial compliments, I watched Royche’s reactions.
I could guess one thing: he wasn’t entirely comfortable either.
“Ah, is this his first matchmaking meeting?”
My eyes sparkled. According to Mrs. Salvia, Royche had requested a meeting that could end as quickly as possible. Yet his tone and eyes were too gentle to pull a lady in. He was handsome, but relying solely on appearance wouldn’t work long.
Women usually fall for handsome men only if they are either completely quiet or have charm. Royche wasn’t silent, but he wasn’t interesting either.
“Sir Royche, you weren’t forced to come today, were you?”
“Eh?! No, of course not. Why would I be? I was in a rush to attend this meeting, and I’m surprised the lady is Daphne…”
“No, Sir, it’s fine. You don’t need to explain at length. You don’t need to reveal every thought or feeling you have.”
“Yes?”
“I’ll make sure the next meeting goes perfectly.”
“Really? Then this meeting…”
“For now! Sir Royche, your styling today is excellent. Who helped you?”
“Uh… I did…”
“You did it yourself?”
I nodded. It was good that he had talent in styling! With this, he could at least be a solid secondary male character in a story. I clapped and complimented his styling.
“Raising only half the front hair was the best choice. And the blue really suits you. Also, when you’re shy, show it! If you keep your lips shut and try to suppress a smile, your face looks long in the philtrum, like talking to a friend!”
Before I realized it, I was coaching Royche. At first, he stared at me blankly, but gradually he nodded and expressed awe, as if listening to something amusing.
“Forgive me, but don’t you spend most of your time at the shop, Miss Daphne? You don’t even have a fiancé yet. How do you know so much about feelings?”
That’s because I had experience with relationships in my past life. But I couldn’t tell the truth, so I just let my eyes glisten.
“I always talk to ladies preparing for marriage. Those ready to build beautiful families often leave their love stories with me.”
“Oh? So ladies about to marry tell you in detail what kind of men they find attractive?”
“…I piece it together based on what they share. They never say it outright. They all met the person they wanted…”
“Miss Daphne, sometimes your explanations are long.”
“Don’t apply this to yourself!”
Royche covered his mouth and chuckled. His eyes glistened as if he were laughing hard.
“Ah, I never realized you had a talent for these peculiar and strange stories, Miss Daphne.”
“That’s not a criticism, right? Thank you.”
“You’re usually not seen much in society, and I thought you only cared about dresses. Honestly… today I envy someone.”
“Oh? Who might that be?”
“There’s someone you take commissions from…”
“Ah, you mean my precious clients. Sir Royche, sadly, I don’t make men’s clothing.”
“I know.”
“But recently I accepted a commission, made a pattern, and tried making a shirt for the first time in a while… it was quite fun. So I could make at least one shirt for you.”
That was true. I had regained a bit of my original enthusiasm while making Edin’s clothes. After sending them, I might feel compelled to refund my effort emotionally.
“Oh, really? I’m honored.”
“So don’t envy it too much. We had a wonderful conversation today…”
“This meeting was hardly a proper matchmaking meeting. We’d do better as acquaintances.”
“Exactly.”
I liked that Royche was perceptive. He crossed his arms, laughed until he could barely breathe, then straightened up. His boldness and purity made him a good friend.
“By the way, Miss Daphne, that’s a splendid corsage.”
That was before he brought up the topic involving Edin.
