Chapter 28
There, on display, was the shirt I had carefully made for Edin.
I could say with certainty that it was even better than one made by his personal designer.
“I may dislike your words, but I never dislike the work itself!”
Proudly, I presented the shirt to him.
Edin paused for a moment, looking at the shirt draped over the mannequin. Then he crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly, as if showing approval.
“Indeed, Miss Daphne. You’ve made an excellent shirt.”
“I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”
If your eyes are functioning properly, you should be satisfied!
If your taste is intact, you should want to wear it immediately.
Suppressing my true feelings, I smiled and urged him on.
Hurry up and try it. Feel the excellence of this shirt.
“I want to try it on right away. Could you help me?”
“Ah, that’s diffic… Huh? You want me to help?”
What is he saying?
This shirt only needs to be put on and taken off—why would he need my help?
I stammered out some foolish words before forcing a small smile.
“It’s designed so you can wear it yourself! I’ve made it easy to put on and take off.”
You can handle buttons on your own, right?
Edin nodded as if reluctantly accepting this and headed to the dressing room.
He understood my refusal immediately and decided to put it on himself. Should I call this admirable or ridiculous?
Of course, if it had been a young lady my age putting on a dress in the dressing room, I would have helped.
Underwear, stockings, petticoats, inner dress, outer dress—putting on a dress was quite cumbersome.
Compared to that, men’s clothing was incredibly simple.
You just pull it over and slip it on.
Shaking my head, I drifted into a daydream, imagining whether such a precious young master like Edin had servants who tucked him into bed with gentle pats.
Then I realized something important.
…Edin hadn’t brought the shirt in with him.
I quickly took the shirt off the mannequin and headed to the dressing room.
“Your Grace, the shirt! You didn’t bring it in!”
I slightly opened the curtain and peered in.
He must have started undressing by now. I didn’t want to accidentally face any man’s chest!
A muffled laugh came from inside the dressing room.
What? Why is he laughing?
“I just realized I didn’t bring the shirt in and was about to go out for it. Thank you, Daphne. You don’t need to turn your head like that.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve got my clothes on. Don’t worry.”
Squinting, I glanced inside the dressing room.
Edin was only without his outer jacket.
…Excessive manners can be embarrassing sometimes.
Heat rose to my face.
“Then I’ll come out wearing it.”
“Please do.”
I pulled the curtain open and turned away.
‘Thank goodness this is a story suitable for all ages…’
I had absolutely no curiosity about Edin’s abs. I didn’t want to see them.
With that thought firmly in mind, I returned to the sofa.
Not long after, Edin emerged from the dressing room in his new shirt.
Although it was made from thin silk, the fit traced the lines of his body perfectly. The shirt looked extraordinary.
I slightly regretted having only made women’s clothing, seeing such an excellent male form to dress.
“…….”
“What do you think? I personally like it.”
“Stylish. It suits you very well, Your Grace.”
As a maker, I was deeply satisfied.
It was frustrating that there were no cameras in this world.
With all these magical items, yet no way to capture a photo—it made no sense.
I felt a brief haze in my mind before regaining focus.
“Indeed, Miss Daphne, your skill is remarkable. I can say this is the best shirt I’ve ever worn.”
“That’s flattering. You could wear clothes made by skilled tailors in the Empire, yet I’m glad you’re satisfied.”
I was truly the best wedding dress designer.
All the effort spent over several days to make a single, beautiful shirt melted away in that moment.
Now, the shirt had been delivered, and it was time to talk about something else.
‘Your Grace must know about Rachel’s birthday banquet.’
Edin, of course, was aware that the Leodid family was suspicious.
I needed to discuss the invitation to the birthday banquet with him.
“Your Grace, a few days ago we received an invitation to Lady Rachel’s birthday banquet.”
“Ah, so you received one too, Miss Daphne. I hear they’re planning a grand celebration this time.”
“Yes, I decided to go after some thought…”
“Must you go?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m concerned about what was said before. Their recent behavior is rather suspicious.”
Was he referring to my earlier remarks about the Leodid family garden?
I shook my head to reassure him.
“A lot of nobles will gather, and as long as we’re careful, nothing will happen. It could even be beneficial for work.”
I was the one making the dress Rachel would wear when marrying the crown prince.
She might even mention me and my shop to other ladies.
The invitation was inevitable, and although I wasn’t fond of social events, I had a slight sense that I’d need to appear there.
Receiving Rachel’s invitation gave me a sense of unease—not because I wanted to go, but because it was a place where I couldn’t simply decline. I had even checked with other ladies about attending.
“You look like you’ll go even if advised not to.”
“Yes, I want to make it clear—it’s not because I’m enthusiastic about attending.”
“…If you attend, Miss Daphne, then I’ll go too.”
Edin spoke in a lower, more serious tone than before.
“She’s going to be the crown princess eventually. We should at least see her.”
Unlike when discussing clothes, he spoke curtly this time, frowning and showing his displeasure.
Even when Lena ran away to find her own life, he had been relaxed and playful—this was a new side of him.
Though still commanding in presence.
“Then… let’s meet at the banquet hall. Entering together would look strange.”
I drew a line.
It was a gathering filled with nobles who loved gossip. Better to be cautious.
“Understood. But Miss Daphne, you should be careful.”
“Yes, I know. I understand exactly what you’re concerned about.”
Suddenly, I thought of the fig tree.
Surely it would be blocked, but it wasn’t often we’d have the chance to enter the Leodid estate together.
‘If all goes well, maybe we can see that tree together… it might give Edin a good hint.’
I knew it was reckless, but some things had to be dealt with directly.
I asked Edin.
“Do you remember the fig tree protected by the Leodid family’s barrier stone?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“How about checking it out together? I can guide the way.”
“…They’ve likely put a barrier in place to prevent entry. It’s a dangerous attempt.”
“It’s important to at least get close and gather information, right? Once the banquet starts and everyone is distracted, we could slip away and check it out.”
I spoke confidently, as if I had come up with a clever plan.
Edin looked at the floor, thinking for a long while. Then he looked up and addressed me.
“You must be careful. Never act alone.”
“Of course. And perhaps, Your Grace, if we uncover the Leodid family’s secret…”
I clasped my hands in a praying gesture, looking at him.
“…the Duke may not be forced into marriage! If we reveal the sorcery first.”
Such a hopeful thought, but I wished for the problem to be resolved simply, despite knowing how risky it was.
“If what you’re suggesting happens… that would be remarkable.”
“Right? I’ll do my very best to help.”
It seemed that the roots of my sense of justice, thought long extinguished by the struggles of life, had somehow survived.
My heart swelled with renewed purpose.
“Then, we’ll meet on Lady Rachel’s birthday banquet day.”
I spoke to Edin more resolutely than usual, praying that our matter would be neatly resolved within six months.
By the time I had managed two more clients at the dress shop, the day of Rachel’s birthday banquet had arrived.
