Chapter 46
“Are you… talking about our academy days?”
It was a time in life when I was most naive, a period when I could rely on adults’ protection without worry.
But too much time had passed to long for those days.
I had grown so much, and naturally, today’s life was far richer than anything from back then.
“I still don’t want to go back. It would feel like all the effort I’ve put in so far was wasted.”
I firmly blocked his attempt to drift into nostalgia.
He stared at me silently, paying no attention even when the server creaked over and placed a teapot and cup in front of him.
Honestly, it was a little intimidating.
He smiled gently, as if trying to coax me, and asked:
“Why not? Wasn’t it fun? Studying together, preparing for Lena’s birthday party… we enjoyed all of it, didn’t we?”
“At that time, we were just early teens. Of course preparing for small events was fun. And studying… I just did it because I had to.”
I remembered when I dropped out of the academy and, through my aunt’s introduction, entered the dress shop.
I missed those times sometimes—when other staff tried to put me down with rumors like, “She’s a noble,” or “Her family fell, so she drifted here.”
The dress shop paid poorly and the treatment wasn’t great. But they at least allowed selling skirts or shirts made from leftover fabrics, so I could painstakingly save money.
Whenever staff compared me to visiting nobles and mocked me, the sting of those insults would bring memories back.
But that era was over.
The Alzerf family hadn’t been annihilated, and though we weren’t wealthy, as long as I endured, we wouldn’t falter like before.
Now, having earned recognition for making the most beautiful wedding dresses in the empire, why would I envy my student days?
I shook my head.
“I’m really happy now. Maybe… Lord Rowan is just preoccupied with Lady Rachel’s wedding preparations and feeling a little sentimental. Sending a younger sister off into marriage can feel bittersweet, you know.”
I knew Rowan wasn’t contacting me for that reason.
Still, pretending not to notice, I deliberately brought up my younger sister, as if acknowledging that he was a normal person.
“…Yes, that’s not a bad guess. But I want you to understand something.”
He poured tea into his cup.
The warm aroma spread to my nose.
“I miss those days every single day. On graduation day at the academy, I was so sad that I couldn’t be with you.”
I was flabbergasted.
Wasn’t he the one who hadn’t looked for me all this time?
“When I heard about the graduation through Lena, I did think about the past. But it was just a fleeting moment. Let the past go. Aren’t you destined to do great things within the empire?”
“Me? Great things for the empire… it’s funny, delightful, even feels impossible sometimes.”
He laughed and lightly shook his head, acting as if my words were absurd.
“You overestimate me. Compared to my father, I’m nothing. As you know, my abilities aren’t remarkable. It’s embarrassing to say this to someone like you, Daphne… but it’s the sort of ability that can’t even control a passing rat.”
He shrugged.
A talent that couldn’t shine anywhere, unremarkable magical power.
I remembered how Rowan, clever and ambitious, had always felt inferior about the size of his abilities, and I kept my mouth shut.
He had always been top of the class at the academy, but no one ever hailed him as a genius.
I, who had been close to him, knew that his feelings of inadequacy stemmed from back then.
“Still, that’s kind of nice to hear. Thank you.”
“I’ve believed that since academy days.”
“Yes, I did say I wanted to be a noble who helps the world. It’s an old dream; I almost forgot.”
He poured lukewarm milk into the already cooled tea.
Slowly stirring his milk tea, he spoke:
“If I wait a little, I believe I can be as happy as I was back then.”
“…I’ll root for you.”
“Thank you. Ah, I guess today isn’t a good day for tea. Let’s get up. Drink comfortably and then go home. You’ll come by the mansion soon, right?”
“Yes, I have a final fitting left.”
“Then see you then. Take care of yourself.”
He handed the payment for my tea to the server and left the shop.
I sat in my chair, dazed, and reorganized my scattered thoughts.
He had always been an unusual person, back then and now.
Being involved with him could be exhausting.
‘Pleasant rest, my foot. I’ve wasted an hour just being cautious.’
Though the conversation hadn’t been long, the light streaming through the window shifted its angle.
Better to go home and rest.
I got up and went down the stairs.
Realizing it, I noticed I was the only customer left in the tea shop.
As if someone had kicked everyone else out but me.
At two in the afternoon, the time to endure for survival, Beri came in with a letter.
It was from Mrs. Salvia.
I opened the envelope with an unwilling heart.
‘Did she send this to give a live update on Luana and Edin’s relationship?’
I was just a bystander; I didn’t need every trivial detail.
⌜Miss Daphne, I have good news.
It seems that he and Miss Luana will see each other again soon.
I also learned that Edin recently bought gloves, a dress, and shoes at a women’s clothing store.
With such heartwarming news coming from the empire lately, Miss Daphne, is there anyone you’d like to meet?
Perhaps I’ve been presumptuous! Though such jokes between us don’t need to be addressed.
Miss Daphne, I expect to have another request soon. Could you spare some time for me?
Then, see you soon.⌟
It had been a long time since I’d received a letter I immediately wanted to throw away.
I carefully folded the letter and put it in the table drawer.
‘Enough. I have work tomorrow and no time to rest. Let’s just get on with it.’
If Edin and Luana married, I’d lose nothing.
Just quickly process the reservations, pack my things, and head down to the townhouse.
I’d always been frustrated at the townhouse management fees and taxes I hadn’t even used.
‘Good, no more wasted money.’
I went straight to the workshop.
My heart pounded, but I wasn’t distracted from making the dress like yesterday.
The next day.
From morning, with Emma’s help, I began preparing.
“It’s been a while since you attended a wedding, right?”
“Yes, it’s been a while since I was invited. Time to go out.”
The young marquise, for whom I recently made a wedding dress, invited me to her wedding.
I was grateful for the invitation.
It was a marriage between prominent families, and I’d meet people whose acquaintance would be valuable.
Even beyond formal reasons, I had conversed a few times with her during the dress-making process, and we got along well.
Unlike my work attire, I wore tidy makeup and a dress I often wore to public events.
“Even on a day off, we have to go to a wedding! Tired, aren’t you?”
“I’m fine. Attending a wedding is fun. Let’s go.”
Emma got into the carriage and respectfully stayed quiet, understanding my preference for a calm journey.
Soon, the carriage stopped.
The wedding wasn’t far from the Alzert mansion, so the journey wasn’t long.
I took the invitation she handed me and stepped out of the carriage.
“Eek, isn’t that Her Highness the Princess?”
Emma whispered beside me.
Turning, I saw the princess conversing with the ladies.
‘This is an awkward moment to greet her.’
I turned my gaze to observe the wedding attendees.
Indeed, almost all the powerful noble families of the empire were present.
‘What a prestigious gathering.’
Could I even be invited to a place like this?
I hesitated slightly.
