Chapter 10

“…Yes?”

Melissa blinked in confusion and slowly lifted her gaze. Seres’s sharp voice cut through the air.

“Such a shabby design. That rat-like rustic outfit does not suit our family.”

“M-Mother…”

Melissa covered her mouth with both hands, then, unable to hold it in, shouted brightly.

“Thank you! For personally teaching me what refinement looks like!”

“…What?”

Seres could hardly believe her ears, but Melissa was already beaming.

“I’ll work hard to learn. I’ll make sure to transform myself into someone elegant and worthy of this family!”

Eyes sparkling with determination, Melissa asked eagerly.

“Where shall we go to buy new clothes? Do you have a favorite shop, Mother? Let’s go together!”

This was not how it was supposed to go.

Seres faltered.

The manuals Linburton had bought for her never mentioned a reaction like this.

According to them, the subject should have burst into tears, begged for forgiveness, or at least talked back rudely so she could be punished for disobedience.

But what was this?

‘Calm down, Seres.’

Though taken aback by the unfamiliar situation, Seres took a quiet breath and steadied herself.

The blood of Eisenhart would never falter before something so trivial.

“Hmph. Ridiculous.”

She snorted, just as the manual instructed, and strode past Melissa.

“Follow me.”

She needed time to think.

As she turned away, a faint line of sweat formed on the back of her neck.

* * *

“Y-Your Grace?”

The owner of the boutique, Robelia, looked startled but immediately bowed low.

“It is an honor to see the Grand Duchess.”

“Rise.”

Seres’s voice carried quiet authority as she took a seat on the sofa Robelia offered.

“I wish to look at some dresses.”

“…Pardon? Oh, yes, of course!”

Still startled, Robelia gestured to her staff.

One of them hurriedly brought over a catalog. Robelia accepted it with both hands and presented it politely.

“Here is our catalog, Your Grace.”

As she stepped back respectfully, she quickly glanced at the Grand Duchess and her companion.

Seres von Eisenhart, the famously frugal ruler of the northern duchy. Even though her shop had supplied the Eisenhart family for generations, Seres rarely placed orders herself.

Back when Lady Natalianne still lived at the estate, there had at least been a few seasonal orders for her gowns, but since the young lady left for the Mage Tower, even those had nearly stopped.

And now, all of a sudden, the Grand Duchess herself had come to order clothes.

‘What on earth is going on?’

Curiosity gleamed in Robelia’s eyes as she studied Seres, then noticed the small young lady standing beside her.

‘Could it be?’

Her mind spun.

‘Does this have to do with that girl?’

Her sharp eyes darted toward Melissa.

The young lady’s warm orange hair and clear green eyes gave her a bright and gentle charm. She looked around the boutique with an expression of awe, her cheeks slightly flushed.

‘Which family is she from?’

While Robelia examined her with growing curiosity, she suddenly remembered something from a week ago.

The very day the second young master, missing for a year, had returned, he had placed a large and urgent order for women’s clothing.

The styles and measurements hadn’t matched Lady Natalianne’s usual dresses, but since the request was so sudden, Robelia had assumed it was for a temporary client.

Now she realized it.

The dress Melissa wore was one of those very outfits.

‘No way.’

Excitement sparked in Robelia’s eyes.

Just then, Seres closed the catalog and spoke.

“I wish to purchase clothes for this young lady.”

This young lady.

Robelia’s thoughts exploded with exclamation marks.

‘So she really is the daughter-in-law!’

Her eyes shimmered suspiciously, though Seres did not notice.

“Take her inside and fit her with whatever suits her.”

“Understood!”

Robelia’s heart fluttered.

The future duchess herself was in her store.

‘At last, the day has come.’

She had long dreamed of designing a gown worthy of the bride of the Eisenhart heir. Sketches of that vision filled her studio.

And now, that beautiful girl was standing right before her.

“This way, my lady!”

Robelia guided Melissa toward the fitting room, her hands trembling with inspiration.

Once they disappeared behind the curtain, Seres finally let out the sigh she had been holding.

‘Now what do I do?’

She had brought the girl here, but she still had no idea how to make her run away.

Then a quiet voice came from behind her.

“Your Grace.”

“Hm?”

Seres glanced back to see Linburton leaning close.

“First, have her try on the most expensive and extravagant dresses in this shop.”

“…What?”

Did he mean to buy them for her?

Seeing her confusion, Linburton quickly explained.

“Then afterward, we take her to the shabbiest store we can find and throw the cheapest, most pitiful dress at her.”

A cunning glint flashed in his eyes.

“That way, she will feel the contrast clearly.”

“Ho.”

Seres gave a low sound of approval.

It seemed Linburton’s efforts to study the manuals had not been wasted.

She nodded.

“You are quick to learn.”

“I am honored.”

Linburton bowed humbly and stepped back.

It was the duty of a vassal to anticipate his lord’s needs, and driving out that troublesome woman was now his most urgent mission.

‘Just wait, you little stray cat.’

He smirked with satisfaction.

At that moment, the curtain of the fitting room rustled open.

“How do I look, Mother?”

“Hm.”

Seres gave her a cursory glance.

The white dress, embroidered with soft green vines, matched Melissa’s green eyes perfectly.

‘Rather cute.’

But what came out of her mouth was cold.

“Next.”

“Yes!”

Melissa’s cheeks glowed as she disappeared behind the curtain again.

Then came the next dress, and another, and another.

After trying on nearly ten gowns, Seres stretched her stiff back and spoke.

“None of these suit her.”

“…!”

Shock widened Robelia’s eyes.

Seres felt a small pang of guilt and added,

“We’ll come again another time.”

Ah.

Robelia suddenly understood what that meant.

The Grand Duchess must think none of these dresses were worthy of a first gift for her daughter-in-law.

Tears almost welled in her eyes as creative inspiration surged within her.

‘She must already be loved so deeply.’

Melissa’s face still shone with the same cheerful energy as when she first entered.

Ordinary clients would be exhausted after trying on so many gowns, but she looked far from tired.

If anything, she seemed delighted, offering compliments with each new dress she tried.

‘How do you make lace like this? It’s so delicate and beautiful!’

Robelia had always been confident in her craft, but no one had ever asked about her process with such genuine wonder.

Before she knew it, she had been smiling as she explained how the lace was made.

‘What a lovable young lady.’

When the grand ducal party finally left the shop, Robelia placed a hand over her pounding heart.

After the disappearance of the first young master, the duchy had been frozen in gloom.

Perhaps at last, spring was returning to Eisenhart.

* * *

“Hm.”

As they left Robelia’s boutique, Seres glanced toward a narrow alley nearby.

Hidden in the shadows was a small, shabby shop, its sign faded and crooked.

It looked like the sort of place that sold supplies for servants of noble households.

“We’ll go there next.”

“Yes!”

Melissa answered brightly and followed behind.

Watching her cheerful steps, Linburton smiled with grim satisfaction.

Her laughter would not last long.