That grin made Rosalie realize that he was planning something.
“All you need to do is to promise me.”
A bet was a bet, so Rosalie could only sigh and agree. At that moment, Derivis stood beside her with a satisfied, predatory expression.
⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰
Rosalie let out a breath after a brief sparring session with Joey on a lazy afternoon. Joey also wiped the sweat trickling down his forehead.
“Sir Joey, your skills have improved quite a bit.”
“I’ve been thinking of giving that magician another surprise if we cross paths.”
It was a commendable mindset, and Rosalie nodded approvingly. A bit of self-critique and determination would refine his skills.
“Your Grace, why haven’t you consulted Sir Nathan or His Highness about the magician?”
It was common knowledge within the knights that Rosalie and Derivis had a close relationship. However, daring to inquire about that relationship was out of bounds due to their respective statuses and a sense of decorum.
Driven by his concern for Rosalie, Joey dared to ask.
“I’ll look into it on my end first before informing them.”
Having already driven off the threat, Rosalie was confident that they wouldn’t act rashly. Moreover, there were other matters to attend to.
“What about the reports from Sir Toronto?”
“There haven’t been any significant developments yet.”
“There are no suspicious individuals?”
“None, Your Grace.”
Joey’s response left Rosalie deep in thought. Despite narrowing down the search area, there hadn’t been any substantial progress.
‘The Empress personally oversees that area. Surely the knights must have noticed something in the forest.’
The lack of clues made it seem as if someone had vanished into thin air, which only deepened Rosalie’s unease.
“Your Grace~ The dress designer has arrived. Should I have them wait?”
Emma’s report as she entered the training ground made Rosalie realize how time had flown.
“No, I’ll be there shortly. What about Bianca?”
“Lady Bright hasn’t arrived yet.”
Upon Bianca’s request to attend the dress fitting together, Rosalie had invited her to the mansion. Rosalie loosened her tied-up hair and spoke to Joey.
“Let me know as soon as the report comes in.”
“Yes, understood.”
With Morel waiting for her, Rosalie hastily made her way to the room prepared for the fitting.
Upon opening the door, she found Morel, along with attendants, preparing for the fitting.
“Good day, Your Grace.”
“My apologies for the delay.”
Morel reacted strangely to Rosalie’s apology.
“You’re quite remarkable, Your Grace.”
“What do you mean?”
Most designers and craftsmen were commoners. Nobles occasionally dabbled in designing as a hobby, but active designers were generally considered commoners.
“It’s rare for nobles to apologize to visiting designers.”
Morel, a prominent designer in the capital, had visited many noble mansions.
Latecomers were not uncommon among the nobility, but offering apologies were. They simply compensated by adding to the fees or offering tips.
“Is that so?”
Morel smiled at Rosalie’s slightly embarrassed face and brought in a rack of dresses.
“I spoke out of turn. Lady Bianca hasn’t arrived yet, but shall we start the fitting?”
Rosalie nodded in agreement as Morel surveyed the dresses on the rack.
“Have you been training separately?”
Arriving late from training without changing her clothes, Rosalie worried about smelling of sweat and hastily offered to take a bath.
“I’ll be right back.”
“There’s no need for that, Your Grace. If it’s alright with you, may I design some training or comfortable wear for you?”
Rosalie paused at Morel’s proposal and quickly nodded, needing more activewear anyway. Her face seemed to brighten at the welcome offer.
“If it’s not too much trouble for you, then I’d appreciate it.”
Morel laughed at Rosalie’s enthusiasm, which was stark against her usual demeanor with dresses.
Just then, Martin’s voice announced Bianca’s arrival with a knock.
“Shall we begin the fitting now?”
Morel’s assistants swiftly moved into action. A large partition had been set up in a corner of the room, and Rosalie was quickly adorned with a corset and a dress by the attendants.
“Sister! I’m here.”
Hearing Bianca’s voice from behind the partition, Rosalie responded without leaving the fitting area.
“Good timing. We’ve just started fitting.”
“That’s great! I’m so excited.”
Bianca’s excited voice carried over the partition. Rosalie laughed as she heard Bianca chatting merrily with Morel.
The attendants skillfully dressed Rosalie in the dress. Rosalie was engrossed in a game of chess in her mind for a while, only realizing that it was over after the partition was removed.
Bianca gasped as Rosalie’s appearance was revealed.
“Oh my! Sister, you look absolutely stunning…!”
Rosalie finally had the chance to see the dress she was wearing as she looked into the full-length mirror brought by the attendants. The off-shoulder dress was adorned with intricate golden sequins and decorations along the shoulder line, and the skirt flared from the waist, shimmering as if sprinkled with golden dust.
It was as if someone had embroidered a golden galaxy on a black night sky.
“Black isn’t typically used for evening dresses, but I thought it would accentuate the exquisite golden embroidery.”
Morel explained as he watched Rosalie examining the dress. Indeed, despite being black, it didn’t feel dull at all. On the contrary, it exuded elegance and sensuality.
“As expected of Morel’s design!”
Bianca inspected Rosalie’s dress from various angles while Morel contemplated further enhancements.
“Hmm, it would look even more beautiful if the waist were cinched tighter. And perhaps we could add more golden embroidery to the back of the dress.”
“…Are you saying we should add more here?”
The dress already seemed lavish, but Morel was considering additional embroidery placements.
“You look splendid in glamorous dresses, so I believe more embellishments would be appropriate, Your Grace.”
Satisfied, Morel signaled the assistants that Rosalie could change out of the dress. Rosalie was able to shed the dress with their assistance.
“Then, we’ll finish the alterations and deliver it to your mansion on the agreed date. You said no accessories were needed, right?”
“Yes, I have plenty.”
“Morel, I’ll choose the accessories myself.”
“Lady Bianca will surely find something suitable.”
Relieved, Morel immediately retrieved the dresses and then left with his attendants. Meanwhile, Rosalie showed Bianca her collection of jewelry.
Bianca, examining the displayed jewels, carefully selected the accessories that would complement the dress.
“But sister, did His Highness gift all these accessories to you?”
“Yes, he did. I didn’t have many accessories of my own.”
Bianca was taken aback and asked what had happened. After all, they were all expensive and highly sought-after accessories.
“Speaking of which, His Highness abruptly took a leave and returned much later than planned, worrying brother. According to him, His HIghness usually scheduled his vacations a month in advance, but this time he vanished after announcing his leave the night before.”
It seemed that Venick hadn’t yet told Bianca that Derivis had already returned to the mansion. Rosalie felt reluctant to reveal it, thinking that Bianca might ask why she hadn’t mentioned it earlier.
“…I know. He was with me.”
Bianca turned her head abruptly from the jewelry at Rosalie’s response. Then, she swiftly walked closer to Rosalie.
“Sister, I can’t stand it anymore! What exactly happened?”
Rosalie sensed that Bianca was growing impatient with her reluctance to answer probing questions. Eventually, it seemed that she had reached her breaking point and decided to hear everything that happened that day.
Rosalie glanced away from Bianca’s eyes, and sighed, wondering if she would be disappointed if she evaded the question again.
“I’ll explain. Let’s have some tea first.”
Rosalie called for Martin to bring tea to her room, but Bianca’s eager expression made her spill the story not long after.
‘I shouldn’t tell her about Derivis’s injury.’
So, Rosalie kept the story short, giving only the bigger picture. Of course, she didn’t forget to mention that they had confirmed each other’s feelings.
“Oh my, oh my, oh my!”
Bianca’s eyes sparkled as if she had just witnessed a fascinating play.
“Oh, I’m so jealous. To be in love~.”
Bianca clasped her hands, wishing for her own romantic experience. Then, she lamented the absence of true love in her life.
“It might be closer than you think.”
Thinking of Sarnon, Rosalie prodded Bianca with a sly comment. However, Bianca appeared to be lost in thought for a moment before quickly shaking her head.
“No, not happening~.”
“For instance, someone like Sarnon.”
“Well, he’s just a friend. Just a friend.”
Bianca’s dismissive manner made Rosalie realize that Sarnon had a difficult path ahead of him. Despite Bianca’s resolute demeanor, Rosalie didn’t give in and added another comment.
“With his kindness, intelligence, and good looks, he’s likely quite popular among the young ladies.”
“Well, I’ve heard some ladies find him attractive. But I’m not into the model student type…”
Rosalie then realized why Bianca was drawn to Derivis. He was far from the model student image; he was practically the opposite.
“And sister, didn’t you say the mine acquired through the territory battle produced top-grade life stones? The salons are abuzz about it.”
Bianca was clearly well-informed about rumors. At Rosalie’s affirmative nod, Bianca covered her mouth.
“Congratulations! Now, you’re truly a grand noble!”
The term “grand noble” had long been an esoteric and symbolic term used by nobility.
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