“The fashion industry I dreamed of wasn’t like this.”
The young designer’s heart burned with a strong desire—to create clothes that were practical and beautiful, garments that both nobles and workers could wear with happiness.
Thus, he rejected the tempting offer to become an apprentice at the largest dressmaking atelier in Rutes and returned to his homeland.
On his way back, he saw an advertisement in a newspaper, which led him to the Fitzroys. Because of this, he did not return directly to Leslie.
“…You’ve had quite the experience abroad, Mr. Pierre.”
As she listened to him, she recalled the conversation she had with Mary. As if fulfilling the prophecy from that day, he had indeed explored a new world and gained a clearer vision of what he truly wanted.
It was a fortunate turn of events—for the Fitzroys, for him, and for the empire as well. Losing a designer of his caliber to Francia would have been a national loss.
Scratching his nose, he corrected Anje’s way of addressing him.
“Penny. From now on, please refer to me as Jean Penny.”
He no longer wished to live as Jean Pierre. Instead, he wanted to embrace his true self—Jean Penny, a man from a small rural village in the Albion Empire.
From then on, Jean began designing various types of clothing for workers, starting with work uniforms for the Dilton Farm School. His designs, which seamlessly blended practicality and elegance, quickly won people’s admiration.
Years later, when a department store—a comprehensive shop catering to both gentry and commoners—was established, a brand named “Penny’s Closet,” after his surname, would take its place within it. But that was still far in the future.
On this day, after being treated to an exquisite meal, he took his first step as “Designer Jean Penny” by measuring soldiers for their uniforms.
The last person to visit the Fitzroys that day was someone from the past whom Anje had never expected.
“…Lady Case?”
“You remember me, madam. What an honor.”
Sally Case, the daughter of a baron, wore a modest bonnet and forced a smile despite her pale complexion.
Anje, the noble lady of the Glasster family, had barely acknowledged the Case family in the past. Given that Sally had long since passed the age of marriageability, it was natural to assume she had been forgotten.
Feeling somewhat awkward, Anje responded,
“Of course, I remember. …You recited poetry beautifully.”
Among the memories she forcibly pulled out, there was a scene from a party where Sally had recited a long and difficult poem. And also, the moment when her spiteful father had whispered, ‘She must be burying her nose in books because no men are paying her any attention.’
Recalling how she had once enjoyed such gossip about Sally, Anje suddenly felt both ashamed and guilty.
Sally’s face brightened slightly.
“Yes, I love literature. But I also enjoy geography and geometry.”
Anje still didn’t understand why Sally had come, but she chose to observe proper etiquette and introduced her to Aiden.
“Aiden, this is Lady Sally Case, daughter of Baron Case. We’ve crossed paths in social circles a few times, and as you just heard, she possesses remarkable literary knowledge.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, my lady.”
Aiden, who had crammed noble etiquette lessons in preparation for such situations, greeted Sally properly. He had memorized them desperately—he would never allow himself to bring shame to Anje.
“Have you been doing well?”
“Y-Yes….”
Anje and Sally hesitated, attempting to converse about people in high society, but the conversation didn’t flow smoothly.
Anje had long since distanced herself from social circles, and while Sally remained unmarried, she was considered too old and didn’t quite fit in anywhere.
Finally, Anje came up with a safe topic and asked in a lighter tone,
“How is your fiancé?”
If she recalled correctly, he was the son of Marquis Smith—a man just as unremarkable as Sally. Their engagement had lasted ten years, and people often placed bets on when they would finally marry.
“…Actually, our engagement was broken off recently. So I suppose he’s doing quite well.”
“Oh, that’s unfortunate. It must be difficult for you.”
“Not at all. I was the one who initiated the breakup.”
“Ah….”
Unaware of the latest gossip, Anje had misspoken.
To break the awkward silence, she hastily began talking about the school project she was working on.
“Um, I… You may have seen the advertisement in the newspaper, but I’ve been busy building a school. Constructing buildings, recruiting students—”
“Oh, I know!”
Since the topic involved things like the treatment of retired soldiers and agriculture, Anje had expected a disinterested response. However, to her surprise, Sally answered enthusiastically, raising her voice.
“I came here today after seeing that advertisement.”
“Oh, really?”
Blinking in surprise, Anje gave a dazed response. She was pleased to finally understand why Sally had sought her out. However, she still had no idea what exactly Sally wanted.
The introverted Sally mustered all her courage and blurted out her words in a rush.
“I want to work there. Could you hire me, madam?”
“What? Hire you?”
What kind of absurd request was this? Anje almost spilled her tea and stood up in surprise, but she held herself back when she saw Aiden sitting beside her.
Without making a sound, he mouthed the word “Chihuahua.”
Anje pressed her fingers against her eyes, which almost popped out in shock, then discreetly kicked Aiden’s ankle under the table.
Aiden let out a muffled “Keuk,” a sound that was hard to tell whether it was from pain or suppressed laughter.
“I’d appreciate it if you could explain in more detail, young lady.”
“Yes, actually…”
For eleven years, she had been suffering from heartache because of Smith, her long-time fiancé, who had continuously postponed their marriage. She had already noticed long ago that he saw her as nothing more than an insurance policy while secretly searching for a more beautiful or advantageous fiancée.
However, her conservative parents refused to allow a breakup, and she feared that, having passed the prime age for marriage, no one would want to take her as a wife. She had suppressed her anger for a long time—until recently, when it finally exploded.
‘Let’s end this engagement, Smith.’
After the breakup, her enraged parents confined her to her room. While staying locked away, she came across an advertisement in the newspaper that piqued her curiosity.
“It said that the princess—no, Mrs. Fitzroy—runs the school herself. I’ve never seen a woman working in a profession other than as a governess or chaperone. I thought it was truly amazing.”
Sally Case gazed at her with admiration, earnestly emphasizing her abilities.
“I’m good at writing. I have a great memory. I can even handle accounting books—I was really close with the butler.”
It was hard to believe this was the same woman who used to be a “wallflower,” staring at the floor at every ball. She was now passionately asserting her skills.
If she didn’t find a job now, she would have to return home, where her parents would arrange another marriage—possibly with someone even worse than Smith.
“I want to leave home and build a life of my own. I want to earn my own money, buy things I like, and visit places I’ve always dreamed of… I don’t mind working as a cleaner or a maid.”
“Ahem.”
Reading the desperation in Sally’s words, Anje cleared her throat, momentarily stopping her. She could fully understand what Sally was feeling and how much she had suffered because of her fiancé.
Moreover, she felt guilty for never having paid much attention to Sally’s struggles as a noblewoman.
“Well, as it happens, we do have an open position for vice principal. What do you think? Would you be interested in the role at the farm school?”
Sally clenched the napkin on her lap.
“M-Me? For that position? I… I’d be honored! If you give me the chance, I promise to do my best!”
No matter how much she said she didn’t mind, she still felt guilty about making someone of noble birth do menial labor.
Besides, given her calm and intelligent nature, she thought she would be better suited to meticulously overseeing the school’s affairs.
The position had originally been meant for Aiden, but judging by the way he kept nudging her leg under the table, he seemed much happier with this outcome.
Indeed, he even gave Anje a playful wink, as if to say, “Good decision.”
“Aiden and I will be staying mostly in Leslie and only visiting the school occasionally. So, we needed someone reliable to stay there full-time and take on the vice principal’s role.”
Sally Case’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude.
It was the first time someone had entrusted her with something important, the first time someone had considered her reliable.
Sally Case, the unwanted old maid, the troublesome burden, the woman nobody needed.
It felt as though the curse that had bound her was finally breaking.
“I’ll do my best, madam! Oh—no, I mean, Headmistress.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Anje extended her hand for a handshake with her newly appointed vice principal.
“If I had known you were such a wonderful person, I would have befriended you much sooner, Vice Principal.”
“Same here…”
Anje’s ungloved hand was warm.
Sally wondered why she had always thought of her as cold and intimidating.
‘I’m glad I took the leap.’
Her parents had warned her that making such an unusual request to Lady Glasster would surely get her kicked out.
If only they could see her now.
Sally bit down hard on her molars, struggling to hold back the grin threatening to break across her face.
* * *
As time passed and spring arrived the following year, the Dilton Farm in Leslie Village was filled with sunlight and a gentle breeze.
Every tree and path was adorned with beautiful blossoms, and fluffy clouds drifted across the sky, creating a scene truly worthy of being called paradise.
“Hand it over, you son of a bitch!”
“What, you stingy bastard. This is my area!”
Breaking the peaceful atmosphere, vicious curses rang out through the air.
* * * *
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