Chapter 47
‘The most beautiful in the world’?
Even in the mansion alone, there were countless people more distinguished than her. No matter how young the children were, they shouldn’t be told such blatant lies.
But contrary to Erina’s worries, the children believed Lynn’s words without a shred of doubt and nodded enthusiastically.
Waiting a few minutes was nothing if it meant they would get to see the most beautiful Erina in the world.
And so, with Erina left flustered, she was locked inside the fitting room.
***
“Miss Erina, your hair is so lovely. I had a feeling just by looking at it, but now that I’ve touched it, it’s even better than I imagined. Oh my, is your natural hair color really brown?”
“W-What? Oh… y-yes…!”
“But when the sunlight hits it, it sparkles—it’s so beautiful! It almost looks like there are other colors mixed in!”
At Lynn’s keen observation, Erina’s eyes darted around nervously.
She let out an awkward laugh.
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Dylan’s magic, but she also didn’t want to prolong this conversation and risk raising Lynn’s suspicions.
Fortunately, Lynn soon moved on to another topic, as if it had just been casual small talk with a customer.
“Oh, right! I’ve also wrapped some gifts for the children! I designed them to match today’s outfits, would you like to take a look later?”
“Yes! Thank you so much! The ribbons I bought for them when they were younger have gotten too small, so I wanted to get new ones. I really appreciate it!”
“I’m the one who should be grateful for the chance to make something for the young masters of House Harrison.”
Lynn’s face was filled with genuine pride as she said this.
Erina tilted her head slightly, intrigued.
She knew from Dylan that House Harrison held the rank of a duke in the empire, but she couldn’t help but wonder—was there a special reason why the imperial citizens truly revered this family?
“Dylan’s older brother… who is the children’s father must have been a wonderful person. Even when I was at Haruben Street before, I noticed how warmly people looked at Dylan and the children.”
She recalled the countless times she had seen imperial citizens tear up with emotion upon recognizing Dylan and the children.
Having grown up in the countryside, Erina had never had the opportunity to see high-ranking nobles in person, so she didn’t know much about them.
But from what she had read in books and overheard in rumors, most nobles were said to live in luxury by exploiting commoners.
Because of this, the general sentiment toward noble families was usually more negative than positive.
Yet, the imperial citizens Erina had met truly respected and admired House Harrison.
It was obvious their emotions weren’t feigned.
Hearing the curiosity in Erina’s words, Lynn was surprised for two reasons.
First, Erina seemed to know almost nothing about the Sylvian Empire.
Second, she addressed the head of House Harrison so casually.
Was she not just an ordinary employee?
Having spent a long time navigating high society, Lynn had sharp instincts.
And those instincts told her—under no circumstances should she make an enemy of this woman.
The moment Lynn finished assessing Erina, her already kind tone became even smoother, like the finest silk.
She kept her explanation concise.
“Sylvian Empire owes its strength and vast territory entirely to House Harrison. From small infants to elders well past seventy, every citizen of this empire knows this as an undeniable truth. That’s why the love the imperial people have for House Harrison is nothing but sincere.”
Lynn smiled softly as she secured an accessory into Erina’s hair.
She decided to hold back from mentioning that the only member of House Harrison infamous for being cold and terrifying was Dylan.
“Hmm… So, it’s because House Harrison is… a dragons’ household?”
“Yes, that’s right! Sylvian is the only empire on this continent protected by dragons!”
Lynn’s voice brimmed with pride.
Of course, Dylan himself had never asked for this fate.
It was his older brother, Jin Harrison, who had made the pact after receiving aid from the former emperor.
If she were to explain the full details, it would take all night, so Lynn wisely chose to wrap up the conversation.
Just in time, Erina’s outfit was finally on.
“Alright, it’s done! The mirror is right here, why don’t you turn around and take a look?”
Following Lynn’s words, Erina turned to face the mirror and gasped, holding her breath.
The person reflected in the glass didn’t look like her at all.
The dress had a gracefully cut neckline that subtly revealed her collarbone, flowing into elegant sleeves.
The waistline was cinched, making her figure appear even more delicate.
The skirt, starting from the cinched waistline, was voluminous and elegant, made of satin with multiple layers of fine lace.
Every time Erina moved, glimpses of delicate floral embroidery on the satin peeked through the lace, making her appearance even more graceful.
“It…it’s so beautiful…! Wow, how could a dress like this exist?! It feels like I’m not wearing the dress; it’s carrying me! Ma’am, you’re truly incredible!”
Erina blinked rapidly, overwhelmed. She hesitated, wondering if she was even worthy of wearing such a dress.
Seeing her flustered reaction, Lynn burst into laughter, placed her hands on her hips, and shrugged.
“I’m not the head of the empire’s finest boutique for nothing! This dress is made just for you, Erina, so enjoy it to your heart’s content! It looks even more stunning because you’re wearing it, so don’t be nervous!”
“You must have been busy with the children’s outfits already, yet you made something this beautiful!”
“Hehe, hearing such gratitude makes all the exhaustion disappear! Now, shall we step outside and show the young masters? I’m sure they’ll be amazed.”
Lynn took Erina’s hand and led her out of the fitting room, as Erina still hesitated, feeling awkward in her transformed appearance.
The children were gathered just a few steps away, eagerly waiting.
Erina kept her head down, worried about their reaction.
It was undoubtedly the most beautiful dress in the world, but she was anxious that the person wearing it might not live up to it.
Sure enough, as she stepped out, time seemed to stretch—there was only silence.
The children made no sound, as if at a loss for words.
They must be too honest to say something just to be nice…
“Y-Yeah, I figured it wouldn’t suit me… I’ll just go change back…”
Just as Erina turned to retreat into the fitting room…
“WOAAAAH!!”
“ERINA, YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL!!”
The children, who had been staring at her without blinking, suddenly snapped out of their trance and erupted into cheers.
They hopped excitedly, circling around Erina, bombarding her with praise.
“So pretty! So, so pretty! Right, Resen?”
“Yeah! I know what people call someone like Erina! They call her a princess!”
“Erina Mama is a princess?!”
Erina, caught mid-step toward the fitting room, found herself surrounded by the triplets.
She couldn’t help but smile at their innocent words.
A real princess might have been shocked to hear such a bold statement, but if these children saw her that way, maybe it wasn’t so bad.
“See? I told you, didn’t I? I promised to make her the most beautiful in the world!”
Lynn said proudly.
“Ma’am, you’re the best!”
The children, having somehow learned the term “ma’am,” raised their thumbs toward Lynn in admiration.
Their adorable gesture made Lynn burst into laughter.
“Alright, Erina, try walking from here to over there. We need to make sure you can move comfortably.”
“Y-Yes, alright.”
“Erina! Can we walk with you? Lia will be the fairy beside the princess!”
“Resen will be the knight protecting Erina!”
“P-Poi will be the prince!”
Princess, fairy, knight and prince. Words spoken with confidence because they were still young enough to dream without hesitation.
“Let’s all protect the beautiful Erina!”
“YEAH!!”
Though embarrassed, Erina couldn’t help but feel a warm sense of confidence.
Following Lynn’s suggestion, she walked gracefully across the dressing room.
As she moved, the delicate lace fluttered around her, and the children followed closely, as if enchanted.
Amidst the sea of compliments, she continued walking until suddenly—
“Miss Erina, you look absolutely stunning.”
A deep voice echoed through the room.
Without a sound, Dylan had entered and was now clapping as he watched her.
A smooth, rare smile curved his lips.
