“Best?”
The best. The designers gathered here were all academy graduates at the top of their class, just at different times. If they had to choose the best among all…
Even though I’m a senior to them, I’m better.
After all, I’m the best as a professor at an academy in another empire.
Subtle glances passed between the designers.
“Haha, Princess. We’re all talented designers who hold senior positions at famous salons.”
At that time, Lierra, the representative of Kore Salon, opened her mouth first.
“In terms of sales, our Kore Salon was the best last season.”
“Huh? That’s because your salon tends to stock up on inventory.”
Then, Legion attacked gently but firmly.
“Even though our De Terre Salon has limited-edition products, aren’t our sales similar to yours? You should look at marketability rather than sales. Hahaha.”
“Oho? Being able to produce that much inventory is also a result of technology. Can it be compared to your salon, which is just like the size of a booger?”
“Wahahaha! I didn’t know you were so good at telling jokes. Are your boogers that big?”
The two burst out laughing as they faced each other. However, you could see sparks flying from the gaze they met.
Good. I already intended this situation from the beginning. Because the competitive spirit could push them beyond their limits.
“There is only one place for the best.”
I shook the fan gently.
“If you all have similar skills, why did I bring you all together?”
“…”
“I heard it earlier. That it wouldn’t be fun to use me as a model because I have dull skin.”
“Gasp.”
Their mouths closed in a straight line. Well, it didn’t really matter what was being said behind my back. Anyway, I’m going to make them bite their tongues for saying such nonsense.
“I heard that a master craftsman never blames their tools.”
“…”
I brushed my blonde hair over my shoulders.
“Wouldn’t a true master be able to make even this disheveled hair shine?”
I was being fussy like a golden spoon shedding tears.
The welcoming party isn’t what so important.
In fact, there was a separate reason why I brought them together. I planned to create a competition here and place the most talented and cunning one under me. To be more precise, they would be placed within my sphere of influence.
“Everyone must know that this welcoming party is important. I wasn’t going to attend.”
I frowned slightly as I was troubled.
“Grand Prince Benio personally came with an invitation and asked me to come, so I couldn’t refuse.”
The designers’ eyes widened at my words.
“An important guest said he really wanted to see me. So I can’t go there looking embarrassed, right?”
“…”
They would understand me as they are both designers and businessmen at each salon.
“My father took such care as I would go out for the first time in a long time, so I can’t disappoint him.”
To put it in one sentence, it was like that.
“Besides, everyone will know that you have gathered in front of me by now…”
I’m the main character of this welcoming party.
“Won’t they all be curious?”
I could hear their head spinning up to here. Not only did the Grand Prince Benio and Duke Felicite, but also an important guest invited by the grand duke’s family…
“Which designer’s dress will I wear?”
In other words, the dress I wore that day would win the Meteora ‘best’ title.
“I’ll give you about three days.”
“But Princess! This is not right.”
At that time, someone among them raised their hand. It was Ayana, the representative designer of Clyde Salon and also a professor at an academy in another empire.
“Aren’t you saying that only one selected work from the designers here can go out into the world? Does that mean the not chosen works become trash?”
When I heard that voice, I remembered it belonged to the person who had said something about drawing lines on a pumpkin to become a watermelon.
“When did I tell you not to show it to the world if it’s not chosen? You can either resell it at the salon or put it up for auction.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m just saying I won’t wear the clothes you made.”
“…That’s too much!”
In an instant, Ayana’s face became teary.
“Ayana, what Princess said is nothing wrong.”
Meanwhile, Lierra opened her mouth.
“Isn’t working hard and getting Princess’s attention okay?”
She seemed to have finished calculating the benefits she would get along with the title of the best. As expected, the number one sales figure is different.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. You said you were the 43rd graduate of the academy, right?”
“Yes, Princess.”
“I heard you from my father. They said the 43rd was the most talented in the academy’s art faculty.”
I looked at Lierra and smiled kindly. Because I’m a very biased person to begin with.
“As expected, the number one sales leader is different.”
“Ahahahaha! I’m flattered!”
Then I saw Legion’s pupils shaking violently.
“If you don’t have confidence, you can give up.”
“…”
“I’ll give you the amount you agreed to pay, which means you can return to the reservation guests who are looking for you.”
Are you not confident?
A glimmer of madness appeared in the designers’ eyes at one last blow.
“Three days. Even if we start preparations now, it’s a tight time. Please send us off, Princess.”
“This is going to be the most fun work I’ve done in a while.”
While they were excited.
The real genius is over there.
I saw a man standing hidden in a corner and said nothing.
“Okay then, you can leave now.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the designers called their assistants and ran out of the parlor.
“Isn’t there a new material being tested in our lab? Get it ready in the dressing room right now.”
“Set up the studio! From today onwards, don’t think about sleeping!”
It was inevitable that I would be the center of attention at the parlor anyway. The model is perfect, so even if I came out from the closed curtains, I could look good even in a pure white dress. My real goal is…
The best among them.
To come with me to the underground castle.
* * *
“Oh my! Look over there.”
“Oh my God. I heard all the top designers from the National Academy gathered together. It’s true.”
At that time, Luna looked through the window at the magnificent carriages leaving the duchy. They were all famous faces that you would only see in fashion magazines.
“How did you hire all those designers?”
“I heard His Grace called for them.”
“What?”
The maids around Luna couldn’t help but look surprised.
“The capital is full of young ladies who were rejected by those designers.”
“I’m glad we made a reservation with a mid-level designer.”
“…” Luna didn’t say anything.
“That’s right. Our Lady doesn’t indulge in luxuries, so that’s why the corridor is like this.”
“But if you really managed to hire all those designers, Lady, how will you fare?”
“If you’re too afraid to speak to the princess, why don’t you try asking His Grace?”
“It’s okay. How dare I confront my sister.”
But Luna, who turned her head, flatly refused.
“Besides, those are designers His Excellency called for my sister. How could I?”
“But still…”
“The invitation my sister received was also brought personally by Grand Prince Benio.”
Unlike usual, Luna’s harsh tone made the maids embarrassed.
“How can I compare?”
No matter how much Luna was loved by the duke, the gap in their natural status couldn’t be narrowed.
“Don’t worry. Still, Lady is the most beautiful.”
“The Princess. She’s too greedy.”
“Everything older sister had was gorgeous and beautiful.” Despite the comfort of her maids, Luna muttered in an incoherent voice. However…
It was a look that reminded you of someone.
* * *
“I heard that not long ago. The princess even personally watched Redian’s training.”
“What happens if a trainer comes from outside? Aren’t we all going to be kicked out?”
“I really need to come to my senses about this. I should have listened to Maze.”
Trainers in the underground castle who were crossing the hallway kicked their tongues.
“Whether our head is blown off by that Redian or our life is cut off by the princess, our life must be tough.”
“Actually, I thought the princess would run away on her own because of Redian’s temper. Who knew they’d get along so well?”
The sound of trainers grumbling could be heard by Vallentin, who was sitting blankly inside the cage.
I’m bored. There’s no training.
At some point, the atmosphere of the underground castle was changing. It had been a long time since he had seen the guy named Irik and his henchmen… He couldn’t even hear the sound of the whips that the trainers were recklessly swinging. It felt like even time in the underground castle had stopped, just because of the appearance of one person.
“…Hmm.”
Vallentin looked at the small window out of the cage. Only one person was standing in the empty training ground.
Redian.
He remembered Redian. His face, which was always covered in blood, was cleared, and the shackles on his arms and legs were gone. Unlike him, who was trapped here, Redian swung his sword in the sunlight.
“Even if it’s not a sword, you can do many things with those hands.”
“Praise from Decilio.”
Is that all her power?
He even pledged loyalty to her. The cold expression on his face looked like he was about to spit out a harsh curse at any moment.
“Why only that brat…”
However,
“He’s just being pretty.”
The sound of scoff echoed through the bars.
