Episode 43

Maybe Aiden noticed my mood because a pleased smile appeared on his face.

“I’ll inform the guards to prepare.”

“But don’t make it too noisy. I don’t want my identity revealed.”

This way, I could enjoy shopping and the concert properly.

Since my husband’s death right after the wedding, I hadn’t officially appeared before the empire’s citizens. Thus, there weren’t many people outside the palace who would recognize my face.

At the Spirit Festival by the lake in Lingrove, it was refreshing that people didn’t know I was the Empress.

Although it was disrupted by assassins and thugs, I still cherished that brief freedom.

Aiden agreed and stepped outside the reception room for a moment. He likely gave instructions to his subordinates regarding the escort.

I called a maid and instructed Tito to prepare an ordinary carriage.

I considered changing clothes but decided it was unnecessary since I was already in a simple dress after the morning’s council meeting.

After an excited meal, we boarded a large but modestly decorated carriage that Tito sent to the front of the secondary palace.

“Aiden, don’t call me ‘Your Majesty’ outside the palace.”

“What?”

“If you call me that, our identities will be revealed.”

“Then what should I call you?”

“Just use an ordinary title. Like ‘miss’ or…”

“Madam?”

“Yes, something like that.”

To avoid revealing my identity as the Empress, it was better for us to appear as a normal couple or lovers. I nodded, but Aiden’s gaze was strange.

He looked fierce, like a predator hunting prey, yet also blissful, like someone savoring a delicious cake.

His already crimson eyes seemed even redder.

Under his scorching gaze, ‘Madam’ suddenly felt awkward.

I wanted to suggest ‘Miss,’ but Aiden, with his fiery eyes and a look of pure happiness, smiled.

“Madam.”

His face resembled a child holding a big candy.

Seeing his joyful expression, I couldn’t bring myself to change it, thinking it would be like taking candy from a child.

Could the fierce dog of Belpator smile like that?

His smile, not even a full one, just a slight curl of his lips and eyes, radiated pure happiness.

Unlike the twisted smirk of Lian or the sorrowful smile of Vitrain, Aiden’s smile was infectious and beautiful.

His smile suited my taste perfectly.

I barely suppressed my own smile and said, “We’re still inside the palace, Aiden.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Although the title changed instantly, his smile remained, and I couldn’t help but laugh along with him.

A short while later, we entered a boutique with the most luxurious exterior in Brincia.

“Welcome. Do you have a reservation?”

The boutique employee bowed, then stared at Aiden, alternating between his face and his pink shirt, puzzled.

After a few moments of this, I spoke first.

“We don’t have a reservation. We came to buy clothes for this gentleman.”

“Our boutique only accepts clients with reservations…”

While replying, the employee kept glancing at Aiden. Suddenly, she froze, trembling like a deer caught in headlights.

“E-excuse me, but may I know your name?”

“Aiden Tilender.”

“Eek.”

Since I was concealing my identity as the Empress, Aiden gave his name.

Upon hearing Aiden’s name, the employee stiffly bowed and quickly retreated.

Soon, a woman in a flamboyant dress approached us, bowed, and introduced herself.

“Duke Tilender, it’s an honor to have you here. I’m Rosalyn, the boutique’s exclusive designer. Please call me Madame Rosalyn.”

Madame Rosalyn, who seemed skilled in dealing with nobility, warmly guided us inside.

Despite being a reservation-only establishment, there was a private space for shopping.

We were led to a room as ornately decorated as Madame Rosalyn’s dress. Soon, tea and refreshments were served.

Smiling, Madame Rosalyn addressed Aiden.

“I heard you’ve come to have your attire tailored, Duke Tilender. Please let us know what kind of clothing you desire, and we will show you samples.”

“Pretty clothes.”

“What?”

“Clothes that make me look pretty.”

Aiden replied without hesitation, and I nearly choked on my tea.

Madame Rosalyn was taken aback but quickly composed herself, laughing gently.

“Of course, Duke Tilender. We’ll find the most elegant and beautiful attire for you.”

I watched the scene unfold with a mix of amusement and endearment.

Aiden, usually so fierce, now seemed almost childlike in his desire to look good for me.

As Madame Rosalyn left to prepare the samples, I whispered to Aiden.

“You really want to look pretty, don’t you?”

Aiden met my eyes with a serious expression and nodded.

“For you, Madam.”

I felt a warmth spread through my chest at his earnestness.

We spent the next few hours selecting clothes, with Madame Rosalyn bringing in various outfits for Aiden to try.

Seeing Aiden in different colors and styles, I couldn’t help but smile at how different he looked from his usual stern self.

Eventually, we settled on a few outfits that both suited him and pleased me.

Leaving the boutique, I felt a sense of satisfaction. Today had been a delightful experience.

As we headed to the concert, I looked forward to spending the evening together, enjoying the music and Aiden’s company.

“Pretty clothes.”

Aiden answered so earnestly that Rosalyn’s smiling face cracked a bit.

To save her from possibly the worst customer, I stepped in to explain.

“We’d like to purchase a few casual outfits and a formal suit. We were hoping to buy the casual clothes today. Is that possible?”

“I’m afraid we don’t sell ready-made clothes, madam.”

“I see.”

Since it was my first time shopping for clothes in a store, I wasn’t sure how things worked.

I wanted to buy something immediately, but since they didn’t have ready-made clothes, I decided we’d have the clothes tailored and sent to the Tilender estate. But Aiden interrupted, glaring at Rosalyn.

“My lady wishes for ready-made clothes. Prepare them.”

“No, no, Aiden. Don’t trouble the madam.”

“But, madam.”

“Custom clothes will be more comfortable. Let’s go with that.”

“As you wish, madam.”

As Aiden’s gaze softened and he answered meekly, Rosalyn, who had been watching us warily, sighed in relief.

Then she looked at me cautiously and asked, “Are you the Duchess of Tilender? I wasn’t aware the Duke was married.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Not yet.”

I hurriedly denied it, not wanting to block Aiden’s prospects, but he added an unnecessary comment.

Rosalyn, observing our interaction, smiled knowingly.

“Understood.”

She had clearly misunderstood something, but I let it be.

While Aiden was getting his measurements taken, Rosalyn stayed by my side, showing me sample books of the latest wedding dress trends and subtly inquiring about my family background.

I vaguely mentioned I was from the south, and she nodded as if she understood, though she clearly had her own ideas.

When Aiden returned after getting his measurements, Rosalyn brought several sample outfits suitable for him.

Claiming to be the best designer in Brincia, she indeed presented colors and designs that suited Aiden perfectly.

“Aiden, I think this one looks good,” I said, picking up one of the sample outfits.

Rosalyn, praising my excellent choice, urged him to try it on.

Without a word, Aiden stood up and started taking off his shirt right there.

He unceremoniously stripped off his light pink shirt and put on the one I had chosen.

Rosalyn and I watched in stunned silence as his torso changed from pink to flesh-toned to white.

“Do I look pretty?”

Aiden asked with a bright smile as he buttoned the shirt.

The sample clothes seemed too tight for his muscular chest, which looked ready to burst out.

Still reeling from the visual shock, I couldn’t immediately respond.

It was the first time I had seen a man’s bare upper body.

I had a rough idea, but seeing it in reality was different. It was more rugged, solid, and surprisingly beautiful.

“Don’t I look pretty?”

Aiden’s handsome brows drooped as I remained speechless, even after he put on the jacket.

“No, you look good. It suits you well.”

I finally managed to gather my thoughts and answered, causing his sullen face to brighten instantly.

The dark blue jacket, embroidered with silver thread, looked surprisingly good on him.

“I think this one will suit you too.”

I pointed to another outfit on the table without really looking at it, and Aiden promptly stripped off the clothes he was wearing.

Once again, Rosalyn and I watched, dumbfounded, as he changed.

“You look fantastic, Duke. Would you like to try this one as well?”

Rosalyn, having gotten over her initial shock, handed him another outfit.

With Aiden’s excellent physique and the skillful designs, everything he wore looked perfect on him.

Aiden tried on three outfits, and I decided to buy all of them.

Aiden, pleased to receive compliments three times, looked very satisfied.

As we left the boutique with our purchases, I felt content. It had been a delightful experience.

Heading to the concert, I looked forward to spending the evening together, enjoying the music and Aiden’s company.