Episode 57
The skirt, which flared gently below the waist, spread lightly with each movement, then returned to its original position to repeat the process. It was as if I were a fish displaying its colorful tail in an aquarium. The dress clung closely to my wrists and the shoulders were adorned with puffed sleeves, creating a neat yet appropriately flamboyant appearance.
“But isn’t it too revealing?”
I spoke while observing myself in the full-length mirror. The square neckline descended to a daringly low point, almost exposing the clavicle. I covered that section with my hand, removed it, and then repeated the procedure. The design of the dress wrapped the entire body snugly, but the emphasis on the bosom made it feel more bare.
“What are you referring to? This much is standard. You would be astonished if you actually wore a ball gown, wouldn’t you? The back and torso are both deeply cut.”
Rona approached me from behind and lowered my dress to my shoulders.
“What, what, are you doing?”
“About this much, this much should come down to make it look like a ball gown, right?”
Rona spoke with an earnest expression. The area where she tugged her shirt down revealed fair skin.
“…Is that so?”
A ball, a ball. Even though I was born to nobility, I was so preoccupied with obligations and work that I never had the opportunity to attend such events.
“Haven’t you ever been to a ball before?”
“Hmm. No… No, I have been there as well.”
Rona observed my sudden outburst of mirth with a curious expression on her face.
“I’ve been there. I’ve been.”
As part of a cleaning assignment, I was there to clean the grand ballroom of some noble’s home. However, I did not wish to discuss this experience, so I changed the subject.
“Paula’s workmanship is excellent.”
This is the sensation of wearing clothing that fits exactly.
I had never experienced this before because I always wore clothing that was either too large or too small, or too short or too long. My custom-tailored clothing was comfortable when walking or moving. Consequently, I desired to walk.
“By the way, this gift was sent directly by Madame Paula.”
Rona handed me a parcel the length of my forearm that was wrapped in clear plastic.
“A gift?”
I cocked my head while holding the carton.
“Open it quickly.”
I must have had a curious expression on my face as I hurriedly removed the ribbon from the box and opened the lid.
“My goodness.”
I uttered a brief exclamation. My features naturally formed a smile.
Inside the box was the doll used to put on different dresses.
On the doll’s head was a card with precise handwriting.
‘This is in exchange for your purchase of my clothing. Don’t the eyes and hair color resemble the Duchess? I would appreciate it if you valued it.’
Paula had sent a doll with green glass eyes and brown hair that complemented each other wonderfully.
It was wearing a bright rose pink silk dress that was not on my list of dresses to order.
“We must admire Madame Paula’s discernment.”
Rona skipped joyfully.
Her ability to retain loyal consumers is remarkable.
I nodded in accord.
Given that I was the daughter-in-law of Camilla, one of her regular customers, it was anticipated that I would have my clothes tailored there. But she appeared to have exerted considerable effort.
In any event, it wasn’t a bad way to be treated.
“The dress is absolutely stunning.”
The extraordinary sophistication of the doll’s dress was due to the fact that it was created by shrinking an actual dress.
“Even if it’s a doll, such a dress is pleasant to wear. It is so beautiful.”
“That’s right.”
I chuckled and embraced the doll.
“Now that you’re wearing such a lovely gown, you should go meet the master.”
“…Amoide?”
I hesitated momentarily. When was the last time I had a conversation with him?
I had things to say to him, but they were difficult to articulate, so I generally avoided him.
“Earlier, he was in the garden. Go and show him immediately”
Rona encouraged me to go and pushed me forward. After an instant of hesitation, I responded.
“Okay.”
* * *
Rustle.
The sound of the dress rubbing against the garden’s trees was exquisite.
As I walked into the garden where he was rumored to be sunbathing, I relished the sound.
The proprietor of this mansion resembled a painting during the lush season, when flowers bloomed and grass sprouted, enhancing the beauty of the garden.
When I observed him wearing a thick garment, my eyes began to itch.
“Perhaps the intense radiation?”
I hurriedly wiped the corners of my eyes after sensing that I was about to cry.
“Amoide.”
I then called his name without hesitation. His shoulders appeared to tremble slightly before he turned his head to gaze at me after a moment.
His eyes were icy, but dispassionate.
As I approached him, I was met with his intense gaze.
“Are you feeling better?”
Raymond said that he was fine.
His complexion remained colorless, as if he were a porcelain figurine, but it was significantly better than the day he fell.
Until I was directly in front of him, Amoide remained immobile.
I anticipated that he would retreat or make a repulsed face. This was unanticipated. Thus, I was able to summon more courage.
“The sunlight is very pleasant. The wind is also gusting.”
Suddenly, a gust of wind scattered my tresses.
While I was preoccupied removing the hair from my eyes, he extended his hand.
“…”
His hand brushed back a few tresses of hair that were covering my face.
“…Thank you.”
I was momentarily startled, but quickly regained my composure upon observing his face as it looked downward.
“But.”
His eyes landed on my hand.
“Why do you tote something like that around? You aren’t a child.”
He was observing the doll I was holding.
“It was a present from Paula. Isn’t it lovely?”
I showed him the doll.
“She said that this doll was created in my likeness.”
“No way.”
He responded with a dismissive tone.
“Much more beautiful.”
“…”
“I meant this doll.”
“Y-yes.”
I believe I made a face as if I had consumed something putrid, so I smiled rapidly.
‘Uh…?’
Was it my imagination, or did he seem to flicker a brief smile across his eyes? In any case, that wasn’t relevant.
“I came here to say something.”
As if telling me to continue, he was staring at me.
I took several deep breaths before uttering.
“Even if you hate me, can you trust me?”
“…”
“I really want to save you.”
His visage darkened in response to my words.
“If you help me, you will no longer have to see my face. I will comply with your wishes.”
He did nothing but gaze at me in response to my proposal.
This was not the response I anticipated. I was somewhat surprised and glanced up at him.
‘Why is he acting this way?’
I could not comprehend why. When I said I would leave, I anticipated he would either reprimand me or become enraged, assuming I was up to no good.
Looking at his emotionless visage increased my frustration.
Thus, time passed in this manner.
The sound of the wind blowing, birds soaring through the garden bushes, and their chirping, among other sounds.
There were numerous small noises between us, but he did not respond.
Oh, I simply cannot bear it any longer. I chose to end the silence.
“You’re not telling me to leave today, are you?”
I smiled while joking. He did not return a smile. I immediately wiped the grin from my face.
What is he doing to me? Is he attempting to murder me by maintaining silence? Even if he is not, please respond when I speak!
“Certainly not,”
I suddenly had a notion as to why Amoide was acting in this manner.
The man who repeatedly told me to leave, even when he was in and out of consciousness, was unusually silent today, and I suspected I knew why.
He believed he was in my debt.
Although he is presently bedridden due to his fragile health, Amoide is the head of the family that commands the number one knight squad in the empire.
Perhaps he felt humiliated and disgraced to reveal his diseased side to a woman seeking his seed. Even more so.
He again took my hand.
Unlike the previous occasion, there was no agony that appeared to cause my hand to crumble, but because of this, I was required to spend the entire night awake, firmly held in his hand.
Not to mention the physiological reactions my body had to endure.
‘I didn’t do anything wrong.’
Wasn’t it a situation that, if detected a little later, could have been a major issue? Upon contemplating it, my body temperature rose sharply.
“Are you so offended and wronged because I helped you?”
I was just about to begin disputing about this when he spoke up.
“…What exactly does that mean?”
He finally broke the lengthy silence by speaking.
“Huh?”
For a moment, I was speechless and stood there dumbfounded.
