Chapter 14

Lucretia appeared in the dining room. At a large table that could seat twenty people, Lamirio was sitting alone.

Preparation had taken longer than expected, and the soup service had already begun.

Lamirio, while eating, looked up and saw Lucretia.

The spoon he was holding fell with a clatter.

The serving boy was confused, the butler bent down to pick up the spoon, and Lamirio was frozen, his mouth open.

"The dress has arrived."

She smiled shyly, bowed slightly, and showed the spread of the hem.

"How does it look?"

—Is it a bit too flashy? Will I be laughed at for wearing something so bright, a woman with such dull eyes?

Her heart racing, she waited for Lamirio's reaction.

However, he just stared at Lucretia as if his soul had left his body.

"Um... Excuse me?"

Lamirio shook his head slightly and gestured that it was nothing.

"Sorry, I was a bit spaced out. I apologize for staring."

"N-no..."

Lucretia was anxious, wondering what he thought. She liked it herself. Perhaps because it was night and the lighting was dim, she thought it looked quite beautiful.

—But even if I like it, it might not look the same to Lord Lamirio.

Lucretia, who had been given the dishonorable nickname "White-haired Lady" in society and was often called creepy by her father, had a hard time trusting her own judgment.

"You have good taste. You look completely different. No... I'm sorry. I'm not very good at social niceties, and I don't know what to say in situations like this."

Lamirio seemed a bit embarrassed.

"You had the dress made well. It suits you very well."

Lucretia felt her mood lift. It was as if a light had shone down on her, making her feel bright and elated, even though it was night.

"I... I thought it turned out to be a cute dress."

"That's right, it's cute."

"Do... Do you think it suits me?"

"Of course, you're so cute."

Lucretia was so happy that she was distracted and couldn't focus on her food for the rest of the meal.

In the past, the only man who had ever complimented Lucretia was Falco. She had been happy then, but this time it was incomparable.

"Your hair is beautiful, so it looks better when it's left down."

Lucretia had never liked her silver hair as much as she did that day.

***

Rosa decided to ask for what she wanted when her father was in a good mood.

"Papa, can I have a new dress made for the announcement of my engagement to Lord Falco?"

She planned to have a joint party when Falco's parents returned and wanted a dress with a unique design that would stand out.

"I already have an idea, but it will take time, so I want to order it now."

"You already have so many dresses, don't you?"

When her father scolded her, Rosa became angry.

"What's wrong with a dress? My sister has so many jewels, and I don't have a single one!"

"I've never bought her any jewels. Her mother is a nouveau riche with a lot of inheritance."

"That's so unfair! My sister has a wonderful fiancé, lots of dresses, and jewels, and everyone adores her... I just want to enjoy fashion freely!"

Since her father doted on Rosa, he eventually gave in.

"...Alright. Order whatever you like."

Rosa smiled broadly, thanked him with a kiss and a hug, and ordered an embroidered dress from the tailor.

—After all, I'm the 'Rosebud Princess.' I want to stand out in a beautiful embroidered dress!

She agreed, even though she was told that the embroidery would take a long time because it was done by hand.

Wearing this dress, everyone would surely praise Rosa's beauty.

Rosa was so excited she couldn't wait.

—Rosa only learned about the financial difficulties of the ducal family when the fabric was almost ready.

She didn't know that the situation was so dire that the finished dress would have to be sold.

If you click the ☆☆☆☆☆ to change it to ★★★★★, it would be a great encouragement!