Chapter 23

As I failed to fully grasp the situation, my mind was filled with question marks while I was steadily guided into the parlor. By the time I managed to regain my composure, a plethora of fabric samples and designs were spread out before me on the sofa.

"The schedule is tight, so I couldn't bring many dress samples, but I've prepared a variety of fabrics and designs. Please take a look and make your decision."

The tailor smiled kindly and bowed to me. Altair, on the other hand, sat leisurely, sipping the tea Pavel had served, as if he was leaving all the decisions entirely up to me. Confused by the unexpected turn of events, I waved my hands.

"T-this isn't right! I called the tailor today to have Altair's clothes made... why..."

"Mine?"

Altair raised an eyebrow, as if the thought had never crossed his mind.

"I don't need new clothes. The ones I have are enough."

"You need a good outfit for the meeting. The fabric and accessories need to be carefully matched to avoid being looked down upon."

"There's no way anyone would dare look down on me."

Indeed, that was true. Just a fierce glance from Altair would make everyone shiver and show proper respect. The oppressive presence and charisma he exuded were far from ordinary.

"Besides, if someone judges others by their attire, I don't want to be close to them anyway."

"By that logic, I don't need new clothes either..."

"You and I are different."

"How are we different? If Altair doesn't do it, I won't either."

As I stubbornly pursed my lips, Altair slightly furrowed his brow. In the past, I would have trembled in fear at the sight of his face, but now, having grown accustomed to it, I could manage with just a slight flinch.

"Phew. The two of you have a really good relationship."

The tailor, sensing an opportunity to sell clothes to both of them, stepped forward with a broad smile.

"Let's start by choosing a dress for the lady. On the day we fit the dress you ordered, I'll bring samples suitable for the lord, and you can choose then."

"...Alright."

Realizing I wouldn't back down, Altair finally sighed and nodded. With his permission, the tailor beamed and approached me enthusiastically.

"First, we need to take your measurements. Knowing your body type will help us find the right dress. Of course, as someone from the capital, you must be very familiar with this process."

The tailor seemed to believe I was as accustomed to dressing up elaborately as any other noble from the capital. However, contrary to his expectations, I was quite inexperienced in such matters.

'I never enjoyed social activities.'

Shyness made meeting people a chore. I would lock myself in my room unless I had to attend an event, so dresses and accessories were not very necessary. That didn't mean I was unaware of the latest fashions. Even locked in my room, I could keep up with the world through newspapers and magazines. So, I could at least pretend to be an elegant wife from the capital in front of Altair.

'Besides, when my parents were alive, they often took me shopping.'

Even that stopped after they passed away. My uncle confined me to a small room and took away all my dresses and accessories, giving them to Melissa. He said they belonged to the viscountess, not to me. I knew it was unfair, but in the viscount's household, where I had no allies, rebellion was unimaginable.

'Ever since then...'

Being locked away by choice and being locked away by force were completely different. Recalling the time I lived in the viscount's household, shivering in fear, made my shoulders hunch. Lost in thought, I was led to a large mirror by the tailor's assistant.

"Since you are slender, it's best to keep the lines as simple as possible. Your hair color is very unique, so the dress should not be too bold to highlight your strengths."

As the assistant took my measurements, I saw Altair's reflection in the mirror, which made me nervous. His gaze slowly followed the assistant's hands, making the parts he looked at feel stiff.

"Among the samples I brought, this style would suit you. Let's try it on."

Next to the full-length mirror was a screen made of fabric for trying on clothes. The tailor and assistant were so skilled that I was able to change into the dress in the blink of an eye. Standing in front of the mirror in the new dress, I felt a strange sensation. My appearance seemed completely different from usual. The dresses I brought to Eilsford were all old ones that Melissa had worn, which didn't suit me well, making me look like a child wearing adult clothes. However, the dress recommended by the tailor fit me perfectly, as if it was made for me. It was a transformation that even I, who had no interest in shopping, found captivating.

"Hmm. You are more delicate than I thought, so the dress is a bit big."

The tailor, unsatisfied, adjusted the loose lines with pins, which greatly improved the dress's appearance.

'Wow...'

I couldn't help but gasp in admiration. Sensing my satisfaction, the tailor smiled and turned to Altair for his opinion.

"What do you think, my lord?"

"...Not bad. Do you have more designs to recommend?"

* * *

'Unbelievable...'

Exhausted, I slumped on the sofa, holding my head in my hands. The tailor had left, but the aftermath remained.

'Ordering 13 dresses!'

Even when shopping with my parents, we never bought so many dresses at once. Of course, the situation was different now, as I needed clothes for various occasions, but 13 dresses were still too many. Moreover, it wasn't just dresses. Hats and gloves to match the dresses were also ordered, making the total cost astronomical. The tailor's sales skills were so good that if I hadn't turned pale and stopped him, Altair would have ordered 130 dresses instead of 13.

'Should I have stopped him sooner?'

Now, Eilsford had a significant amount of money, and more was expected to come in, but it didn't seem right for a baroness to indulge in such luxury. However, while I was busy trying on dresses, Altair had already placed all the orders, leaving no room for objection.

"Why are you like this?"

Feeling guilty for making a mistake, I looked dejected, and Altair asked.

"Is there something you wanted to buy but didn't mention? If so, the tailor hasn't left the castle yet, so we can call him back..."

"No!"

I quickly shouted, stopping Altair, who seemed ready to catch the tailor.

"Actually, it's the opposite."

"Opposite?"

"I think we bought too many. We didn't need this many dresses..."

"Is that the problem? They all suited you well. There's no need to be frugal, and there's no reason not to buy clothes that suit you."

"But there's no need to be so extravagant..."

"Luxury is when you can't afford it. We have the means, and you've given us the means to have this luxury, so we can enjoy it."

Altair spoke firmly. Pavel, standing beside him, nodded in agreement with a gentle smile.

"My lord is not one to indulge in unnecessary luxury. He believed everything was necessary and affordable, so he made the purchases. Please accept them with ease."

With both of them speaking in unison, I couldn't argue further. However, the uneasy feeling remained, and I nodded reluctantly, making Altair tilt his head in confusion.

"In the capital, you lived even more lavishly, didn't you? The wealth and splendor of the Vain viscount's household were well-known. I couldn't provide you with the same in Eilsford, but now you don't need to hold back."

Altair seemed unaware that I had been treated poorly in the viscount's household. My uncle enjoyed displaying wealth through luxury, but I was the exception.

"That's..."

Not knowing how to respond, I hesitated, and Altair sighed.

"I couldn't send much dowry, but now that the situation has changed, I should treat the viscount well. He was very reluctant to send his precious niece to Eilsford."

"Y-yes? Dowry...?"

The dowry was money sent by the groom to the bride's family as a token of gratitude for the valuable bride. Many believed the size of the dowry reflected the family's status, so influential families often sent large sums. However, my uncle had criticized me, saying a poor baron wouldn't give any dowry and that I was no help until the day I got married. But now, he said, a dowry was sent? It was the first I had heard of it. Thinking my reaction was due to the small amount, Altair quickly added:

"In fact, I received shares in the Galad orchard partly because of the dowry. Although it's late, if I give the viscount shares in this orchard..."

"No, no!"

I jumped up, shaking my head frantically. Surprised by my unexpected reaction, Altair looked at me with a rare look of shock.

"Uncle wouldn't want that. So, please don't worry about the dowry."

"But it bothers me."

"Really, it's fine! Really..."

Altair, Pavel, and Anna all looked at me strangely. It was natural for a woman to accept a gift to her family, so my reaction was unusual.

'But I can't give valuable Eilsford assets to my uncle.'

Staring at Altair with pleading eyes, he nodded, though he looked like he had a lot to say. * * *

Altair was tapping his fingers on the table, lost in thought. He had been in a good mood while Nadia was being fitted for her dress. Nadia was always beautiful, but dressed in a style that suited her, her strengths shone even more. Enchanted by her, he had failed to reject the tailor's suggestions and ended up ordering a large number of dresses. He didn't regret the expense; it was worth the money. Even Pavel, who had become frugal due to the poor state of the estate, didn't object. However, the mood changed when the tailor left and the conversation turned to Nadia's uncle and the dowry. She seemed anxious and restless.

'As if she's afraid of her uncle...'

The Vain viscount claimed to cherish his only niece. He understood her desire to marry and the poor state of Eilsford, but he had also requested a dowry, which was tied to the bride's dignity. It was a reasonable request, and Altair had used Eilsford's funds to send a substantial dowry. But something felt off. Altair's intuition was rarely wrong.

'I need to find out more about the situation.'

Fortunately, there was someone who could provide information.

'Pavel mentioned that one of the applicants was from the Vain viscount's household.'

Her name was Marie. Through her, he could uncover the story he had missed. His fingers stopped tapping, and his eyes glinted dangerously.