Chapter 31

In the imperial capital of the Centaur Empire, on the night that Bertyne returned.

Lady Dalila had summoned her familiar dressmaker.

On the table in the reception room, which had been cleared of people, lay a piece of crimson fabric.

"Lady Dalila, this is—"

"Isn't it a wonderful color?"

"It shimmers with a dull gold. What dye did you use?"

"I don't know. It's a secret. A daughter of an old acquaintance gave it to me. By the way, it can be used like this."

Saying this, Dalila placed the sheer fabric that Bertyne had left on top of the crimson fabric.

"The strong impression disappears."

"I want to have a dress made for my daughter using this fabric. Can you do it?"

"Yes, of course. There will soon be a ball hosted by His Majesty. I will make sure it is ready in time. I will do my best to ensure that Lady Diana is the center of attention at the ball."

Dalila nodded with a satisfied smile.

There wasn't much time until the ball. But when it came to dresses, this woman would always say she could do it.

Her daughter's life had changed because of the emperor's whims.

Since the birth of Prince Claudio, her daughter and the prince have been living cautiously, trying not to stand out or be hated. She herself had bowed her head, even though she didn't want to, for the sake of her daughter and the prince, and had tried to make as many noble friends as possible to avoid making enemies in society.

But perhaps that was a mistake. After hearing Bertyne's thoughts, she began to think so.

No matter how small they lived, the Empress would continue to hate her daughter and grandson. It might be better to become a presence that couldn't be easily touched, rather than living a life of constant fear and insignificance, as Bertyne suggested.

She hadn't realized that even people who had no reason to look down on them would do so, and that no one would come to their defense, until Bertyne pointed it out.

"I will become so strong that no one can hurt me."

Bertyne had said this with conviction.

Indeed, people tend to look down on those who cower.

"Prince Claudio is innocent. Yet, I shouldn't have let him live a life as if he were already dead, even though he is only twelve. I, who served as the head maid, was so dull when it came to my own child and grandson."

Twenty days after Bertyne's visit.

At the ball hosted by His Majesty, the Emperor and Empress were performing a dance.

After their dance, Diana quietly appeared from the edge of the hall. Prince Claudio, being only twelve, was not allowed to attend the ball.

The Emperor, after a natural pause, left the Empress's side and approached Diana.

Taking Diana's hand, he led her under the chandelier's candlelight and looked at her dress again. The nobles around them also began to notice the mysterious quality of Diana's dress.

Diana's dress appeared to be a light blue, but when she moved and the sheer fabric and the dress underneath touched, it took on a purplish hue. When the hem of the sheer fabric lifted, a crimson dress with a dull sheen was revealed underneath.

Diana, with her reddish-gold hair and blue eyes, was twenty-nine years old, and her skin, fine and glowing from within, was like a fresh fruit.

"Diana, you are beautiful."

"It is an honor, Your Majesty."

The nobles around them watched the exchange, entranced, as if it were a painting.

The Empress, who was forty, had two daughters as her first and second children. Her third child, the first prince, was thirteen.

The Empress hated Diana and her son.

Rumors said that the second prince, born to a concubine, was more accomplished in both academics and martial arts than her own children. It was truly hateful.

"Find out who is selling the fabric used in that dress and buy it all. You can even instruct them not to sell it anymore. There will surely be fools who try to imitate it."

The Empress gave these instructions in a low voice to her attendant.

The attendant began to act that night.

The person who made the dress was quickly identified, and it was clear that the fabric came from Lady Dalila. However, the person who gave the fabric to her remained a mystery.

Two months passed, and this time, a ball was held at the Duke's residence.

The Duke, the Emperor's brother, treated both the first and second princes equally. To the Empress, he was a cautious and unpredictable figure who wouldn't take a clear stance until the winner was decided.

Two days after the ball at the Duke's residence, in the Empress's private room.

"Have you heard anything about the ball?"

"Yes, at the Duke's ball, Lady Diana wore a dress that prominently featured the crimson fabric. She didn't wear the sheer fabric, and the mysterious fabric caused quite a stir."

"I see."

"More young ladies and ladies are visiting Lady Diana."

"Make sure to keep a record of everyone who visits."

Why did Diana suddenly start to assert her presence?

Her son would become the crown prince in two years. Once the investiture ceremony was over, she wouldn't have to worry about such matters, she told herself.

The Empress felt the anxiety of being pursued.

Bertyne, who had brought the 'mysterious fabric' to the empire, returned to the Allied States and continued her work as usual.

She continued to make necklaces based on the designs sold by Meira, reopened her imperial language class, and resumed the free, hearty soup lunch gatherings.

The necklaces made from Meira's designs used many small but high-quality gems. This was possible thanks to Cecilio's connections, which allowed her to buy raw stones from the empire's merchant guild at a much lower price.

One day, a messenger came from Cecilio's office.

"His Excellency wishes to see you at the office."

"Yes. Should I go immediately?"

"Yes, as soon as possible."

She quickly changed into her going-out dress and headed to the office.

Upon arrival, Ignacio, looking flustered, guided her.

"Ignacio, what's the matter?"

"Well, there's something I need to confirm. His Excellency has something to discuss with you."

Cecilio soon appeared, walking briskly.

"Bertyne, how much did you sell that crimson fabric for?"

"For one dress, I told them seven small gold coins, and I gave one dress as a gift. Was it too cheap? But one large gold coin was a bit much..."

"No, no, no, the opposite. Seven small gold coins? For one dress's worth of fabric?"

"Yes. I thought eight small gold coins might work, but I thought seven would be fine since I could sell more."

"That... isn't that overpriced?"

"That's not the case. The buyer is a wealthy noble from the empire. His Excellency, if you were to see a magnificent sword for the first time, how much would you pay? What about seven small gold coins?"

"Seven coins? I wouldn't buy it."

"Exactly. For women, a magnificent fabric they've never seen is the same as a famous sword for men."

Cecilio, placing his hand on his face, thought for a moment and seemed to agree. "Actually," he began, explaining the reason for the summons.

"Lady Dalila from the empire has requested twenty dresses' worth of that fabric. Half of them should be the color you described as 'can also be a calm red.' Fourteen large gold coins were sent with the letter."

"Understood. I need to deliver the dye to the dyer."

"Bertyne, aren't you surprised? Fourteen large gold coins."

Bertyne smiled carefully, trying not to look too pleased.

"I'm not surprised. I expected an order of this size. If the advance payment has been sent, I need to decide the price of the bark and pay the chief of the Bilva tribe. His Excellency, may I consult with you about the price?"

"Yes, please do."

The two spent a long time discussing the price of the bark, methods to protect the tree, and ways to keep the secret of the bark. By the time everything was settled, it was already pitch dark outside.

"I've kept you for a long time."

"No, it was my request. Please don't worry about it."

"How about we go to a place that serves good wine and appetizers? I also want to thank you for the dried meat and bottled goods from last time."

"I'll come! I was just thinking about exploring a new place."

"Then I'll let your family know you'll be late."

Their first outing together was decided.