Chapter 27

And so, Jill's reclusive life began anew.

Thanks to Maureen and Karappa, Jill started mass-producing clothes and accessories without collapsing from hunger, filling the closet room to the brim. Despite Maureen's exasperated suggestion to take a break, Jill's mind was brimming with new ideas, and her hands couldn't stop working.

Moreover, until now, Jill had only made clothes for herself. But now, there was Maureen, who was blessed with height. A new motivation to create clothes that would suit Maureen emerged. Although Maureen initially resisted, she eventually gave in to Jill's persistence and started wearing the clothes.

And once she put them on, it was just as Jill had planned.

"…This is quite… No, yeah. It's really good."

In front of the mirror, Maureen was surprised by her own appearance.

"How does it feel? The fit should be good, right?"

"It's surprisingly easy to move in… and the look is so clean."

Maureen, like Jill, was now in a pants look. However, these were not the gauchos Jill had made before. They were black straight-leg pants.

Her top was a white shirt, with a beige summer coat over it. These two pieces, of course, were also tailored by Jill. The simple and calm color pattern, combined with Maureen's tall stature and slim silhouette, created a stylish beauty.

"Well, I have to say, it's even better than I imagined… If only we had a hat and shoes, it would be perfect."

"No, no, we can't go outside. If you wear better clothes than the nobles, you'll be disqualified as a maid."

"Does that mean you'll go out with me if I dress up?"

"No, no! Maids have their own clothes. I'll only wear these inside this house."

"What a waste…"

Jill sighed.

"But, this shirt is really good for everyday use. The buttons are a bit fancy, but this level of detail won't look out of place even if I wear it."

The buttons on the shirt were made from carved stones, sourced from Matthew. This was the only part not handmade by Jill. The shirt looked very elegant, and Jill was satisfied with her purchase.

"I thought it would be nice to have one piece like this. But at first glance, it's still calm and surprisingly comfortable, right?"

"Especially the collar. It's not stiff because it's not standing up."

Maureen looked at her neck in the mirror, satisfied. This was where Jill's ingenuity came in.

In Algenes, buttoned shirts exist, and collars that cover the neck are also common. However, there are no shirts with collars that are folded up and worn with a tie—no dress shirts.

There is no standard collar shape, and there is no social norm that "collared clothing is formal." Decorative ties and scarves exist, but not wearing them does not violate etiquette. They are merely a part of fashion and for warmth, without any additional ceremonial significance.

"Isn't it cool? I think it would look great with a tie or a ribbon tied inside the collar… Hmm."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"This is too perfect as it is. Since most of the clothes are in calm colors, it might be nice to have a bit more flashy items besides the buttons."

"Well, it's not as bold as a blue dress. I prefer a calm look…"

Maureen suddenly realized and looked at Jill. Jill was already calculating what to dress her in next.

"No way! Master, you should try it on yourself!"

"Ah, it's no fun doing it alone."

"Then you should open your accessory shop sooner. I'll help you without hesitation."

"True… Alright, let's make lots of clothes!"

Maureen shrugged.

But in reality, she was reluctant because if she readily agreed to Jill's requests, her essential duties as a maid and bodyguard would be neglected. Despite her complaints, Maureen secretly enjoyed being a model. She was right where Jill wanted her to be.

◆

About three weeks into Jill's reclusive life.

Matthew and Garda arrived at Jill's house with the items and pastries she had requested.

The pastries were macarons.

The ingredients are very simple: almonds, egg whites, and sugar. Sometimes, food coloring or flavoring like alcohol or spices are added. In fact, this was something Conrad had started making. Due to the easy availability of ingredients and its delicious taste, it had spread not only in Shelland but also to various other towns.

"This texture is irresistible."

They enjoyed the macarons with tea, including Maureen. In Shelland, it's common to place various jams and use a spoon to put the desired one on the macaron.

"But, Master, can't you make them too?"

"Ah, I'm good at boiling and steaming, but I'm not very good at baking in an oven. I can't compete with professionals when it comes to things baked in ovens or stone ovens."

"Oh, then maybe I'm better at baking bread."

"I can't compete with someone who has been doing it for years. Besides, I get tired of self-sufficiency."

"Indeed."

Jill loved making pastries, but she also enjoyed eating the ones she bought. During the three weeks she was focused on making clothes, Maureen was a great help with meals. Maureen, who had worked as a housemother in the knight's dormitory, cooked hearty meals that never got old. She would serve pumpkin soup and rye bread, which had been passed down in Shelland, saying, "White, soft bread alone is nutritionally imbalanced." For Jill, who tended to eat only her favorite or convenient foods when alone, Maureen had become an indispensable presence.

Moreover, recently, friends and acquaintances had started visiting to check on her and bring pastries, which greatly helped Jill. Not only mentally but also materially, Jill found her current house much more comfortable to live in than the royal castle.

"By the way, Jill, I have a few things you asked for."

"Hmm, what were they again?"

"Hehe, you forgot? Here they are."

Jill received a wrapped package. Thinking it might be a gift, she opened it and found a folded, pure white fabric. The touch was so smooth that anything would slide off it, and it had a luster that could be mistaken for jade or gemstones.

"This is… silk…!"

Jill exclaimed with joy.

"Yes. It's woven in satin, which enhances the luster. I thought you might prefer the more distinctive features of silk."

"Yes! This is wonderful…!"

Satin is a weaving method that minimizes the visibility of the intersections of warp and weft threads. While cotton and linen can also be woven in satin, silk satin is the best in terms of touch and luster.

"Sorry, it took a bit of time to procure. Oh, I also prepared the threads before weaving. I thought you might want to dye them, so they are not colored."

"Oh…! Thank you so much, Matthew! What should I make…?"

Her genuine joy made Matthew and Garda smile.

"By the way, Jill. The rumors are starting to spread."

"Rumors?"

Curious, she asked, and it turned out that people were talking about who the straw hat maker was.

"So, you're now the mysterious hat maker everyone is talking about."

Garda laughed, and Matthew nodded.

"Mrs. Emily wears a straw hat every time she goes for a walk. She seems to really like it."

Mrs. Emily was one of Matthew's best customers. She was passionate about trends and new clothes, and what she wore at evening parties and tea parties often set the trends in town.

"Ah, should I bring her something? I think this black straw hat is quite chic."

"Promoting dyed straw hats might be a bit premature… It could make the existing ones seem outdated. How about adding more varieties of artificial flowers?"

"That's a good idea. I might also try changing the shape to make them suitable for men."

"Sorry, I'd like to hear more about that. If it's for men, I can suggest clothing combinations."

"…You guys are workaholics."

Garda sighed.

Just then,

"An alert has been triggered in the security system."

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