Chapter 212: Everyone Recognizes a Handsome Man
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 212: Everyone Recognizes a Handsome Man
A man who looked as if he had stepped out of a painting came to a halt in front of Mrs. Sully.
“May I ask for directions?”
“...”
“Is there a famous boutique nearby?”
“...Madam?”
Mrs. Sully stood there, frozen and dazed.
“Couter in Gold Lane is the most famous,” one of the other ladies stepped forward to answer.
“If you turn at that corner and go straight down the main road, you’ll find Gold Lane immediately,” another lady added, kindly pointing the way with her hand.
The man gave a slight bow and headed in the direction the woman had indicated.
The ladies watched him walk away for a long time. The moment they confirmed he had completely turned the corner of the alley, they erupted into a fuss.
“Did you see his face?”
“Oh my goodness. His face was literally glowing.”
Mrs. Sully, who had been standing stiffly, felt her face flush deep red belatedly.
“How could you not say a single word in front of him?”
At another lady’s teasing, Mrs. Sully stammered, “I... I couldn't speak because I was seeing him from so close.”
“He doesn't look like he’s from Rondoris, does he?”
“I thought our Grand Duke was the most handsome man in the world, but how can someone look so much like a sculpture?”
In less than an hour, rumors that a stunningly handsome man had appeared spread all the way to Gold Lane.
*
“I’ve designed this velvet coat so that the sheepskin sleeves can be attached or detached.”
Madame Ramondria personally demonstrated how to attach the sleeves.
I was currently at the Couter boutique with Countess Asellino and Cecilia to have some winter clothes made. My aunt, Countess Selvanis, had just returned to Arsen after her husband, the Count, had been desperately searching for her, promising to join us next time.
Every winter dress the Madame had created according to my tastes and requests was elegant and beautiful.
“As expected, Madame’s skill is as exceptional as ever.”
The Countess, who had followed me here after hearing this was where Antonel’s costumes were made, nodded in satisfaction.
“I can certainly trust you with our actor’s clothes as well.”
We had just finished picking out fine fabric for Loik’s coat and wrapping up our business when Ramondria turned her gaze toward her staff, likely intending to give them instructions.
Normally, the employees would have moved quickly and intuitively under her gaze. For some reason, however, they failed to notice the Madame’s look and were huddled together, engaged in a serious conversation.
When Ramondria cleared her throat harshly, the employees finally snapped out of it, looking flustered.
“Where is your focus when Her Highness is right here?” the Madame scolded in a low voice.
“Is something the matter?” I asked, noticing the unusually restless atmosphere among the staff.
Realizing my question was born of curiosity rather than a reprimand, one of the employees spoke up hesitantly.
“They say a handsome man appeared in Gold Lane today.”
“A handsome man?”
“They say he’s a tall, blonde beauty.”
“Everyone outside is talking about nothing else.”
At the employees' words, the Countess, Cecilia, and I all instinctively looked out the boutique window at the same time. Naturally, there was no handsome man passing by at that exact moment.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I straightened my posture.
If Loik had seen that just now, he would have been incredibly sulky.
“Stop talking nonsense and go bring it here,” the Madame said, her voice dropping an octave. The employees moved hurriedly.
Bring what?
Ramondria turned to me, her expression slightly tense.
“A new fabric arrived from the East recently...”
Just then, the employees carefully carried something over and unfurled it before me.
It was a dress.
“I thought it would suit Your Highness well, so I took the liberty of making it,” Ramondria said, her voice laced with nervous anticipation.
“Wow...”
The moment I saw the dress, I lost my words and my mouth fell open.
The brilliant blue fabric glowed with a subtle translucence. It was an evening dress with an off-the-shoulder design that hugged the body smoothly down to the waist, before flaring out into an elegant, voluminous skirt with rich pleats.
The blue of the fabric shifted subtly depending on the angle, creating a mysterious aura. In particular, the tiny jewels densely sewn into the hem shimmered and rippled with a soft light every time it moved.
The Madame and the staff watched me with expectant faces.
I murmured quietly, “I have to try it on.”
Countess Asellino gave me a gentle push on the back with a soft smile. Cecilia stood up, looking excited.
“I’ll help you.”
I entered the small dressing room. With the help of the staff, I removed the dress I was wearing. But the moment I turned around in my slip, Cecilia’s eyes shook violently.
“Everyone, please step out for a moment.”
At Cecilia’s words as she stepped in front of me to shield me, the staff exited the room.
“What’s wrong?”
Cecilia kept her mouth shut, her gaze quietly dropping downward. The moment I followed her look and lowered my head, my face turned as red as if it were on fire.
The area below my collarbone was covered in mottled marks. I felt like something similar had happened at the temple last time.
Reta dressed me so nonchalantly this morning that I didn't even realize.
There was even a large bite mark right above my breast.
“Still... it’s a relief,” Cecilia said, averting her eyes to the empty air. “There’s... nothing on your shoulders, so I don't think it will show once you put the dress on.”
“I’ll put the dress on by myself.”
Flushed with embarrassment, I pushed Cecilia toward the door.
“But the laces are in the back, you won't be able to do it alone...!”
“Just go out for now!”
After finally pushing Cecilia out of the room, I leaned my hand against the wall, my face burning.
It’s because Loik was particularly clingy last night.
For some reason, Loik had been a bit different from usual last night. Of course, he was always quite persistent in bed, but...
Even while moving his hips powerfully, Loik had pulled me into an embrace and refused to let go for even a second. His thick arms were so tense and strong that I couldn't move an inch.
In the midst of it all, his hot lips had never stopped, leaving lingering marks all over my body. Thanks to that, my body, more heated than usual, trembled uncontrollably every time Loik thrust upward.
I was breathlessly moaning when another tingling shiver ran through my entire body. My hands, which had been wrapped around Loik’s neck, began to slip away unconsciously, but Loik grabbed them firmly.
— “Don’t let go.”
What did he mean?
I blinked dazed eyes, the afterglow of pleasure still lingering. Loik, breathing raggedly, took my hands and wrapped them tightly around his neck again.
— “...?”
— “Keep holding me like this.”
Loik looked at me with damp eyes, as if pleading. That desperate gaze made my heart tickle.
— “Come here.”
When I said that and pulled his thick neck toward me, Loik let out a contented breath and bit down deeply on my breast.
And that mark remained clearly on my flesh even now.
At the very least, he had learned that he would be scolded if he left marks above the collarbone, so Loik had left his traces exactly below the neckline of a dress.
I really need to check myself in the morning from now on.
Even if Cecilia was my maid, showing her this was far too embarrassing.
Feeling mortified, I hurried to put on the dress. I managed to get it on for the most part, but my hands simply couldn't reach the laces in the back.
I was about to call for Cecilia when there was a timely knock on the door.
I answered while still facing away.
The door opened, and I heard faint footsteps walking toward me.
“Could you just tighten the laces in the back?”
I spoke, but for some reason, Cecilia didn't answer.
And when I turned around, I froze on the spot.
A large man draped in a black robe was standing before me.
“It has been a long time, Lady Annette.”
The man slowly pulled back the hood covering his head. His short, swept-back hair was a creamy blonde. Below his sharp features, his neck was long and elegant, and his solid shoulders were broad.
He had a physique that could rival even Loik’s.
“No, I suppose I should call you the Grand Duchess of Blenheim now—!”
The moment he raised his head, our eyes met. His blue eyes were a much deeper shade than mine.
He, too, seemed to finally see me clearly. His dark blue eyes slowly traveled down from my face to the blue dress I was wearing.
The man stopped speaking, looking somewhat flustered. It seemed my attire was more revealing than he had expected.
And I, too, snapped back to my senses in an instant.
The moment I opened my mouth to scream instinctively—
“Shh.”
He placed a finger to his lips and spoke.
“Please be quiet. I don't wish to cause a scene.”
When I closed my mouth, the man quietly lowered his hand.
And just as he was about to feel relieved, I took a deep breath.
My scream echoed through the boutique.