Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: 이세계 의복 디자이너가 되었다 101화
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: Endless Greetings and a Dance Disaster
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After fastening the necklace around Elizabeth's neck, a rush of greetings poured in from the young lords and ladies who'd finally given up on their game of chicken.
With both imperial princesses conveniently standing nearby at the same time, everyone was dying to pay their respects. Dances and small talk took a backseat as they swarmed around us.
It felt just like disturbing a beehive or spotting a crumb in an ant colony.
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness."
"Nice to meet you too."
Most of them had Elizabeth or Princess Alexandrine as their top priority, so they paid me no mind at first. But the problem was there were just too many people vying for a chance with the two princesses.
As the line dragged on during greetings, eyes naturally turned to me just standing there idly. The moment they realized I was the second son of a prominent family—impressive, if not quite on the princesses' level—the crowd surged my way too.
"How did you come to meet Her Highness?"
"Picked her up because she was good at sewing. Turns out she was a princess."
"...?"
"I heard you run an atelier. Did you make Her Highness's dress too?"
"Yes. Starting after Founding Day, I'll be taking dress commissions too, so feel free to stop by if you're interested."
"Ah...! Thanks for the tip."
"So, is your real partner Her Highness, or the maid next to you?"
"Who in their right mind would fake a partner with Her Highness?"
"The clothes you made fit perfectly."
"Thank you."
While the princesses approached with full formal etiquette, people came at me casually, and I thought I was going to lose my mind.
These were folks who normally wouldn't give me the time of day, but compared to royalty, I suddenly looked like easy pickings.
An introvert's worst nightmare: peak extrovert behavior.
My reservoir of courage, confidence, and stamina was hitting empty.
"Oppa."
Right in the thick of it, Hayes showed up at the perfect moment, saving me from total disaster.
Without her, I'd probably have chugged a whole pitcher to recharge my courage.
"Ah, Hayes..."
I turned toward the voice with a bright smile lighting up my face.
There stood Prince Lennox and Hayes, arms linked, radiating a cozy, affectionate vibe.
"Greetings. I'm Lennox Bravebrook, second son of Viscount Bravebrook."
"Ah, I've heard about you from Hayes plenty. You live up to the hype—quite the strapping fellow."
"Haha, thanks for the kind words."
I exchanged light handshakes with Prince Lennox, who greeted me first.
Meanwhile, my little sister was gazing at her boyfriend with eyes dripping honey, her face the picture of a girl head over heels in love.
Nothing surprising there; I'd seen it coming.
Everyone acts like that when they're smitten.
The only thing bugging me lately, though, was how much Hayes's figure had changed since I last saw her.
"Hayes, you've bulked up a ton since last time?"
She'd grown overall, but the standout change was her chest—massive now.
By my personal "Emily units," she'd jumped from 0.2 to about 0.7.
With genes like ours, I figured she'd eventually fill out like Mom or my sisters. But this kind of growth in under six months? Made me wonder if medicine or treatments were involved.
"Where exactly are you looking?"
"Haha, sorry."
I'd been staring blatantly, so Hayes shot me a pitiful frown.
Still, she subtly pressed her arm closer and twitched her lips upward—she was pleased.
I gave her head a light pat and chuckled.
"You look happy. Glad things are going well with Prince Lennox."
"And you, Oppa? Acting like you're not into girls, but you've been busy behind the scenes?"
"Well, things happened..."
It wasn't intentional, so I felt a bit wronged, but looking back, it was over 50% my fault—her words weren't off-base.
"At least I don't have to hear 'Introduce me to your brother' anymore. Everywhere we went, it was all about you—I thought I'd die."
"Sorry about that..."
I hung my head in shame, and Hayes sighed dramatically, thumping her shoulder like it ached, while sneaking glances at Elizabeth and Emily.
"If my brother's so sorry, how about making me a pretty dress too~?"
"Sigh, knew it."
I'd expected as much from her.
Even before I opened the atelier, she was into my designs.
"Come by the atelier later. We can talk details there."
I nodded without hesitation.
She'd suffered because of me, and with her engagement in a few months, it was a perfect gift excuse.
"For real? Thanks!"
Not expecting instant agreement, Hayes beamed, unlinked arms, and pounced into a hug.
"Whoa, what's this?"
"I'm happy! Why so serious? Can't your cute little sister be a little affectionate?"
"Gross, get off."
"Tch, zero consideration for girls. No wonder Her Highness might dump you."
"Go play with Prince Lennox and quit harassing me."
"Boo!"
I shoved her off, making no secret of my annoyance, and she puffed her cheeks before relinking arms with Lennox.
"I came to help because you looked beat, and now that you're better, you toss me aside. Don't expect help from me again."
"Thanks for that."
"If you're grateful, treat me better!"
She pouted and tugged gently at Lennox's arm.
"Well, see you later then."
Prince Lennox soothed her while bowing slightly to me.
"Sure. Next time, feel free to drop the formalities—'brother-in-law' or lighter terms are fine."
"Might need a bit more time for that."
"Haha, I'll wait patiently."
"Thanks."
With one last polite reply, Prince Lennox turned with Hayes and headed off to mingle with other acquaintances.
"Hmm..."
Short encounter, but he was even nicer than I'd imagined.
No wonder Mom took to him so fast—it was obvious, and it lifted my spirits.
Whoever introduced such a tall, capable prince to my sister must have the heart of an angel.
"Heh heh..."
I watched them go, a pleased smile on my face.
My fatigue eased a little.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After Prince Lennox and Hayes left, I still exchanged greetings with countless others.
Elizabeth slipped over to me midway, claiming it was overwhelming, then fled again from Prince Herbert and Princess Fanny. Aside from them, it was all banal chit-chat not worth repeating.
"Phew~"
Having dealt with the horde, I exhaled and tugged at my collar and cravat.
The tightness eased, leaving a sliver of mental breathing room.
I glanced sideways at the two princesses, still mobbed by admirers.
They'd handled way more people than me, yet unlike me—drained and limp like wet laundry—they brimmed with energy.
"Impressive..."
Amazed by something I'd never match no matter how long I practiced, I headed to the drinks table.
Casually, I picked up two glasses of red wine.
"Young master...?"
Seeing me grab two without a word, a flustered Emily gently touched my arm.
"Not for me. For the princesses, so don't give me that look."
"Ah... Sorry."
"It's fine."
Not planning to drink myself, Emily relaxed and stepped back.
Earlier in the crush, booze had tempted me fiercely, but now that it was over, it held no appeal.
I craved ice-cold water instead.
Anyway, glasses in hand, I checked on Elizabeth and the princess—fewer people around them now.
No desire to be seen as a partner ditching her to wander, so I hurried back to Elizabeth's side.
"... Thank you."
"No problem. Hope we meet again."
"Yes...!"
Quietly watching from behind, even the last lady clinging to Elizabeth and the princess finally retreated.
"Hoo~"
"Here."
"Hm?"
I handed a glass to Elizabeth as she fanned herself and caught her breath.
"Oh, thanks."
Startled at first by the glass popping up behind her, she smiled upon seeing it was me and took it.
"You didn't just grab yours, right?"
"Princess Alexandrine's is here too."
"Hm~ Good instincts. Thanks."
I offered the remaining glass to Princess Alexandrine, who eyed the two glasses versus three people with a sulky pout. She took it with a spry flick and grinned.
"Haa~"
"Haaah~"
The sisters brought their glasses to their lips in unison, quenched their throats with red wine, and shivered their shoulders with matching sighs of relief.
For such noble looks, their vibe screamed beer or soju ad.
"Phew~ Booze is essential at parties."
"Haha..."
Unlike Elizabeth, who'd just been thirsty, the princess tilted her glass again, murmuring something a dwarf or blacksmith might say.
When she first appeared claiming she just wanted a drink, I'd thought it a joke. Now it seemed more than half-serious.
"I'm thinking a few more glasses, then bed. What about you two?"
She polished off her glass in two gulps, wiping wine from her lips with a finger.
"We'll stick around and enjoy the ball a bit more."
"Gonna dance?"
"It's our debut—we can't leave without a spin."
"Ah..."
Dancing it is, then.
My tension, which had perked up with fewer people, crashed again.
Seeing this, Elizabeth crossed her arms and shot me a playful glare.
"William, what's with that reaction? Don't wanna dance with me?"
"Ditching your partner already? Harsher than you look."
"Not that, but..."
I didn't mind dancing with others in principle.
The issue was this dance—for me.
Learned it ages ago, barely used it, forgot most of it.
Head remembered the steps, body didn't cooperate.
Like a dusty home gym: exists, but pointless.
"Elizabeth, I'm awful at dancing—like, hate-it levels. That okay?"
"You learned it, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Then don't sweat it—just ask me. I'll lead."
"Hm..."
I voiced my dance worries cautiously, but she brushed it off, nudging my arm.
Ask me to dance already.
"No, really, this is bad..."
A future of utter ruin loomed, but with her so eager, I squeezed my eyes shut, bowed slightly, and extended a hand.
"...Care for a dance, my lady?"
"Whoa... Hearing you say that makes it weirdly awkward."
Asked her, and she teases me.
"......"
"Hee hee hee~"
I glared at her flat-faced, and Elizabeth giggled merrily, placing her hand atop mine.
"Then, one dance please, sir knight?"
"Yes."
Led by her hand, I silently prayed for at least one decent song.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Long story short, my dancing was beyond pathetic—pure despair.
Under Elizabeth's lead, our dance to the beat wrapped in under two minutes.
"William, you're worse than I imagined. Easier matching a ten-year-old."
"......"
Shoved to the wall, I crouched, rubbing my instep under her sharp glare.
Living dance-free like a wallflower my whole life was a bigger issue than I'd thought.
No practice meant tangled steps.
She stepped on me multiple times.
Not her fault—purely my two-left-feet problem making me step right under her.
Don't ask how; even I was baffled shoving my feet there so perfectly.
"Sorry..."
"I don't love dancing anyway, so fine. At least I know you're no playboy—reassuring."
"Ugh..."
Any noble past childhood must dance; poor dancers are deemed uncultured introverts.
Even my strict parents danced at big balls.
Yet here I was, debuting officially but outdanced by a newbie.
Heartbroken.
"Sigh..."
"Y-Young master."
Head down in gloom, Emily sidled up cautiously, offering a fizzy bubbling drink.
"H-Here, have a glass."
Me so abysmal she'd balked at two, now allowing a third.
Figured sober me couldn't cope.
"... Thanks."
Truly grateful, but the pity deepened my misery.
If clueless Emily saw the mess, it was bad.
I wet my lips with booze, squeezing shut my misty eyes.
I'll practice dancing and get revenge...
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