Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: I Became a Clothing Designer in Another World
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"Mind if I borrow Emily for a bit?"
After hastily setting up a meeting, Elizabeth had been staring intently at Emily for a while before sliding her gaze over to me and making her request.
It wasn't unusual for us to occasionally seek help from each other's servants, so there was nothing odd about it on the surface. But the chilling aura emanating from Elizabeth's eyes made it feel like sending Emily off alone would be a bad idea.
"Uh... why?"
"There's something important I need to discuss with her."
"Then why not just talk here?"
"William, you're not so clueless that you'd insert yourself into a conversation between women, are you?"
I furrowed my brow and glanced back and forth between Emily and Elizabeth.
One had a heavy, sunken atmosphere, while the other was pale as a ghost. Even if they were signaling for me to leave, how could I just walk away...?
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't simply step aside.
"Elizabeth."
With my mind made up, I subtly shifted to the side, partially shielding Emily with my body as I met Elizabeth's gaze head-on.
"I'd usually step out of the way without a fuss, but the kid's terrified right now. I wouldn't interfere if she were your servant, but Emily's firmly on our side. I'm her master. I don't know what went down between you two, but if you absolutely need to take her with you, shouldn't you at least give me a quick explanation?"
"That's..."
Elizabeth's eyes wavered.
It wasn't some unreasonable demand; I was just asking for a perfectly normal justification for why she needed Emily right now. Even Elizabeth couldn't easily brush that off.
"You're right. I got a little hasty."
"It happens. Just give me a simple rundown on why you need her."
In the end, Elizabeth acknowledged her misstep and softened her stance.
"There was a communication mix-up between Emily and me, and I'm just trying to clear it up. She made a small mistake. My expression was harsh because... my expectations got a bit off track. I let my emotions get the better of me."
"A mistake?"
Her explanation caught me completely off guard.
Emily had made a mistake.
And one big enough to make Elizabeth react emotionally on the spot.
I couldn't believe it.
You don't earn my mother's trust through luck or flukes.
"Emily, is that true?"
"Yes, it is. I passed on some wrong information, and it nearly caused a problem."
Suspecting some misunderstanding, I asked Emily directly. She hung her head in shame, confirming Elizabeth's words with a guilty expression.
"Oh man... this is a mess..."
I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed the back of my neck.
A slight stiffness crept into the nape of my neck, and my head started to spin.
I didn't know the exact details between them, but if Emily had messed up, there was nothing more I could do to block it.
If anything, instead of shielding her, I should be the one stepping up to give her a proper scolding.
Thank goodness it was Elizabeth, who just wanted to talk it out. If it had been anyone else, she'd have had to brace for a whipping.
"Haa..."
I shifted aside again, stepping out from between Emily and Elizabeth.
With an apologetic nod, I gestured that it was okay for her to go.
"Thanks."
"Of course we'd talk it out if we messed up. I should be the one chewing her out..."
"No, it wasn't even that big of a mistake. I'm not trying to scold her—I just want to get the facts straight on what happened."
As I bowed my head in apology, Elizabeth waved it off a few times before glancing at Emily and slowly heading toward the door.
"Emily, come to the break room with me for a moment."
"...Yes."
Elizabeth led the way, and Emily followed her quietly to the break room.
-Click!
As the two left the workshop and the door shut, the room suddenly felt empty. The other employees hadn't arrived yet.
Just me alone in the workshop.
"Tch..."
I smacked my lips softly and sat down at my workbench.
I hoped their talk would end on a smooth note...
"Prince Howard, can we come in now?"
"Huh?"
As I tried to calm my nerves by jiggling my leg anxiously, the door creaked open slightly, and Prince Herbert peeked his head in.
For a brief moment, I'd wondered why he came to work but hadn't entered the workshop.
Realizing the tense atmosphere that had lingered just moments ago, I gave an awkward smile and waved him in.
"Ah, yeah, come on in now."
"Everyone, it's safe to come in now."
With my permission, the door swung wide open. The employees, who had been peeking cautiously from the hallway, filed in behind Prince Herbert one by one.
"Whew~ it's cold..."
"Ugh, William, don't make the place feel like thin ice first thing in the morning."
"Seriously, the vibe was murderous. It was freezing out there—I thought I was gonna die."
The staff, who had arrived early only to stand punished in the hallway because of us, grumbled lightly as they headed to their seats.
"Haha... sorry, I'll be more careful next time."
"So what was the fight about?"
"Yeah, I've never seen Elizabeth act that cold before."
"Prince Howard, did she catch you with another woman or something?"
"Ro... romance? Forbidden love...?"
"Herbert, Elin, what nonsense are you spouting? It's probably just Prince Howard messing up somehow."
"Then why'd they drag Emily off?"
"...Yeah, good point."
A spat between one guy and two women.
Royalty, nobility, and a commoner maid—an odd mix.
And now the two women had slipped out to talk privately.
"......"
All eyes turned to me in unison.
Sparkling with the thrill of juicy gossip.
Lips twitching with barely contained curiosity.
"...Whatever you all are thinking, it's not that. Just get ready for work."
I cut them off before they could start prying, turning my back to dodge their stares.
"Aw, come on?"
"We were shivering out there waiting—spill a little!"
"You can't stir up drama in the Atelier and leave us hanging like this!"
Grumbles erupted from nobles and commoners alike.
"No idea, not telling. Back to your seats."
But they weren't royalty—just some noble heirs and commoners.
I'd become a steadfast William who wouldn't flinch under this level of pressure. With ironclad resolve, I ignored them and repeated like a parrot for everyone to return to their places.
"I. Don't. Know. Not. Telling."
"Come on, pleeease!"
"Ugh!"
The noise pouring in from all sides felt oddly comforting.
A few months ago, this much attention would've made my stomach churn, but now? Not anymore.
Ahh...
Is this what growth feels like...?
It had come at such a terrifying speed.
"Ting!... That's cheating! I'm not listening!" With my battle-hardened will from real-world trials, I'd withstood the employees' onslaught without spilling a word, ultimately forcing their surrender. The pressure from ordinary folks lacking experience, presence, or innate charisma was nothing more than white noise. "Heh heh~" "...Emily, sorry. I had no idea and totally misunderstood." I basked in satisfaction. The staff trudged back to their seats in defeat. Right on cue, Emily and Elizabeth returned from their talk, all smiles. "No, it was a situation anyone could've misunderstood. You didn't do anything wrong, so there's no need to apologize." "Heh heh~ She's too good to keep around William. Now I get why the countess only stations you by his side." "That's too generous a compliment for a servant who troubled Your Highness with her mistake." They seemed to have wrapped things up splendidly—flowers of laughter bloomed on their faces, and their exchange brimmed with warmth. It hadn't even been that long, but they'd cleared the air so neatly. Maybe it wasn't as serious as I'd feared after all. "No, how could it be your fault? It was just someone with disastrously zero tact." "I've already given up on that front. Your Highness should do the same—it'll save you some heartache." Or not...? "Whew... you have it rough too." "Ahaha..." It felt less like they'd resolved their issue and more like they'd bonded over dumping all the blame on some hapless common enemy. "Emily, let's hang in there together." "Yes." Feeling an inexplicable chill as I watched them, the two shared a poignant glance laced with enmity toward that poor, unnamed foe, nodded firmly twice, and returned to their stations. "Everything sorted out okay?" I could tell from their faces it had gone well, but I called out to Emily as she headed to her corner anyway. "Yes, Her Highness Elizabeth graciously understood my side, so it ended on a good note." "Glad to hear it. Nothing else happen?" "She wanted to pick out outfits to wear with you for the National Dispatch envoy's birthday." "Outfits?" I mentally calculated the date. Way too short notice for custom tailoring. So probably not new ones—just matching colors and accessories for a similar vibe. "Did she say when?" "She wants to do it right after work today and asked me to stick around. Do you have a different day in mind, young master?" "Nah, today's fine. Better to knock these things out quick instead of dragging them out." "Got it, I'll let her know." "Okay." Emily nodded at my response and turned back toward Elizabeth, whom she'd just parted from. "Hmm..." Now, what color dress should I go with this time... It was a happy dilemma.