Chapter 168
Chapter 168
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 168
Chapter Title: Sister's Dress Request and the Inquisitor's Visit
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"Emily, the applicant interviews are today, right?"
"Yes, twelve in the morning and fourteen in the afternoon at the atelier, for a total of twenty-six interviews."
The applicant interviews had been scheduled as quickly as possible, notified for January 6th—ten days after sending out the acceptance letters.
Thanks to that, the two who struggled to match the schedule were eliminated, and the applicants gained about a week of tight preparation time. But since I'd placed the ad in the newspaper a month and a half ago, anyone who had just sat around idle up to now had only themselves to blame.
Opportunities go to the desperate and meticulous ones who are always prepared.
I'd originally wanted to hold them in December, but one applicant needed three days to travel from the Imperial Capital, so I had no choice but to give ten days.
"Right... then I can't forget this."
I hadn't wasted those ten days either. I stuffed the papers summarizing the applicants' backgrounds into my bag and headed out.
Or tried to.
"Eek!"
"Whoa— damn...!"
The moment I opened the door, a sharp scream pierced right in front of my face.
Startled by the sudden sonic assault, I flinched and grimaced.
Who the hell was provoking me with this nightmare first thing in the morning? Squinting, I scanned beyond the door and spotted Hayes crouched right in front, trembling.
"Hayes?"
"Hng..."
She'd screamed herself, but she looked even more shocked than me. When I called her name, her eyes welled up as she stood.
"Ugh... why'd you come out so suddenly...!"
"Want a hit?"
"S-Sorry, I was just really startled too..."
She wiped the tears dangling from her eyes with a finger, then yelled.
It was so ridiculous that I clenched and unclenched my fist repeatedly, and fortunately, Hayes's reason returned quickly.
"What brings you here today? And where's Lennox? You're alone?"
"It's a weekday, so of course he's working, you idiot brother. And what, you think I spend all day glued to Lennox?"
"Ever since you came to the capital, you've been stuck together like a sword and its sheath."
"Hah, you're one to talk, brother? You spend every day with Her Imperial Highness, so why pick on me?"
"......"
Colleagues at work, so naturally we're together every day.
I wanted to say that, but thinking back to the Holy Night incident, it wasn't entirely wrong, so I shut my mouth.
"Ahem, so why'd you come so early in the morning? Something happen?"
"No, you asked what birthday present I wanted."
"You could've just replied by letter. Why bother coming in person?"
"Talking by letter feels stuffy, and I have a lot of questions? Or it's complicated? So I came to sort it out quick."
"How much do you plan to wring out of your brother..."
I narrowed my eyes at Hayes, who was clearly here to squeeze a solid birthday gift out of me, and pouted.
Now that I've escaped unemployment and started making money, she's gunning for it.
The respectful 'big brother' act and all that only lasted a few months.
Sisters and brothers really can't get along harmoniously, can they...
"Just hear me out once, brother. You'll understand my feelings if you listen."
"Fine, go ahead."
I wasn't thrilled, but listening didn't take much effort, so I nodded.
If it got too shameless, I could always prank the gift later.
I was always willing to waste time on pointless things to keep my little sister in line.
"Brother, I'm getting engaged this spring."
"Oh, right. April, yeah?"
"Yeah, that's right."
The engagement ceremony was finally happening a year after the talks started.
Not even a wedding, but dragging an engagement this long? It was all because of me.
With her brother unmarried, having the sister go first made the other side uneasy.
People who knew me well understood my engagement issues were entirely my fault, but outsiders might think our family was neglecting me.
But a few months ago, as the Emperor started pushing Elizabeth and me together, Mother seized the moment. She set the date and blasted the news everywhere to prevent any backtracking.
The Bravebrook Viscount House was a bit thrown by Mother's sudden shift, but after the Founding Day, they understood and promptly ordered the engagement dress.
Nothing drags out engagements like the Imperial Family and commoners.
Of course, it looked like open pressure to keep things good with Elizabeth, but it freed Hayes from worrying about my feelings, so I wasn't too upset.
No uglier trash than a brother blocking his sister's path.
"I said pick a birthday gift, so why bring up the engagement?"
"You'd hate handling two events, brother. Birthdays aren't that far apart, and early in the year, there are too many birthdays to juggle."
"True."
"So instead of a birthday gift, just make me one dinner dress for the engagement."
"Ah~ that."
Come to think of it, I'd promised to make Hayes a pretty dress.
Timing was perfect since things were slow.
"Sure, what style? Got any ideas?"
"Not yet."
"You little...!"
"N-No violence...!"
Seeing her innocently smile like that, I nearly gave her a knuckle on the head right there on the street with everyone watching.
Luckily, I regained sense as my fist rose to head height, avoiding the strike—but if it weren't the street, I'd have smashed it down.
"Hey, you come asking for a dress and haven't even thought about it? What am I supposed to do? Crack open your skull?"
"Brother, I'm not here to tease you. I just wasn't sure how far in advance to tell you, and I have so many ideas, it'll take time to decide."
"Hmm... It's just a dinner dress. Why so serious? Pick any pretty one."
"I want to try one of the designs I like for the wedding that day. Gotta test various ones before to pick the best."
"Wedding's at least a year off, even rushed. You've got half a year spare."
"It's already overwhelming just picking a color."
"Fair enough..."
Unlike my past life where white was the norm nine times out of ten, white wasn't standard here yet.
Anything but all-black funeral fashion was fair game.
Bright colors were preferred, but navy or deep crimson appeared too. For fair-skinned blondes like Hayes, anything except garish yellow or pale beige suited her—no real pickiness issues.
"When exactly is your engagement?"
"April 18th."
"Hmm~ a little over three months left..."
I carefully eyed Hayes.
Jade eyes like Mother's, bright blonde hair.
Her face was starting to shift from girl to mature woman.
Her figure was already fully adult.
Recent growth added strong curves, but nailing the waist fit would make any line work.
Few concerns meant ample time to craft.
Simple: one month. Complex: two.
"You'll come to the territory for Mother and Father's birthdays, right?"
"Yeah, of course. From my birthday to the engagement, I'll stay there preparing."
"Tell me by Father's birthday then. That's enough time to make it leisurely."
"Okay, thanks!"
With a full month, Hayes beamed and swung my hand up and down.
Sigh, she's so cute like this, but why's she always so bratty otherwise...
"No more to discuss?"
"Yeah, I was gonna settle everything today if time was tight, but nope."
"Hmm~ so can I head to work now?"
"Yep!"
Hayes smoothly stepped aside on the stairs, clearing the path.
I patted her head lightly, left the house, and boarded the carriage.
"Charles, let's go. Time's tight, so make it quick."
"Yes, sir, Young Master."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ At the atelier, I checked the second-floor waiting room, then moved to the next room to methodically prepare for interviews.
Preparation just meant laying out prepped materials and checklists, then calling Elizabeth and Herbert Young Lord—but preparation was preparation.
"Stick to the criteria listed, but if your gut says good, ignore it. Key is picking solid people."
"Got it."
"Understood."
"And..."
"Um, wait... Ahh...!"
With Herbert Young Lord on my left and Elizabeth on my right, mid-discussion on procedure, Emily's urgent voice came from beyond the door.
Some rude applicant? I looked up at the door, and it burst open. A priestess who looked high-ranking entered with two knights.
"...?"
"Hmph..."
Stunned by the sudden priestess, we stared blankly. She snorted lightly, slowly scanning the room.
Halfway around, our eyes met. She narrowed hers, fixed me with a cold stare, and spoke.
"William Henry Howard, pleased to meet you. I am Bishop Bianca Vitale di Luca of the Holy Kingdom."
"Ah, yes... Pleased, Your Excellency. What brings you here...?"
"There are so many intriguing rumors about you, even reaching the Holy Kingdom and Papal Court."
"......"
Her words made my vision spin.
So it finally came...
"Got time to talk?"
"Busy today. Could you wait a bit?"
"Well... I'm not just any priest, so perhaps this takes priority?"
With a meaningful smile, Bianca subtly flashed then hid the Heretic Inquisitor's insignia from her bosom.
"Huh...?"
Why the hell is that here?
Harder to run into than the Emperor, and now a rare Heretic Inquisitor was before me.
Me... a heretic? Sure, my faith's weak, but I haven't done anything heretical...
The absurdity froze my body and mind.
"If you're too busy, we can make time—might get rough, though."
As I sat dazed, she reinterpreted it, emphasizing words with a domineering air.
"......"
On cue, the two knights behind her gripped sword hilts and lowered stances.
I had no clue what was happening, but things were seriously messed up.
Acting tough here would just get me dragged out like a leashed dog, humiliated.
"Elizabeth, Herbert. Handle the interviews."
I whispered low, stood.
"You okay?"
"Not cooperating would be worse."
"...Be careful."
"It'll be fine."
Elizabeth grabbed my wrist worriedly, but I shrugged, chuckled, and patted her shoulder.
I had plenty for confession, but nothing insane enough for heresy charges—no big worry.
Leaving it to them, I meekly approached the priestess.
"Hehe~ Thank you for cooperating so readily."
Seeing my compliance, Bianca smiled delightedly and spun around.
"Haha..."
What now...