Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: Hayes Selects Her Dress
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Hayes' dress came together very gradually, but steadily.
"Kieeeek!"
"W-what is it?"
"Something's off with the dress. This isn't right... Don't you think the neckline needs to be about 1cm deeper to be perfect?"
"It looks fine to me..."
Minor issues popped up now and then, causing a bit of trouble for those around me...
But it wasn't something that happened often.
Maybe once every three days?
"Almighty God, if you would show mercy upon this lowly servant, grant me just a flash of that small wisdom..."
"William, don't do handstands in the workshop!"
"Right, actually, that just clouds the mind... Huh? Oh no! I'm falling...!"
"Uwaaack...!"
"Kyaaak! Young Master's ankle!"
I tried praying to squeeze out ideas and even did some dynamic stretching, but after my ankle twisted 180 degrees like an owl's, I stopped those antics every three days.
The church healed my ankle in a day, but Emily and Elizabeth kept a hawk-eyed watch on me, so I couldn't even if I wanted to.
After that, the dress really started coming together progressively.
"Brother, why go to the trouble of making an extra one?"
"Your fashion sense is way too stuffy. Anyway, how is it? Anything uncomfortable?"
I first basted the overall silhouette, then called Hayes in to fine-tune the measurements.
"Everything's fine, but the waist feels off."
"The waist? Too big?"
"A little small."
"What? You've gained weight in just a month?"
"Eek! Die!"
"Guhk! Hey, if you move so violently... the basting will rip... Ack...!"
I nearly died at Hayes' hands midway through.
"It's true that you've gained weight... Gah!"
"This is payback for those macarons you mindlessly fed me! And this is for the sugar cubes you slipped into my tea!"
"You ate like a pig!"
To be honest, it didn't feel like my fault.
No matter how I thought about it, the problem was her failing to manage her weight right before the engagement.
I always left enough room for a finger, so if that felt tight, how much had she packed on?
"Hoo... Fine, I was wrong. Sorry..."
"Hmph..."
I didn't think I was wrong except for stating the facts, but Hayes' punches hurt so much that I surrendered.
She hit so hard I even got a bruise on my side.
That pig has freakish strength...
"How about hiding the seam here and exposing it a bit there for an optical illusion?"
"I was planning to cover that seam with embroidery."
"Hiding it wouldn't be a problem, right?"
"At least this one looks better shown."
"Got it."
After weathering Hayes' barrage of complaints one way or another, I consulted with Adelaide and Caterina on how to incorporate embroidery and seam designs, then finished the sewing.
"Attach the straps like this,
By early April, we reached the final stage of attaching straps and frills after sewing.
The Emperor's coronation anniversary was mid-March, so in just three weeks, we'd made a proper dress.
"Gloves and cape too..."
Of course, it wasn't just the dress, so we spent a few more days preparing matching gloves and cape.
"All done."
Once the gloves and cape were ready, it was truly finished.
"Hmm, maybe a necklace or earrings to match..."
"Young Master, you don't need to worry about that."
"Yeah, figured as much."
"Yes. We appreciate your care for the young lady, but going overboard would trouble the Lady of the House and her fiance's family."
"Got it. I got too carried away."
"It's fine as long as it's just thoughts."
"Thanks."
I almost overstepped there, but Emily stopped me—it was a minor hiccup since I didn't act on it.
A week before Hayes' engagement ceremony.
"Man, it feels like the third-best thing I've ever made in my life."
In the workshop, the two completed dresses stood proudly on mannequins, free of wrinkles or creases.
On par with the one I made for Elizabeth.
I doubted I could make anything better.
"Wonder which one Hayes will pick?"
"They're both so beautiful, it might be hard for her to choose."
"Yeah, the quality's the same; it'll come down to taste."
"Exactly. Still, I'd prefer she picks the second one."
Depending on taste, one might edge out the other, but neither would look bad.
"Which do you two like better?"
"The second one looks a tiny bit better."
"I like the second one too."
"Heh, really? You're not just saying that to match my vibe?"
Emily and Elizabeth affirmed my choice, but I was still a bit anxious deep down.
"What's this? No confidence from you?"
"Yeah, normally I'd grin like it's a given."
"Our family's tastes are so particular, so I'm nervous because I think I know what Hayes would pick."
"Ah."
"Well, you yourself are..."
The rest of the family had experience and knew compromise, but Hayes and I still had childish stubborn streaks.
"But it's her engagement, so she should wear what she wants."
"Right, and she has good taste anyway."
"Tch, true enough."
Ultimately, she picks her own dress—nothing I could do about it.
All I could do was explain thoroughly to sway her toward what she'd like.
Fortunately, she'd look good in either.
No matter which, it would showcase Hayes' fresh, youthful charm perfectly.
"Hayes will pick wisely..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Two days before Hayes' engagement ceremony.
I left the atelier to Elizabeth and headed to Father's territory.
There was time to change on the day itself, so no need to deliver early, but Mother wanted to see Hayes in her evening dress ahead of time, so I made an extra day.
"I made two. What do you think?"
Arriving early at the territory, the reaction to unveiling the two dresses before everyone was as positive as expected.
"Wow... When Ashley grows up, I should leave all her clothes to you, Young Master."
"Brother, they're both so perfect, it's hard to choose."
"William, you really saved the engagement prep for last and dumped a tough decision on her."
"Music to my ears."
Everyone gazed at the dresses with satisfied smiles.
"So, which will you wear?"
"Can't decide just looking..."
Hayes fidgeted like a kid who could only pick one cookie.
Seeing her like that eased my anxiety.
If she's this thrilled, who cares about my taste? She should pick her favorite.
Forget the rest—as long as she tries it on and beams, that's enough.
"If it's that hard, try them on. I'll fix any tears right away."
"Okay!"
Her face lit up at the okay to try them. She grabbed the first one, with its fresh girl vibe, and headed to the changing room with her maid.
"Mom, Sister-in-law!"
Twenty minutes later, she emerged, twirling lightly before Mother and Wilhelmina.
As expected, it hid her maturing figure, exuding a bright spring flower aura that screamed 17-year-old girl.
"How's it?"
"Cute."
"Very cute—like a flower."
"Right?"
Mother and Wilhelmina's reactions were solid, so Hayes beamed and skipped around the room.
"Oh right, there's another! Be back!"
Then she remembered the second and dashed off with it.
Unlike the roomy first, the second was fitted, taking more time.
About 30 minutes later, she returned.
"Hehe~ This one makes me feel like a proper noble lady already."
This time, the narrow skirt forced a graceful, elegant stride as she stood before us.
"This one's good too, right?"
"Sigh... Our little Hayes has grown into a full woman."
Mother looked at her wistfully, but thankfully not sadly.
"Considering it's an evening dress for the engagement, this one suits better to my eyes."
"I think so too, Sister-in-law."
Wilhelmina and Hayes reacted more specifically and positively to this one.
"Mom thinks this one's better too?"
"When has a mother ever not found her daughter beautiful? Wear whatever—you'll look lovely to me. Choose freely."
"Poo~"
Pouting at Mother's cop-out, Hayes grinned at me.
"Brother, I'll go with this one."
"The second? You like it better?"
"Yeah, like you said, it's more mature and suits me."
"Hehe~"
She picked the second, affirming my taste, doubling my good mood.
Even if it was her preference, she picked well—like Mother, with an eye for beauty.
"Brother."
She came close, took my hand, and called me like old times.
"Thank you so much."
With a soft smile, she thanked me and shook my hand gently.
I shrugged, shook my head, patted her hair, and chuckled.
"No big deal."
Any big brother would do this for his little sister.
Really nothing special.