Chapter 235
Chapter 235
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 235
Chapter Title: A Dress That Shines in the Dark
"Your Highness, would it be possible to hold the wedding in the evening, or perhaps in a dimly lit venue where no light enters?"
"Hmm... Adjusting the time might be tricky, but darkening the venue is doable if we put in enough people and money."
"I see."
The one obstacle to my plan was light, and hearing that it could be controlled made me inwardly cheer as I clenched my fist under the table.
"You look pleased. Does a dark environment play a key role in the idea you've come up with?"
"Yes, exactly. It needs to be as dark as night to truly shine in all its beauty."
"Hmm... Beauty that reveals itself in darkness... That's not something you can easily test, but I'm very curious about your method."
Weddings are typically held in bright venues, so my proposal to defy that norm and embrace the shadows clearly piqued Her Highness's interest. Her eyes sparkled as she leaned forward slightly.
"Your Highness, what are the defining traits of gems treated as jewels?"
"They're rare, possess beautiful colors, and shine brilliantly... That sums it up."
"Precisely. Their beauty is hard to come by, which is why people value them so highly. But in a place without light, could you tell the difference between a gem and a well-cut stone?"
"Impossible."
"Exactly. A gem's true worth shines through when it can display its iridescent glow and sparkling brilliance to the world.
What makes a diamond—mere rare, hard rock—prized as a jewel?
It's the contrast of shadow and sparkle created when a finely cut diamond reflects surrounding light in a rainbow of hues.
That harmonious blend of light and dark captivates people, earning diamonds their place as beloved gems.
The same holds for other jewels.
The allure that defines them—the vibrant colors revealed through expert craftsmanship and the light reflecting off their facets—is their alpha and omega.
Without light, you can't grasp a gem's true charm.
Harness that property well, and you can create a dress that's both understated and dazzling.
"Could I have some large sheets of paper? About this size would do."
"Hmm... Would something a bit smaller work?"
"Yes."
Her Highness waved her hand lightly, and moments later, several sheets of pristine white paper slipped through the window cracks and settled before me.
"Thank you."
I pulled a pen from my pocket, placed it on the paper, and quickly sketched the silhouette of a woman in a wedding dress.
"The finest artisans can embed gems and metallic threads into a dress, creating a splendor and grandeur impossible with mere fabric."
"Indeed, my sister's dress was exquisite. Red velvet interwoven with gold thread and jewels like a living painting—it was like something out of a fairy tale."
"Typically, those threads and gems are embroidered to stand out against the dress's background color. That way, the costly inlays reveal themselves clearly."
"True enough."
This is possible because wedding dress colors aren't fixed.
As long as it's not purple, any hue is fair game—it's the wearer's choice.
In my past life, white became the standard thanks to Queen Victoria and the trends that followed, embedding it culturally. But originally, all sorts of colors were used.
The meanings tied to colors? Slap a "good" one here, a "bad" one there—nothing too crucial.
So, we reverse that convention.
"If it were up to me, I'd hide these embellishments from plain view on this dress. Using transparent gems and silver threads on a white gown would make the decorations subtle despite their presence."
"Hmm? Why? It'd feel like wasted effort. Or are you just hoping people will say it's lavish because of the expense?"
"That's why darkness is essential."
I stood the pen upright and dotted small points along the hem of the long dress and veil, below hip level.
"I'd embed the gems and silver threads below the hips, focusing on the skirt. The finished dress would look something like this, studded with jewels."
By the time I finished, most of the dots crowded the lower skirt, well below the hips.
"The stars in the night sky sparkle more beautifully and brilliantly than anything. Yet when the sun shines, they're invisible. Does that make the Milky Way any less dazzling?"
"Most would agree with you."
"Precisely."
I shaded the area around the woman in the drawing dark, then sketched a spotlight beaming down from above like a lamp.
"Imagine this, Your Highness: a pitch-black ceremony hall, with light shining solely on the bride as she strides confidently down the center aisle."
I angled the drawing for Her Highness to see clearly and coaxed her imagination with a subtly enticing tone.
She glanced at the sketch, then squeezed her eyes shut.
"Light pours from every direction onto the bride, her gem-studded shoes scattering starlight across the floor with each step."
"The trailing dress and veil follow like shooting stars, like the Milky Way itself, embroidering the path the Crown Princess has walked."
"And the Crown Princess, treading that starry trail, will shine like a swan blessed by the stars—radiant and magnificent."
"Hooh..."
Her Highness let out a soft murmur of admiration, snapped her fingers, and rose from her seat.
The room's curtains drew shut in unison, plunging us into darkness.
"Is this the effect you're aiming for?"
In the gloom, Her Highness rustled about preparing something, then tapped the floor twice with her shoe.
"...!"
Suddenly, light cascaded over her head, and her shoes sparkled like they'd been dusted with stars.
"Stepping forward would look like this, right?"
She took a cautious step, and the sparkle traced her shoe's path, beautifully adorning the trail she'd left behind.
Probably fire or lightning magic adapted for the effect.
I knew little of magic, but the faint scent of ozone gave it away.
So that's why she said no from the start.
"You want to achieve this spectacle with the dress itself."
"Yes, exactly. Since it relies on gems for the effect, controlling the lighting is crucial."
She nodded in approval, then extinguished the light and drew back the curtains.
"If it works, Alexandrine will truly become a bride blessed by the stars, just as you described."
"Yes. For those brief five minutes walking in and standing before the officiant, she'll be the most dazzling and beautiful person in the world."
"Hee hee hee... I knew asking you was the right call."
Gazing at me fondly, Her Highness sat back down with a satisfied smile.
"So, how many gems do you think we should embed?"
"To shine like stars, around five thousand, perhaps? Five thousand gems, linked by delicate silver threads—it'll be utterly magnificent."
"Five thousand... My sister used ten thousand, so that sounds about right."
"......"
The imperial scale left me speechless for a moment.
Five thousand was my bold proposal, and she calls it moderate.
No wonder only the greatest artisans earn the honor of such commissions.
"We can handle the blackout and lighting with magic—that's our domain..."
While I reeled in confusion, Her Highness tapped her teacup thoughtfully, muttering calculations.
"We'd need to assess feasibility, but... it's not a bad idea."
She stopped her soliloquy, met my eyes with a warm smile.
"To think such a brilliant idea came up on the spot. I really made the right choice consulting you."
"You're too kind."
I bowed deeply, chuckling awkwardly at the praise.
It felt like dumb luck from my sparkle obsession—not quite praiseworthy.
"By the way, Howard Earl."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"To convince my sister and Alexandrine, we'll need visual aids, right? A drawing, or perhaps fabric embedded with gems and silver thread."
"Something like that would make convincing them of its beauty much easier."
"I see."
She nodded slightly and stood.
"I'll procure the fabric. You draw the illustration."
"Pardon?"
"It's your idea, so you see it through to the end."
"Ah..."
Drawing to a quality fit for the Emperor and Crown Princess would take days of nonstop sketching...
"What are you waiting for? Go draw it now."
"Yes, Your Highness... I'll do my very best."
Prodded by her urging, I rose with a glum expression.
The prospect of gem-studded drudgery made my head spin.
Should've said it wasn't necessary... Damn it...