Chapter 237
Chapter 237
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 237
Chapter Title: Audience with the Crown Princess
"You've finally arrived, Count Howard."
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness the Crown Princess."
"I was starting to think my neck would snap from craning it so long waiting for you."
The sun was dipping just below the horizon in that awkward twilight hour when Elizabeth led me into the imperial palace. No sooner had the body search finished than the Crown Princess herself appeared to greet me personally, as if she'd known exactly when I'd arrive.
"My apologies. It took a bit longer due to my own shortcomings."
"No need to apologize. I already know all about your skills from Elizabeth, so if it's you, I'd forgive you even if your head did snap off once or twice."
"It's nowhere near that impressive..."
Her words about waiting with bated breath didn't feel like exaggeration—her lips curved into a crescent moon smile.
The sheer magnitude of her expectations far exceeded anything I'd imagined, sweeping away the last remnants of my confidence and leaving anxiety crashing over me in its place.
"I might fall short of Your Majesty and Your Highness's expectations, so please don't set them too high. I'm worried you'll be disappointed by my humble skills."
"Worried? I've heard everything from my aunt, so quit being so modest. It's starting to get on my nerves, you know?"
"Pardon? What on earth did the Grand Princess say...?"
"Everyone else was just thinking about how to bend either Mother or me to their will, but you were the first to try coming up with something that would satisfy us both, right?"
Something felt off about the cause and effect here.
All I'd done was come up with ideas at her request, so why was it being spun like I'd proactively striven for it from the start?
"I only tried it because the Grand Princess asked me to."
"Count, even when begged, very few people actually attempt something that seems impossible. They usually steer things toward what they're confident in, to avoid dropping both balls."
"It was just good luck."
"And on top of that, a bride blessed by the stars? How many people would dare even attempt something so bold? Mother and I were both utterly amazed by your audacity."
It was a novel idea, sure, but not that novel.
I could speak freely because I'd grown accustomed to dealing with imperial family members, but other artisans would be three times as cautious, so they wouldn't dare try it lightly.
If they'd had more time, someone surely would have come up with something similar.
Experience and expertise aren't to be taken lightly.
Artisans are people who've proven their survival through their craft.
"Haha, Your Highness, you seem to be overestimating me. No matter what, the other artisans have far more experience and skill than I do—it's hard to believe it's so rare. If they'd had the chance, they definitely would have..."
"That kind of thinking actually sounds more arrogant. You don't seriously think we only made this request to you, do you?"
"......"
My head was spinning.
In just a few days, the Grand Princess had clearly sold me hard to both of them—the hype was unreal.
This level of upselling might just send me straight to heaven.
"Sister, don't bully William so much. He's clearly troubled."
"Bully? That's weird. Shouldn't he be happy with the praise?"
"He's the sensitive type who performs best when observed from afar."
"Fine, fine. I'll ease up."
Thankfully, Elizabeth intervened just before I ascended, putting an end to the burdensome flattery.
The Crown Princess narrowed her eyes and shrugged her shoulders in apparent disbelief before shifting her gaze to the basket I was holding and speaking up.
"Is that the design you've come up with this time?"
"Yes, though it's a bit rough since I only sketched it simply."
"We can account for that, so don't worry. But I'm just too curious to wait—mind if I take a peek right here?"
"The paper's pretty big. Would it be better to sit down and...?"
"I don't have time to waste on formalities. This is fine, so hurry up and show me your ideas."
"Understood..."
This was bad. Really bad.
Her expectations were so sky-high that she wanted to see the sketches right there in the hallway.
She was already overflowing with hype and anticipation.
I didn't want to drag it out and build even more hype, so I pulled the paper from the basket and unrolled it.
I had to stretch my arms as wide as possible before the full sheet unfurled, perfectly covering Elizabeth and me while revealing the design to the Crown Princess.
"Hm~"
A pleased hum escaped her lips as her eyes darted busily over the page.
"The left side looks better than the right."
In less than five seconds, she pointed to the design on the right with a smiling glance.
The one she'd chosen concentrated the jewels and silver thread around the feet and legs.
She'd picked it without even hearing an explanation, so I was dying to know why.
"Your Highness, could you tell me your reasoning for that choice?"
"Simple enough."
She turned slightly and tapped the back of the skirt's train.
"They'd both look stunning if you were standing still like a tree, but a wedding involves bridesmaids holding up the long train, too."
"Bridesmaids...? Ah...!"
I'd wondered how bridesmaids factored in, but once I pictured grabbing the end of a several-meter-long train, I instantly understood her choice.
Lifting a long, jewel-encrusted fabric from the end would always cause the train to sag in the middle like a saddlecloth.
Pulling it taut would ruin the dress's elegant drape, and the bride might even step on it.
It was meant to make walking easier by holding it from behind, but if it made walking harder, that defeated the purpose.
A saddle shape could still sparkle beautifully, but it would be far from the image of strolling over a Milky Way.
A comet trail fading into hazy star dust might feel more natural instead.
Bridesmaids holding the train was standard at noble weddings, but I'd spent last year's ceremonies staring at walls or ceilings, so...
"Your aesthetic sense is truly remarkable."
"It's just that you lacked experience and overlooked it. No need to call it remarkable."
I offered light praise for how quickly she'd spotted my oversight, and she shook her head with a slightly smug smile.
"Let's continue the details somewhere else. This isn't the place for long talks."
"Yes, understood."
I rolled the paper back up, tucked it into the basket, and scurried after the Crown Princess as she led the way down the corridor.
_
Tailing closely behind the Crown Princess, we arrived not before the Emperor, nor the Grand Princess, nor even the Grand Imperial Princess.
"It might be best to follow His Majesty's direction on the design."
"But isn't the Crown Princess the star of the wedding? Ignoring His Majesty's words weighs on me, but prioritizing the lead's opinion seems wiser..."
"What if we make it double-layered, so the outer layer peels off midway?"
"Lord Florence, remember the dress must be preserved in the palace treasury after the ceremony."
"...?"
It was a drawing room where elderly gentlemen clustered together.
They all wore magnifying glasses, craning their necks back like ostriches to peer at papers. The atmosphere screamed I shouldn't interrupt.
"Elizabeth, am I seeing things?"
"You're in trouble now. Those are the tailors you met a few times while getting fitted."
"Oh..."
With Elizabeth's confirmation, I felt cold sweat trickling down my spine.
She'd brought me here specifically, so she clearly planned to task me with something...
I had a feeling I knew what, but I didn't want to know for sure.
"Ahem."
"Your Highness has arrived."
As dread for the future gripped me, the Crown Princess cleared her throat to draw the elders' attention.
"I came to check on your progress. It's been weeks of discussion, hasn't it?"
She'd clearly overheard their stagnant debate, yet asked with an innocent smile, feigning ignorance.
"We haven't achieved anything worth reporting yet."
"It's all due to our own inadequacies..."
The elders bowed their heads slightly, their voices heavy with gloom.
"How could I blame you? It's His Majesty and my stubbornness causing this, isn't it?"
"No, how could you say that...!"
"Hmph, of course not."
"......"
They probably wanted to agree but couldn't with her status, so they gritted their teeth and blamed themselves. It was heartbreaking.
More importantly, why was she prodding them like this?
Please stop.
I might end up torn limb from limb.
"By the way, Your Highness, who is that young man beside you?"
"I don't recognize him..."
"He's the talent I specially sought out to resolve your dilemma."
"You mean..."
Despite desperately managing my expression, the elders' lips began trembling violently as they fixed their gazes on me, biting their lips lightly.
"Crown Princess, are you saying you're entrusting the dress design to this youngster?"
"Indeed. Maybe some young blood will invigorate you all?"
She shrugged and gave my back a gentle push, thrusting me forward before the elders.
"......"
"......"
Silence weighed on my shoulders, and piercing glares poured down on me.
Glad I came before dinner...