Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Lady Fanny's Special Delivery
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I spent the time tweaking the designs in fine detail with the staff, and before I knew it, the weekend had arrived.
"Young Master, you have a visitor."
"A visitor? Who?"
"Lady Fanny Rachel Abby has come to see you."
"Huh?"
Lady Fanny, the duke's daughter, had shown up at the townhouse bright and early in the morning.
This wasn't like her—or Elizabeth, for that matter—to drop by unannounced without any prior notice. Caught off guard, I wondered if something had gone wrong and rushed to the drawing room.
"Fanny?"
"Ah... Lord William..."
There sat Lady Fanny, her red bob haircut disheveled in every direction, fanning her face with her hand.
"Good day... huff..."
Her light attire, flushed cheeks, and ragged breathing suggested she'd gotten up and rushed over in a hurry.
Seeing her like that sent a chill creeping down my spine.
Did something happen with the thread?
Or was there an accident on the way here?
All sorts of anxious thoughts raced through my mind.
"What brings you here so suddenly?"
I swallowed hard and asked cautiously. The lady broke into a smile and spoke.
"It's... arrived."
"Arrived?"
I stared blankly, not grasping her meaning at first. She gestured to her attendant standing behind her, who placed a box on the table and opened it.
The lid lifted to reveal a bundle of ivory thread.
"The materials you requested arrived last night, so I brought them right over."
She'd just been eager to wrap things up quickly.
"Ah, aah~"
The tension drained away, and a smile spread across my face.
"You must've had a tough morning coming so early."
"It's nothing."
I smiled encouragingly, but she shook her head and closed the box.
She leaned back in her chair, settling into a more relaxed posture.
"When do you think the fabric will be ready?"
"I'll have to talk it over with Lord Hans this afternoon to know for sure. If you're curious, why don't you come along, Fanny? You might have more ideas about the fabric anyway."
The lady gave a weary smile and waved me off.
"I'm curious, but I won't go. I'm beat from rushing around this morning."
"Got it. I'll push for it as fast as possible."
"Sure."
Lady Fanny nodded listlessly, picked up her glass from the table to wet her throat, and stood.
"I've delivered what I came for, so I'll be off."
"Already?"
I glanced at the clock.
It was still too early for breakfast.
"Since you're here, at least stay for a meal."
"No, it would be rude to impose like that after showing up unannounced. I'll graciously decline."
"Well... if you insist."
She refused so firmly that I dropped the invitation.
I felt a bit guilty, but forcing it would be rude too.
"Francis."
I turned and beckoned to Francis, who was waiting nearby.
He hurried over and bowed slightly, bringing his head close.
"Yes, sir?"
"See the lady out, and take that box to my room."
"Understood."
Francis nodded and promptly approached Lady Fanny, gesturing toward the door and leading the way.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the afternoon, I visited Lord Hans's weaving workshop.
Located in the suburbs even farther out than the outskirts of the capital, the place felt serene amid the scenery—but the clacking of the looms echoed noisily inside.
"It's running full tilt even on the weekend."
In the drawing room, which seemed soundproofed, the faint loom noise still seeped through. I commented lightly, and Lord Hans's long ears perked up as he chuckled heartily.
"Hahaha! The busy season's coming up, right? With more people buying new clothes, we have to prepare ahead."
"True, it's a prime window not to miss. That's why I've been so swamped lately too."
"Thanks to you, I've got fresh work coming in. Feels great."
He grinned, eyes crinkling happily, and sipped his tea to moisten his lips.
Setting the cup down, he sobered up and met my gaze intently.
"Your letter mentioned needing new fabric. What kind exactly?"
"We've sourced some new thread lately, and I want fabric made from it."
His eyes narrowed.
He stroked his chin with a fluffy paw, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"New thread? Haven't heard of that... Do you have it with you?"
"Of course."
I placed the box I'd brought on the table, opened it, and slid it toward him.
His eyes fixed on the bundle inside. He carefully lifted it, lips parting in wonder.
"Never seen thread like this. Good for clothes?"
"Yes. We've confirmed it's usable as long as you avoid high heat."
"Hmm... So you want fabric blending these two threads?"
"No, mix in silk too."
"Silk as well?"
Lord Hans's eyes widened like a wild rabbit's.
"Hmm..."
He furrowed his brow, groaning in distress, stared at the threads for a long while, then spoke reluctantly.
"Naturally, you have specific ratios in mind?"
"Yes, just as written here."
"Let me see... Urgh..."
His rabbit ears drooped back as he took the paper detailing the specs.
He tapped his foot a few times, wrinkled his nose, and set it down.
"Three types, each with different ratios... This is no joke in difficulty. Small batch maybe, but mass production? Impossible."
"What's your cutoff for 'mass'?"
I'd expected as much and asked calmly.
He rolled his eyes upward, pausing before answering.
"Roughly... enough to fill a whole cart."
"What about a small run, like 10m or 20m?"
"That's doable. Price'll be two or three times normal, though."
"That's fine."
I'd anticipated the markup, so no issue.
Relief softening my expression, I pressed on.
"With the materials here, how much fabric can you make?"
"Treating it like regular thread, about 10m. But unfamiliar stuff, so probably shorter."
"How long will it take?"
"Not long—the fabric's short. Got other work, though, so I can start tomorrow morning."
"By Monday?"
"Fastest, Sunday afternoon."
"Monday morning then, please."
"Got it."
He nodded and pulled the box toward himself.
"Any other requests?"
"Hmm... Can you weave it to stretch well vertically but not horizontally?"
It was a long shot, but he nodded unexpectedly.
"Possible."
"Huh?"
Stunned by the easy yes, he added with a wry look.
"Work time goes up tenfold, though."
"Ah, never mind then."
My brief excitement settled, and I waved it off.
"Just follow the specs on the paper."
"As requested."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "The fabric's here!"
The fabric Lord Hans made arrived straight to the shop Monday morning.
It was a touch under 10m, but otherwise perfect—exactly the texture, tension, and elasticity I'd envisioned.
"Is this the fabric for the new underwear?"
As I inspected it, Adelaide sidled up quietly, curiosity lighting her face.
"Yeah."
"The sheen is intriguing. Feels different from silk."
"Right? Want to touch it?"
"Yes."
At my invitation, she fondled it a few times, her eyes sparkling with competitive fire.
"Amazing stretch. Gotta be careful sewing, or it'll twist out of shape."
"Exactly. Not that I should talk, with the deadline I set—but handle it delicately. Time's flexible anyway."
The deadline was just a hope; missing it was fine if the garment was perfect.
That's what mattered most, so I tried easing her pressure. But Adelaide shook her head, grinned, and shrugged.
"It's fine. Limits like that make it fun."
"I like that confidence."
"I'll back it up with skill. Watch."
"Heh~ Then I'll match it with my best."
Laughing at her bold reply, I turned to Lady Fanny and Lord Herbert approaching laden with patterns and cutting tools.
"Hurry and prep. Gotta finish quick and dump work on lounging Caterina."
"Yes!"
At their hearty response, I spread the fabric wide across the table.