Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Trials of Stretchy Fabrics
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When using highly elastic fabrics, the difficulty of cutting and sewing rises compared to standard materials like cotton or silk.
The reason, of course, is that the fabric stretches far too easily.
If it stretches easily during sewing, you need sturdy, stretchy thread, and you have to handle it carefully to prevent any stretching while cutting and stitching.
Otherwise, the sewn fabric twists or puckers up, so you must control the strength of your grip.
After a few practice runs to get accustomed to it, it's not a huge issue—just one more thing to keep a light eye on.
The real problem was that only I and Adelaide were familiar with working such elastic fabrics.
"You're pulling too hard."
"Is this about right?"
"Good, hold it steady just like that."
"Yes."
Because of that, until the others got the feel for it, even a single snip of the scissors demanded constant instructions, dragging things out.
Still, everyone had deft fingers and a good tactile sense, so they adapted fairly quickly.
Even so, it took a full two days to reach the basting stage.
Sure, compared to ordinary folk, that's lightning fast—but we had Adelaide, after all.
Basting involves minimal actual stitching, so essentially, just cutting the fabric took those two days.
With four people glued to the task.
It was disappointing on several fronts.
Disappointing or not, speed would sort itself out in time, so we tabled it for now and had Katarina try on the basted pieces.
"Any spots that feel off?"
"She says the rib area feels a bit loose compared to the waist. We should take it in by another 1 cm."
"Okay, that's it for today then. We'll dive into proper sewing tomorrow. Got it?"
After confirming the adjustments via Katarina, I called it quits despite time still left on the clock.
Once serious sewing began, undoing mistakes got tricky, so I wanted to tackle it with a clear, fresh head.
"Understood."
"Yes~"
You'd think the long cutting phase would've left them antsy, but the staff tidied their tools without a peep at the early clock-out.
"Your Highness, a guest has arrived."
"A guest? Who the hell... Oh..."
Frowning at the unannounced visitor, I looked up to find my secretary wearing an awkward grimace beside Countess Hume, her expression frosty.
I'd figured someone might drop by around the timeline I'd mentioned to that friend Frederick, but I hadn't pegged it as the Countess herself.
A chilling premonition slithered up my spine.
Forcing the calmest face I could muster while eyeing the Countess, she clutched her skirt hem lightly and dipped into a curtsy.
"The lawful consort of Count Hume, shield of the Empire, Helen Maria Howard, greets the Moon of the Empire, Crown Prince Your Highness. It feels like ages since we last met."
"......"
The instant I heard her greeting, I knew things had gone sideways from the jump.
"Somehow, even after all this time, your face hasn't aged a day. You and His Majesty both—why don't you two ever show a wrinkle? Got some secret elixir?"
"Your Highness, apologies, but could we save the chit-chat for later?"
Clinging to a faint hope, I'd tried easing into a softer vibe, but she shut it down cold.
"Tsk..."
Clicking my tongue, I slumped back in my chair and cradled my head with my left hand.
"...Secretary, step out for now."
"Understood. Call if you need me."
After a brief pause to steady my tangled thoughts, I shooed the secretary out with a limp wave of my right hand.
"So, what urgent words bring you barging in unannounced?"
"Your Highness, recent events have put our house in dire straits."
I'd called her out on skipping the courtesy notice to level the field, but she brushed it off, marching right up to slap three letters down on my desk.
"And these are?"
"Proof that collateral branches of our family reached out to William, scheming to seduce him and swap the successor."
"Gutsy bastards. His Majesty himself approved the eldest son as heir to the Count Hume title, and they think they can flip that?"
"All thanks to His Majesty's boundless mercy."
"......"
Her line reeked of sarcasm—no mistaking it—and it clogged my throat.
"With succession not even finalized and His Majesty already propping up the second son, who wouldn't stir?"
Boil it down, and it traced back to the grand design His Majesty was weaving.
At a loss for words, I dodged her gaze in silence, prompting her to launch into a aggrieved plea.
"Born nobles, we obey His Majesty's decrees as duty—so no quarrel with William heeding his call. But why now? Couldn't you wait a year... no, just half? Impatience has cornered us like this."
"On that... I've got nothing. In His Majesty's stead, I apologize."
"Only sheer luck that boy's disinterest in politics kept blood from spilling. A whiff of ambition, and one of my kids' heads rolls. Think words alone cut it? You know better than most that backroom apologies mean squat—you're not wrapping this up there, are you?"
Succession woes weren't for a simple sorry to fix, so I shook my head at once and answered straight.
"Of course not. So, what does your house seek from me and His Majesty?"
"Nothing else—just a casual word on succession to quiet those tactless jackals flashing fangs."
"Consider it done."
"And we'll wrap succession before year's end, so please—leave William be at least until New Year's."
"Can't guarantee... but I'll push as hard as I can."
"Ah... Haa-"
The Countess knew as well as anyone that none could bar His Majesty, so despite words bubbling up, she choked them back, frustration all that escaped.
"...Thank you for humoring my rude ask."
"No, if anything, I'm ashamed to face you. Truth is, I briefly backed His Majesty's play myself..."
"......"
Her gaze, softening a touch, snapped sharp again.
I'd been dazzled by William's bold streak early on, nudging things his way on the sly.
Snapped out of it too late, confidence in handling Frederick and his wife evaporated.
"Hanging with His Majesty rubbed off—your temperament's a spitting image now."
"Can't argue that."
No denying it, even if I ached to.
Back in the day, I'd have smothered this before it bloomed.
"That said, Your Highness."
"Yes?"
"Word is she's sticking close to William. Your doing?"
"Countess Hume, do the women in my circle strike you as the obedient sort?"
"Ah... Right."
A wry smile from me flipped the question back; realization dawned, and she nodded with pity in her eyes.
"That boy's got rotten luck with women too. Hoped for someone meek like Edward..."
"Luck or no, look at me? Botched choice's haunted my life half over."
Suddenly, her eyes lit up bright.
Face like a cat spotting playthings, her lips quirked as she spoke.
"Which lady's that you're cursing?"
"Oh, damn..."
The thawed mood tricked me into a blunder.
Countess Hume? This tale hits the Emperor and ears galore before day's end.
Gooseflesh prickled my skin; blood fled my scalp.
"Nothing of the sort."
"Ah, maybe more than one."
"Countess Hume, what on earth?"
"Wonderful scoop. Fretted over chit-chat with His Majesty or Duchess Ross—Your Highness handed me prime fodder. Lucky me."
"Countess, cool it—rational talk first?"
I grasped to prolong, but she bowed with a loaded smile.
"Can't impose on Your Highness longer. I'll head out."
"Countess Hume, please—just rethink it once."
"Peace upon Crown Prince Your Highness's path."
"Countess—no, Helen, oh..."
My frantic plea fell on deaf ears as she strode out steadfast.
Gaping at the empty door, visions of days—no, weeks—of hell darkened my world.
"Hmm...?"
Back early at the town house, door swung open to bustle where calm reigned before—servants scampering, brother downstairs instead of his study.
Morning peace turned warzone chaos left me gobsmacked as I approached him.
"Brother, what's all this?"
"Ah, William—earlier than usual."
"Yeah, big thing tomorrow, so wrapped up quick."
"Perfect timing. Mother says she's coming to the town house."
"...When?"
"Any minute now."
"Pardon?"
Right this second?
"First I've heard."
"Mother didn't loop you in. I only got word this morning."
"Wow..."
Fatigue crashed in sudden.
Thought I'd crash hard tonight...