Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: I Became a Clothing Designer in Another World
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I meant it with about 200% sincerity when I said I was holding back.
How could I be satisfied with this much, when I'd seen so much more in my previous life?
I wanted to throw caution to the wind, ignore all pretenses and stares from others, and see people strutting around in crop tops and shorts during summer, or wearing dolphin pants and short-sleeved tees as sleepwear instead of negligees.
But I held back because I knew pulling that out all at once would be way too extreme.
And yet, this guy comes barging in without a clue, just to complain?
Fine, coming to criticize and hurl a few insults—I could take that as a spirited opinion and let it slide generously.
But showing up and subtly pressuring me with his authority? That was hard to stomach.
This wasn't healthy debate; it was just control.
Even the letters asking if I wasn't ashamed in front of the children felt more persuasive.
That one hit a little close to home, yeah.
"Hoo..."
Thinking it over again just made my blood boil.
I roughly undid a couple of shirt buttons as if tearing them off and tossed my jacket onto the desk.
How could I make a scene here that would convince that bastard to back off for good?
I already had some answers.
One was using the bulletin boards in the western capital.
The other was leveraging the masked ball at the end of October.
I'd decided to show them I wasn't bluffing, so I planned to hit both hard.
"Have you eaten?"
As I rested my chin on my hand, eyes closed while sorting my thoughts, a slender hand settled on my shoulder, and Lady Elizabeth's voice whispered in my ear.
"No."
I cracked my eyelids open, rolled my eyes upward, and glanced at the princess standing beside me before shaking my head.
She narrowed her eyes and stared at me intently, furrowing her brow in puzzlement as she asked,
"Why do you look even more upset than before?"
"Haven't you ever had that? After an argument, you're lying in bed and suddenly the anger surges up out of nowhere."
"I don't usually get into arguments like you do."
"Miss Perfect."
I was jealous.
I had tons of those experiences.
"Everyone gathered?"
"Yes, they've been here for a while, but you looked in a bad mood, so we were just watching."
"Sorry about that."
"If you're sorry, loosen up that expression."
"That might be tough."
I shrugged and lifted one corner of my mouth.
If the source of my frustration had vanished completely, sure—but that old geezer treating me like a greenhorn still made my gut churn.
"Just keep the angry face. Your smile is giving me chills."
"Got it."
"And button up your shirt. It looks unsightly."
"?"
I blinked and glared at her.
If we're talking exposed chest, she was showing more, so her pointing it out was ridiculous.
"That's rich coming from you."
"This is standard for ladies."
She's getting bolder by the second...
"The staff's waiting?"
"Hmph..."
As I shot her a flat look, she pointed behind her and scurried off toward the huddle of employees.
What a coward...
Annoying as she was, they were indeed waiting, so I pursed my lips and stood up.
"Sorry for interrupting your work in the middle of a busy day. I called you all because a noble just chewed me out, and as you can see from my face, I'm really not in a good mood this time."
"......"
The staff clamped their mouths shut and averted their eyes.
Lady Elizabeth met my gaze, but she wasn't one for responses in situations like this, so it was subdued.
"Anyone curious what he said?"
I planned to tell them anyway, even if no one asked, but their lack of reaction made me toss out the question.
"......"
The employees started exchanging glances, and eventually Lord Herbert and Lady Fanny timidly raised their hands.
Stepping up for the commoners to face their pissed-off employer's glare—what noble sacrifice.
"He told me to hold back. I'll admit I was a bit extreme this time, but he looked down on me and tried to threaten me, so I got offended. 'Does the Emperor have your back forever?' 'Think you own the world because the Emperor's watching?' 'Loyalty to the Emperor gonna make nobles profit?' Stuff like that."
The staff's faces stiffened.
The noble trio reacted especially sharply.
As nobles, they inevitably crossed paths with His Majesty, directly or indirectly, so the idea of pressure via the Emperor was terrifying.
"S-So, what do you plan to do?"
"I'm gonna show him what happens when I don't hold back—give a taste of how serious we are about clothes."
"For real?"
"Yeah."
Lord Herbert, who'd been gauging my mood, lit up at the promise of action.
Knew he'd love it, consequences be damned.
"So, I'm adjusting the schedule up to Founding Day."
I raised my left hand and extended four fingers.
"First, starting next week, we'll limit underwear orders to three sets per customer."
"Pardon? We're already short even if we increase production—cutting back makes no sense. We still have nearly forty on the waitlist."
Lady Fanny jumped in with opposition, but I shrugged and shook my head.
"Regrettable, but unless we double speed, we can't fulfill them all by Founding Day anyway."
"Th-That's true... So what will you do with the extra time?"
"Use it to make new clothes. After Founding Day, diversify orders and hire more people."
I'd planned to solidify foundations at five orders a week this year, but now I'd expand openly.
Atelier had spare rooms, the Walter and Elin siblings were pulling their weight, though Adelaide still lagged.
"That little time won't be enough for new designs, will it?"
"That's why I need the tailors and Adelaide working weekends for the next four weeks till Founding Day."
"Ah, that..."
"I'm fine with it."
"Yes, this is what I wanted—finally feels like real sewing."
They like extra work more than cutting production?
Weirdos.
But I loved it right now.
"Finish up today, then we go full throttle tomorrow. If anyone's uneasy, speak now—I'll understand if you bow out."
"Lord William."
Lady Fanny shot her hand up at the opt-out offer.
"Go ahead."
"I don't oppose what you're doing, but what if problems arise midway? Legal issues, public opinion... We nobles can weather it, but the others..."
She glanced worriedly at the commoner staff.
Nobles had the clout to endure, but commoners could get swept away.
So I grinned and pointed at myself.
"Sell me out then. I'll take full responsibility. If anyone complains, say 'That bastard William forced me' and cry your eyes out."
"We can do that...?"
"I'm the one fighting and raging, so I bear the blame."
I was ready for ruin, but not them.
Worst case, I shove my head into noble territory and retreat to a monastery if it backfires.
"But do we have to say 'that bastard'?"
"Yep. Say it all aggrieved and choked up—maximum effect."
When blaming others, act the part of the wronged victim.
Too polite, and it looks like they're framing me as the scapegoat.
Mix in some curses.
Nothing sells sincerity like swearing through tears.
"Kinda cool..."
"That's leadership...?"
"If it wasn't just underwear sales, it'd be perfect."
As eyes sparkled and excitement built, Lady Elizabeth doused it.
Getting hyped was fine, but there had to be cooler phrasing than "underwear sales."
"Call it 'The Struggle for Freedom in Clothing Choice' instead."
"Sounds cool."
"Haha~ I think so too."
Her sarcastic head-shake cracked me up.
Seeing the eager staff lifted my sunken mood.
"That's all from me. Questions?"
"No detailed plans?"
"What, Herbert, wanna be co-conspirator?"
"You said 'struggle for freedom' so honestly, yeah, I do."
"Cut the crap and follow orders."
"Yes, sir..."
I calmed the pumped-up Herbert and waved them off dismissively.
"Anyone with dumb questions, back to work."
"Yes."
"Understood."
With my annoyed dismissal, everyone but Lady Elizabeth and Emily headed to their stations.
"Lord William."
"Yeah."
"If you go more extreme than this, even His Majesty might not cover for you. You sure?"
"Of course. I'm prepared for a few months in jail."
"......"
Her expression turned a complicated mix hard to pin down.
Like she had tons to say but no clue where to start.
Wait, does she think I'm all talk?
Yeah, she's a dopamine junkie too—gotta show her it's real, not theater.
"Emily."
"Yes?"
"Where are those protest letters that arrived today?"
"In the corner of the workshop for you to take home."
"Rip them all up and toss them."
"Pardon? No replies?"
"Nope."
She nodded wide-eyed, and color drained from Emily and Elizabeth's faces.
"You're serious?"
"Young Master, this seems wrong."
"If you won't, I will."
I grinned, grabbing scissors from the desk.
My first move for the dopamine-addicted princess: ignore every protest letter so far.
"W-Wait, Young Master!"
"Lord William, hold on...!"
"Guh...! Let go! I need to show my resolve... Mmph... Mmff...!"
"We get your resolve—now shut up and behave!"
>Huh...? This isn't it?