Chapter 52
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Tailor (1)
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Before Rose returned from death.
"Um... may I go to the tea party?"
Dane responded coldly to Rose's question.
"Why ask me? Do as you like."
It was an attitude that said whatever Rose did had nothing to do with him.
At the time, Rose had no one to seek advice from. On top of that, the vast Schmichael Castle felt unbearably lonely.
She attended the tea party hoping to find some common ground with the other ladies who had passed through this castle.
It didn't take long to realize that hope was misplaced.
But now...
"I've decided on this one."
"Mm."
Dane nodded upon seeing the sender on the invitation Rose held out.
"Good choice. You've got an eye for it."
He often left her with brief words of praise like that.
His firm tone and low voice were so pleasing that Rose found herself craving to hear them more and more.
"Count Holland is a loyal vassal of the Schmichael family, in charge of magic tool distribution."
"I see."
"Why not chat about the recent situation while you're there?"
"Won't Your Excellency be joining?"
Dane had already declared he would go with her. Still, Rose asked on purpose.
"......"
She could feel Sonya, tidying up behind Dane, perking up her ears.
"I have a schedule."
Reading Rose's gaze, Dane answered naturally.
"Isn't it a ladies' party? You can handle it alone."
He looked at her and gave a slight nod, letting her know he understood her intent.
"Yes, understood."
Rose secretly smiled and tucked away the invitation from the Holland family.
"Sonya."
"Yes, Madam."
"Take this and put it on my desk. I need to send a reply later."
Sonya politely took the invitation from Rose. As she did, she stole glances at Dane and Rose sitting across the table.
'So transparent.'
It was obvious why, drawing an involuntary wry smile from Rose.
Rose had deliberately kept Sonya close, pretending to favor her, to gauge when she snooped and what she paid attention to.
'The lab key thing... anyway, that was necessary.'
Afterward, though, she locked the lab door thoroughly. Instead, before Dane left, she rumpled her clothes to make it look that way—it had been too embarrassing.
As a result, most of the servants believed Dane and Rose were indulging in affections in the lab.
"Preparations are coming along."
Dane said, looking around the room.
Rose's wardrobe stood wide open, jewelry boxes and accessory cases all pulled out. Maids bustled about, setting up mirrors.
"Yes, the tailor is coming today, right?"
"That's right."
Rose's gaze unwittingly drifted to Dane's lips.
'Am I going crazy?'
The fact that her lips had touched his felt like a dream. Even that brief moment made her heart race, and every glance at them now drove her mad with awareness.
Yet the man whose lips she had brushed seemed utterly unaffected.
'Well, he did call it a mistake.'
He wasn't the type to be rattled by that much. He groped her butt without hesitation—what was a mere lip touch?
'He probably just thinks it was skin against skin.'
The emotional scale between them, tilted in his favor—Rose still believed it unchanged.
So she didn't notice. While she stared at his lips, he was staring at hers.
Their gazes missed each other, and neither realized the truth.
"The tailor has arrived."
A servant outside announced the visitor.
A striking man entered first, followed by a swarm of his staff, their arms laden with large and small boxes.
'Wait, is that him?'
Rose focused on the man leading the way.
He appeared to be in his mid-forties, with a gentle, affable demeanor. His neatly combed-back hair had not a strand out of place.
Not nobility, but dressed in finely tailored, luxurious clothes. A unique logo was embroidered on his chest.
"Oh ho."
The man let out a low exclamation upon seeing the two.
It wasn't a calculating look. More like the inspired gaze of a creator struck by sudden vision.
"This is Lucesi."
Dane introduced him.
"A steadfast ally serving the Schmichael family since my father's time, and a tailor."
Lucesi's unique designs and bold challenges led social trends. Countless noblewomen and ladies commissioned dresses from him.
'This is the place that made the princess's debutante gown.'
It wasn't exaggeration to say a noblewoman wearing Lucesi's dress became that season's queen of high society.
"I merely received the previous Duke's grace."
Lucesi bowed politely. A boyish smile lit his mature face.
"We called you today to fit a dress for... the Madam of Schmichael."
"I've been looking forward to it."
"Your first tea party calls for the perfect gown."
The situation itself made Rose's heart pound fiercely.
'A personal tailor, just for me.'
In the Vicander family, her sister's dresses came first, and Rose got the leftovers, roughly fitted.
She had never worn a dress tailored precisely to her body. Her father would scold her for not looking ladylike.
'And Lucesi, no less...'
The Vicanders couldn't afford his atelier—it was too expensive, with a long backlog besides.
To think Lucesi was the Schmichaels' exclusive tailor. It made her admire the family anew.
A luxury unimaginable when she bore the Vicander name.
"I've visited Schmichael Castle many times before, but..."
Lucesi bowed toward Dane.
"It's been ages since I've come to fit a lady's dress."
"About three years."
Even amid Lucesi's nostalgic words, Dane's face remained impassive.
"Since then, I've only called you a few times for my own clothes."
"Your Excellency, that is... truly regrettable."
Lucesi trailed off sympathetically, his eyes genuinely caring and concerned for Dane.
"......"
Watching, Rose quietly clasped her hands over her chest.
It showed how long and loyally Lucesi had served the Schmichaels.
'Should I cancel now...?'
She worried if it was right to summon such a man just for her tea party dress. She was only a contract marriage, after all...
"Any preferred styles or must-avoids? The client's wishes come first."
Lucesi was already brimming with enthusiasm.
Clap clap!
At his applause, his staff moved in perfect unison.
In moments, a high-backed chair, work stool, and changing screen were set up.
"Well... as for me."
Rose deferred to Dane.
"Preferred style, eh."
He tapped his chin, scanning her up and down.
"To explain: my wife has a terrible affliction."
"If it's not indiscreet, may I ask what it is? For reference in the fitting."
Lucesi asked with slight tension. Dane answered with disarming ease.
"She thinks she's ugly. Even though she's not."
"......?"
Lucesi's expression turned peculiar. Rose doubted her ears.
Unaware of the mood, Dane continued.
"So do your utmost to cure her of it."
"...Yes."
Lucesi was a true professional. He replied without a flicker of amusement, even now.
"Ah, but."
Dane paused as if to step back, then stopped, something occurring to him.
"Don't make her too cute."
"......"
"She is cute, that's a fact. But she's plenty as is."
For an instant, Rose saw it: Lucesi's jaw trembling.
'He's gritting his teeth...'
Not just Lucesi.
The staff bustled about, but their ears strained toward them. Sonya and the other maid attending Rose bit their lips tight.
"I'll do my... best."
Finally, Lucesi spoke. His voice flawless, as befitted a pro.
"...My very best, Your Excellency."
"Mm."
Dane nodded once and left the room.
"Call me when the first fitting's done."
His face showed no inkling of what he'd just said or the ripples it caused.
Click.
Even after the door shut, silence lingered in the room.
'My wife is cute, that's a fact.'
The words echoed in Rose's mind.
'What did I just hear?'
It was the first time anyone had said such a thing to her.
Gloomy, plain, timid—those hurt her ears.
'Cute? Me?'
And from no one less than Dane? A huge issue(?).
Cute was so soft, so fluffy. Unbelievable from that stern, rigid face.
'Was it the breakfast?'
Rose even thought that far.
The slime pudding... delicious. The orc steak... so tender.
Once she dropped her prejudices, it was exquisite.
It was Lucesi's voice calling her that snapped Rose from her rooted daze.
"Shall we?"
Lucesi stared at her intently, eyes full of interest and fondness.
'Ah.'
Seeing his face, Rose grasped Dane's intent.
Unlike the servants accustomed(?) to Dane and Rose's "affections," Lucesi and his staff knew nothing.
So he'd performed the doting husband in front of everyone on purpose.
"Never seen him like that."
"That's really Duke Schmichael?"
Indeed, Lucesi's staff poked each other, whispering.
'Right, it's part of the contract.'
Rose calmed her pounding heart with that thought. Never imagining his words might be sincere.
Nor that Dane had spoken purely on impulse, without a second thought.