Chapter 53
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 053
Chapter Title: Tailoring (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Luceci greeted Rose beside the partition.
"It's an honor to meet you like this, Madam."
"I'm no good at this sort of thing. I'll trust your eye for it."
Rather than putting on airs, Rose chose to speak frankly. Luceci paused for a moment, then flashed an even warmer smile.
"Before we begin, may I say a few words?"
"Go ahead."
Luceci waved away the staff and maids who were approaching, then lowered his voice so only Rose could hear.
"I've served His Excellency Dane since he was a child."
Luceci's eyes grew distant as he recalled the past.
"He was never one to open his heart easily. He always acted as if life was terribly boring."
As she listened, Rose quietly imagined Dane's childhood.
A young face with a stern expression. He probably never shed a tear, even if he tripped over a rock.
"At some point, he stopped giving his heart at all. He didn't want to see those he cared for destroyed."
"I see."
"To hear such words from him... Frankly, I was shocked. He seemed like a completely different person."
That's because he puts on a perfect act in front of others...
Rose held back those words and offered only a faint smile.
Dane's performance was so convincing that even she sometimes fell for it. If it looked that way to her, others would believe it without a doubt.
"I've always hoped His Excellency would one day bring someone precious to me. I never imagined it would be today."
Luceci placed one hand over his heart and vowed solemnly.
"I'll do my utmost to create a dress worthy of you, Madam. Perfect enough to satisfy even the late Duke and Duchess."
Ordinary tailors calculated the client's payment and the reception their work would get in high society.
But Luceci showed no interest in such things right now. He was thinking only of Dane and Rose.
"...I appreciate your efforts."
Rose found herself genuinely moved by his earnest pledge.
Luceci smiled gently, then...
"Now, let's get to the main point."
His expression changed in an instant. His eyes sharpened like blades.
Wasn't that just the main point...?
While Rose blinked in surprise, Luceci slowly circled around her.
"Madam, let me ask you one thing. What does a dress need to shine?"
"Jewels?"
"No."
"Fine fabric?"
"That's not it either."
Thud.
Luceci stopped and stated flatly,
"A good model."
"Hmm."
Only then did Rose understand what he meant.
He's saying I'm too ugly to bring out the best in any dress.
The moment that thought crossed her mind and she started to bow her head,
"Did you just blame your own appearance?"
Luceci asked, as if peering into her soul.
"-!"
Rose froze in shock.
"That's not what I meant at all. Now I see why His Excellency said what he did."
Luceci shrugged.
"Even if I dress you in the perfect gown, it means nothing if you keep your head down like that."
"......"
"You're going to a tea party, aren't you? Will you stay all huddled up there too?"
Luceci's eyes, honed from years of observing noblewomen, were keen. A single glance had pierced straight to the root of her issue.
"The Schmichaels do not bow their heads. Hold your shoulders back with pride."
Luceci's words rang true a hundred times over.
Rose straightened her chest and fixed her gaze forward. Just correcting her posture filled her with an unexpected surge of strength.
"Understood. I'll keep that in mind."
"Excellent posture. And..."
Another critique. Her heart tightened, but she didn't let it show.
Luceci hid a secret smile at Rose's composed demeanor.
"You have a habit of reading others' faces, Madam."
"......"
"The Schmichaels need never do that. Make others read yours."
"Hmm..."
This one was trickier.
Years of gauging others'—mostly her family's—moods had ingrained the habit deep in her bones. How could she fix it?
"No need to look far."
As if reading her thoughts, Luceci tossed out,
"Don't you have an excellent role model right nearby?"
"...You mean my husband?"
"Precisely. When managing your expressions proves difficult, think: 'What would His Excellency do?' and follow suit."
"He's mostly expressionless, though."
"Expressionless? That's far too mild a term."
Luceci shook his head.
"Is that even an expression? It's one of utter contempt. Those cold eyes unleash a torrent of silent scorn—no one can withstand it."
...Is he insulting His Excellency right now?
Rose eyed Luceci, briefly questioning his loyalty.
"That's it exactly!"
Luceci's face lit up in an instant.
"That expression you just made—perfect!"
"......"
"Stare them down silently, without betraying your emotions. That's pressure enough. You're the lady of the house now, after all."
Setting aside her judgment of his loyalty for the moment,
He has a point.
Rose deemed his advice valuable enough.
The tea party would surely draw Dane's ex-wives and others eager to tear her down under the guise of her reputation.
She couldn't just endure it. She was Rose Schmichael now.
Right. I'll imitate His Excellency from now on.
Rose clenched her fist, vowing to mimic Dane's expressions diligently.
Then a thought struck her.
He's not always expressionless, though.
At first, she'd thought him as unfeeling as stone. But now, Rose knew he had subtle shifts in expression.
When he had much to say, he clamped his lips tight.
When lost in thought, the noble ridge of his brow stood out sharply.
When displeased, he blinked twice lightly.
Details only Rose, who had observed him up close and personal, could catch. These tiny truths set her heart racing.
Anyway, I'll give it my best.
Rose shook her head and steeled herself.
"That's helpful. My thanks for your insight."
Luceci gazed at her steadily for a moment, then broke into a bright smile.
"I'm the one grateful that you took my words to heart without reservation."
Then he murmured softly,
"You're already starting to resemble His Excellency..."
Clap!
Luceci clapped his hands, summoning the staff and maids.
"Shall we begin?"
Rose was dragged behind the partition and swiftly stripped down to her undergarments by the maids.
"You have an excellent complexion, Madam. Inspiration struck the moment I saw you."
At the maids' signal, Luceci approached with fabric in hand.
"This rich blue-green hue... Perfect. Only you could pull it off."
He held it against her body, then,
"Shall we surprise His Excellency?"
Luceci grinned.
After that, Rose was put through the wringer by Luceci.
She donned and doffed dresses endlessly, as he pinned fabric, adjusted seams, and repeated the process infinitely.
It's dizzying...
No wonder her sister had spent all day with the tailor—it must have been like this.
"I'll tailor the waist precisely to fit. Maintain this size until the tea party."
"The sleeve length like so. It's for indoor wear, so this should suffice."
Rose had never given such deep thought to her preferences in dresses. Answering was tough.
But she did her best to respond, and she was quite satisfied with how her reflection changed.
Feels like playing dress-up with a doll.
She looked a bit prettier than usual. Thanks to Luceci's careful color choices matched to her hair and complexion.
"This should do it. You'll be leading the winter trends with my new collection, Madam."
"That much—"
Rose nearly dismissed it out of habit, but recalled Luceci's words and stopped.
Speak confidently, without shrinking back.
I am a Schmichael. Rose Schmichael.
"...Yes, that seems possible."
"Splendid, Madam."
Luceci beamed, as if that were the perfect answer.
"Let's wrap up. I'll fetch His Excellency."
The maids swarmed, dabbing her face, glossing her lips, and shaping her brows.
Their eyes gleamed with zeal.
"We'll make you beautiful, Madam!"
"We've waited for this day!"
Usually, they only did light touch-ups, but this was full-scale.
She could feel their fervent, almost personal passion to astonish Dane with her transformation.
His Excellency is coming...
Rose watched her face change in the mirror, her heart pounding faster by the second.
Soon, Dane's voice came from beyond the partition.
"Is it done?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Luceci greeted him.
"I'll show you all five muslin dresses we brought today. We've already fitted them to Madam's measurements."
"Begin."
The room fell silent as Dane settled in to wait. The only sounds were the rustles of maids adjusting her dress.
Thump, thump.
Her heart raced wildly.
The moment had arrived: donning dresses made just for her, and showing them first to her husband.
"First dress. Using deep navy silk for a serene vibe."
The maid drew back the partition, revealing Dane on the sofa, staring intently.
"......"
Arms crossed, he scanned her up and down with an inscrutable expression.
Thump, thump, thump.
Rose met his gaze without flinching, though she couldn't stop her cheeks from heating.
"It accentuates your fair, translucent skin. It suits the Schmichael dignity perfectly."
As Luceci finished explaining, silence blanketed the room. Everyone held their breath, awaiting Dane's reaction.