Chapter 25
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 25
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Harriet. Allow me to show you to your room."
"Thank you."
"Please, make yourself at home. Would you like your meal brought to your room, or would you prefer to dine in the dining hall?"
"I’ll have it brought to my room... oh?"
"Understood. I’ll take your bag for you."
The obliging maid picked up the bag from the floor and began to lead the way.
Harriet had been stealing glances around the estate ever since she followed the Butler inside, but the Fellon Estate was far grander than the Listerwell Manor. Not only was it vast in scale, but the furnishings within were incomparably magnificent.
To think I’d actually get to live in a place like this...
She was just thinking how glad she was to have mustered the courage to write to Trisha when Esther, who was walking ahead, glanced back.
"We were all curious about who would be coming, but everyone was surprised to see such a young lady. To think you’re the Grand Duchess’s grandniece..."
"Didn’t you find it strange? That out of all her relatives, someone you’d never even seen before was coming to live here?"
"More than that, it was just strange that anyone was coming here to live. We’ve had guests stay for a day or two occasionally, but you’re the first to actually move in with the Grand Duchess."
Now that she thought about it, the mansion felt somewhat desolate for its size. It was likely because there were so few people.
So Great-aunt Trisha has been living alone for thirteen years?
Alone in this vast house. Hadn't she been lonely?
Just then, Esther stopped in front of a door.
"This is the room where you’ll be staying, My Lady. That way is the Grand Duchess’s bedroom, and that is her office. I’ll show you the rest of the estate gradually."
After her brief explanation, Esther smiled sweetly at Harriet and swung the door open.
For a moment, Harriet couldn’t believe her eyes.
"This is... my room...?"
"Yes! We decorated it diligently according to the Grand Duchess’s instructions. Do you like it?"
Harriet slowly looked around the room, her mouth agape.
The walls, curtains, and bed canopy were unified in a soft, muted sky blue, while the dressing table and fireplace were a pristine white. The sofa, couch, and chairs were upholstered in blue paisley patterns, and the walnut wardrobe and table added a sense of gravitas to the space.
An obviously expensive carpet covered the floor, and a display cabinet next to the fireplace showcased delicate teacups and teapots.
Finally, her gaze settled on the vase on the table. It was filled with fresh pink flowers—something Harriet hadn’t been allowed to have even once since she was twelve.
"Do I like it?"
Of course she did. Enough to bring tears to her eyes.
*
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
A carriage, its horses' hooves drumming a cheerful rhythm, traversed Genoa’s bustling thoroughfare. Pedestrians and other carriages alike quickly made way upon recognizing the Fellon family crest emblazoned on the side.
When the carriage stopped in front of the Loubart Clothing Shop on Peyton Street, the shop owner rushed out to greet her guest.
"Welcome, Grand Duchess Fellon! It has been a long time."
"Indeed. It has been a while, Ashley."
"I was quite surprised when you reserved the entire morning. Are you planning a total wardrobe overhaul?"
The question was natural. While Trisha was a big spender at the boutique, she wasn't the type to buy many outfits at once. However, requesting that no other customers be taken for three hours implied she would be ordering a significant number of clothes.
"What would an old woman like me do with so many clothes? I’m not the one you need to focus on today."
Trisha cast a glance over her shoulder.
"Harriet. Say hello. This is Madame Loubart, the owner of the shop I’ve frequented for a long time."
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Harriet Listerwell."
Harriet curtsied slightly toward Madame Loubart, whose surprise was evident. Harriet was curious how the Madame would react, knowing she surely recognized her name.
However, Madame Loubart was not only a fashion designer but also a seasoned merchant. She immediately greeted Harriet with a friendly smile.
"How delightful! My heart is already fluttering at the thought of designing clothes for such a beautiful young lady. Hohoho!"
The words might have been flattery, but Harriet’s heart truly did flutter.
The stylish, luxurious outfits displayed in the shop window, the elegant exterior, the disciplined demeanor of the employees... The shops she used to visit with her parents when she was little had been just like this. Back then, she thought it was normal, but looking back, she realized she’d had a truly privileged childhood.
"Come, please come in."
Madame Loubart personally ushered Trisha and Harriet inside.
As they entered, a waiting employee flipped the sign on the door. From now until 1 PM, no one else could enter the establishment.
Trisha, accustomed to the place, settled onto the sofa in the center of the shop and leaned back.
"We have a lot to do, Ashley. Let’s start with day dresses."
"We haven’t even served tea yet, Madame."
"We didn’t come here for tea, so hurry up."
"Oh dear, you’re still as impatient as ever."
Though she lowered her eyebrows in a show of exasperation, Madame Loubart’s lips betrayed her true feelings. She gestured toward the back, and an employee, as if on cue, brought over a Style Book.
Trisha took it and pushed it toward Harriet.
"For now, you pick something."
Harriet, feeling a bit bewildered, took the Style Book and carefully turned the pages.
Wow, it’s beautiful.
From the very first page, it was full of stunning designs.
When she lived with the Listerwells, she couldn't have clothes made at a shop of this caliber. While Bella had her dresses made at expensive boutiques, Harriet was only allowed to go to places that were barely a step above commoner shops.
John would boast that it was "quite an expensive place," but she couldn't help but notice the difference from the clothes she wore as a child. The fabric that touched her skin back then had been incredibly coarse.
This place seems even more expensive than the shops I went to as a child.
She could tell just by looking at the clothes Madame Loubart and her employees wore. The designs might not have been overly trendy, but the delicate details made all the difference.
Harriet tried to contain her excitement as she scanned the Style Book. Finally, she pointed to a simple, neat design.
"I think this one would be good. It won't show dirt easily, and it’s simple enough to wear anywhere."
It was partly chosen to appeal to Trisha, who seemed conservative, but the dark gray dress was also economical; changing the shawl would give it an entirely different feel.
Trisha glanced at the design Harriet had chosen, then frowned.
"Are you picking out mourning clothes?"
"Pardon?"
"Since you’re young, wear something brighter. That way you’ll stand out, and standing out is how you make connections. You aren't bad-looking, so why are you so lacking in confidence?"
At her words, Harriet unconsciously touched her face.
Considering Trisha’s eccentric nature, "you aren't bad-looking" was practically a glowing compliment. Having heard only that she was ugly for nearly ten years, the compliment made her so happy it was almost embarrassing. It had been a long time since she felt someone saw her as beautiful.
Her depleted confidence seemed to rise just a little.
Harriet hesitated, then turned a few more pages. She pointed to a design she had only admired with her eyes because it was so pretty.
"Then... how about this one?"
It was a dress made of gray striped fabric, adorned with a yellow ribbon. She was wary, fearing she’d be scolded for still choosing gray, but Trisha nodded readily.
"That would suit you well. Your eye isn't bad."
Even that small acknowledgment made her heart pound. But just as Harriet was savoring a feeling of quiet pride—
"That one, and I think something like this would also suit you."
Trisha began flipping through the pages of the Style Book rapidly.
What she chose was, in fact, closer to the latest trends than what Harriet had picked: a white dress accented with black lines and ribbons, a bright yellow dress, and a solid purple and plaid dress designed for autumn.
"Hmm, perhaps we should also get some Empire dresses or muslin dresses..."
Trisha, muttering to herself, called Madame Loubart over and pointed decisively at various designs.
"This one, this one, this one, and this one too."
"Oh my, what a keen eye you have. These will truly suit Lady Harriet. This striped dress the Lady chose can also have a separate jacket made to wear over it. Shall we make one in a different color?"
"Ah, that’s a good idea. Make another one in a slightly darker shade than the stripes."
Trisha and Madame Loubart were growing excited, but Harriet, standing beside them, was so flustered her eyes widened.
"G-Great-aunt Trisha. I think we’re buying too much."
"What are you talking about? We’ve only just picked out day dresses. The production time is tight, and we haven’t even chosen anything for winter yet. Ashley, let’s look at evening gowns next."