Chapter 26
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26
“You really must decide on your evening gowns soon. They require quite a bit of time to tailor, after all.”
Once again, a waiting attendant stepped forward and deftly opened a Style Book for them.
Even Harriet, who had been dismissively waving her hand and insisting there were already too many, found her gaze involuntarily drawn to the dazzling illustrations of the dresses.
“Oh, are you familiar with the style so popular among young ladies these days? The one with the tiered, pleated tulle.”
“Ah, that dress? It is incredibly labor-intensive, which does drive the price up, but it is certainly breathtaking once worn.”
“Let’s see the design,” Trisha said. “When you’re young, you should indulge in the latest fashions at least once.”
“You are absolutely right, Madame. One should wear such things when they are at their most beautiful.”
Madame Loubart quickly turned to the corresponding page before Trisha could change her mind.
“This one is the best. I think a subdued pink would suit this perfectly.”
“An excellent choice. However, if you have a bright dress, it is also wise to prepare something more substantial and elegant. The moment I saw Miss Harriet, this particular gown came to mind. We happen to have a fabric in a truly exquisite shade of forest green.”
Madame Loubart closed the Style Book without so much as a rustle. Her skill at subtly upselling other designs was extraordinary.
‘Great-aunt Trisha wouldn’t actually fall for such obvious sales tactics, would she?’
Just as Harriet was about to force an awkward smile and intervene, Trisha nodded.
“Hmm, not bad. I’d like these ruffles to be a slightly darker green than the main fabric.”
“We can certainly accommodate that change for you. Gold or emerald accessories would be lovely with it, and perhaps a pink corsage to add a touch of brightness.”
“Then let’s add the corsage as well.”
“Of course!”
Madame Loubart’s reply was tinged with a delighted hum. The employee standing nearby diligently noted down every addition.
Harriet, who had been staring blankly at the scene as if her soul had departed her body, finally snapped back to reality and shook her head.
“Great-aunt Trisha! This is too much! Do you realize how many outfits we’ve picked out already?”
Six day dresses, two evening gowns, additional blouses, and a corsage. This haul was easily worth more than a high-end carriage.
However, Trisha only looked at Harriet with exasperation.
“Do you think succeeding in High Society costs a mere pittance? Think about it. Would you be interested in a young lady who only ever wears the same dress?”
“Well, no...”
“Didn’t you say you wanted to succeed spectacularly? That you wanted the freedom to live without caring what others think?”
“I did.”
“To succeed on your own in this world as a young lady, you need courage. You are barely preparing to stand at the starting line; do not tremble over something as small as this.”
Harriet had been constantly self-conscious and apologetic, terrified of spending someone else’s money, but Trisha was right. Her plan to re-enter High Society and claw her way to the top required substantial capital.
‘I was naive. To think a few pieces of gold would be enough.’
Harriet swept away the psychological barrier that had been holding her back. To win big, one had to bet big.
‘Even if it feels like I’ve become a gambler.’
She clenched her fists and looked Trisha in the eye.
“Thank you. I will gladly accept your help, Great-aunt Trisha. I promise to repay this debt someday.”
She spoke with a solemn heart, but Trisha merely snorted as if amused.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. I never asked for repayment in the first place.”
“But—”
“When you have as much money as I do, you can afford this. Besides, it’s fun—like playing dress-up with a doll for the first time in years.”
Perhaps embarrassed by her own sentiment, a few dry coughs followed her sentence.
Madame Loubart, standing nearby, offered a subtle smile. “Playing dress-up with our shop’s finest... Miss Harriet, I envy you. Most young ladies, even from the best families, would find such a thing difficult to manage.”
“Nonsense,” Trisha barked. “Start taking her measurements at once. We have many other places to go today.”
“Yes, Madame!”
Madame Loubart gave a bright, crinkling-eyed smile and helped Harriet up.
* * *
“You’ll be attending the tea party today, won’t you?”
The refined accent of the Astorian Empire flowed from her soft voice. In such small details, Cedric was reminded anew that his mother was a member of the Imperial Family.
“Of course.”
His pronunciation, too, was perfect—exactly as his mother had taught him. It was a slightly hushed, melodic way of speaking, devoid of any common rolling of the tongue or harsh accents.
He sometimes found it ironic that their familial connection was most evident in their speech.
‘Otherwise, it’s hard to find any trace of us having lived together.’
His mother, who had once passionately loved his father, had begun taking lovers around the time Cedric turned ten. By the time he was fifteen, she spent more days away from the estate than at home.
It was only after Rowan’s death that she began to spend more time at the Ducal House.
‘And she even had the gall to bring her lovers here.’
It was unpleasant, but he didn’t interfere. Who was he to oppose a lifestyle his father had accepted? He had no intention of trying to replace her lovers as a source of her happiness, either.
For now, he simply fulfilled his duty as a son by appearing at the parties she hosted.
“Take good care of your mother, Cedric.”
His father had uttered those words with his final breath, but Cedric didn’t know how to do more, nor did he wish to find a way to bridge the gap between them.
* * *
The tea party held today was primarily attended by the ladies of the Imperial Family’s collateral branches.
Their interests and ages varied, but meeting regularly to strengthen their bonds was essential for maintaining the Imperial Family’s influence. For Cedric, who had to endure all sorts of nagging at these events, it was hardly a welcome occasion.
“Jeremia. When do you plan to marry off your son? Surely such a perfect groom isn’t remaining a bachelor for lack of suitors.”
“That very thing has happened, Auntie,” Jeremia replied. “He still doesn’t have a woman he’s courting.”
“Is that true, Cedric? Of course, you’ve been through a war, and with Rowan’s passing, it wasn’t exactly the time for romance—but it’s high time you started considering marriage proposals. Shall I play matchmaker for you?”
As expected, the topic of marriage arose.
Cedric didn’t understand why they acted as if the family would collapse the moment the head remained unmarried, but he saw no need for anger. He knew that no one at this gathering could actually force the Duke of Kailas to do anything.
Today, as always, he politely and nonchalantly brushed them off.
“How could I trouble my great-aunt? I am indeed looking, but I wish to wait until my heart is truly stirred.”
“For both illnesses and marriage proposals, you need to spread rumors to get the best results! Perhaps I should—!”
“You know what happens when rumors spread, don’t you?” Cedric interrupted smoothly. “Even now, there are far too many who brazenly throw themselves at me.”
As if she herself had become one of those ‘brazenly throwing themselves at him,’ the woman eventually backed down.
In this manner, Cedric endured the tedious afternoon, engaging in the usual polite drivel. He only found someone who piqued his interest when the refreshments were nearly finished.
‘So, that lady is here as well.’
The subject of the rumors he had recently heard was quietly sipping tea at the edge of a table. The news had been quite unexpected, and he was curious about the circumstances.
When the refreshment hour ended and the guests began to wander freely through the garden, he slowly approached her. Conveniently, she was walking toward a secluded spot, making it easy to strike up a conversation.
“It has been a long time, Countess Fellon.”
“Duke Kailas?”
Slightly surprised, she quickly regained her composure and inquired after his well-being.
“Indeed, it has been quite a while. Have you been well?”
Trisha Fellon. She had become the Head of the Fellon Family according to the will of the late Count Fellon, a collateral member of the Imperial Family.
It seemed she hadn’t officially announced it yet, but according to the information he had obtained, she had recently become someone’s guardian.
Considering her strained relationship with her relatives, it was an unexpected decision—especially since the ward in question was someone currently being ridiculed by High Society.
“I heard you have a guest at the Fellon Estate.”
“How did you know?”
“I happened to hear.”
Trisha clicked her tongue. It seemed she had tried to keep the news from spreading for as long as possible. However, she didn’t bother to deny it.
“My grand-niece is staying with me. Her circumstances are quite pitiful, and I was once indebted to her parents, so I agreed to become her guardian. It’s hardly something for the Duke to concern himself with.”
Cedric smiled faintly.
Of course, it wasn’t something to concern himself with. He no longer felt any responsibility toward the girl. Hadn’t he already cleared his conscience by sending her a scarf, even after she refused his offer of help?
Speaking to Trisha now was merely a way to pass the time.
“I’m simply glad that you, who have lived alone for so long, have found family.”
“Well, the guardianship is initially set for two years. Who knows what will happen after that.”
“And what does Miss Harriet plan to do once those two years are up?”