Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: A Fairy's Grand Plan
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"Greetings, Lady Aileen. It is an honor to meet you."
"Helloo."
Madame Seri, who arrived with Rosaria, was an exceptionally glamorous woman.
As I stared at her while she greeted me, she smiled as if she were used to it.
"I never imagined the Astrofel family would have such a cute and adorable young lady."
She took a measuring tape and a notebook from her bag, saying, "There seemed to be many other things in her bag, but I couldn't see them clearly."
Madame Seri approached me and extended the tape measure. It was for taking simple measurements.
"Now, could you raise your arms?"
"Okay."
"Very good. Shall we do it one more time?"
I raised my arms again. To avoid mistakes, she checked the numbers several times before recording them in her notebook.
As I gazed in wonder at the fountain pen adorned with a vibrant feather, the lady spoke.
"It's a peacock feather. I'm a peacock, you see. It's something you can receive when you become a designer."
"Wow. Pwetty."
"You think so?"
Nod, nod.
I gently touched the tip of the feather. It was astonishingly soft. The tip of the multi-colored feather was fitted with a nib.
I tried to imagine a pen made from my own feathers. A short, stubby pen came to mind.
I wish my wings were this pretty.
Thinking of my small, pure white wings and then looking at the brilliant feather before me only magnified my fascination.
After fiddling with it for a while, I handed the pen back. Madame Seri closed her notebook and began to talk business in earnest.
"I believe any color would suit you perfectly, my lady. A bright, solid color would probably be most flattering. Are you very active?"
"She's incredibly energetic. Though for now, it's mostly just running around."
"Then I can be a bit more creative with the design. Lady Aileen, what is your favorite color?"
Listening intently to their conversation, I fell into deep thought.
My favorite color? I like all the colors.
It was hard to pick just one, but since they were both waiting for an answer, I mulled it over and made a decision.
"Aileen wikes pink."
"I'll keep that in mind when making the dress."
"I'm gonna wear a pwetty dwess and make wots of fwiends."
At my ambitious declaration, the lady's eyes widened, and she burst into laughter. Afterward, she confirmed a few more things with Rosaria.
Questions like whether I had any allergies and what the atmosphere of the banquet would be like.
My eyes rolled around until I spotted a piece of fabric peeking out from the bag the lady had brought.
What's that?
As I stared at the bag, she seemed to notice my gaze and opened it for me.
"It seems you're curious about this. I have various samples in here."
"Wow!"
One by one, Madame Seri took out the clothes. Dresses of various designs were lined up in a row. Among them, the one that caught my eye was...
"A faiwy!"
"Oh my, what a lovely little fairy dress."
I pointed to a yellow fairy costume. It was an adorable dress with a hem that curved in soft, round scallops.
A pair of transparent yellow wings was attached to the back, and it seemed to come with a matching set of lace socks and yellow shoes.
"Aileen wants to be a faiwy too!"
"You seem to like this one. Would you like to try it on?"
"Yes!"
Hurry, hurry!
With Rosaria's help, I changed into the outfit. The wings on my back fluttered every time I moved.
Wow, I'm really a fairy!
Rosaria, tying the sash on my waist into a ribbon at the back, exclaimed in admiration.
"How could you be so adorable!"
"It suits you well," Madame Seri said, sipping her tea.
"I'll give that to you as a gift, Lady Aileen. A little something to commemorate our first meeting."
"Aren't you lucky, Lady Aileen!"
"Uh-huh. Thank youu."
I bowed my head in thanks. She placed the clothes that had been laid out back into her bag.
"I will create the most beautiful dress for you at the banquet."
"Thank you, Madame Seri. The payment will be sent from the family."
"I understand, Rosaria."
Her business concluded, Madame Seri rose from her seat. Befitting a designer, her own clothes were ornate and beautiful.
It was an outfit that exuded her personality.
Will my dress turn out that pretty?
As the lady prepared to leave, Rosaria stood up as well, likely to see her guest out.
"Please wait here a moment, Lady Aileen. I'll see Madame Seri off and be right back."
"Okay. See you, Wosaria. Goodbye."
"It was a pleasure meeting you, my lady."
The door closed after the lady's farewell. I looked down again at the fairy dress I had received as a gift.
I loved everything about it, right down to the frilly socks and shoes.
"Hehe. Pwetty."
I was in front of the mirror, moving around and watching the wings flutter from side to side.
*Creak!*
The window, visible beyond the mirror, swung wide open. And...
Arban opened the window and leaped inside.
Seeing my room for the first time, Arban looked around before his eyes landed on me, his face twisting into a bizarre expression.
His gaze scanned me up and down, and he remained silent for a few seconds.
"What are you wearing?"
"Wook at this. Aileen is a faiwy."
"A fairy, my a—"
Arban, about to say something more, quickly shut his mouth.
What was he going to say?
As I stared at him in my fairy costume, he averted his gaze and mumbled, just barely audible.
"Well. It looks like something you'd wear."
"They said Aileen wooks pwetty."
"...Who said you're pretty?"
He finally snapped. I let out a squeal of laughter.
"But why did you come here, Arban?"
"I was just passing by and decided to drop in."
"Where awe you going, Arban?"
Arban grinned.
"To check out the banquet hall. I mean, if you want to come, I guess I could take you."
My mouth fell open.
The banquet hall!
Suddenly, it felt as if Arban himself was sparkling.
"Aileen wants to go too!"
"Then come here."
Arban lifted me up effortlessly. Then, in the blink of an eye, he landed gracefully through the same window he'd entered.
It all happened in an instant.
As I stood there, too stunned to speak, Arban opened his mouth, his tone cynical.
"Cool, right?"
"Arban is weally cool!"
But even after landing, Arban didn't put me down. When I gave him a quizzical look, he scowled and blurted out.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not carrying you because I'm worried your legs will get tired. It's just more convenient this way."
...It was a remarkably earnest and passionate explanation.
The banquet hall was located not far from the main building.
It was in the east wing of the mansion, where many people were bustling about.
With the banquet just a few days away, they seemed very busy. I looked around the hall with wonder.
Dozens of tables were arranged, and a giant chandelier glittered above.
There was a spot for the orchestra to play and a wide-open hall in the center. It truly felt like a party venue.
"If it isn't Young Master Arban and Lady Aileen."
A man pushing a cart stacked high with small boxes recognized us.
"Here to take a look, are you? In just a few more days, all the preparations will be complete."
"What's that?"
I asked, pointing to the small, stacked boxes. The man answered.
"These are small gifts for our invited guests."
"Gifts?"
"Yes. We hand them out one by one after the party is over. Well then, I must take these to the storeroom, so if you'll excuse me."
The man disappeared. I watched the cart as it moved away.
"Aileen wants to give gifts to her fwiends too. Arban, do you know how?"
I wanted to give them gift boxes full of toys and snacks. When I asked, Arban, who was beside me, clicked his tongue.
"You need money to prepare something like that. Do you have any money?"
Money?
Come to think of it, I had never even seen money. Rosaria took care of everything I needed, so I'd never felt the need for it.
I was utterly shocked.
...I don't have any money.
Seeing my devastated face, Arban wore an I-knew-it expression.
Then what should I do? I wanted to prepare gifts too, but I had no money.
"What do I do if I don't have money?"
"You have to work, obviously. Idiot."
"Can Aileen work?"
I asked, full of hope. Arban burst out laughing.
"Who's going to hire someone as tiny as you?"
"Then?"
"Listen carefully."
Arban lowered his voice seriously, as if he would only say this once.
*Gulp.* I swallowed hard.
I'm ready to listen just once.
I focused all my attention, as if I were about to hear a tremendous, secret truth.
"All the money in this house belongs to Father. The treasure vault where all the wealth is gathered, that's all Father's too."
"...Weally?"
"Yeah."
All the money in this house belongs to Kaide.
I shot up straight.
"Ah, well, that's just an expression. If you need money, you don't necessarily have to..."
"Aileen has somewhere to go! Bye-bye, Bwothew Arban!"
Where is Kaide?!
I started walking quickly. With only a week left until the banquet, there was no time to waste.
***
Meanwhile, Arban, left alone, stared at Aileen's retreating back with a look of disbelief.
"...I was about to say you don't have to go to Father, you could just ask Rosaria."
Every year, the heirs were given a yearly allowance. Naturally, Aileen would have one allocated to her as well.
Arban shrugged.
"Whatever."
It would all work out somehow.