Baron Pergia mostly crafted designs that clashed with Liliana’s small, delicate frame.
So Iris recommended another designer for Liliana.
That day, the mansion was thrown into chaos.
“She absolutely refuses to wear anything but that designer’s dress. She told everyone too!”
“Liliana’s asking this much; just do it. It’s not that hard.”
In the end, Iris managed to persuade Baron Pergia to create a design suited to Liliana.
Thanks to that, Liliana became the center of attention at that year’s Sacred Festival as well.
“See? I told you. What if you’d listened to me?”
Liliana’s boastful face was still vivid in Iris’s mind.
“I already know what will be trendy in the social circles from now on.”
With knowledge of the future, Iris’s Sacred Festival banquet could be far more successful.
“I even know how Baron Pergia made those trends in the past.”
If she wanted to exploit the advantage, she could easily do so.
“…But I don’t want to.”
Of course, it could have helped protect Cedric, especially if he held influence in the social world.
“But that’s not my role.”
The trends at that time belonged to those who toiled to create them.
Seizing others’ glory was unjust.
Iris didn’t want to steal their efforts or their shining future.
“Are there no designers you like?”
Cedric asked, watching Iris in deep thought.
“If not, I’ll look into others.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Iris asked carefully,
“Would it be okay if it’s a designer not on this list?”
“Of course.”
“I’d like to try a dress from a designer named Madame Lucia, though she hasn’t had much success yet.”
Madame Lucia was the designer Iris had recommended to Liliana before.
But Liliana rejected her because she wasn’t famous.
Iris had hoped to entrust her own dress to Lucia but had been too busy to find the time.
Despite her excellent skill, Lucia had somehow never risen to prominence.
“Is that so?”
“She’s the designer at Lucia’s Atelier. If it’s alright, may I receive a dress from her?”
Cedric nodded briefly and murmured, “Madame Lucia…”
Smiling slyly with his arms crossed, he looked at Iris.
“Very well. I’ll bring her here.”
He threw open the closed window, and the passing breeze fluttered his shining black hair.
Cedric leapt out of the window with a dazzling smile—an action only possible for a swordmaster like him.
“Your Highness?”
Iris approached the window, and Cedric, already landed below, waved at her.
She smiled awkwardly.
“No need to be so quick…”
Madame Lucia’s Atelier.
Lucia, her chestnut hair pinned up, carefully dusted off the dresses.
Expensive dresses spoil if left unattended even briefly. If a customer saw them damaged, it would be a disaster.
Lucia sighed deeply, focusing on dusting.
“I’ve made many dresses for the Sacred Festival banquet…”
A grand event like the Sacred Festival was a great opportunity to prosper. But Lucia’s salon had not thrived.
“If only I had a chance…”
With dependents relying on her, needing money, Lucia felt truly unfortunate.
Jingle—
The shop door opened with the sound of a bell.
“Is this Lucia’s Atelier?”
A man strolled in leisurely.
Lucia unconsciously parted her lips, staring at the visitor.
“I thought I’d seen many beautiful people in my life…”
While working as an assistant at other ateliers, she had seen many noble beauties.
But none as stunning as this.
“Is he even human?”
Jet black hair, red eyes. Perfectly drawn features.
Every step he took was soaked in natural dignity and style.
“L-Lord Leontheim?!”
His appearance was already famous in the capital.
Lucia answered with utmost grace, fitting for a guest of his rank.
“Y-yes, y-yes, this is Lucia’s Atelier, but, L-Lord Leontheim, what brings you here?”
She failed to maintain composure.
“Sent by your lady wife.”
“By your lady wife’s introduction? Welcome.”
Lucia did not recall the Duchess of Leontheim among her clients.
But that didn’t matter now. Smiling warmly, she rubbed her palms together and spoke.
“What style of dress does the Duchess prefer? Or shall I bring some to show her myself?”
“Is that really necessary?”
Cedric cast a sidelong glance at the dresses hanging in the atelier and said,
“I’ll purchase them all.”
Lucia gathered all the dresses and arrived at the Lilac Estate.
‘So this is the famed Lilac Estate!’
Though the season had yet to arrive and the lilacs had not bloomed, the place was impressive even without them.
Statues and gardens arranged with refined aesthetics, pristine white walls meticulously maintained without a single mark.
It was far more immaculate and beautiful than she had heard.
“We’ve been expecting you. Are you Madam Lucia?”
The steward greeted Lucia, who was admiring the estate as if entranced.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Please this way. The Duchess awaits you.”
Behind them, attendants expertly carried the dresses.
‘I wonder what the Duchess of Leontheim is like.’
Chapter 56