# 8 -
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“You must be Miss Elliot. I've heard a lot about you. I'm Seret Inuhhater.”
“Oh, so you know me.”
Lydia replied with a gentle smile, although her expression was a little surprised—How could a foolish villager like you know who I am?
Seret answered kindly.
“Miss Elliot is very famous, even where I live. Rumors reach the countryside too, you know.”
“I wonder what kind of rumours?”
“You are beautiful. You are the most dazzling and precious flower in high society, admired by everyone. I read that in a magazine.”
Born from a lowly prostitute, yet acting like a noble princess—it was disgusting. But Seret swallowed her true feelings and smiled gently.
“The magazine must have exaggerated.”
Lydia sent a playful wink.
“After seeing you in person, it doesn't seem like any exaggeration.”
After that, Lydia looked at Seret up and down and suddenly linked her arm with Seret's arm affectionately.
Syrette caught the scent of Lydia's favorite perfume and felt her stomach turn.
“Miss Enohater, may I guess why you are here in the store? It must be for the empire ball dress, right?”
“Yes. The dress I brought was torn.”
Seret responded with an embarrassed look.
"Oh, my God."
Lydia gave a sympathetic look.
“Hearing about the torn dress, Yua—I mean, His Highness the Duke said he would give me a new dress. I know it’s rude of me, but I accepted.”
“This is not rude at all. You are engaged. This is only natural.”
The moment Seret referred to her fiancé as “Yua—,” Lydia’s gaze became momentarily cold, though a dazzling smile soon returned to her face.
But Syrett knew—that a dazzling smile was often a mask for annoyance or anger. She couldn't help but laugh.
“Is that really okay? Yua—Oh, God, I keep making mistakes. I meant Your Highness. That’s what he told me himself.”
She deliberately spoke incorrectly, pretending to be familiar with Yuan, to tease Lidya a little.
“He's very kind and generous, isn't he? Even the butler gave specific instructions—to make sure Miss Enohater would get everything she wanted.”
Madame Barne interjected with a cheerful expression.
“Oh, Yuan was always this nice. We were childhood friends, so I know him well.”
Lydia said with a sweet smile. Seret replied with a forced smile.
What Lydia said was true, while Seret's words were a lie. Bitterness filled her mouth.
“What do you think of this, Miss Innaughter? Let me help you choose a dress. I know Yuan’s taste very well.”
Lydia's eyes sparkled.
To others, it might seem like a sincere offer of help, but Seret, who knew Lydia's true nature, was not fooled.
Lydia would undoubtedly find a way to intervene.
"You're so kind. I really appreciate it."
Seret smiled sweetly at Lydia. Imitating Lydia's expressions was second nature to her now.
“Oh, nothing.”
“I would be grateful, but unfortunately, I don't think today is a good day. My maid is very shy, you see. I grew up in the country, so...”
Seret looked at Hana with a regretful expression.
The quick-witted Hanna immediately lowered her head with a shy, frightened look—as if she was truly afraid of strangers.
“Sometimes she faints around unfamiliar people. She's been nervous ever since we arrived in the capital.”
Seret smiled at Hana and then continued her words to Lydia.
"Oh, my God."
Lydia looked at Hana like she was some kind of fool, then responded.
“I am impressed by how much you care for your maid, Miss Enohater. I suppose I will have to give up the honor of assisting you—for now.”
Seret responded with a disappointed look.
“Please help me next time.”
“Madame Barn, I will come again. Please take good care of Miss Innwheater.”
With that, Lydia left, as if she were an old friend entrusting a dear person to Madame Barne.
Once Lydia left, Seret let out a small sigh. The encounter was short, but it drained all her energy.
“Come in.”
Madame Barn smiled warmly at Seret.
As Seret entered the shop, she thought to herself: This short encounter would certainly spread far and wide across Madame Barne's lips.
“Here's the dress.”
As soon as they entered, Madame Barn brought the dress. The light purple dress really suited Seret, just as she claimed.
“If I hadn't taken your advice, I would have regretted it.”
Sererite admired the dress. It was the latest model in the capital.
The lavender satin was covered with white lace that flowed like waves. The neckline and sleeves were completely covered in lace, creating a graceful yet sexy atmosphere.
Wearing this to the Emperor's party—no one would dare call her a foolish villager.
“Would you like to try it?”
“Yes, I will.”
Seret nodded.
A few minutes later, she came out wearing the lavender dress, and Hannah gasped in awe.
"Miss! You look absolutely stunning!"
Pride filled Hannah's face. Her eyes sparkled with the firm belief that her lady was far more beautiful than any noble from the capital.
“Your maid has good taste.”
Madame Barn laughed as she adjusted the size. Seret looked at herself in the mirror.
The dress made her golden hair and blue eyes shine even brighter.
The color combination was perfect, as if the dress had been made just for her.
“It's clearly yours.”
Seret smiled at Eve's admiration.
“With Madam Barn's exceptional skill, I don't even need to try on another dress. I'll have this.”
The dress looked nicer on the hanger than it did on the hanger. Seret was happy.
“Okay. Let me take your measurements then.”
While Madame Barn was measuring it, she was chattering away, saying that she was so happy that someone could finally do justice to the dress, and laughing that she was worried that it might never find a suitable owner.
Once the measurements were finished, Seret stayed a little longer, listening to Madame Barne's chatter.
“They say that His Highness the Crown Prince finds Miss Elliot a thorn in his side. It must be uncomfortable for her. Fortunately His Majesty the Emperor is still around, but...”
Although she looked sympathetic, Barn's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
She bragged that even the Crown Princess often came to her to gossip.
Eager to educate this naive country girl about the gossip of high society in the capital, Madame Barne continued the conversation.
But Siret already knew everything Barn said—and much more. She had lived it all once before.
For example, she knew that the Emperor was about to die. And that after his death, Lydia would hastily marry the second son of the low-ranking Viscount Bronck.
It would be better if Lidya married Yuan instead.
With that thought, Seret continued to smile elegantly as she listened.
***
After leaving Madame Barn's shop, Syrette headed to the department store at Hana's request.
Their carriage stopped out front, and Hannah—who was riding next to the driver—rushed forward.
“It's huge, miss!”
Hannah opened her mouth. The building was truly enormous—worthy of the word great.
“It really is.”
Even in her previous life, Seret had never set foot in a department store. Although this store belongs to the Freaktwister family.
They had long-standing business relationships, so there was no need at all.
Department stores were mostly used by the less wealthy nobility and the middle class.
The Duchess of the Frecktwister family certainly didn't shop here—so Seret didn't either, yet.
“They say there are more people than products here.”
Eve stood next to her and commented.
“It seems so.”
Seret laughed and entered. Hannah called behind her, “Wait for me, miss!”
As Eve said, the department store was crowded and chaotic. It felt like one could easily get lost.
But it wasn't annoying. In fact, it was quite the opposite.
Seeing all the excited faces and bustling movement made her feel alive again. The terrible memory of the poisoning felt like a distant dream.
"Eve, I'd like to buy an umbrella. Where should we go?"
“They should be on the third floor. Please follow me.”
Although Eve was a baron's daughter, her family was not wealthy. She often shopped here and knew her way around.
She led Seret and Hanna towards the elevator.
They had to wait several minutes for their turn—it was crowded.
Even Seret's face lit up with excitement. In her previous life, she had never been near an elevator.
“At first, people thought it was dangerous. But now, some come here just to ride one.”
“D.C. is really different.”
Hannah spoke in awe. She looked a little sad when they had to get out of the elevator.
“Nothing like Mocelli.”
Seret smiled and replied. Eve led them to the parachute section.
Inside the store, Seret walked around slowly and eventually selected a white umbrella that seemed just right.
Then, a familiar voice called from behind.
“Did you like this?”
Seret turned in surprise—she recognized the voice immediately.
Duke Yuan Freaktwister stood there with a slight smile.
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