Chapter 37 - 37

"I-I dare to b-beg, Your Majesty, C-Countess. I know that the finest materials will soon arrive from across the Western Sea. Please allow me to use them to make the Countess's clothes."

Inspiration was rushing madly into her head.

As a creator, she had to seize this.

Her life's masterpiece will be born!

'...Is that something to kneel for?'

Charlize, who came from the modern world, didn't understand.

Couldn't you say that without kneeling? Wouldn't Charlize like a bit of flattery?

Of course, Charlize didn't realize that fear was deeply embedded in the minds of the maids, designers, and assistants due to the previous incident in this room.

"I permit it."

Roxidian, who had been watching quietly, gave permission.

The designer Rona's face brightened, and Charlize just tilted her head.

Rona was thrilled to have the chance to capture an inspiration that would never come again.

She swore allegiance to the Emperor for life.

Roxidian held his chin and slowly tilted his head.

'She looks just like Mother.'

The late Empress, the former Countess of Altsbeit and mother of Roxidian and Charlize, was famous as the empire's greatest beauty during her lifetime, just like Charlize now.

"For the next thousand years, there won't be a woman as beautiful as your mother."

His father, who was extremely blunt, would spout such cheesy lines in front of their mother.

However, while their mother had more downward-slanting eyes, Charlize took after their father, having the same eye corners as him.

Looking at her, Roxidian thought of his deceased mother.

'It's incomparable to clothes made by designers hired by the likes of Altsbeit, after all.'

Roxidian, though his sister was foolish, had the conviction not to let her wear cheap clothes.

If his aide Noah knew this thought, he would have told the truth that Altsbeit wouldn't let Charlize wear cheap clothes, but he didn't think that far.

Roxidian smiled crookedly.

"Wow, clothes make the man."

"..."

"Lucky you. You look less pathetic?"

Charlize, who had been intently looking in the mirror, glared at her brother through the reflection.

It was like, 'This guy is ruining the mood', she thought.

Roxidian could clearly read what Charlize was thinking.

She was probably cursing him out.

"The Imperial designer is excellent, isn't he? Incomparable to Altsbeit's, I mean."

"...If you have such an excellent designer, why do your clothes look like that?"

Then why do yours look like that when you're wearing clothes made by the Imperial designer?

At Charlize's remark, Roxidian got irritated. No, he was dumbfounded.

"Heh, where in the empire is there someone who carries clothes as well as me? Little sister, your eyes might be just for decoration, but look properly, huh?"

"There is."

Charlize tilted her head.

Her expression was haughty yet calm.

"The Duke of Lemut."

"Huh?"

"When it comes to carrying clothes, even without using any fancy materials, he's the best in the empire."

"..."

Roxidian got angry and jumped up from his seat.

"How dare you compare me to that rotten bastard?"

"When did I compare you? I just said there was a man as handsome as that in my eyes."

Charlize tilted her head, slightly frowning as if to say 'Why are you like this?'

"It's not like I said you're ugly. Why are you getting so angry?"

"Are you defending that bastard in front of me?"

"...No, I mean, when did I ever?"

Charlize felt very wronged.

* * *

'Why is he like that?'

I was dumbfounded.

I only answered that yes, there is someone who carries clothes well besides you, and he had a huge outburst.

What, did he want me to say, 'Oh yes yes, you're the best, the best tyrant, the greatest madness! Thrilling! You're the best!' something like that?

I don't know what he dislikes so much about my fiance.

But he should at least admit that there are other handsome men in the world besides him.

I was about to say something but clamped my mouth shut.

'Mother.'

I saw a golden light flicker in Roxidian's eyes.

Wait, wait a minute! Is he so pissed off that he's about to rage?

'Huh, is he a narcissist? He must really love himself.'

I slightly frowned and put my hand on my necklace.

Even though I was wearing the blue diamond necklace, I hadn't taken off the one Charlize's mother gave me.

Of course, it's my most precious treasure and lifeline, I can't take it off.

...If I forgot, that tyrant brother might kill me.

Whether he sensed my intention, the tyrant seemed to come to his senses.

Thankfully, I didn't have to use the necklace in front of so many people, nor did I have to see him make that embarrassed face again.

I didn't really want to see him get angry about being embarrassed.

'I'd rather not have this ability known, either.'

Roxidian brushed his hair back.

He still looked very displeased, but it seemed he wouldn't get any angrier.

"Anyway, just make sure to wear that properly when you come to the banquet."

"Oh, the necklace?"

"What?"

"This."

"..."

The tyrant brother looked at me as if to say 'Why ask something so obvious?'

Oh, so this is mine?

Soon after, he grumbled that I could keep the necklace too, and I felt a little excited.

It seems the memories and information Charlize has are affecting me, even if slightly.

Why am I happy to get something Charlize wanted?

'Well, since he gave it to me, I could sell it later, right?'

Ms. Charlize, you have received an asset as a gift. It felt like a message.

The things Grandfather gives are either easily traceable or monitored.

Having something like this couldn't hurt.

...Should I sell this after the banquet and contribute to my fiance's debt?

Then would he be happy?

"Hey, are you listening?"

"Huh?"

"Heh, you're not focused, are you?"

I laughed awkwardly and took my hand off the necklace.

"What did you say?"

"I'll come to pick you up on the day of the Goddess's blessing banquet, so wear that properly and come."

"...Huh?"

I paused. What did he say?

'Coming to pick me up means he'll be my escort at the banquet, right?'

What is an escort?

A partner's role at a banquet. You have to stick with your partner until the banquet ends.

That means I have to stick with that bastard the entire banquet!

"No."

The instant answer popped out.

As soon as I said it, I thought 'Oops'.

"What?"

"No, I said no. Why are you escorting me? Did you forget? I have a perfectly fine fiance."

"Oh, that rotten guy who doesn't care what happens to you?"

"..."

Well, I can't deny that.

I was speechless at the brute fact my brother threw.

No, really. My fiance probably wouldn't even care if I got hit by a carriage right now.

Or he'd be happy, thinking, 'She's finally gone.'

"You have nothing to say?"

But that's that.

I hated seeing him smirk.

When I frowned, he seemed to enjoy it even more, which pissed me off. That bastard?

"Come to think of it, that bastard probably doesn't even have clothes to wear to the banquet. And on that day, I've specifically ordered even stricter dress code checks. Since it's supposed to be a dignified banquet. So..."

My brother folded his arms confidently.

Wow, I hate seeing this. He's handsome, but I hate seeing it!

"That rotten bastard won't be able to set foot in the banquet hall."

With a final mischievous chuckle, the tyrant brother turned away.

I scowled and looked towards him, then paused.

"..."

I met eyes with Noah, who had been standing blankly.

His face was dazed, as if he had been like that all along.

Only when our eyes met did he seem to slightly come to his senses.

With his blue hair and usual cynical, scholarly demeanor, seeing him make that face surprised me enough to even forget my anger.

'Why is he like that?'

Roxidian also seemed to have noticed his aide's state.

Tsk, clicking his tongue, he grabbed Noah by the back of the neck.

"What are you doing, aide? Follow me."

"Ah... Yes, Your Majesty? I-I'll walk on my own."

"Fine, shut up."

The tyrant brother grabbed Noah's neck and dragged him away.

Does he treat even his loyal aide like that? I inwardly clicked my tongue.

Why would they like a tyrant like that?

I don't know why Noah was like that, but I felt sorry for him.

With the tyrant brother gone, the fitting room fell silent for a very brief moment.

I looked around and sighed.

'Both the tyrant brother and Grandfather are desperate to get rid of my fiance.'

Now I understand why my fiance acts like a kitten that screams in pain even at the slightest breeze.

How many people have tried to manipulate him using his sister as a means until now?

Of course, it's ironic, but I wish he'd receive me a little differently.

"By the way, I plan to announce the marriage date for you and the Duke of Lemut at this Imperial banquet, so be aware."

"Just behave and try to win that bastard's heart. Use that beauty to captivate him. Tsk, are you planning to chase after him forever, looking pathetic?"

My grandfather's words came to mind.

And on top of that, the tyrant's uncharacteristic fussing that my fiance might not even appear at the banquet.

It was a situation that naturally made me sigh.