Chapter 38 - 38

No, hasn't everyone forgotten something important?

'...Like my fiance would ever come to such a place.'

I scowled fiercely.

Because of that, a maid who was about to approach hesitated.

"...Neither Grandfather nor that bastard are any help."

As I grumbled and got angry, the atmosphere froze stiffly, but I couldn't suppress my anger.

Those instigators who only complicate things!

I lifted my head.

"Take this off. I'm going back."

"...Yes, Countess."

After changing my clothes and about to leave, my gaze landed on the designer among those bowing their heads.

I paused for a moment, then opened my mouth.

"What's your name?"

The Imperial designer slowly raised her head.

She looked surprised.

"...Rona."

Rona. Is she a commoner? I nodded.

"The dress was pretty."

Come to think of it, I realized I hadn't complimented the pretty dress.

I smiled slightly.

"I wondered if an Imperial designer would be any different, but the Imperial Family is indeed the Imperial Family. Seems they only gather the best."

And I left the room.

Unaware of how the designer was looking at me.

* * *

The next morning.

Today, I woke up late, not much different from yesterday.

If there's one difference, it's that I woke up a bit earlier than yesterday.

"Did you sleep well, Countess?"

"You look pretty today too!"

"That's right, the Countess will be the prettiest in the world today too."

...And for some reason, it seems the maids' greetings are getting more and more exaggerated.

It's a bit burdensome, but not exactly unpleasant.

'Maybe it's because I said I'd raise their salary last night?'

Last night, I appointed Susan, Anna, and Bess as my exclusive maids.

At the same time, I raised their salary. About three times?

'Actually, if even my boss suddenly tripled my annual salary, I might even lick his shoes once.'

Thinking as an omniscient office worker for the first time in a while, I nodded to myself.

Although money connects us, these close and affectionate mornings aren't bad.

But my good mood disappeared in an instant because of the people who came to see me.

"Countess! We greet the beautiful Countess."

"It's an honor!"

I frowned at the crowd gathered in the reception room.

'They're all dressed brightly...'

Moreover, the reception room was piled high with fabrics, dresses, accessories, and unknown boxes.

Ten minutes ago, Grandfather's aide called me. He said I had to come to the reception room.

Since it was Grandfather's summons, I thought he wanted to talk about something he couldn't last time because Roxidian was there.

'I hate getting scolded.'

I thought this as I moved. When I arrived at the reception room, I felt dumbfounded.

'I definitely came to the reception room because Grandfather said he was calling me...'

But he wasn't there, only these people were.

"Who are you?"

As I silently stood there, they glanced at each other and then quickly began introducing themselves.

"Oh my, it's me, Countess! The head designer of Aibi Atelier! Hoho, I have come to pay my respects."

"Nice to meet you. I am the owner of Biak Atelier. Our atelier is currently the most promising atelier in the Empire..."

"I am Beone from Repapa Atelier, Countess. Did you by any chance receive the limited-edition bag I sent you last time?"

They started chattering like birds, one by one, and eventually, their voices overlapped, making it impossible to understand.

But from the earlier speakers, I understood who they were and what it was all about.

'It's a gift from Grandfather?'

I was dumbfounded. What, is this an apology for dragging me away in front of my fiance?

I looked askance at the pile of clothes and accessories.

The quantity was truly enormous.

I heard that because Grandfather ordered everything bought, the actual quantity was also enormous.

How much? They say what's in this reception room is only about a tenth.

...What a waste.

"Hohoho, Countess, you have a truly wonderful grandfather. The Duke of Altsbeit cherishes you so much..."

"..."

"The clothes, bags, hats, shoes here today... all of them will become limited-edition products exclusive to the Countess, never to be produced in the Empire again."

Everything that wraps around me from head to toe will be limited edition.

Listening to the designers' explanations, I tilted my head lazily.

I saw the maids next to me staring with wide eyes in surprise, but I wasn't particularly surprised.

'I could die at any moment, and moreover, my beloved coin is about to disappear. What use is any of this?'

If I can't change my fiance's mind, death is a foregone conclusion.

Moreover, even if Grandfather suddenly decides to switch my fiance and break the engagement, that's also death.

In this situation, a gift from my grandfather, who might change his mind at any moment, is neither welcome nor needed.

Also, I hate to admit it, but...

The dress the tyrant brother gave me was much prettier.

To the extent that after seeing that dress, no other clothes catch my eye.

Just like after seeing my fiance and Roxidian, no other men seem handsome anymore.

As I stood there uninterested, the designers were momentarily flustered.

On top of that, when I told them to go back, showing no interest in any of the items, they all turned pale and clung to me.

'What are you lacking? Just tell us! Countess, is there a design you desire?'

Then when I frowned, they all clamped their mouths shut as if by agreement.

'Looks like they remember Charlize's tyranny.'

That was when it happened.

Someone knocked on the door.

With my permission, a maid I'd never seen before entered through the door crack.

She approached me hesitantly and held out a letter on a tray.

'A letter?'

I inwardly tilted my head and picked up the envelope.

Then, seeing the name written on it, my eyes widened.

"Askin?"

Askin Lemut.

I blinked. Even seeing it again, it's my fiance's name!

"Everyone, go back immediately."

"C-Countess!"

"...Do you not want to go back on your own two feet?"

It meant 'Do you want to be carried away by the knights?' The face of the designer who had mustered the courage turned pale.

Soon, realizing I meant I would crush their feet, they quickly scurried off.

Left behind were only the piles of clothes and items.

Walking through them, I sat down casually.

Though I sat back nonchalantly, I was very nervous inside.

'...Surely, this isn't finally the word that we're breaking up and cutting ties, is it?'

It's not that my heart hurts...

Given the history, I couldn't help but think it was something bad.

Soon, nervously, I opened the letter and read it intently.

"...Holy crap."

I involuntarily covered my mouth.

I blurted out so softly, unable to hold it in.

Because the contents of this letter were shocking.

"...You want to attend the banquet with me?"

Amazingly, this man said he would attend the Goddess's blessing banquet as my partner!

Why? Why on earth? Is the sun going to rise in the west tomorrow?

I unconsciously looked at the sky.

After seeing the sun shining normally, I swallowed hard.

I read the letter again.

「...Therefore, the Dukedom of Lemut acknowledges your help and has no intention of ignoring that debt.」

Wow, does this man use honorifics in his letters?

Isn't this quite romantic? He even has neat handwriting.

It feels so like him, it's strange, so I smiled slightly.

「I will attend as your official fiance until the upcoming Goddess's blessing banquet. I believe this will not only help repay the debt for helping my sister but also not be a loss to you.」

Hmm, that's right. I would love it if you would attend the banquet with me.

If only you would change your mind and maintain the engagement with me for just one year, that would be even better.

I touched the handwriting.

For some reason, I felt I could touch the cool, pure elegance, like the color of that man's hair.

「Please send your reply through the dispatched knight.」

I laughed at his blunt, manly closing signature.

'He didn't say thank you until the end.'

Isn't that a bit too much?

After all, I was the one who sent my own physician and spent my own money to provide an expensive healing mage, even risking Grandfather's displeasure.

He was so polite and upright in the book, but he's really being too harsh on me.

...This, too, is 'Charlize's' karma, so I can't say anything. It's a case of 'as you sow, so you reap.'

Though it's sad.

"Um, Countess."

I giggled and then lifted my head.

Then I flinched.

Because all the maids were looking at me with cautious, yet sparkling eyes.

"Um, I don't know if I dare to ask, but could that letter be from the Duke of Lemut?"

"...And if it is?"

"Oh!"

Susan clapped her hands.

Her face was inexplicably flushed.

"W-well, actually, the Countess was smiling with rosy cheeks the whole time she was reading the letter."

"Th-that's right, my heart was fluttering too!"

"If I may be so bold, you looked truly lovely, C-Countess!"

At those words, I unconsciously touched my cheeks.

Was I smiling? With rosy cheeks?

This was news to me.

When did I?

'Was I perhaps counting my chickens before they hatched, prematurely dreaming of getting my coin back?'

My love for my coin must have shown itself.

After a moment's thought, I lifted my gaze.

"Susan, go outside and bring the designers back in! Now."

"Pardon? Yes! Countess!"

Susan scurried to the door.