‘With this, I shouldn’t hear any comments about why I put in so much effort.’
Satisfied, she let out a small sigh of relief.
And Amira, with her keen eyes, did not miss this sight.
“By the way, Miss. You seem particularly concerned about your appearance today…”
Ariella flinched and shuddered at the comment. Her face clearly showed that she felt guilty.
“Are you perhaps meeting someone else today besides Lady Melana?”
For instance, Duke Ashbon.
Amira’s addition was eerily accurate.
Ariella hurriedly avoided Amira’s gaze and quickened her steps.
“Well, I don’t know what you’re talking about. More importantly, let’s hurry. We’ll be late.”
“Right! Right! Wait, Miss! Wear something other than that dress!”
Strangely enough, she found it hard to lie to Amira. She could easily keep her lips sealed in front of other nobles.
Amira insisted that they couldn’t leave like this and immediately tried to fetch other accessories. Since they were going to fit a new dress, she had focused on preparing something easy to wear and take off, but if she were to meet Duke Ashbon, that would change everything.
Surprisingly, Amira had inferred that Ariella had shared a conversation with Nobert on the night of the ball, even without mentioning it. When Ariella asked how she knew, the answer was simple.
“How could I not know when he looks at you with those eyes?”
It seemed that even Amira noticed that his gaze was unusual. As she thought this, Amira added an even more embarrassing comment.
“He looked like he was completely in love. A very passionate and pure love, at that.”
Love. That was an excessive expression.
While Ariella was horrified, Amira was even more delighted. After that, she became engrossed in linking Ariella and Nobert, saying that while Ariella was more precious, it was also true that there was no one as handsome and virtuous as him, and she chattered about Nobert whenever she had the chance.
The remark that she was more precious was merely flattering. Although Ariella thought that Amira was being too biased, she refrained from speaking about Nobert in front of her. Otherwise, Amira would likely chatter about him all day long.
“Miss! Please, this dress!”
Amira, excited about the rare opportunity, held up a new dress. However, Ariella ignored her and quickly gathered her things and left the room.
She understood Amira’s desire to dress her up as much as possible, but she was reluctant to show a fully made-up appearance to Nobert. She was worried it might seem like she was conscious of him.
Yet, it also felt uncomfortable to show up looking as drab as before. Perhaps it was her desire not to disappoint someone who had said they liked her.
Ariella had never had such concerns before. She had never worried that someone who had once said they liked her would be disappointed or paid attention to her appearance because of that person.
It was an exceptionally unusual situation, but with her mind filled with thoughts about Countess Annabelle and her lover, she left without realizing it.
***
The meeting place with Lady Melana was none other than Nobert’s townhouse. The very place where they had met last time.
The fact that Ariella was wearing the countess’s dress had not yet become known to the public. The golden dress she had worn to the ball had created a sensational stir, and everyone was curious about the dressmaker, but no one dared to associate Lady Melana with the fake princess.
Someday, their relationship would be revealed, but Lady Melana wanted to delay that moment as much as possible for a more perfect occasion. Therefore, she needed a place to meet that wouldn’t attract attention, and this townhouse was just that.
“My goodness, it suits you so well! I knew it the moment I saw you. This fabric was made for Lady Ariella.”
Lady Melana nodded with a pleased expression as she looked at Ariella, who was wearing the newly made dress.
The dress reflected in the mirror was so beautiful that one couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is truly Lady Melana’s work.” The chiffon was used appropriately to create a light texture, and the navy skirt sprinkled with pearl powder resembled a starry night sky.
“By the way, have you lost some weight? I think your waist could be a bit tighter.”
“Oh, yes. I’ve been adjusting my diet a bit.”
“Where could you possibly lose more weight? Eat more, my lady. It would be better for your health.”
Ariella nodded obediently.
She had lived her life managing her diet under her father’s oppression. She had been forced to maintain a slim figure to sell for a high price.
However, the weight she had lost recently was not intentional. Perhaps due to the wounds and inflammation on her legs, she had struggled to eat properly for the past few days, which had caused her weight to drop.
