“…Not now, but later. I’ll tell you at a more appropriate time.”
Unfortunately, Nobert hesitated again. Ariella crossed her arms and looked up at him, clearly displeased.
“It would be troublesome if you suddenly made an unreasonable request later.”
“If you find it troublesome after hearing it, you can refuse then.”
“…It would be best if you didn’t engage in business at all, Your Grace.”
Because it seemed like it would only lead to losses. She advised him seriously.
“…I’ve been contemplating whether I should close the atelier since my only client hasn’t been coming.”
Ariella’s eyes widened at the unexpected remark. It took her a few seconds to understand what he had just said.
[Do you have no use for it?]
[No, Madam. I’m fine for now. I’ll contact you again when I need a dress.]
He was referring to the content of their correspondence.
‘So he’s someone who can joke around.’
To make a joke with such a serious face. It was so out of character that it felt almost wrong.
“Haha. Yes, please do close it while you have the chance.”
Ariella couldn’t help but let out a shallow laugh. The man who had always seemed difficult suddenly appeared a bit cute for the first time.
After their brief conversation, Ariella returned to Madam Corcos.
The face of the woman she faced again seemed somewhat flushed, much like Amira’s.
“I’m glad that the maid from that time isn’t here this time.”
That maid. The person Madam Corcos mentioned was none other than Lizzy. From the way she casually brought it up, it seemed she was unaware that the ‘real princess’ was Lizzy.
“That time… there were many ways in which it was rude, Madam.”
“No, the one who was most troubled was Lady Ariella. Neither I nor that maid would back down at all.”
That was indeed true.
A few years ago, on the day when she had successfully secured an appointment and Madam Corcos visited the Duke’s residence.
Even in front of the seamstress known as the best both domestically and internationally, Lizzy had stubbornly held onto her opinion until the end.
Princess Ariella shouldn’t follow trends like others, and to complement her slender figure, she should wear a dress with plenty of volume in the shoulders.
In response to such Lizzy, Madam Corcos had shown no signs of backing down either.
“There’s no need to follow trends excessively, but there’s also no reason to cling to trends from half a century ago. Moreover, a dress with that much volume won’t complement a slender figure; it will only make it look ridiculous. It seems Lady Ariella’s maid wants to make the princess look like a clown in high society?”
Looking back now, it was clear that no one had seen reality as clearly as Madam Corcos. Unfortunately, at that time, Ariella had no idea to doubt Lizzy.
Lizzy had raged, claiming that a mere seamstress dared to insult the princess of Bedford, while Madam Corcos pointed out that the maid was acting as if she were a princess herself, and in the midst of it all, Ariella had tried to mediate the situation.
In the end, the dress made that day was the most elegant and bright one Ariella had, but every time she saw it, Lizzy’s sulking expression prevented her from wearing it properly.
Then one day, it was found with the hem torn and ultimately discarded without ever being worn. It was obvious who had orchestrated that.
“I’ve always felt regretful. I couldn’t make the dress that suited Lady Ariella the best at that time. I’m sure the princess wearing the dress I made would be more beautiful than anyone else. I feel happy that I can finally make up for that regret today.”
“Thank you for saying that, Madam.”
Ariella took her words as mere compliments that socialite women say out of courtesy. To be more beautiful than anyone else. She had never wished for such a thing, and she knew her place well.
The dull and unappealing Lady Ariella. It was something she had heard often.
“Do you have any specific designs or styles you would like?”
“Ah, yes. I do.”
As Ariella nodded, Amira’s complexion darkened. She was worried that her lady’s unique taste might come into play once again.
The demands that came from Ariella’s mouth were entirely unexpected for Amira. They were so unique that they were almost bewildering, yet not at all ridiculous.
“…I would appreciate it if you could do this for me. Is it possible?”
As the not-so-brief explanation came to an end, Mrs. Korkos responded with a dazed expression.
“It is a bit rushed, but… yes, it is possible. However, just to be sure, I would like to confirm again. You want a dress tailored for the debutante ball, correct?”
Knowing the embarrassment the lady would feel, Ariella kindly nodded her head twice.
“Yes. I want it to fit beautifully so I can wear it to my sister’s debutante ball.”
She smiled brightly, gently caressing the white, soft fabric among the samples.
