Episode 67

Episode 67. Are You Planning to Keep Watching?

“Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress. I am Madam Prina.”

She offered a graceful curtsy, her posture elegant and composed.

Her refined fashion and distinctive accent immediately stood out.

Madam Prina? Who is she?

She was a stranger to me.

“I’m a designer from a salon under the patronage of the Marquess of Hilbert.”

The Marquess of Hilbert… that would mean—

“Sir Leonard?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Sir Leonard sent me here on behalf of Your Majesty.”

“Leonard’s taking an interest in my dresses now…? That’s unexpected.”

“Oh my, he didn’t mention it?” Madam Prina tilted her head, clearly surprised. She’d assumed I already knew.

“From what I heard, Sir Leonard spent days deliberating with your aunt to select the perfect dress and accessories for Your Majesty.”

He discussed it with Aunt… for me?

“Ah.”

At the word aunt, the memory came rushing back.

He’d been spotted walking around a shopping district with a beautiful woman.

Rumors had quickly spread across high society that he’d found a new lover.

But—

He was preparing a dress and jewelry for me?

Could it be that all those places he visited back then… were all for my sake?

Maybe he had anticipated this exact situation unfolding.

And there I was, foolishly suspicious of him.

I was truly stunned by the unexpected gesture; at the same time, a quiet warmth bloomed in my chest at his thoughtful consideration.

“Sir Leonard… is more attentive than I thought.”

At my comment, Madam Prina smiled faintly.

“As far as I know, this is the first time Sir Leonard has ever shown such care for a woman. And…”

She paused with a knowing smile, her next words laced with subtle meaning.

“It might also be the last.”

“…Pardon?”

I wanted to ask what she meant by that.

But before I could, Madam Prina turned away.

Clap clap!

She clapped her hands twice.

Immediately, her assistants came into the bedroom carrying large trunks.

“Now, now, leave everything to me, Madam Prina. No matter what anyone says, the star of this banquet will be none other than Her Majesty the Empress.”

A few days later, Madam Prina returned.

“Greetings once again, Your Majesty.”

“It’s been a while.”

It was the first time I’d seen her since the measurements and initial fitting.

“Have you been well?”

“But of course. Thanks to Your Majesty’s kind concern.” She covered her mouth with one hand as she chuckled.

“Heehee, Your Majesty. You’ve waited long enough. At last! A true creation of Madam Prina is complete.”

Clap!
At the sound of her hands coming together, a line of attendants marched into the room, lugging trunk after trunk.

“Goodness, how many dresses is that?”

“Even making one of those would’ve taken ages. Didn’t you overdo it a bit?”

Just a glance told you—it was an absurd number of dresses.

The maids’ eyes went wide in disbelief.

“Oh, think nothing of it. Just imagining Your Majesty inspires a never-ending flow of creativity.”

Madam Prina placed the back of her hand to her forehead and gave an exaggerated shake of her head, as though struck by divine inspiration.

Apparently, I was her muse now.

She was probably just saying that to flatter me—but seeing how genuinely happy she looked, I let it slide.

“Now then, where to begin… Ah! Perhaps a dress suited to His Majesty the Emperor’s tastes—”

“No need. You can skip those.” I shut that down without hesitation.

I had no interest in Jerome’s preferences—let alone dressing to suit them.

“Oh… Yes, of course.”

Without a word of protest, Madam Prina tossed about five dresses aside—just like that.

It was unexpectedly satisfying to watch. She didn’t even ask why. It was like her only priority was customer satisfaction.

Over her shoulder, I could see her head seamstress and others staring, mouths agape.

The tossed dresses were adorned with gemstones, intricate embellishments, and lace—luxuries that clearly cost more than a house. No wonder they looked stunned.

A woman of bold decisiveness, I thought. I liked her more and more.

“How about this one, Your Majesty?”

“This design beautifully frames your shoulders.”

“We spent ten sleepless nights weaving the lace for this.”

“And this one’s adorned with jewels from a renowned mine—”

From that point on, I tried on dress after dress.

Some were simple yet refined, others were strikingly unique.

The color palette was just as varied.

Naturally, we couldn’t settle on one.

Each dress had its own charm—this one elegant, that one glamorous. Too many choices, it turned out, was its own kind of problem.

“Goodness, this is tough. Everything looks perfect on Your Majesty.”

“Not that it’s surprising. After all, each one was crafted exclusively for Her Majesty.”

Madam Prina gave me a playful wink, clearly pleased with how things were turning out.

“When the decision gets this hard, why not seek a second opinion?” She offered the suggestion with a mischievous smile.

“You might be right.”

It wasn’t a bad idea.

After all…

“This is all because of Your Majesty’s beauty.”

“The dresses are stunning, yes, but nothing can outshine Her Majesty’s radiance.”

Even my own maids were too biased to be any help. No matter what I wore, they’d always shower me with praise.

Honestly, I could walk in wearing a court jester’s outfit, and they’d still say I looked breathtaking.

“But isn’t there no one suitable to ask right now?”

“No need to worry, Your Majesty,” said Countess Chloe. “I know just the person.”

Just the person?

“Who?”

“I’ll bring him in shortly.”

And when that “just right” person appeared, I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“Cedric?”

To my shock, the person the maids led in was none other than the mage himself.

He still wore his usual robe, clearly dragged straight from his research.

“Y-Your Majesty?”

From his bewildered expression, he had no idea what was going on.

“Sorry. Looks like I’ve roped you into another one of my problems.”

“N-No, not at all. But, um… what exactly is this about?”

“Nothing major. I’m just trying to choose a dress for the Founding Festival, but it’s proving difficult.”

I figured it wouldn’t hurt to borrow Cedric’s eye for it.

“It’d be an honor,” he said, nodding without hesitation.

“So? What do you think?” I spun lightly in place and asked with a smile.

Was it just my imagination, or did Cedric’s expression… stiffen?

He looked like a broken machine—wooden and twitching, as though one more movement might short-circuit him.

Is it really that bad?

“Is it… weird?”

“……”

Still no answer.

He must’ve hated it.

I changed into another dress with Madam Prina’s help.

“What about this one?” I twirled in front of him again.

“……!”

This time, his face turned crimson.

Yikes. Is it that bad? So bad it’s upsetting?

“Is it really that weird?”

“N-No! That’s not it at all—”

Cedric was clearly flustered now.

And for some reason, Madam Prina and the maids had started smiling in a way that seemed… loaded.

I could’ve sworn I heard Countess Chloe mutter under her breath, “As expected of a squad leader… what a find.”

“I don’t think Sir Cedric is in any state to make an impartial judgment.” Countess Chloe quickly concluded.

The other maids all nodded emphatically in agreement.

With the fittings mostly done, Madam Prina gently urged Cedric toward the door.

“Sir Cedric, you may take your leave now.”

“What? Do I have to?” He sounded like he wanted to stay and keep watching.

Prina answered without missing a beat.

“Of course. Her Majesty still has to change into the next dress. Unless… you do plan to keep watching?”

“……!”

At that, both of Cedric’s ears turned bright red.

“N-No! That’s not what I meant—!”

He waved his hands wildly, as if trying to physically swat away the misunderstanding. He looked so panicked, I almost felt bad for him.

The maids clearly didn’t—they were barely stifling their laughter.

Before they could tease him further, I stepped in.

“Cedric.”

“…Yes?”

“Out.”

He looked at me with the expression of a wrongly accused man.

“Your Majesty. I swear, that’s not what I—”

“I know, I know. Just go.”

“…Yes, ma’am.”