In the sunlit office.

Today, instead of tranquility, it was filled with noise.

“Miss Charlie, how about this one?”

When Tanner showed a catalog to Charlie, Leon shook his head in disapproval.

“Lord Tanner, are you trying to show off how out of touch you are with high society?”

Tanner glared at Leon’s mocking tone.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Who wears dresses full of ribbons these days? It’s outdated.”

“Outdated?”

“It’s the kind of clothes only noble ladies would wear.”

“…….”

Branches growing into branches.

Charlie sighed deeply between Tanner and Leon.

The table was piled high with catalogs, and the two were fervently debating which dress shop to choose for Charlie.

This commotion was due to Charlie mentioning that they were on their way to buy clothes.

[Why go out to buy clothes?]

Charlie couldn’t answer Hector’s question.

Buying clothes was secondary. She realized what people meant by ‘killing intent.’

Hector’s aura had been chilling to the bone.

[From now on, get my permission before leaving the mansion.]

Whether Hector understood Charlie’s troubled heart or not, Leon and Tanner’s discussion continued.

“Then what’s in fashion these days?”

“Ruffles and chiffon. That’s what’s trending.”

“It’s not even a chemise, isn’t that too shabby?”

“That’s exactly it. The lightness and delicacy. The subtly revealed lines pique curiosity. That’s what I mean.”

Leon passionately explained, showing the catalog he was looking at.

The dresses of the Empire line, which did not require corsets, were predominant.

Indeed, this was a fantasy romance novel. The attire ranged from medieval to modern, very diverse.

Well, the Grand Duke sitting over there with his abs fully exposed was the most unusual of all.

“Miss Charlie, isn’t this one prettier?”

Leon pushed a catalog towards Charlie.

Compared to the Renaissance-style clothes Tanner was looking at, it seemed more comfortable. However, the deep plunge from the shoulders to the chest was quite bothersome.

Charlie answered with an awkward smile, neither liking nor disliking it.

“She doesn’t like it.”

Tanner sneered at Leon.

“She didn’t say she didn’t like it.”

Leon retorted, but Tanner, already basking in his victory, had his chin lifted high.

“A dress that emphasizes a woman’s slim waist and a full skirt is elegant and beautiful.”

“Are you going to a royal ball? A delicate shoulder line and visible collarbone are attractive.”

At that moment.

“Both of you, be quiet.”

A cold voice cut through their noise. All eyes focused on Hector.

Hector sat in his office chair as if he had nothing to do with the commotion.

‘Yes, please do something about them.’

Charlie blinked her wide eyes, sending a desperate look.

Hector glanced at Charlie and then turned his gaze indifferently to Tanner.

“Tanner.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Something dropped with a thud in front of Tanner.

“Go with this dress shop.”

“…….”

* * *

Some time later.

They visited the dress shop Hector had chosen to fit Charlie’s clothes.

It was a rare sight to see the iron gates of the ducal residence open.

The people of the Hunt family were astonished. Seeing a physician was one thing, but a dress shop was entirely different.

Of course, the visitors were not allowed into the main building.

They were permitted only in the annex closest to the entrance. Additionally, only verified personnel from the pre-sent list were allowed entry.

“It is a great honor for Estella’s dress shop to serve such a distinguished guest.”

The greeting was formal and courteous.

Estella’s dress shop had a long history.

Moreover, all customer information was kept strictly confidential, and the same applied to the dress shop itself.

It was a place where not just anyone could make a purchase, regardless of their status.

In other words, the dress shop screened its customers.

Estella’s dress shop had even refused a commission from Princess Scarlett.

The Hunt family was no exception. Although it was the exclusive dress shop of Grand Duchess Diana, Hector’s grandmother, his mother had declined it.

Thus, wearing a dress from Estella symbolized power and authority within the empire.

Furthermore, the shop offered custom services, with everything decided by the customer, from design onwards.

This dress shop had sent a catalog and humbly requested their patronage.

This was an event that would cause an uproar in high society. Especially if they knew it was buried among numerous catalogs.

But Charlie, unaware of this, was simply excited to see the pretty clothes.

“Hello.”

Charlie bowed, and Estella’s representative and designer, Isabelle, smiled warmly in response.

* * *

“Charlie, you look so beautiful.”

Emma was moved to tears just seeing Charlie try on samples to check the colors and lines.

“It’s because the clothes are pretty.”

A very cute customer indeed. And she would become a very important customer.

Isabelle, who had been watching Charlie for a moment, spoke.

“No, you are truly beautiful. More than any woman I’ve ever seen.”

“Thank you.”

At Isabelle’s gesture, the arrangement of clothes quickly changed. The flashy and luxurious clothes were moved to the back, and comfortable, less revealing clothes were brought to the front.

Unlike before, Isabelle no longer used the noble speech.

Instead, she bent slightly and smiled kindly, matching Charlie’s eye level.

“Which of these designs do you like?”

As Charlie hesitated among the clothes that seemed to scream, ‘This is a fantasy romance novel,’ Isabelle spoke.

“You can choose several or none at all if you don’t like them. This is just to understand your taste.”

“Ah…….”

Relieved, Charlie quickly picked out some clothes.

After that, her measurements were taken.

Thus, the customer’s preferences were understood.

Finally, Isabelle brought out a lavender fog-colored dress, as though it were her secret weapon.

“I happened to bring a dress that matches your size perfectly. I’d like to offer it as a token of gratitude for inviting us. How about it?”

This customer must be secured, and exclusively so.

Isabelle’s eyes burned with determination.

But Charlie, captivated by the dress, didn’t notice.

“It’s so pretty.”

The dress had a high neck with white lace adorning the chest and sleeves.

The jewels embedded here and there sparkled like stars in the early morning sky.

The full skirt and lovely ruffle sleeves, even the thick ribbon tied at the waist, made it seem as if the dress was made just for Charlie.

“Would you like to try it on?”

Before Charlie could refuse, Isabelle hurriedly guided her to the fitting room.

As Isabelle helped her change, Charlie glanced at her and cautiously spoke.

“Um……. By the way.”

“Yes?”

Worried her voice might be heard outside the curtain, Charlie looked around and lowered her voice.

“How much does a dress cost?”

“……?”

It was Tanner who had contacted the dress shop.

The fact that the butler had contacted them directly meant it was the Grand Duke’s intention.

Hector was known to avoid women, let alone have a romantic relationship. No noble was unaware of this. Moreover, there was no lady in the Hunt family.

So, who else would they be contacting the dress shop for?

Isabelle instinctively knew it was Hector’s woman.

Confirming her intuition, Tanner personally brought Charlie.

Not only that, but knights of the Hunt family were guarding the entrance.

But worrying about money? Isabelle couldn’t hide her bewilderment at the unexpected question.

“What is it that concerns you……?”

Though her clothes were to be purchased by the Hunt family, Emma’s were not.

Charlie smiled sheepishly and said,

“I want to gift some clothes to my friend outside……. I need to know roughly how much it will cost.”

Isabelle’s head turned, seemingly to look beyond the curtain.

If it was a friend outside, it must be the maid, a Zero. Isabelle’s face lit up with a smile as she pondered for a moment.

According to the dress shop’s records, Grand Duchess Diana had also gifted clothes to her attendant maid. Of course, the maid held a noble status.

“Casual wear for commoners isn’t that expensive. Five hundred…….”

“Five hundred?”

At Charlie’s reaction, Isabelle quickly shook her head.

“No, about fifty trangs…….”

Charlie beamed brightly.

“Then, would it be possible to get three outfits?”

“……Of course. I will also measure your friend’s size.”

What a frugal and compassionate customer.

Isabelle’s lips twitched for various reasons.

Soon, Charlie emerged after changing, looking truly like a single flower.

“Wow……. Bravo.”

Isabelle clapped her hands and shook her head. Emma was so overwhelmed with emotion that she covered her mouth.

Even Tanner, who had been quietly present in the room, smiled.

“Are you really giving this to me?”

“It’s already yours, my lady.”

“But still…….”

“The dress has found its owner, so I, as the designer, am even more grateful.”

Isabelle smiled sweetly and glanced at Tanner.

A strong sense of camaraderie was felt between them.

* * *