I looked through the designs, turning the pages. There were a few designs that caught my eye, but nothing particularly unique or impressive.

‘The ones displayed over there seem more eye-catching than the ones here.’

I closed the catalog and pointed to a blue dress on display.

“How much is that one?”

“That’s from our premium line.”

“So?”

My eyes naturally narrowed. Premium line, she says, but that’s not what I asked about, I want the specific price.

「Madame Kruger was perplexed.」

A sentence flickered before my eyes. This was something I could tell just by looking at the Madame’s face.

I waited for the next words and sentences.

“So… it’s quite expensive, my lady.”

「As luck would have it, what she pointed to was an expensive item difficult to recommend to the frugal Duchess of Penvernon.」

I see. Since Alisa didn’t spend money well, she showed dresses in a price range that she might buy.

It might have been considerate on Madame Kruger’s part, but I felt a bit hurt. Should I say I felt pitied? I wondered if she would treat the Duchess of Chrysante the same way if she came.

“I asked how much it is.”

“It-it’s 1,000 freti.”

How much is that? Anyway, it’s a small amount compared to 1 million freti. It’s no different from having 1,000 won when you have 1 million won! Even if I buy 100 of the same thing, that’s only 100,000 won.

Having nothing to hold me back, I pointed at dresses here and there that caught my eye.

“That one, and the one next to it. That one too.”

Then I raised my hand abruptly.

“No, bring me the entire catalog of this boutique.”

Madame Kruger hesitantly brought a couple more catalogs. Flipping through them quickly, I saw various designs categorized appropriately — innovative ones, conventional ones, extravagant ones, and so on.

I closed the catalogs, stacked them, and placed my hand on top.

“I’d like to order one of each dress in these catalogs.”

“Gasp….”

Madame Kruger stood up in surprise. I just nodded as if this was nothing special.

I decided to make this woman my ally. I don’t expect her to sincerely follow me. It wouldn’t be bad if she could just play the role of bringing and spreading rumors, or acting as an intermediary. I thought it would be useful to charm her well, as she’s sought after by notable figures in high society.

If I spend this much money here now, Madame Kruger will surely go around talking about ‘how many dresses the Duchess of Penvernon bought.’ Soon, not only the people who frequent this boutique but the entire nobility of the capital will hear about it.

What an extravagant woman!

‘Yes, that’s what I want you all to think.’

I smiled leisurely and added to my order.

“I’ll leave the choice of fabrics and materials to you, Madame. Refine the designs to suit me and make the best choices. Feel free to add as many jewels as you like. The price doesn’t matter at all, just bill everything to the Penvernon ducal household.”

Madame Kruger couldn’t close her gaping mouth.

While she was writing up the bill, adding all sorts of options, I sat and drank tea. Seeing that Macy, who had been just watching nervously beside me, seemed to want to look around the boutique’s products, I told her to go ahead.

True to her merchant nature, Madame Kruger’s hands were quick. Before long, she brought the bill.

“If, if we include everything… it comes to this much.”

The Madame hesitantly handed over the paper. I glanced at the completed bill. While doing so, I didn’t forget to maintain a nonchalant attitude as if this amount was nothing to worry about.

After roughly checking the amount, I smirked and signed it without hesitation.

Then, sitting down, I slowly began to gauge exactly how much it was. How many more zeros did I need to add…

‘Gasp, this is crazy.’

It was truly an insane amount beyond words.

Feigning composure, I opened my fan to cover my face. To spend this much money on clothes! Is this really okay?! But it was too late to back out now without losing face.

‘Rashid said I could do as I pleased.’

So it should be fine. I decided to trust Rashid.

Let’s think about it carefully. Although it’s an eye-popping amount, it’s not much compared to the budget I was allocated. It’s certainly not enough to shake the finances of the Penvernon ducal household. The only problem is that my conscience is a bit shaken, but that’s an earthquake that would soon stop anyway.

‘The wealth of the Penvernon ducal household… it’s frightening.’

I got up and walked around the store to calm my trembling heart.

As I wandered here and there, Macy came into my view, standing still in one spot.

“Macy? What are you looking at?”

I approached Macy. She was staring blankly at a brooch placed on a display stand. Her eyes were twinkling as if in a dream.

“Do you want it?”

When I asked, Macy startled and shook her head.

“No! It’s not like that, my lady! I’m sorry. I was just distracted for a moment.”

“Why? If you want it, I’ll buy it for you.”

“I couldn’t possibly!”

Perhaps feeling burdened, Macy jumped up and persistently declined.

I glanced at the brooch Macy couldn’t take her eyes off. It was quite pretty in a delicate way. It didn’t look expensive either, decorated with fabric and lace without any jewels.

This much is nothing. Especially now when I’m trying to spend more money anyway.

“I’ll add this too, Madame. Can we take it right away?”

“Yes, my lady. Of course!”

At my words, Madame Kruger quickly added the item to the bill.

I picked up the brooch directly from the display and handed it to Macy.

“Here, Macy. It’s a gift.”

“But my lady. This is too…”

The price of the brooch was equivalent to several months of Macy’s salary. It was natural for her to feel burdened.

“It’s alright. Think of it as a gift meaning I’m counting on you from now on.”

I half-forcibly pressed the brooch into Macy’s hands.

“Oh my, my lady. Thank you so much. I’ll cherish it dearly.”

Macy bowed repeatedly, expressing her gratitude. Her cheeks, flushed like ripe peaches, made my heart warm.

‘This feels quite nice.’

I felt like giving gifts to others as well, not just Macy.

To Sylvester, who has been serving as a butler for a long time, or to Harriet, the head maid who truly follows the Penvernon family. Although we’re already paying them at the highest level compared to other noble houses, I wonder if that’s enough to encourage their hard work.

‘Since it’s for the Duke’s household staff, honestly, it shouldn’t be bad from Rashid’s perspective either.’

I fell into deep thought.

The Penvernon mansion had fewer staff than its size would suggest. Due to the atmosphere of the Duke’s household, which was reluctant to bring in strangers, only those with letters of recommendation from trustworthy individuals were considered for employment, and even then, there weren’t many.

Until now, with few gatherings or events, and only two family members, the mansion’s affairs had been managed somehow.

But if I were to hold a large party on purpose, we would quickly run short of hands. Recruitment was essential.

It would be even more so if I were to change the interior decoration of the ducal mansion. The cleaning, waxing, and breaking in new furniture would be no small task.

Come to think of it, why not buy some furniture? It might be fun to decorate the mansion more brightly, in a sophisticated style that keeps up with current trends. I should also buy more decorative items and bring in more paintings and sculptures for the gallery. Such luxury that I couldn’t even dream of before is now possible.

I smiled as I continued to think of ways to spend money. This is so enjoyable. It was clear that the most fun things in the world were indeed splurging, consuming, and throwing money around.

After finishing the bill, Madame Kruger immediately began taking measurements.

“My, you’re so beautiful.”

She continued to shower me with flattery. Sweet words followed, saying my waist was so slim, and that dresses exposing the shoulders would suit me perfectly because of my beautiful lines.

‘So this is VIP service.’

Having risen to the position of the best customer in an instant, even more flattery wouldn’t be enough. It was the kind of sweet talk that made me think I might become arrogant if I lost focus. When you show off money, people come running with sweet words in their mouths to get the crumbs. This must be why people spend money.