Venice stopped chatting and stood behind her, checking whether anything was lacking and whether the size fit properly. Watching Venice display her professional demeanor, Rosana asked:

“Could I look at other dresses?”

“Of course! Do you have a preferred color?”

Venice’s movements quickened.

Jade waited for Rosana to come out after trying on a dress, but she didn’t emerge. Instead, employees carried in different dresses while the ones she’d worn came back out repeatedly.

Jade, who had been watching this slowly, smiled with satisfaction. He knew that if he just gave her a small hint and provided the opportunity, she would realize things on her own and rise up.

“This is why I can’t help falling for her.”

Jade decided to wait leisurely for Rosana to come out. After a while, the dressing room curtain opened and Rosana walked out carefully.

Venice and the other employees stepped back. Rosana asked while awkwardly smoothing her dress:

“How is it?”

Jade, who had worn a blank expression for a moment, slowly walked forward. He kissed her hand while declaring in an admiring voice:

“You’re beautiful, my lady.”

“Is it pretty?”

“Of course.”

A natural smile formed on Rosana’s lips. She laughed softly and said brightly:

“I chose it because I wanted to look good for you.”

Rosana spun around while holding her skirt with one hand, like dancing. Jade’s eyes curved beautifully at her appearance, like a child showing off something pretty.

Without a doubt, he could say she was more beautiful than anyone. Her warm smile and confident statement were enough to send shivers through Jade. Joy welled up from deep within his chest.

“Well now…”

Jade hid the tremor of ecstasy in his voice.

“What an honor.”

Rosana laughed pleasantly, seeming relieved at Jade’s happy face. Seeing his smiling expression made her think it wasn’t in vain. Rosana’s flushed face colored rose. Her heart pounded as a bonus. Sincerity and kindness permeated his every tone.

“Jade, there’s something I want.”

“Hmm? What is it? Just say the word.”

“May I choose dresses?”

“As you wish, choose whatever catches your eye.”

Jade answered firmly, saying it was obvious. He even urged her to hurry and choose. Rosana smiled gratefully. With Jade’s support, Rosana selected the dresses she liked from those she’d tried on. Honey dripped from Jade’s eyes as he watched her.

Venice lightly covered her mouth. 

‘Can’t trust rumors after all.’ 

She smiled quietly, thinking that if she told other nobles about the scene she was witnessing, not one person would believe it.

Rosana had chosen enough dresses. However, Jade looked quite dissatisfied.

“Is that all?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, shall I take a look?”

“Pardon?”

Rosana tilted her head sideways, not understanding Jade’s words.

When he’d been watching silently seemed like ages ago—now, like he’d been waiting for this moment, Jade selected dresses with a more serious face than anyone.

Smelling money, Venice stuck right next to Jade and began describing in such detail the appearance of Rosana wearing each dress that she could paint a picture.

“Oh ho. Good. Then let’s buy that one too.”

“Understood.”

Startled by his unhesitating gestures ordering dresses, Rosana grabbed his arm.

“Now it’s your turn to rest. I said I had a gift for you, didn’t I?”

“But… this much is enough…”

“You’ll accept my sincerity, won’t you?”

At Jade’s words spoken with beautifully curved lips, Rosana nodded in a daze. Once he obtained Rosana’s consent, he began selecting dresses haphazardly, enough to sweep the entire boutique clean, like everything before had been a joke.

How he picked out only luxurious things. Moreover, they were all dresses that would suit Rosana well. Venice’s flattery from the side played a part too. 

Jade seemed intent on buying enough for all the customers he’d chased away, keeping his word to Venice. Rosana stood dazed and lost, watching the number of dresses grow far beyond what she’d chosen.

‘A gift for me… I suppose it doesn’t matter if he’s enjoying himself.’

She was no longer someone who agonized over dresses. Looking at the accumulating dresses, her thoughts weren’t worries about extravagance but gratitude. 

‘A gift he’s giving me.’ 

That alone made Rosana happy.

‘No matter how many dresses Mother thr*st upon me, I was never happy…’

Every gift he gave brought joy.

Jade looked carefully to see if anything was missing. He’d looked around most places and chosen everything eye-catching. Jade, who had been leisurely rubbing his chin, raised the corners of his mouth in satisfaction.

“Send all the chosen dresses to the imperial palace.”

“Yes, understood. I’ll transport both the dresses the lady chose and the dresses His Majesty mentioned to the imperial palace.”

“Now let’s look at shoes and hats.”

“Pardon?”

“Did you think we were done?”

She felt déjà vu. It was the same as when she’d tried to choose dresses. At Jade’s triumphant appearance, Rosana could only laugh emptily. 

But her heart strangely pounded. Dresses weren’t the only things accumulating. Eventually, Rosana, who had been fully outfitted with dresses, hats, and shoes, looked at the mirror with a sour expression.

“There’s no stopping you…”

Rosana hadn’t stopped him. She’d gone along until he was satisfied. She couldn’t bring herself to stop his passion as he swept through the boutique interior with a flushed expression. 

Due to his stubbornness, she ended up dressed like someone about to attend a banquet right then. Jade, who had approached from behind, said:

“It suits you well.”

At those words from Jade, Rosana couldn’t help but ask. She was curious about his answer.

“Jade, who do I look like to you? ‘Rosana Arcadi’? Or the Rosana who cried in front of you?”

“That’s for you to judge. But to me.”

Rosana raised her head and watched Jade’s eyes. Dry saliva gulped down her throat. His refreshing eyes curved attractively. She felt a gentle breeze blowing warmly.

“You look like Rosana Arcadi, who will become my wife someday.”

“Heh, is that so?”

The expected answer. She believed that time ahead would reveal the answer to the question she couldn’t find.

Rosana’s eyes suddenly caught sight of his crooked necktie. Because he’d passionately selected dresses, his necktie had become slightly askew.

“Jade.”

“Hmm?”

Rosana reached out and adjusted his necktie. Because of their height difference, when Rosana lightly pulled the necktie, his body naturally leaned down.

Jade, bent awkwardly at the waist, stared intently at Rosana touching his necktie right below him. They were close enough for their noses to touch.

“All done.”

Rosana, who had simply fixed the necktie straight, lightly patted his chest. She tilted her head, puzzled at him standing still without stepping back.

“Jade?”

“Ah, my apologies. Rather, have you decided to take initiative? I was dissatisfied that only I seemed anxious.”

“What reason is there to be impatient? Besides, you always approach too suddenly. It startles me…”

“What’s the problem?”

Every time Jade suddenly thr*st his head forward or pulled her into an embrace, she flinched in surprise. Reddening cheeks were a bonus. Rosana muttered in dissatisfaction. Jade shrugged.

Come to think of it, she’d been the first to approach since kissing him. Though the distance regarding physical contact had decreased, Jade hadn’t actually kissed her since that day. 

Though he often did so on her hand, he never did on her cheek or forehead.

In this position…

“What’s wrong?”

Jade looked at Rosana, who was pondering something intently.

“Are you dissatisfied that I’m not taking initiative?”

Jade’s eyebrows twitched. A strange sense of déjà vu enveloped him. The atmosphere was similar to that time.

“No matter how much I think about it, I have nothing I can do for you. So I’ll do what made Jade happy.”

“W-wait…!”

The flustered Jade tried to stop Rosana, but it was too late. Rosana stood on tiptoe. The kiss that had landed on his chin last time reached exactly the desired location. It was easy because he’d bent at the waist.

“It’s thanks for your gratitude. This time I succeeded accurately.”

She even gently stroked the spot she’d kissed with her hand. Jade staggered back one step. He grabbed the edge of the sofa with his hand and exhaled deeply. Rosana chuckled. His flustered appearance turning his head seemed cute.

“Really… you…”

Jade, who had swallowed hard, muttered in a boiling tone. Soon he let out a deflating laugh and opened his mouth.

“Why wouldn’t you have things you can do for me? Rosana, I have something to tell you.”

“Yes, please speak.”

* * *

After finishing the outing, Rosana returned to the palace. She waved gratefully to Jade, who had escorted her to the palace entrance.

The maids who had come to meet Rosana doubted their eyes at her changed appearance. 

Yuna, whose mouth seemed itchy, asked what had happened as soon as they entered the room. 

From her reaction, Rosana could tell how overtly she’d been acting and how much those around her had noticed.

Celine calmed Yuna and asked:

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Yes. I enjoyed it. Diovaha is a wonderful place.”

“Right? I’m glad you enjoyed it! But what happened? Did you have dresses fitted?”

“They’re gifts His Majesty gave me. Do they suit me?”

“You’re truly beautiful! They’re beautiful, pretty dresses that suit Lady Rosana!”

She clapped her hands very quickly, like she wanted to give a seal’s applause. Rosana felt embarrassed at Yuna’s intense reaction.

“More dresses will come later.”

“Pardon?”

“Well, he bought quite a lot of things.”

Rosana spoke with a slightly sour expression. Some dresses fit perfectly because they were made for Rosana, but some dresses needed alterations.

“The dresses will take time for alterations, so they said they’d come tomorrow or the day after. Other things like shoes and hats will come soon.”

There were so many items that it was impossible to load them all onto the carriage. Yuna, who wanted to know the detailed story, tried to interrogate her thoroughly, but stepped back at Celine’s restraint.

“Aren’t you tired from the long outing? We’ve prepared bathwater.”

Rosana didn’t refuse Celine’s consideration. Her shoulders were stiff from wearing various outfits. However, her heart was full. Rosana enjoyed the warm bathwater while recalling what Jade had said at the end.

“An envoy…”

‘I need your help.’ 

Jade spoke in a serious tone, leaving Rosana startled by the unexpected responsibility.

However, it was something Jade had requested. Though doubts remained about whether she should take it on, she couldn’t refuse.

No, to be honest,

‘I wonder whether it’s really a request or a measure for my sake.’

However, she’d already said she would do it. Then she wanted to produce results as much as he believed in her.

“I’ve prepared banquets many times.”

Rosana was the ducal lady, the eldest daughter at that. Because her mother had to handle outside affairs in the Duke’s absence, Rosana had taken charge of domestic affairs. 

She’d accumulated knowledge and helped with work, hoping the attitude surrounding her would change. Hosting banquets was the same.

Except for Rosana, the Duchess and Amy were famous figures in society. Therefore, banquets were held frequently. 

In the first place, Amy had a strong tendency to view everything favorably and couldn’t handle matters rationally. The Duchess was busy, so naturally preparing was Rosana’s responsibility.

Of course, very few people knew this fact. Even when banquets ended successfully, the one who heard words of praise, who was looked up to, wasn’t Rosana.

‘Let’s stop the sad thoughts.’

Rosana, who had slapped her cheeks, organized what she needed to do first.

“What matters at a banquet is the other party. I need to learn about the Ales Kingdom and find out if there’s a suitable place to hold a banquet. I need to work hard…”