48. The Invitation to the Patronage Event (2)

“I will pledge my loyalty to Your Highness the Empress Consort.”

Genderi answered hastily, as if this was her one and only chance. Larael gave an awkward smile. She hadn’t meant to demand a vow of loyalty, only to offer Genderi a proper contract and compensation, so there seemed to be a slight misunderstanding.

“That was a selfish request, wasn’t it? But your dresses are so wonderful that I wanted to keep them all to myself.”

“No, I meant it sincerely. My skills may be lacking, but if Your Highness wishes, I would be honored to work exclusively for you.”

Genderi was sincere. It was Larael who had brought her dresses out of storage and into the world. No one could truly understand what that meant to her. Not even her supportive husband came to mind at that moment. All she wanted was to be acknowledged by Larael, who had recognized her work, and to work for her.

“I didn’t mean for you to answer right away. Take a few days to think it over. For now, I’ll buy all these dresses.”

Larael turned her gaze back to the dresses. Genderi hurriedly brought out a measuring tape.

“I’ll need to tailor them to fit Your Highness’s figure, so with your permission, may I take your measurements?”

“Of course.”

At Larael’s answer, Genderi stretched out the tape. The guards exchanged glances and stepped outside the shop.

Once Larael’s measurements were taken, Genderi asked if there were any decorations she wanted to modify or add to the dresses. Larael gazed at the dresses for a moment, thinking, then shook her head.

“I’ll leave it to your judgment. If you need any jewels or other materials for decoration, purchase them and send me the bill. For the next fitting, since we’ll also need to discuss the exclusive designer contract, let’s do it at the palace. I’ll send a carriage for you.”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

Genderi nodded, looking dazed. She still couldn’t believe this was all real.

After seeing the empress off, Genderi returned to her shop and stood there for a long time, unable to move.

***

Larael stood in front of the mirror, quietly studying her reflection.

Beside her, Genderi’s face was filled with nervous anticipation.

Looking in the mirror, Larael could understand why Genderi’s dresses were so popular among the nobility.

In a capital where flashy, colorful dresses were all the rage, Genderi’s pale-toned dress looked simple yet elegant.

The small jewels densely embroidered around the bodice caught the light from every angle, giving off a subtle glow with Larael’s slightest movement.

From the hips down, the dress was full and opulent with Genderi’s signature elaborate pleats. The gold embellishments added by Genderi shimmered like waves breaking on water whenever the hem of the dress swayed.

It was a dress that could only be described as elegant and beautiful.

Genderi gazed at Larael in awe, seeing her own creation finally worn by its rightful owner.

‘My dress has finally found its true owner.’

She was proud of her decision to become the empress consort’s exclusive designer.

Recognized and chosen by Larael, Genderi vowed hundreds of times to devote herself to her and be her designer.

The day Larael visited, Genderi’s husband wept with joy. The couple hugged and cried together for a long time.

With some of the gold coins they received for the dresses, they went out for dinner at a fine restaurant for the first time in their lives. It was the first time in years they’d eaten so well. They never thought such luxury would come to their lives.

They had thought they were wandering deeper and deeper into a dark tunnel with no exit, and that the end was near.

Now, the couple thought of Larael as their savior.

“This look so beautiful,” Larael said, admiring her reflection in the mirror as she spoke to Mrs. Genderi. She seemed to shine, as if she drew in all the light around her.

“Your Highness the Empress Consort is truly beautiful,” Genderi replied.

Larael let out a soft laugh, then gently grasped the hem of her dress and twirled.

She looked at Genderi with admiration, impressed by how she had managed to add new embellishments and tailor the dress perfectly to her measurements in such a short time.

Larael was determined to support Genderi without reservation. She didn’t want to keep her hidden away, but rather give her wings to soar. That’s why, when they drew up the employment contract, Larael made sure it allowed Genderi to continue her own commercial activities freely.

“Even if it hadn’t been me, your dresses would have found their place in the world,” Larael said. She meant it sincerely, but Genderi still felt shy hearing such words. She still couldn’t believe Larael had truly chosen her dresses.

“You flatter me, Your Highness. You are our benefactor.”

After Genderi delivered the dresses and left, preparations for the patronage event began in earnest. Larael kept repeating affirmations to herself so she could stand tall among the nobles who looked down on her with disdain and contempt.

When her hair was almost done, the bedroom entrance grew noisy, and after a knock, Edward entered. Larael, surprised by his unexpected visit, looked at him through the mirror, eyes wide.

All the maids in the room bowed deeply to Edward. Larael, quickly regaining her composure, rose from the vanity and faced him.

Edward stood still, gazing at Larael without moving.

“Your Majesty?”

Time seemed to slow around Larael. The fragments of light scattered around her seemed to illuminate her even more. Edward let out a short sigh of awe. As he came to his senses, a flush started at his earlobes and spread across his face.

Unable to take his eyes off her, Edward walked over and naturally took her hand.

“I stopped by because I thought you might be anxious about attending your first official event alone. Aren’t you finished yet?”

Edward asked the maids who were bowing nearby. In the past, they would have left the room, but there must have been a reason they stayed.

“Yes, but we’re almost done.”

“Then finish up.”

Larael nodded to Sasha and sat back down at the vanity. Edward stood beside her, still holding her hand. The maids, sensing the emperor’s mood, quickly finished Larael’s hair and left the bedroom.

While the maids were there, Larael had only looked in the mirror, not meeting Edward’s eyes. Now, she slowly raised her head and looked at him. Their gazes met, as if they both wanted the same thing.

‘I want to hold you so tightly I could break.’

But she couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.

“Do you really have to go to the patronage event tonight?”

Edward broke the silence between them, his voice languid. His deep blue teal eyes shimmered.

Larael didn’t want him to see how her feelings for him surged dozens of times a day. Even now, she felt the same. Unaware of her complicated feelings, Edward smiled brightly at her. Larael couldn’t fully accept that smile and turned her head away.

Edward couldn’t bear her turning away from him. He frowned and pulled her hand, which he hadn’t let go of, more tightly. With that force, Larael couldn’t resist and was pulled straight into his arms.

“Just stay with me like this.”

Edward said it almost like a plea. She wanted to stay with him just like this.

He hugged Larael gently.

“Your Majesty, you’ll mess up my hair.”

At Larael’s words, Edward loosened his hold. Larael took a step back, but as soon as she did, Edward stepped closer.

“This is your first event, so you should go and not be late.”

Even as she said it, Larael hoped Edward would hug her again. She looked at him with longing. Edward’s lips curved into a gentle smile. Seeing Larael sending him such a look while also trying to keep him at bay, he found her so adorable he could hardly stand it.