I Thought I Healed the Villain's Sickly Younger Brother - Chapter 21

The news of Duke Hartez visiting in person was a huge issue at the Elpine Salon.

Until now, for five generations, the House of Hartez had never shown their faces, only sending their butler to request clothing.

That was the natural and implicit rule.

Elpine, the salon’s madam, gathered even the lowest-ranking staff and thoroughly trained them not to act foolishly.

Finally, the moment arrived when Duke Hartez, whom they had only heard rumors about, would appear before their eyes.

“Duke Hartez is entering!”

As if to confirm this wasn’t a dream, someone’s shout accompanied the opening of the carriage door.

Despite having practiced countless times for this moment, Elpine couldn’t help but widen her eyes at the man emerging from the carriage.

Fortunately, she quickly bowed her head and acted skillfully.

“Duke Hartez, it’s an honor to meet you. I am Madam Elpine, of the Elpine Salon. We are overwhelmed by your personal visit.”

This experienced madam kept her voice calm even while her hidden hands trembled.

The black hair and blue eyes she had glimpsed moments ago. His vitality contradicted the rumors of him being a sickly duke.

No, rather, the man before her was beautiful enough to entrance anyone who saw him.

The only issue was the overwhelming aura he emitted that made him seem unapproachable.

“Ah, nice to meet you, El…”

When the cold voice flowed from his cold face, Elpine sharply inhaled.

Ridiculously, Ariel frowned as if he’d forgotten the name she had just told him. Even though ‘Elpine’ was also the salon’s name.

“It’s Elpine, Your Grace.”

But the experienced madam, Elpine, smiled and bowed her head once more.

“Yes, Elpine. I hope you have suitable attire for the Saint and myself.”

Finally raising her head completely, Elpine shifted her gaze to the woman stepping down from the carriage with Ariel’s escort.

‘Saint Merrien’ who suddenly came to stay at the Hartez mansion, and about whom rumors were as abundant as those about Duke Hartez himself.

The high nobles who had seen her at the temple had eagerly described her as a very beautiful Saint with pink hair.

There were even rumors that the Second Prince ‘Forcite de Vergne’ was obsessed with her, which made her even more intriguing.

Befitting her status as a noble Saint, her pink hair caught and reflected light with a magical sparkle, even in the shade. Her orange eyes shone with the warm depth of polished amber.

Her pink dress, chosen to complement her hair, swayed gracefully at the hem with each step, adding an endearing charm to the noble and beautiful Saint’s presence.

“…Saint, it’s an honor to meet you. Please, let me show you both inside.”

Looking at the couple who seemed like they’d stepped out of a painting, Elpine unconsciously swallowed.

Though she had never found it difficult to maintain her composure even before the Emperor, she deliberately hid her trembling hands behind her back as she led them into the building.

***

“This is still an unreleased new product. Who else could suit it better than Your Grace and the Saint?”

Elpine, who had already shown another catalog earlier, spoke softly while taking out a catalog of notably different quality.

Given her commercial smile, she was indeed a professional.

Her earlier nervousness at seeing the beautiful couple had vanished, replaced by confidence as she showcased the clothing designs.

“Merri, pick whatever you like.”

Ariel, who had carelessly leaned back into the plush sofa, gestured toward the catalog with his eyes.

Seeing that he had no intention of choosing himself, Merrien gave him a side-eye before turning the pages.

Elpine, as if she had been waiting for this, leaned forward and began explaining.

“Recently in social circles, it’s fashionable to emphasize glamour using various jewels and accessories.”

She carefully pointed to one of the dresses on the page Merrien was viewing.

“How about this dress that blends red and orange? I think it would complement your eyes well, Saint.”

Though it wasn’t a pre-prepared suggestion, she offered this opinion spontaneously after seeing Merrien in person.

“Hmm…”

Merrien immediately trailed off, rolling her eyes.

True to Elpine’s words, it was a very gorgeous and pretty dress.

But it would obviously cling to the body, and being bright red… Even if it was fashionable, wasn’t it too much for a ‘Saint’?

Merrien hesitated and kept turning the catalog pages. However, even after flipping through many pages, only the colors and designs changed while maintaining their elaborate style.

“I’d prefer something simpler than these. With accessories that naturally complement the dress.”

A formal dress doesn’t need to be overly extravagant. She thought it would be enough if it was moderately beautiful and suited her well.

‘There’s nothing here that feels just right.’

This wasn’t to dismiss Elpine’s skill. All the dresses she had carefully examined were breathtakingly beautiful.

It’s just that none of them were what Merrien wanted right now.

As Merrien tapped her cheek in contemplation, confusion bloomed on Elpine’s face, clearly not having expected this reaction.

The nobles who usually visited always sought the most elaborate and flashy designs, so she naturally assumed the Saint living with Duke Hartez would want the same.

Hurriedly considering options, Elpine quickly turned to the last pages of the catalog.

“Ah, if that’s what you’re looking for, here they are!”

“Oh, these are perfect!”

Merrien’s eyes immediately lit up with satisfaction as she gave her praise.

Elpine discreetly wiped away cold sweat from her forehead, having avoided a crisis.

Merrien stared intently at the two pages before her.

On one side was a white-based dress with diamonds scattered throughout, sparkling subtly without being too flashy.

On the other side was a light blue dress with sapphires that seemed to contain the ocean itself.

“The problem is they’re both too pretty.”

The issue was that she liked both dresses very much.

Now caught in a new dilemma, Merrien’s hand moved from her cheek to her temple.

“Then, would you like to purchase both as before?”

Elpine, not missing this opportunity, immediately shifted her gaze to Ariel.

Though she maintained her professional smile, she couldn’t hide her bubbling desire. Her Adam’s apple visibly moved.

“No, just one this time!”

However, a firm answer came from behind her.

Merrien’s eyes had grown huge after seeing the prices listed under the dresses, and she hastily stopped him.

“Why? We can get both.”

Ariel frowned, having obviously intended to buy both.

“No. The dressing room is already overflowing with dresses, and I’ll probably only wear a formal dress once anyway. We can buy another for the next formal event.”

‘No matter how wealthy you are, my instincts reject such extravagance…’

Merrien held up her index finger straight as if warning him to say no more. Both of them suddenly became gloomy.

Facing these two, Merrien casually examined the catalog while deep in thought.

“The white one with diamonds is pretty, and the light blue one with sapphires is pretty too…”

“Then get the light blue dress.”

“Huh?”

Ariel abruptly cut in, pointing to the right page while maintaining his sulking expression, lips still pushed out in a slight pout.

“This one’s prettier.”

“….”

Though it was a simple reason, Merrien carefully examined the light blue dress at his words.

‘It’s just like a lake.’

Like a gently rippling lake, it reminded her of something.

“Okay, let’s go with this dress.”

Perhaps because of that, she decided on the formal dress without much more deliberation. Only then did Ariel smile, seemingly in a better mood.

“But Ariel, aren’t you choosing anything?”

“No, I already had mine fitted.”

“…Really?”

If he’d already had his fitted, was there any need to come here? While tilting her head in confusion, Merrien turned her attention to the accessories without much suspicion.

Elpine, who hadn’t heard anything about this, opened her mouth toward Ariel, but he put his index finger to his lips in a ‘shh’ gesture.

While Merrien was distracted looking at accessories, Ariel quickly wrote something down and passed it to Elpine.

“Ah, I understand, Your Grace.”

Only then did Elpine bow her head, whispering just loud enough for Ariel to hear.

Ariel lifted the corners of his mouth in satisfaction and joined in Merrien’s deliberation as if nothing had happened.