The very front position on the list is always empty. That spot belongs to the patron siblings. Behind that are Her Highness the Princess and Duchess Xenon, but Raniarne’s name was just placed ahead of the Princess.

“Are you serious, Ella?”

“Listen carefully, Jena. Never make a mistake with the lady. For your future’s sake. And you should attend to her personally. Inform the others as well.”

Jena’s eyes widened. Ella never catered to nobles.

The mysterious patron was an incredibly generous benefactor, and above all, Princess Eloise, who trusted Ella’s unrestrained advice for her skill, entrusted her dresses to her.

In society, the opinion of the First Princess, Eloise Aschpen de Briseis, was absolute.

‘But Ella herself prioritized Lady Ronia over Princess Eloise. Why?’

Having started working at the boutique from a very young age, Jena instinctively sensed that discovering the reason could be a crucial key to her future.

“I understand.”

“Jena, I like that resourcefulness of yours. Now I must go see Lord Cedric again.”

Ella picked up her bag containing sewing tools and moved her steps. The scene she had just witnessed echoed in her mind.

「 Where are you going in that state?」

「 ……」

「 And you dare to do this in this state.」

「 I’m gathering evidence to break the engagement with Kale. I want to reclaim you completely. Without you being damaged because of me.」

Ella had sensed something unusual when Lord Cedric first sent a carriage full of dresses to Lady Ronia.

But after engagement talks with Lady Leverun began in earnest, she thought their connection had sadly ended.

Yet what Ella witnessed while waiting to escort Lord Cedric was a relationship difficult to describe in words.

‘How should I put it? Like a fire quietly boiling before a volcano erupts.’

Moreover, recently, Lord Cedric sent Warren to investigate cufflinks. Three pairs of Kale de Wayne’s cufflinks were made.

The curious thing was that one pair was held by Kale, one by Amelia, and one by Lord Cedric.

‘And Lady Ronia also mentioned Kale. Something smells interesting.’

The relationship between the four people was quite peculiar. She had a premonition that a huge secret that would shake society might be lurking.

‘A storm is brewing.’

* * *

High society was an utterly unfavorable place for Arne.

Not only because she hadn’t had her debutante yet, but also because no salon would accept her due to her infamy.

‘But Ella Roine Boutique won’t throw me out since Cedric directly said he would compensate for my dress. Plus, it’s the time when all the empire’s ladies will gather for the upcoming imperial banquet.’

Whether they would be friendly to Arne was uncertain.

Just by entering the boutique, the gazes of the ladies converged on Arne.

Those gazes reached her silver hair, red eyes, and ridiculous dress, and though she raised her fan, it couldn’t hide the contemptuous looks.

No, they had no intention of hiding them. The gazes became increasingly blatant. Even the young lords tilting their teacups were the same.

‘This is it.’

Each floor has a space where one can leisurely wait while drinking tea.

Deliberately designed by Ella, it shows what kind of nobles come here while providing them the pleasure of observation.

Because they can watch nobles changing clothes while drinking tea.

Structured like a stage, it satisfies the nobles’ vanity who want to be envied while stimulating competition.

Of course, this is a thoroughly planned show. Ella personally takes reservations and creates the list for this. Appropriately stimulating without excessively trampling the noblewomen’s pride, making both audience and protagonist happy.

Though not a salon, it has more influence than one.

‘How one is treated here represents their position in society.’

As Arne passed through the contemptuous gazes and stood in front of the lobby, chief designer Jena hurriedly greeted her.

“I greet Lady Ronia.”

When the chief designer Jena herself paid respects, the nobles who had been sneering at Arne changed their expressions in astonishment.

“It’s an honor to have you visit Ella Roine Boutique. I am chief designer Jena.”

“I’m Raniarne Freya de Ronia. As you can see, I’m not at all pleased with the dress I received as a gift, so I’d like to see new dresses.”

“This way, please. Having clothes that fit perfectly is very important. I’ll prepare a changing room.”

A graceful smile spread across Arne’s face as she faced Jena. While buying clothes is one thing, the changing rooms here require reservations.

No matter how senior a designer she is, she can’t prioritize Arne above all other appointments without Ella’s permission. Things seem to be flowing interestingly.

Arne nodded elegantly. Jena quickly examined Arne’s dress and clapped her hands.

“And we’ve prepared tea for Penny and Agatha, who attend Lady Ronia, so they can wait comfortably. An attendant will guide them here now.”

The nobles couldn’t hide their shock, first at Jena’s appearance and now at her words.

Jena treated the maids Penny and Agatha as ladies-in-waiting. Ladies-in-waiting who accompany high nobles were considered honorable positions and were often daughters from prestigious families.

It was an extremely courteous treatment. A good start.

Now Arne moved her steps, receiving gazes of surprise, curiosity, jealousy, and envy.

“Please let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you. Ah, that dress looks nice.”

“I understand. I’ll prepare it right away.”

As Arne’s smile spread, there was a commotion behind her. Jena, identifying the subject, bowed her head in greeting.

“I greet Lord Cedric.”

“I greet Lord Cedric.”

The sound filling the boutique made Arne deliberately not look back.

The necessary conversation was already finished, and seeing him would only make her sad with nothing she could do.

As Arne took a step, Jena also moved. Ella’s voice followed.

“Lord Cedric, you’ve arrived? I’ve prepared everything to finish the fitting. Lord Cedric?”

Cedric passed by Ella. Ella’s head turned toward his back.

He passed by ladies raising fans to hide their flushed cheeks, ladies staring blankly at him, young lords shrinking from his presence, and young lords wanting to speak to him.

When he grabbed Arne’s hand, the hall stirred.

Even without turning around, Arne could clearly feel whose warmth it was from his mana, which she now knew too well.

A familiar deep voice flowed.

“Let’s talk.”

She clearly told him that holding her hand like this would tarnish his honor, so why was he doing this?

‘Ah, he doesn’t know. That I’m not at death’s door anymore.’

Since she pulled her hand away before her mana fully recovered. Cedric couldn’t guess how much of Arne’s mana had recovered, so he might think she was in a very dangerous state.

‘That makes me feel even worse.’

Arne turned to Cedric and said,

“If it’s about my dress that was damaged by your mistake, Lord Cedric, it’s fine. I’m grateful for your thoughtful inquiry. Well then.”

Arne smiled brightly and tried to pull her hand away, but it wouldn’t budge.

“It will only take a moment.”

“I appreciate your kindness, but I must decline.”

At Arne’s firm rejection, Cedric’s brow furrowed. Somehow his red eyes seemed to burn more intensely.

Why won’t he let go? If they draw more attention, the excuse she carefully crafted will become meaningless, and everyone will notice something strange.

The whispers of the stirring crowd reach her ears.

“What’s their relationship? I heard rumors that the two visited Ipellita Garden together before.”

“I heard Lady Ronia was one-sidedly pursuing him, but now it looks more like Young Master Renigrad is……”

“That can’t be. Didn’t you hear what was said earlier? It’s because Lord Renigrad accidentally damaged her dress.”

“The atmosphere between them seems too unusual for that.”

Arne grew anxious. As expected, people started whispering.

The purer and higher one stands, like a snow-capped mountain, the more eagerly people will try to drag them down at the slightest pretext.

‘I need to resolve this situation quickly. What would make this man let go?’

Arne suddenly pulled Cedric’s hand. Caught off guard by the sudden pull, Cedric’s pupils dilated. Facing him, an enchanting tone flowed from Arne’s lips.

“I need to undress. It’s troublesome if you keep holding my hand.”

Arne’s gaze, tilting sideways, landed on the changing room.

“……”

The air in the hall instantly heated up. A young lord cleared his throat, someone gulped, and a lady dropped her fan.

Seeing Cedric’s wavering eyes, Arne, feeling the gazes focused on her, said,

“Well then.”

“……”

Taking advantage of Cedric’s momentary daze, Arne pulled her hand free and curtsied elegantly to Cedric, lifting one side of her skirt.

Before Arne could turn away, Cedric’s voice rang out.

“I’ll wait.”

Meeting his red eyes, Arne pulled up her tightly pressed lips into a mysterious smile and then moved her steps.

* * *

Penny’s eyes sparkled as she looked around while waiting for Arne. Ella Roine Boutique truly overflowed with beautiful, brilliant dresses as rumored.

‘That would suit Millie well. Blue dresses suit her.’

Penny gazed intently at a blue dress with pearl decorations. Then Agatha’s voice flowed.

“You’ve arrived, my lady.”

“Are you here? Wow, my lady, it suits you so well!”