If it weren’t for Jeff, the viscountess would probably have made excuses not to sell her clothes. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to sell to a pr*stitute.

The viscountess was a person who greatly valued chastity and pride as a noble woman. She was also someone who had spread so much malicious gossip about Estelle when she became the Crown Princess, calling her the Empire’s disgrace, that it reached her ears.

“As it happens, our tailor has just showcased a new design that would suit Lady Arcis perfectly.”

Looking at the viscountess who smiled broadly with a friendly voice, Estelle narrowed her eyes. The dresses she mentioned might look gorgeous and beautiful, but they were designs that had failed due to materials that irritated the skin.

In the past, she had suffered from a mottled skin condition caused by wearing that dress and had to cover up during the hot summer.

Estelle gave the viscountess a bright smile and asked.

“May I look around a bit?”

“……No matter how you look at it, the dress I recommended would be the most beautiful for you, Lady Arcis. It would also match your eye color well. Here, take a look.”

At the viscountess’s gesture, the clerks presented dark purple dresses. The densely set diamond decorations made the already elaborate design shine even more.

“……”

However, contrary to the viscountess’s expectation, Estelle, who was expected to pour out admiration immediately, wore a sullen expression.

“The weather will soon get hot, and this looks heavy and stuffy.”

“Hoho…… Lady Arcis, you’re too innocent. Well, you might find it a bit awkward. After all, you probably couldn’t visit easily until now, so it’s understandable that you’re not familiar with the trends.”

Though her tone was gentle, there were thorns at the tip of the viscountess’s tongue.

“It’s alright. You don’t need to be embarrassed. Our clothing store’s price range is so high that not only Lady Arcis but many others cannot approach it lightly. Lady Arcis, the weather and dignified design have no relation whatsoever.”

“I don’t like the design either. It looks like a traditional costume that has been passed down for hundreds of years. It feels quite outdated. Though I may not be familiar with the trends as I don’t often visit the capital’s clothing stores, I mention this because the design is similar to the dresses I inherited from my mother.”

“……”

The viscountess couldn’t regain her composure, as if she’d been slapped in the face by the scathing criticism that flew at her. Estelle carefully examined her face and continued with a consoling tone.

“Still… you did reflect the era well with designs that completely cover everything without individuality. It reminds me of that terrible incident with the baroness a few days ago, as it clearly shows the harmful oppression of women.”

Estelle brought her lips close to the viscountess’s ear and lowered her voice.

“You know, the incident where the baron beat his wife to death.”

The viscountess, wrapped in humiliation, trembled violently. Regardless, Estelle began wandering around the dress shop, examining other dresses.

“It seems better for her to choose clothes she likes herself.”

Jeff, after saying a word to the viscountess whose face had turned bright red, sat on an elegant velvet chair and watched Estelle.

‘She has that side to her.’

She was a woman who spoke her mind clearly while mocking others at an expert level. The seemingly delicate woman had been hiding rather sharp claws.

Jeff liked her even more for her confidence.

Estelle selected a few morning dresses, afternoon dresses, and evening toilettes. All were dresses with modest colors and simple designs with only dandelion embroidery as decoration.

‘And they said she was materialistic……’

Jeff looked at her with endearing eyes, as she seemed far from extravagant. Her spending wouldn’t even amount to a quarter of what he had anticipated. He rose from his seat and added coats, gloves, and hats to match the clothes she had chosen.

“More items will just become bothersome. I don’t need any more.”

Estelle, who had been glancing sideways at Jeff with burdened eyes each time more items were added, finally stopped him. For someone who had entered looking ready to purchase the entire dress shop, her submissively lowering her tail seemed even more adorable, causing Jeff to unconsciously clench his fist.

“Please charge today’s amount to the duke’s residence.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As the clerks were loading the dresses and items into the carriage, something caught Estelle’s eye as she was mindlessly looking around the interior.

“Wait, I want to buy that too.”

The dress she pointed to was far more elaborate than the designs she had chosen until now. Made of silk taffeta, the dress boasted a smooth luster blending green and purple, and was adorned with various jewels, looking expensive enough to be worth an entire mansion.

Estelle, who had skimmed over the flashy dresses, had just now noticed that particular dress.

“That… is a dress that already has an owner and is not for sale.”

“I still want to buy it. I want it.”

Jeff looked with surprise at the dress Estelle had pointed out, as she made her demand enthusiastically, unlike when she had entered the dress shop without showing much joy. Sensing something ominous, the viscountess hurriedly blocked Jeff’s path.

“Lady Arcis seems to like it, so let’s make an identical one for you. If you have your measurements taken today……”

“No, I need to take it now. It has to be that one.”

“That… would be too large for you to wear, my lady. It’s tailored to the owner’s measurements……”

“That’s fine.”

Estelle blinked her eyes with an expression that suggested it wasn’t a problem at all.

“If you insist like this, it puts me in a difficult position. I’ll show you other dresses that haven’t been made public instead……”

Estelle turned her head toward Jeff with desperate eyes.

“Your Highness… I ‘really’ need that one.”

“……”

Even Jeff could see that Estelle’s stubbornness was unreasonable. However, Jeff, who had completely fallen for her expectant gaze with eyes brimming with anticipation, told the viscountess to sell the dress.

“I’ll pay double the price.”

“Your Highness… you shouldn’t do this. That dress is for the young lady of House Valter to wear at her birthday party. Her birthday is tomorrow.”

“I’ll cover the cost of a new dress for Lady Valter to choose.”

“Your Highness, please consider my situation……! I cannot make an identical dress in just one day.”

“Madam… should I be concerned about House Valter’s feelings?”

“But……!”

“Lady Arcis wants it so badly, and I’d like to grant her request. Unless… are you disrespecting me because you fear Valter?”

“……”

The viscountess swallowed hard under the pressure of his intimidating green eyes. She should have known from this morning when she almost tripped over a small stone while leaving her mansion. That it would be an ominous day.

It was a typical power struggle between houses, and she, the weaker party, was the only one getting hurt.

Duke Alexis hadn’t been this rude before…….

The viscountess shot Estelle a glare as if looking at a sinister woman, then reluctantly nodded.

She would be in trouble for betraying trust, but she couldn’t afford to get on Duke Alexis’s bad side. Setting aside his status, the enormous revenue from the duke’s household was incomparable to House Valter.

‘The sight of them tearing at each other will be quite entertaining. It’s just a shame I won’t be able to see it myself.’

Estelle smiled wickedly at the sight. It was a small revenge for how they had tormented her in the past.

Lady Valter was a woman who, like the viscountess, found satisfaction in speaking ill of others. She often treated others’ misfortunes as gossip and caused discord, and the two women, being similar, worked well together.

This incident would drive a wedge between them. Because their friendship was only that deep. How significant could a friendship be that was built upon trampling on people who had fallen victim to their malicious tongues?

Sometimes a poisonous tongue could tear one’s heart to shreds more effectively than direct harm. They might have spread malicious rumors as mere entertainment, but for her, the subject, it had been agonizing. This level of spite was a generous treatment compared to the wounds she had received then.

‘They’ll meet their own tragedy anyway.’