Chapter 66

Luden was home to countless fashion boutiques.

As the capital of the Rilt Empire, it naturally attracted the most skilled tailors from all over the region.

I strolled down one of Luden’s most famous fashion streets.

Every shop window displayed the latest trends in dresses and menswear.

Normally, I would’ve enjoyed casually admiring the beautiful clothes, but today my heart was racing with a mix of anticipation and nerves.

I had been planning how to win over the hearts of the northern people, and today, I was taking my first step toward that goal.

Though I believed it would go well, moving someone’s heart was never as easy as I wanted it to be.

Finally, my eyes landed on the sign for “Bruniel’s Boutique.”

Bruniel’s was run by a young woman in her twenties named Bruniel Melfray. It wasn’t the most popular shop in Luden, largely due to Bruniel’s unique taste in fashion.

I had visited the shop a few times since it opened three months ago.

*Ding.*

As I opened the door, the cheerful sound of a bell rang, followed by an overly enthusiastic greeting.

“Welcome!”

“…”

Closing the door quietly behind me, I took in the interior of the shop.

While other boutiques were bustling with customers, Bruniel’s was as empty as ever.

It seemed her distinctive taste hadn’t changed since my last visit. The store still displayed the same style of clothing I remembered.

A long hooded cloak made of wool, a fluffy dress with a feather-like texture, and even hats adorned with fluffy flowers and boots fit for trekking through snowy mountains.

The whole place was filled with soft, furry fabrics.

After taking a quick look around, I finally set my eyes on Bruniel.

“How have you been?” I asked, offering a slight smile as I approached her.

Bruniel, with her bright and cheerful demeanor, looked just as she had the last time I’d seen her.

“Oh… Lady Brent?”

Her face lit up as I nodded, and she hurried over to me, her expression full of excitement.

“It’s been a while! Are you doing alright now?”

“Yes, I assume you’ve heard. Don’t worry—just because I’ve come here doesn’t mean my life is at risk anymore.”

“Ah, no! I’ll bring some warm tea, so please wait just a moment!”

I responded with a simple nod to Bruniel’s words.

I moved towards the sofa in the center of the shop and sat down. Even the quill pen on the table was wrapped in soft pink fur.

How could Bruniel think of covering everything with fur?

“The women living in the north must love this…”

I crossed one leg over the other, amused by the thought.

During my visit to Kanak, I had thoroughly explored the bustling streets. The people of Grand Cali made decent profits by growing crops unique to the northern regions and raising cold-climate animals like reindeer. However, there was a lack of skilled artisans, and there weren’t many well-established shopping districts.

Despite having money, the northern people’s desires for consumption remained unfulfilled, which was a well-known characteristic.

As I observed Kanak, a thought came to mind:

‘What if we created a lively commercial district here, just like Luden?’

Since it was winter year-round, illuminating the streets with something like luminaries would make it feel like Christmas every day. If Grand Cali transformed into a hot spot, it could bring newfound joy to the northern people.

I had a few talented individuals in mind that I wanted to scout, and Bruniel was my first stop. After this, I planned to meet with a popular dressmaker and a children’s clothing store owner.

“Have you been waiting long? I was so nervous when you visited that I had to boil fresh water, so it took a bit of time.”

“It’s alright. Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

I took a sip from the teacup that Bruniel placed on the table. Then, she sat across from me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“So, where are you staying these days?”

“We’ve been ordered to head to the north. You haven’t heard?”

“The north? Really?”

“Yes, His Majesty appointed my husband as the lord of Wiltsbrook Castle.”

“Oh my goodness…”

Bruniel was so shocked that she couldn’t finish her sentence, so I took another sip of tea.

The idea of us moving to the north seemed to have quite the impact. Understandably so—Wiltsbrook or not, the freezing north was a place that people from the capital tended to dread.

However, after visiting Kanak, I realized it wasn’t unlivable, even for someone from the capital, as long as you dressed warmly—about five layers would do the trick.

Bruniel, who had been startled by the mention of the north, soon looked excited.

“Aren’t there a lot of reindeer there? Their fur is so fine and soft. It’s incredibly warm and feels amazing against the skin.”

“That’s why I’m here. I was thinking of ordering some fur clothing in advance. There aren’t many places that offer warm yet stylish outfits like yours.”

“Oh, thank you so much for saying that…”

Bruniel blushed slightly before speaking again with a somewhat dejected expression.

“But my designs aren’t exactly in line with current trends, so not many people have been visiting, even though it’s winter.”

“……”

So, she knew.

It was fortunate that she had realized why her business wasn’t doing well, even after three months since the store had opened.

After all, nobles didn’t care too much about staying warm, even in the dead of winter. They wanted to follow trends, wearing shiny, luxurious fabrics adorned with as much lace, ribbons, and ruffles as possible. A thick fur shawl draped over the top was usually all the warmth they needed.

Dressing in full-length feather or down clothing, as Bruniel preferred, didn’t get much attention.

I spoke cautiously.

“Strangely enough, I feel like the clothes you make keep me warmer than other fur garments. It’s like the fabric itself generates heat.”

It reminded me of the sensation I felt wearing thermals in my past life—a pleasant warmth that radiated from within. It was curious how Bruniel’s clothes seemed to have a subtle heat-retaining quality, even without anything like a heat pack.

Was that possible in this era? Unless it was magic.

“Is it just my imagination? Or is there some special treatment in the fabrics you use?”

“Well, actually…”

Bruniel blushed even more. She seemed both flustered and a bit embarrassed.

Finally, she spoke cautiously.

“You’re the first to ask me about that. I haven’t told customers because of certain circumstances, but I use a special fabric I developed myself.”

“Is that so? That’s amazing.”

“Oh no, it’s nothing. I just don’t promote it openly because if word got out, people might ask me for the secret. It’s… my little trade secret…”

“……”

A business secret, huh?

I could see how openly sharing such impressive technology might make her business thrive, but I also understood her hesitation. If others caught on and copied her technique, that would be more troublesome. Bruniel’s uneasy expression seemed to reflect that very concern.

“I shouldn’t have asked. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it to myself.”

“Thank you. You’re very sharp, though. I was secretly hoping you’d stop by again since you’re the only customer who’s bought dresses from my shop three times.”

At that, Bruniel smiled a little.

I returned her smile briefly, but I knew it was time to get to the point.

“Bruniel.”

“Yes?”

“I have a mission to develop Grand Cali as the lady of Wiltsbrook Castle.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’m planning to create a bustling marketplace there, like Luden.”

“……”

I felt a bit guilty toward the northern people, who were content living quietly, but I had to win their favor as the tyrant wished.

After all, his goal was tax revenue.

If I pretended to give him what he wanted, perhaps he’d overlook my efforts. Just as he had allowed the textile factories to flourish.

So, I intended to do my best to develop Grand Cali into a thriving city and strengthen my position.

“It may seem sudden, but could you trust me and run your boutique in the north for just one year?”

“My Lady…”

“Bruniel, I promise to give you the best support so you can focus on making clothes with peace of mind. The size of your new shop will be incomparable to what you have now. And your living quarters will be as grand as a home of your own.”

Bruniel seemed dumbfounded, as though she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

I maintained my steady, unwavering gaze on her.

“Me? How could someone like me, a small shop owner with no reputation, be offered such a proposal…?”

Bruniel’s hands were trembling slightly, likely due to the shock. After all, even in the north, hearing the wife of a former duke offer to set up a new shop would catch anyone off guard.

I let out a small, amused sigh.

“I’m sorry for suddenly asking this of you. If it’s too much, feel free to decline. I won’t mind at all.”

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories