“Didn’t I instruct you to increase the display mannequins from ten to fifteen?”

“I’m sorry. I’ll check on that.”

“Change the recommended accessory in Section C, Corner 3 to something else.”

“Yes. I’ll inform the person in charge.”

‘Flying off the shelves.’

A phrase that means items sell out or disappear quickly as soon as they’re displayed.

The place that most accurately represents this phrase and stands out on the capital’s high-end boutique street is none other than Boutique Thalia, under Crient Trading Company.

The level of crowding there was different from the start.

Due to the constant influx of carriages, they had to have separate staff for parking, and because the dress stock kept depleting, they had to set up new display items every few hours.

In contrast, the other boutiques were utterly quiet.

The reason was simple.

The season had already started, and the initial stock was already produced, but the trend changed as if by a lie.

Even if they start production immediately without worrying about margins, it would take two weeks to sell.

However, the noblewomen were in a hurry right now, so they eventually headed to Crient’s boutique, even if it meant enduring various inconveniences.

Husbands who heard about this raised their voices, asking why they should line the pockets of the emperor’s faction with their money.

But the wives had their arguments too.

Should they ignore the trends led by Duchess Tria and Princess Eclipse and go to the party, or should they stay home and risk strange rumors? Why didn’t you know what Crient knew and let this happen?

Faced with their wives’ barrage, the husbands all fell silent.

Thus, even the wives who would have originally ordered dresses from the boutique under Baron Oseman willingly opened their wallets, bringing immense profits and smiles to the Crient household.

The happiest of all was, of course, Daniel, the head of the family and father of the one who orchestrated this situation.

He walked around with a noticeable beaming smile, calling Ellen a prodigy.

However, his expression didn’t last long as he was worried about his daughter’s safety.

The family head has the authority to make decisions regarding the family members.

Therefore, his daughter, who was still legally under Krembell, couldn’t completely escape Duke Krembell’s influence.

That’s why Ellen chose not to return to Crient for the time being.

There was a strong possibility that Gillian might try to detain her within the mansion after securing her, as he had previously done, and to avoid that, it was safer for her to be under the influence of another noble whom he couldn’t act recklessly against.

Thus, she was currently staying at the Cheshire family’s mansion.

“The nobles on the list I gave. There were no issues with the reception, right?”

“Yes. They were all escorted directly to the VIP room, and I personally attended to them whenever possible. When I couldn’t, I assigned the most knowledgeable staff member to handle the reception. That staff member managed to sell up to three outfits on the spot, confirming there were no issues with the reception.”

“Good.”

She had come out cautiously, unable to leave the store unmanaged, and was hastily inspecting the store.

Ellen’s eyes caught a familiar face.

“Oh, Countess Coenheim.”

“Oh my, what a pleasure! It’s been a while.”

It was Countess Coenheim, the biological mother of Sir Morris Coenheim.

She showed consideration by not specifically mentioning Ellen, possibly having heard about the divorce incident.

“I couldn’t greet you at the previous ball. I wish I had visited with Sweeney.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’ve exchanged pleasantries today, so that’s enough, isn’t it?”

With a gentle smile, she covered her mouth with a fan.

To her, Ellen gratefully clasped her hands and spoke.

“I’m aware you’ve been visiting our boutique frequently. Would you be interested in viewing the catalog of dresses to be produced soon? If there’s anything you like, I can prioritize it for you.”

“Oh my, thank you.”

Countess Coenheim, her eyes widening in delight at the offer, expressed her gratitude.

With a smile, Ellen personally led her to the VIP room.

‘I’ll be able to fill the reservations too.’

I’ll take care of this and head back right away.

Ellen hummed to herself inwardly.

Thanks to Ellen’s proactive service, Countess Coenheim purchased a total of five dresses and reserved three more.

She checked her son’s holiday schedule, promising to visit soon with Sir Morris Coenheim, and Ellen promised to send the men’s clothing catalog to the Coenheim residence.

She escorted the countess to the carriage and then, with a satisfied smile, turned back toward the store.

However, something large caught Ellen’s eye as she returned from the parking lot.

“What on earth is that…?”

It was an oversized carriage, much larger than usual.

But it wasn’t just the size; the emblem on the door was also unusual.

It was the eagle symbolizing Istazio.

‘The imperial family?’

Why the imperial family at my store?

Who could it be? Did they come for me?

Did they figure out my whereabouts? In that short time? How?

Ellen clenched her hands tightly, tense from the sudden and inexplicable situation.

* * *

Kaiden felt like he was about to lose his mind.

“She’s not here? Where did she go?”

“She said she was going to Boutique Thalia. Perhaps…”

“No, it’s fine. Please convey my apologies to the Count and Countess Cheshire, telling them I’ll be back soon.”

He immediately turned and walked toward the carriage he had arrived in.

“Your Highness?”

“To Boutique Thalia! As quickly as possible!”

He shouted as he slammed the carriage door shut.

‘Hopefully, Gillian hasn’t figured it out. He mustn’t arrive first…’

The first investigation report had come in this morning.

Someone had insisted he come to Cheshire’s immediately once the investigation results were out, so amidst the confusion, he steadied himself and set out.

But when he arrived, the Cheshire residence was empty.

The feeling of his heart dropping was indescribable unless experienced firsthand.

A chilling sensation crept up his neck. Kaiden’s hand reached for the bottle again.

‘…Nothing’s going right.’

The liquor, which had been pouring out, disappeared after a couple of sips. It seemed he had finished it on the way here.

He tossed the now-empty bottle into a corner.

As soon as he arrived at the boutique, Kaiden looked for Ellen first.

He saw her walking from a distance in the parking lot.

‘Thank goodness. She’s still here.’

The tension that had been gripping his entire body melted away.

With a sudden burst, Kaiden flung open the door and jumped out of the carriage.

“Your Highness?”

Ellen’s voice was slightly higher than usual, perhaps startled by his sudden appearance.

“Lady! You are truly…!”

“Yes?”

Ellen looked up at him, her eyes wide.

“So…”

If you get caught by Gillian, it’s not just you who will be in trouble. We need to carefully consider whether it’s bold or reckless…

There was much he wanted to say.

But facing those wide eyes, he found it strangely difficult to continue.

“It’s just… I didn’t want to wait for the gift, so I came to receive it directly.”

He managed to concoct a makeshift excuse.

At that, Ellen clapped her hands and spoke.

“Coincidentally, I just picked out the gifts I mentioned earlier. Would you like to take them with you?”

Seeing her bright smile, seemingly unconcerned about her safety, Kaiden sighed.

“Since you’ve already picked them out, it’s fine. You’ve probably arranged for delivery too, so let’s just say I came to meet you.”

“Meet me?”

“Let’s go to Cheshire’s.”

“Oh.”

Ellen let out a low exclamation, as if she finally understood the situation.

That irked him for some reason, and Kaiden grumbled.

“Your situation is dangerous, isn’t it? I’m worried about you being outside.”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

“…Let’s talk about it after we get in the carriage.”

Kaiden extended his hand to escort her.

Realizing that his purpose for coming here wasn’t for the gifts but for her safety, Ellen smiled, and Kaiden spoke with a face full of dissatisfaction.

“…Instead of just smiling, let’s go quickly, please.”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I’ll try not to create situations where you have to come like this next time.”

Ellen called an employee of the store, leaving instructions for the carriages to operate as previously directed, and then got into the carriage.

Kaiden asked in a slightly grumpy voice.

“…May I ask what those previous instructions were?”

“It’s nothing special. Just a sort of decoration.”

“Hyah!” came the shout from the coachman outside.

“By the way, seeing you come here, I assume the investigation results from before are out.”

“Investigation… Yes, they are.”

Kaiden, who seemed like he was going to talk more, suddenly fell silent.

In the brief silence, a familiar scent wafted over.

Ellen, recognizing the scent, asked.

“…Did you drink alcohol? I can smell it.”

“I had a little on the way…”

Kaiden buried his nose in his body.

He sniffed a few times, then muttered, “I can’t really tell,” and asked.

“Does the smell bother you?”

“Not really.”

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind drinking a bit more now… but if it bothers you, I can’t.”

He seemed genuinely eager for a drink.

Ellen played along appropriately.

“Well, I prefer sweet things over strong ones.”

Kaiden wordlessly pulled out bottles of liquor from under the seat.

“…It seems the amount you drank on the way here wasn’t exactly ‘a little.’ No wonder the smell was noticeable.”

“Is that so?”

Kaiden chuckled and took a gulp.

He drank several times without hesitation.

After setting down the bottle, he spoke.

“…Lady.”

“Yes.”

“I’m really curious about something. May I ask you one thing?”

He looked at Ellen with clouded eyes.