Please Don’t Let Go Of That Leash - Chapter 3 (Part 3)
CHAPTER 3 – First Date (Part 3)
“The Marquess has decided to cover this debt for you.”
“I will fulfill any wish. The Duke of Carlisle or the Duke of Astina, it doesn’t matter.”
As Ria was led by the staff into the dressing room, Ennen Roeta, the chief designer, approached the three men as if she had been waiting for them.
“You’re already confident that this will happen.”
“You don’t miss an opportunity.”
“That’s the charm. Beauty and intelligence…”
“…”
“Why are you so quiet?”
“What do you mean?”
“Normally, you would cut me off with a bored expression as soon as I started praising you.”
Narrowing his eyes, Ennen looked back and forth between Rune and Eden.
“It was odd from the start if you think about it. You always called the designers to the mansion, and then you said you were going to visit the dress shop yourself, and even contacted us early in the morning on the same day.”
“…….”
“You knew that you had to make a reservation several months in advance to get a custom-made piece in our clothing room, and you contacted me directly to ask me to make a reservation unconditionally, saying that I would accommodate everything you wanted.”
Ennen, stroking her chin as if deducing, soon wore a sly expression.
“Perhaps the person who came with you today…”
She stopped mid-sentence, but it was clear what she was trying to say. In the end, Rune sighed.
Unnecessarily quick on the uptake.
“You must know how it feels to praise and declare love.”
“Are you serious?”
“Do I seem like someone who would act that way towards a woman I have no interest in?”
“No, absolutely not. Then, what about Duke Carlisle…”
Eden, who had been looking in the direction where Ria had entered the entire time, affirmed in silence.
Ennen’s mouth dropped open. Considering that he was someone who rarely showed any change in expression, this fact alone proved how surprising the current situation was. At this point, Ennen realized that Count Fernon, who was looking at Ria with the same gaze as the two dukes, was of the same mind.
Just then, Ria emerged from the dressing room. As she came out, Ennen watched the three men who had instantly relaxed their stiff expressions.
“What do you think?”
After spinning around in her dress once, Ria asked them.
The dress, darker than her pale pink hair, suited her very well. If the flowers in the garden could turn into people, it would be her, they thought, and they stood still and stared.
“Well, what do you think?”
They regained their composure and awkwardly began to praise her.
“No, it’s just… It suits you so well that words fail me.”
“I don’t know what’s something that wouldn’t suit you. You’re so beautiful.”
“You look beautiful.”
Ennen couldn’t help but laugh at the three men’s gushing.
Acting like they were in love…
Shaking his head, his gaze fell on Ria. She wasn’t his type, but she was pretty. Cute, even adorable. But that was it, there wasn’t much else to her beyond that.
Maybe it’s because she’s not my type.
Ennen scratched his head and approached Ria to greet her.
“Young lady, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ennen Roeta, head designer of La-Dianc Couture.”
“Hello.”
As Ennen gently shook Ria’s hand and brushed his lips against the back of her hand, three men behind him stared at him as if they wanted to kill him. Unaware of their gaze, Ennen only felt a slight discomfort in his back.
Lifting his lowered head, Ennen habitually smiled at Ria with practiced professionalism as he released her hand. Or would have, if not for the unexpected and unexpected words.
“Your hands are beautiful.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Rune, Eden, and Kahin have beautiful hands, but I think you have the most beautiful hands. I wonder if it’s because of your beautiful hands that clothes turn out so beautiful too.”
It was too out of the blue. The words spoken with a clear smile did not register. Dazed by the previous statement, Ennen took a while to regain his composure and replied.
“Oh, thank you.”
However, still taken aback, he even forgot to let go of Ria’s hand. In the end, Eden, unable to bear it, interjected and pulled Ria’s hand out from Ennen’s grasp.
“Ria, there are more clothes prepared for you, would you like to change again?”
As Ria nodded and followed the staff back into the dressing room, the kind expression on Ennen’s face vanished instantly. He muttered absentmindedly.
“I think I know why they fell in love with the little lady.”
“What?”
Even as Eden frowned in disbelief, Ennen was lost in thought. Memories of when he met the marchioness first flooded back.
‘Your hands are beautiful.’
‘How do you make such beautiful clothes with such beautiful hands?’
Strangely enough, it was exactly the same as what the Marchioness had said to him. It was like the reason he fell in love with the lady. She was the first person to ever say such words to him in his life. He couldn’t help but love her.
“If it weren’t for the Marchioness saying it first, I might have fallen for her too.”
Life as a designer wasn’t glamorous from the start. Escaping from a family where men were criticized for making clothes and starting from scratch was incredibly tough.
Then he met the Marchioness by chance. At that time, his hands weren’t as beautiful and refined as they are now, yet she still called them beautiful. She was the first person in his life to say such words. He couldn’t help but love her.
Perhaps this young lady was also such a presence to them. Someone they couldn’t help but love. If so, he could understand their change.
Just like how he worked hard to make his rough hands beautiful, perhaps they didn’t realize they were striving to become infinitely affectionate people only to her.
“Don’t covet her.”
Eden’s cold words cut through his thoughts. He turned his head to see three men staring at him with sharp eyes. Feeling a momentary threat to his life, Ennen quickly explained.
“I only have eyes for the Marchioness, so don’t worry. I was just saying that I think I know why the Dukes and Count have changed.”
With sincerity shining in his eyes, Ennen finally managed to quell their aggression.
It was then that he realized, “Anyone who dares to harm that lady would surely perish.” And then…
I must inform the Marchioness. She might like to know about this young lady.
He felt the need to inform his own lady about the existence of that young lady.