“Can I change just one? Wouldn’t it be better to change both or alter my features entirely?”

Lila spoke while recalling her past missions where she had disguised herself. Even outside of work, many of the Emperor’s Shadows would visit mages or physicians to subtly alter their faces and conceal their true appearance.

“Just changing the color might not be enough for someone to recognize me,” Lila said with a slightly worried tone. Even if her hair or eye color were altered, her features would remain the same. While the Emperor or the Crown Prince might not notice, someone like her instructor or a head servant could.

“That might be safer, but… honestly, Lady Lila, you haven’t committed any crimes, have you? Besides, the Emperor—no, ahem.” Duke Eustace cleared his throat, stopping himself from cursing the Emperor. Although Lila wouldn’t have minded, he still wanted to appear refined in her eyes.

“If they interrogate you, you can just feign ignorance or insist it’s a case of mistaken identity.”

“Do you think that would work?”

“They may suspect you, but without solid evidence, they won’t act recklessly. Doing so would only give others an excuse to attack them. And most importantly, there’s no one in the Empire capable of seeing through my magic.”

Duke Eustace smiled confidently. He seemed about to say more but paused briefly before continuing.

“In any case, I think changing just your eye color or hair color will suffice.”

“Then I’ll change my eyes.”

Lila answered immediately without much hesitation. Her black hair, inherited from her mother, was something she didn’t want to alter if she could help it. However, her jet-black eyes, which bore no resemblance to her mother’s, held no particular attachment for her.

“Very well. What color would you like them to be?”

“I’m not sure… Could you choose for me?”

“Me? I think it’s better if you decide yourself.”

“I can’t decide.”

“Hmm, whatever color you choose will look great on you, Lady Lila. But I think it’s best to pick a color you like.”

She didn’t have a favorite color. Lila lowered her gaze, lost in thought. She seemed to be struggling with her choice, contemplating deeply.

“Don’t think too hard. Take your time and decide at your own pace. When a color comes to mind…”

A color she wanted. Those words made Lila lift her head. Her gaze met Duke Eustace’s, who smiled warmly at her.

Golden hair and blue eyes.

Lila stared intently at the person who possessed the features she had long yearned for but could never attain.

“Lady Lila?”

Duke Eustace blinked at Lila, who was silently staring at him. Only then did Lila part her lips and speak slowly, her voice barely audible as though it had been strained.

“…The same color as your hair.”

Her voice was hoarse, fragmented, and unsteady. At her words, a faint ripple appeared in the Grand Duke’s clear, lake-like eyes.

“My hair color?”

“Yes, I think that’s perfect.”

Lila nodded her head slightly. The Grand Duke, who had been silent for a moment, let out a sound that could have been a sigh or a groan. He seemed both pleased and melancholic at the same time.

“Then I will do as you wish.”

His gentle eyes and full lips formed a beautiful curve as he smiled. Lila briefly glanced at his radiant golden hair before locking eyes with his narrowed blue ones.

“Please take care of it.”

“Of course. Close your eyes for a moment, please.”

Following the Grand Duke’s words, Lila obediently closed her eyes. Soon, a warm hand rested lightly on her closed eyelids. His fingers, soft and free of calluses, felt starkly different from her own.

A bright light flashed before her closed eyes. Lila could feel golden, sand-like magic seeping into her eyes. It was a gentle and comforting energy, as warm as sunlight.

“It’s done.”

the Grand Duke’s fingers, which had lingered near her eyes, moved away. Lila opened her eyes, feeling a faint sense of regret. Without a mirror, she couldn’t see how her eyes had changed.

“Does it look… okay?”

Would it look strange? Not being able to check immediately made her anxious. At her question, the Grand Duke reached out again.

“You look beautiful.”

He gently brushed his thumb across the corner of her eye. Lila couldn’t look away from him. In his crystal-clear blue eyes was the reflection of her own face with gold-colored eyes.

“I thought it would suit you well, but golden eyes are truly stunning on you.”

Perhaps it was the magic he had imbued in her eyes, but her skin tingled warmly where his fingers had brushed, as if touched by a blooming fire.

“Thank you.”

At least it didn’t seem strange. Lila exhaled a sigh of relief at the Grand Duke’s words. She could trust his opinion, coming from someone so undeniably handsome.

“It’s not your eyes, but your hair color, so it’s a little different. But thinking that you and I now share the same color makes me happy.”

The Grand Duke smiled warmly, visibly pleased.

“Maybe I should have chosen blue to match your eyes?”

“Would you like to try that next time?”

“If the opportunity arises.”

Hearing her response, he grinned broadly, clearly delighted.

“Well, the tailor must be waiting impatiently. Shall we head to the parlor now?”

The Grand Duke, having regained his composure, extended his hand politely. Lila, now accustomed to it, took his hand without hesitation.

***

‘What on earth is happening? Am I dreaming right now? No, this is real.’

Aria, the most renowned tailor in the Esteban Empire, couldn’t believe what was unfolding before her. Nervous, she paced anxiously in the parlor, unable to calm her racing heart no matter how many deep breaths she took.

“So… phew.”

Taking a deep breath, Aria tried to organize her thoughts. The day had started like any other.

She had stayed up until dawn making clothes, barely woke up in the morning, and drank coffee in large gulps with her sleep-deprived face before heading to her atelier. That was until she was stopped by some strangers.

“Aria Shuie?”

“Who… who are you?”

“Are you Aria of Shuie Atelier?”

“I am… but, eek?!”

Before she could finish her sentence, one of the knights had stepped toward her.

“Please come with us. Our lord wishes to commission you for a task.”

The knight blocking her path was polite but exuded an intimidating aura that made it impossible to refuse.

“A commission? If that’s the case, you should visit my atelier and make an official appointment. I’m extremely busy—”

“I’ve heard that you are the finest tailor in the Empire. Please, we ask you to come with us.”

This is no ordinary person. As someone who had dealt with countless people as a tailor, Aria instinctively knew. She tried to suppress her pounding heart and barely managed to speak.

“And who exactly is your lord?”

“That is…”

At her bold question, the knight hesitated, his expression growing conflicted.

“I am fully booked until next year. And most of my clients are nobles.”

At this point, there was no turning back. Aria decided to take a bold stance.

“Judging by how impolite this is, your master must be someone powerful enough to handle all the complaints from my noble clients, right?”

“Miss Aria.”

“If you tell me who’s looking for me, I’ll consider going with you. Otherwise, what assurance do I have that I won’t be put in danger?”

Aria’s confidence stemmed from the fact that if anything happened to her, her regular noble clients would not sit idly by. After all, Aria was currently the most sought-after seamstress in the empire. The clothes she designed and made had been setting trends for years.

Most importantly, Aria’s clothes were extraordinary. Being both a seamstress and a magician, she imbued her creations with magic, allowing them to function as defensive artifacts in emergencies. This made every noble in the Esteban Empire covet her garments.

“My master does not wish to cause a scene or become the subject of gossip.”

“Then who exactly is this esteemed master of yours?!”

This must be big. Aria’s instincts, honed from years of dealing with the empire’s elite, told her so. Raising her voice deliberately, she pressed further.

“…Once I tell you who my master is, you must agree to come with us.”

“Fine.”

Who could it be? Which noble, one who hadn’t yet sought her work, might it be? Aria quickly ran through the possibilities in her mind.

“My master is His Grace, the Grand Duke Eustace.”

“What?”

The Grand Duke? Grand Duke Eustace?! Aria was stunned by the name that came from the knight’s lips.

“His Grace, the Grand Duke Eustace is looking for me?”

She asked, half in disbelief. She couldn’t quite trust her ears. Over the years, many of the most prominent nobles in the empire had sought her out for their attire, yet only one—Grand Duke Eustace—had never approached her.

While it had slightly bruised her pride, Aria understood. Why would a 6th-circle mage need clothing crafted by a mere 4th-circle mage?

Still, she had always harbored a desire for him to wear her creations at least once. Aria took pride not only in the functionality of her clothes but also in their design. She was confident she could craft hundreds of outfits that would suit him perfectly.

“Wait, are you saying the Grand Duke himself…?”

“That’s correct.”

To Aria, Grand Duke Eustace was the perfect muse. She still remembered the awe she felt the first time she laid eyes on him. Thinking of him inspired countless designs, many of which she had already created.

And now, this very man wanted to commission her! It was nothing short of a dream come true. If it meant creating clothes for him, Aria thought she wouldn’t even mind being worked to the bone.

“Now that I’ve told you, you must come with us. Time is of the essence, and we can’t afford delays. Pardon me.”

“W-wait! What are you—ahh!”

Before she could recover from the shock of learning the Grand Duke was looking for her, Aria was scooped up by the knight. Scenery blurred past her as she was carried off before she could gather her thoughts.

“Good afternoon, Miss Aria. I am Hans Fillman, the second steward of the Eustace household.”

“Oh, uh, good afternoon,” Aria stammered, barely managing to respond.

By the time she regained some composure, she was already standing inside the grand reception room of the Grand Duke’s manor.

“I apologize for the abrupt manner in which you were brought here. This is a matter of urgency, and we had to avoid drawing any attention.”

“I-I see. But why does His Grace need me…?”