Instead of answering, I looked at Baroness Dupont.

We had already discussed this entire situation last night, so our responses were planned.

According to our plan, it was now her turn to speak.

“It’s because Your Highness requested it. While Lady Rose is extremely reluctant to reveal her identity to outsiders, she wanted to show proper respect as a citizen of the Ricardo Empire to the future heir to the throne.”

At my words, a smile appeared on the Crown Princess’s face. She seemed to find this situation somewhat amusing.

“I wonder if I made an unnecessary request, but hearing that makes me feel good.”

Saying this, the Crown Princess looked me over, and I responded with just a slight smile.

Afterward, pleasant conversation continued in a warm atmosphere.

Small talk is important in business meetings. Familiarity serves as a lubricant for subsequent conversations.

But even that has its limits.

When the mood had fully ripened, Baroness Dupont and I exchanged glances, and I spoke up.

“By the way, Your Highness, you indicated you wanted custom clothing. Do you have a specific design in mind?”

As I spoke, I quickly scanned Estelia’s attire.

As usual, she maintained her uniform and tightly bound hair.

There was no trace of fashion embellishment, but perhaps due to her natural beauty and uniquely confident aura, even that seemed to be digested into a form of beauty, but surely she wasn’t asking for a uniform?

Of course, if the Crown Princess ordered it, I would make it, but…

Just as I was feeling concerned, Estelia answered with a smile.

And her answer was completely unexpected.

“I’d like to speak with Rose alone.”

“……”

“Of course, I don’t mean to disrespect Baroness Dupont, but I’m a bit embarrassed.”

“……”

“I think it would be better to talk to someone closer to my age—”

❀❀❀

Following Estelia’s request, eventually only she and I remained.

Baroness Dupont had taken Imperial Princess Penelope out, saying she would take measurements.

An awkward atmosphere flowed between the two of us left alone. But that didn’t last long—with her outgoing personality, Estelia took the lead in conversation.

“You must be wondering why I wanted to see you alone.”

“Not at all. Though it is a bit unusual.”

I also gathered my courage to respond. Just as I always had while living as Rose, the head of a trading company.

At my slightly joking response, Estelia also answered with a bright smile and nodded for a few seconds.

Soon she opened her mouth as if something had occurred to her.

“I asked to see you for two reasons.”

“…What reasons might those be?”

“First, I was greatly impressed by you at the fashion show. And second…”

Crown Princess Estelia, uncharacteristically, suddenly paused. In that moment, I had a hunch. This must be the real reason she arranged to meet with me privately.

Not only that, but the Crown Princess hesitating to speak seemed somehow flushed.

‘She seems embarrassed?’

The outgoing Crown Princess Estelia being shy?

Just as I was getting curious about what this might be about, beyond business, as simply one human being to another…

The words that came from between her lips surprised me a little.

“I have a man I like.”

…No, perhaps quite a lot?

I thought that if I had been drinking water, I might have spat it out.

“A man you like, you say?”

But after nearly three years in business, nothing was easier than managing my expression.

I asked calmly with a nonchalant expression, and Estelia nodded.

“That’s right.”

Her voice was equally calm, but I could tell she was still blushing and feeling shy.

I felt strangely moved. The fact that the Crown Princess, described as nothing but strong in the imperial newspapers, had this side to her.

“Could you make me clothes that would really attract that man? I think I’ll see him at a party about a month from now.”

But despite her embarrassment, there was no hesitation in her words.

“I’ll pay whatever you ask.”

By this point, I even thought she was impressive. Her confidence overflowing to the point of boldly approaching someone she liked.

“I’ll need to know his preferences.”

“Hmm, from what I can tell, he seems to see me as a man. That man does.”

“…Oh my. That’s terrible of him. Anyone can see you’re absolutely a woman.”

At my words, Estelia’s face brightened a bit.

“Really?”

Though she should have recognized this as mere flattery, seeing her genuinely happy made me smile.

She had an unexpectedly innocent charm.

“Yes, you’re extremely pretty.”

But it was somewhat true. She really was pretty.

“It’s just that your current attire makes you look more handsome than pretty, so he might have felt like you’re another man.”

“Yes, that’s exactly it.”

Estelia responded to my words with a relieved expression.

But that didn’t last long. With a slightly darkened expression, she added:

“He changes clothes freely in front of me and even points out that his hands are much smaller than mine.”

“……!”

I became newly curious. What kind of bold man would strip n*ked in front of the Crown Princess and mock her about hand size?

“Of course, I fell for him because those traits are cute.”

If Estelia hadn’t found this endearing, that man probably wouldn’t have survived.

Thinking this, I nodded.

“From what I can tell, he seems smaller in build compared to Your Highness.”

“That’s right, how did you know?”

Estelia’s eyes shone as if she had met some gifted prophet as she stared at me.

“You mentioned comparing hand sizes.”

“…Ah.”

By the way, comparing hand sizes between a man and woman? Isn’t this usually a technique used when making a move?

But it’s ambiguous to see it that way, because normally when comparing hand sizes, men comment on how small women’s hands are, not the other way around.

Moreover, casually taking off clothes?

‘Was he trying to seduce her?’

I thought about this but soon stopped. It seemed like I was overthinking.

Returning to reality, I summarized her words.

“So you want clothes that make you look feminine, is that right?”

“Exactly. Like what you wore that day at the fashion show.”

“Ah.”

“You truly shone that day.”

As she spoke, Estelia’s eyes followed me with wonder.

“Not at all.”

I felt somewhat embarrassed, but outwardly I maintained a business smile, pretending to be calm.

And to prevent any more words from slipping out, I opened the catalog I was holding.

“This is a catalog showing clothes previously made by Black Velvet. Would you like to choose something from here?”

“I don’t know much about clothes. Could you recommend something?”

“Well, clothes are primarily worn for one’s own satisfaction, but sometimes the purpose can be different.”

“…That’s true.”

“Since Your Highness wants to impress that man, I’ll show you clothes that have been popular with men.”

Saying this, I opened the section that compiled clothes that had received high votes from men in surveys.

❀❀❀

After much discussion, I captured the narrowed-down dress design on canvas.

Having studied for working on fashion, sketching had become a natural part of my daily routine.

“You draw really well.”

“It’s my job after all.”

When Estelia complimented the completed first draft, I smiled awkwardly.

The first draft was a yellow evening dress made of silk.

The neckline dropped in a V-shape, and overall it had a lovely mermaid fit.

Additionally, the layered frilled hem evoked fluffy cotton candy.

Seeing the draft, Estelia remained silent for a while, as if examining it.

When she finally spoke, her expression showed concern.

“It’s pretty, but the neckline seems too low.”

She said, running her hand over the V-shaped neckline of the dress in the paper.

I smiled and replied:

“This isn’t even that low. Rather, the V-line will disperse attention, making your shoulders look less broad.”

I actually prefer broad shoulders, but since narrow shoulders are considered one symbol of femininity, this was the design I chose.

“Oh, I see. I didn’t realize there was such deep meaning.”

“Still, you’re the one wearing it, Your Highness, so please tell me if there’s anything you’d like to modify.”

At my urging, Estelia made a contemplative expression before answering in a calm tone.

“Hmm, I’m not really sure yet.”

I nodded at her response.

‘Well…’

Unless someone was truly interested in clothes, it was rare for them to offer additional opinions on designer-recommended outfits.

That wasn’t what I wanted either.

In Black Rose’s early days, I had participated in clothing production a few times, but after recruiting Baroness Dupont, I realized my limitations.

‘There’s a reason designers are designers.’

In truth, this whole situation was embarrassing.

I worried about messing things up by daring to interfere in such an important matter.

My heart had been pounding the entire time I was sketching, and I had to pretend to be calm.

“Then I’ll consult with Baroness Dupont and provide you with a second draft.”

“Please do.”

“When you choose between the first and second drafts, we’ll create the final design based on your preference.”

Even just looking at it, I could tell that custom clothing required a lot of work.

❀❀❀

After finishing my conversation with Estelia, I asked her to wait in the reception room for a moment, then headed to Baroness Dupont’s workshop.

My heart pounded the entire way there. That was understandable, since Baroness Dupont was a professional.

If not for the Crown Princess’s request, I would never have drawn such an amateurish draft.

I swallowed a sigh while looking at the scrap of paper in my hand and knocked.

Knock knock.

Soon, with a clicking sound, the door opened and Baroness Dupont appeared.

She greeted me with a surprised expression and exaggerated gesture.

“Oh my, you’re already here. Has the Crown Princess left?”

I shook my head at her question.

“May I come in?”

“Her Highness is inside.”

The moment I peeked through the door gap, my eyes met with a woman’s.

Fresh honey-colored eyes.

A curious gaze.

Frozen in surprise, I saw a picture-perfect smile form on the woman’s lips.

“I guess you’re coming from talking with my sister.”

“Yes, that’s right. If it’s not rude, may I come in?”

At my words, Imperial Princess Penelope nodded, and as Baroness Dupont stepped aside, I could easily enter the room.

“But what brings you here? Didn’t you say the Crown Princess hasn’t left yet?”

At Baroness Dupont’s question, I handed her the draft I was holding.

“It’s the first draft. I sketched it roughly, but if there’s anything to add or improve, I thought it would be good for you to look at it.”

“Ah, I see. Understood. But since tHer Highness is here, I might have to look at it a bit later.”

This was unexpected. Baroness Dupont rarely sees anyone one-on-one, but perhaps because she’s an imperial princess, she seemed to be giving special treatment.

Well, Baroness Dupont had always dreamed of becoming an imperial tailor.

I vaguely recalled her interview.

“Then I should tell the Crown Princess to go ahead and—”

Just as I was about to speak,

“Oh my, is this a dress for my sister, I mean, Her Highness?”

A curious voice interrupted. Turning my head, I saw Imperial Princess Penelope had approached very close to me and Baroness Dupont.

“It’s very lovely. This isn’t Her Highness’s usual style.”

Penelope’s casually dropped comment somehow stung me.

“Is that so?”

At my question, Penelope nodded and asked back:

“Did Her Highness choose this herself?”

“It’s a result of what she wanted, combined with my recommendations. Baroness Dupont will review it once more.”

“I see. That’s really unexpected. I wonder what made her commission such a dress. Still, I’m looking forward to it.”

Penelope scanned the draft I had drawn with interest, and Baroness Dupont looked at it for a while before speaking.

“Not bad.”

At that moment, I let out a sigh of relief.

Known for her strictness about clothes, she was famous among designers for her harsh criticism.

I didn’t think she would make an exception even in front of the imperial princesses.

So this level of response was as good as saying I had done well.

“Later, after consulting with other designers, I think we can produce a good second draft.”

❀❀❀

After meeting with Baroness Dupont.

She said it would take a long time to create the second draft.

She also suggested that since she had taken all of Imperial Princess Penelope’s measurements, it would be good to send the two of them back, and I agreed.

I had been feeling anxious that I might be holding Estelia, the Crown Princess, against her will when she surely had many things to do.

“Thank you for visiting. Farewell.”

“See you next time. I’m looking forward to the dress.”

“I’m looking forward to the dress too!”

“Farewell!”

Baroness Dupont and I escorted them to the door, and as the carriage carrying Estelia and Penelope disappeared into the distance, the meeting was completely over.

“Ah, I’m tired.”

On the way back to my room, I couldn’t help but groan. Having woken up early to dress up for meeting the imperial family and drawing pictures I don’t usually draw, I was tired even though it was only 3 PM.

The moment I entered my room to rest, I had to tilt my head in confusion at the sight of Ilina and Sherry already there.

Sherry had followed me, so that made sense, but why was Ilina in my room?

“Do you have business with me?”

At my words, Ilina slowly opened her mouth.

“There’s a visitor looking for you, Miss.”

“For me?”

“More precisely, for the model who closed the finale that day.”

“…Who?”

“Lady Ersia.”

At the words that came from Ilina’s lips, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes.

And Sherry, seeing my surprise, blinked in confusion.

“Who is Lady Ersia?”

Sherry asked as if unfamiliar, and it was Ilina who answered:

“Don’t you know, Miss Sherry? She’s a Black Velvet model.”

“Ah! I think I remember now. You mean that tall, thin person, right?”

“Yes, the one who said she didn’t like the clothes and arbitrarily refused to walk the show, but then showed up at the fashion show anyway. So shameless.”

“Wow, can you believe there’s someone like that?”

Sherry and Ilina had maintained a good relationship, addressing each other formally since leaving Floredo County.

Of course, at first, Sherry didn’t much care for Ilina. She had witnessed what I went through at the mansion for the longest time.

But as time passed, those sharp gazes gradually softened.

Now they get along well as if they had forgotten that past ever existed.

While the two chatted away, my mind was incredibly complex.

‘Why would Ersia come looking for me?’

Wasn’t she the one who came to the waiting room after the fashion show and slapped my face?

It was obvious her feelings toward me wouldn’t be positive.

But I was puzzled by her reason for coming. She wouldn’t have come to cause more trouble after seeing Duke Esteban come for me that day.

‘…Could it be?’

Suddenly, a past conversation flashed through my mind.

“I understand.”

“But I cannot tolerate someone daring to slap the face of my future wife.”

“I’ll handle this part, so please don’t say anything.”

At that time, the Duke seemed to imply he would punish Ersia somehow.

Seeing Ersia speak rudely to Baroness Dupont, I had thought about using my status to get an apology.

But thinking about it again, that would have been too costly.

I wanted to resolve the matter as peacefully as possible, and I remember trying to object to the Duke’s words at the time.

But ultimately, I couldn’t say anything.

Because he didn’t give me a chance to respond, dragging me to the carriage.

Perhaps because of that.

As someone who doesn’t dwell on unpleasant things, I had completely forgotten about that day’s incident.

‘If the Duke has taken action, has Ersia come to apologize to me?’

The thought of receiving an apology made me feel troubled.

Of course, what happened that day was insulting. But I had dismissed it as just another noble lady’s common tyranny.