The Reincarnated Villainess Seeks Revenge

Chapter 24

24. I must be crazy

“Your Grace!”

Callion, who had been leaning stiffly in the doorway of the parlor for who knows how long, strode in.

“You must be busy, go ahead and do your work.”

“Oh, yes, I’ll go. Excuse me, Your Grace.”

Lucid left the parlor in a huff.

Taking the seat he had occupied, Callion glanced at the papers on the table. It was a brief transcription of a reply from the kingdom.

He had intended to explain slowly, but things were moving too fast.

The mouths transferring words were too light, not giving him a chance to interject.

Callion looked at Adelaide with a solemn expression before speaking.

“It doesn’t matter who comes as an envoy; there’s no need to attach any special significance.”

“According to Lucid he is a prince favored by the king.”

“He visited the Empire seven years ago during the tribute exchange. I’m familiar with him.”

“So he’s coming as the king’s representative this time, then.”

“That might be better. Words get distorted when they go through multiple people.”

“If they found out about it from over there… … .”

“Don’t dwell on that.”

Callion gently interrupted. His deep and clear eyes stared straight at her as if drawing her in.

“Whether they come informed or uninformed, we only need to do what we can.”

Her heart clenched in her chest as she heard Callion as if saying that ‘Apologize if you’re wrong, take responsibility if you’re guilty, and that’s it.’

When things go wrong, he’s the one who takes the brunt of it, and he’s the one who’s deeply troubled.

She wanted to reassure him that everything would be fine, that it would all work out, and that he wasn’t responsible for everything. But she knew empty reassurance wouldn’t help.

Adelaide forced herself to clear her mind of the dizzying array of emotions.

“I should be better prepared.”

“You’re doing well enough as it is; don’t push yourself too hard.”

“It’s the first banquet I’m hosting. I want it to go well.”

Callion smiled warmly, as if he understood.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Nothing really… Oh, wait, there is one thing.”

“What is that?”

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

“Please extend your arms straight to both sides, Your Grace. Yes, like that.”

Dragged unexpectedly from his study to the dressing room, Callion felt as if his soul was being sucked out as he looked around.

The floor was littered with colorful fabrics and decorations.

Surrounded by chattering maids, he stood in front of a large full-length mirror feeling like a clown.

“If you’ll excuse me for a moment, please remain where you are.”

Madame Daisy, the tailor, measured the length of Callion’s arm with a tape measure and wrapped it around his chest, the feel of it through his thin shirt sending a cold sweat down his spine.

He had never felt this close to losing his mind even on the battlefield full of enemies.

“Do we really have to do it like this? Can’t we just check the clothes I already have…?”

“I apologize, Your Grace, but knightly and banquet clothes are made of different fabrics, so it’s difficult to measure your size.”

“What about everyday clothes…?”

“Please stay still, Your Grace. You’re well aware that your body has changed since a year ago.”

“Jensen.”

“Hmph. I’ll go to the knight’s hall.”

Jenson, sneering at Callion, hurriedly left the dressing room. Adelaide, who was sitting on the sofa, chuckled softly. Callion glanced at her with resentful eyes.

‘I didn’t think this was what you were asking for.’

“Are you sure you’ll help me with anything?”

“Anything I can do.”

“You can’t go back on your word.”

He should’ve known something was up when he’d gotten promises so many times.

Callion barely resisted the urge to rip the tape measure from his chest.

“Are we done yet?”

“I’ll hurry.”

Madame Daisy’s pace quickened at his obvious discomfort.

He hadn’t dressed this fussily since the crowning of the prince. He had been nine years old at the crowning, so that was more than a decade ago.

Callion tucked in his untucked shirt, watching uncomfortably as Madame Daisy measured his legs.

“It’s all done, Your Grace.”

“How long do you think it will take?”

“It might take some time to make it since His Grace’s body is different.”

“No matter what, it has to be finished within two weeks.”

“I will do my best.”

Madame Daisy bowed respectfully.

‘Am I finally free?’

With a sigh, Adelaide held out the brochure.

“What color would you like, navy blue or white?”

“…Are you asking me to choose?”

“Since it’s the clothes you’ll be wearing, they should suit your taste.”

“I don’t care which one.”

“Should we order both, then?”

Adelaide blinked as she spoke. While Callion struggled to find words, Madame Daisy quickly intervened.

“How about considering the color of Her Grace’s dress for the eveningwear? Since both of you will be together, it would be nice if the colors matched.”

“My dress will be made after yours is finished… … .”

“That sounds good.”

“Your Grace?”

“Since we’ve called the tailor, let’s have your dress fitted as well.”

“I have plenty of dresses.”

“With all due respect, but, Your Grace, all the dresses in this dressing room are outdated designs and won’t match your evening gown.”

“I see.”

“…….”

Madame Daisy quickly took Callion’s side.

It wasn’t common for a tailor from the outskirts to make clothes for such prominent clients. Women’s dresses were much better for showcasing skill than men’s clothes, which often only consisted of embroidery or gold embellishments.

Madame Daisy, filled with dreams of advancing in her profession, seized the opportunity to speak with a bright smile.

“If you’re in doubt, why don’t you try them on and decide? I actually brought a whole bunch of dresses because I thought the Duchess wanted to see them.”

Just then, she flicked her hand away, and the assistant tailors standing around her rushed to her side.

“I, I really don’t need…….”

“What are you doing? Hurry up.”

“I apologize. Your Grace.”

At Callion’s urging, the assistant tailors worked quickly to remove the dress. Callion blushed at the sight of Adelaide in her slip.

“I’ll, uh, step out for a bit.”

“Where are you going? You need to help in choosing the dress.”

Madame Daisy scolded, “What is there to be ashamed of between you two?”

Callion blushed and turned away. He had often seen her in her nightgown when he stayed in her room, but never in anything but a thin slip like this.

“Don’t, don’t look.”

Adelaide’s voice trembled slightly.

“Why are you embarrassed? You two still seem like newlyweds.”

Madame Daisy teased them mercilessly. Callion picked up the brochure and flipped through the pages absentmindedly.

“Why is your waist so slender?”

“I’ve never seen skin so soft and smooth.”

“With a body like this, even wearing rags would look pretty.”

His mind was in turmoil, overwhelmed by the sudden flattery compared to when he was being measured.

Despite trying not to look, his gaze kept involuntarily drifting towards her. Callion closed his eyes tightly at the sight of her bare legs beneath the slip.

‘This was torture.’

The sound of the slip’s hem was maddening, and for the first time, he realized it was more arousing to look at than any physical contact.

“It’s all done, Your Grace.”

At Madame Daisy’s words, his frozen body finally relaxed.

Callion slowly scanned her from the bottom up. Adelaide averted her gaze, blushing at the nape of her neck.

“…….”

Her fair skin, white as snow, stood out beneath her dark blue dress.

Though the dress trim glimmered like stardust, the dress itself didn’t seem to crush Adelaide’s appearance at all.

“You don’t like it?”

“……Ah, no. It’s fine.”

Worried he might betray his nervousness, he barely managed to utter a word before shutting his mouth, and the disappointment in her face disappeared.

“Then I’ll show you something else.”

The tailor altered the dress, a golden gown with a hollowed back that matched Adelaide’s hair color.

The pale pink satin was girlish against her rosy cheeks, and the crimson velvet dress was a touch more seductive.

“Which one do you like the most, Your Grace?”

“As long as it doesn’t bare the shoulders too much, any of them is fine.”

Adelaide glanced at Callion as he answered. She felt sorry for holding him up with something so trivial. Nevertheless, the oblivious seamstress continued to speak.

“It’s hard to choose just one because they all fit together so well. Then, I decided on the dress… … .”

“Blue.”

Callion blurted out.

“I think blue would be nice. Like your eyes.”

Madame Daisy smiled broadly.

“If Her Grace’s dress is blue, then His Grace’s evening wear should be white.”

“I’ll leave my clothes to you, then.”

“Very well, then, I’ll let you know as soon as they’re ready.”

Madame Daisy gathered her belongings and left the dressing room. Adelaide, feeling as if her mind had drifted off after a battle, hesitated to leave the sofa.

Callion gently brushed away the stray hair that had fallen over her face.

“You’re being too hard on me.”

“You were the one who started it.”

“You only took my measurements, but I changed four times.”

“So, is it my fault?”

“…….”

‘Coward. If you ask like that, what can I say?’

Adelaide bit her lip hard, realizing she’d been tricked. Callion’s hand went to her lips.

“Don’t bite them.”

“…….”

“It’s swollen, doesn’t it hurt?”

“I’m fine.”