Ariadne arrived at the boutique with Kieron and slipped in quietly through the back entrance.

They pretended to be an ordinary couple on a date, visiting the small restaurant attached to the shop.

Chelsea, the owner, greeted them the moment they stepped inside, as though she had been waiting for them. She offered a deep, careful and composed bow, clearly wary of any prying eyes, but said nothing.

Since Jay had already told them everything, the two of them merely nodded faintly in return, choosing silence over unnecessary words.

They followed Chelsea down the narrow corridor, their footsteps soft and measured — almost too calm for the circumstances. After a short walk, a small door came into view.

Chelsea paused, then opened it with a gentle, respectful gesture, inviting them to go ahead.

Ariadne stepped in first, with Kieron close behind. Once they were inside, Chelsea followed, quietly locking the door behind her. The click felt heavier than it sounded.

“Thank you for coming all this way.”

She said only after the door clicked shut. Hearing her speak, Ariadne felt a pang of guilt.

“You’ve worked so hard, Chelsea. I’m sorry you had to deal with all this because of me.”

“Not at all, Your Grace. We made your very first dress—how could I not take responsibility? If anything, I should apologize for my poor oversight that forced you to come here like this.”

The boutique managed by Chelsea, which Marquis Peyton had arranged for the ceremonial fittings, was the same shop that the Peyton family had relied on for generations.

The current Marchioness’s wedding gown had been crafted here, as had the ceremonial attire for her three sons.

For someone who had watched Ariadne grow up from childhood, feeling guilty was inevitable. And yet, none of what happened was truly her fault.

Seeing Chelsea blame herself for negligence only made Ariadne feel more apologetic. She gently tried to ease the woman’s worry.

“It’s all right, Chelsea. The person to blame is the one who acted with ill intent. You’ve done nothing wrong. Someone who has always worked honestly has no reason to apologize.”

Chelsea lifted her head, smiling with lingering guilt.

“Thank you for your kindness, my lady.”

“Kindness? I’m the one who’s sorry.”

For a brief moment, the room was warm with the two of them apologizing to each other. Soon after, Chelsea hurried to show the dress she had prepared for Ariadne.

“This is it, my lady. Fortunately, after I reported that the gown had already been completed and sent out, there were no further attempts at interference.”

It seems keeping the dress at home had also prevented them from finding it.

Pointing out the still-unfinished parts, Chelsea continued.

“This section here is not fully completed, but it won’t affect you trying it on. I invited you today mainly to check the sizing. Would that be all right?”

“Of course, Chelsea. If needed, I can come back as many times as you want.”

Her lighthearted smile made Chelsea, who had been apologetic the whole time, smile along with her.

“There will be no need for that, my lady. Please trust my skill.”

“I always trust you, Chelsea.”

Their light conversation continued even after Ariadne stepped into the temporary fitting area partitioned off inside the room.

After all, Chelsea was helping her get changed, so the two of them naturally kept talking.

Kieron waited in silence, his gaze drifting towards the ceremonial outfit displayed neatly on a nearby rack. It was the outfit he would wear at their wedding.

So flashy!

How was he supposed to wear something like that?

He let out a long sigh as he took in the extravagant jewels and gold cords adorning the jacket. According to Ariadné’s plan, it was the better option, yet it still felt excessive.

He was still staring at the outfit, lost in thought, when the curtain slid open with a shriek.

Chelsea’s delighted exclamation came from inside:

“Goodness, how can it suit you this well? You were like this even as a child, but truly, no one wears colors the way you do! There isn’t a single shade that doesn’t look perfect on you!”

“That’s an exaggeration, Chelsea. It’s just clothing.”

“My lady, that’s harsh. This isn’t just clothing—this is the kind of outfit that puts wings on anyone’s charm and appearance!”

During their playful exchange, she stepped out.

The dress clung to her body with exquisite precision; she was so stunning that she outshone even a bride on her wedding day.

The elegant reveal of her shoulders was almost frustrating in its breathtaking beauty.

It seemed as if the gown had been made for her alone, as if it had been created from her very presence.

Kieron could only stare.

His mind went blank — no reaction, no coherent thought, nothing at all.

He felt only one overwhelming emotion: intense gratitude that the woman standing before him was his wife.

“What do you think?”

The sound of her gentle question pulled him out of that daze. He almost missed the moment to answer, so he hurriedly nodded.

“It’s… good.”

Perhaps because the reply was far too lackluster, he felt a pang of embarrassment.

“It seems His Excellency is quite flustered. Your face is rather red… hohoho.”

Chelsea, probably trying to smooth the situation over, chimed in. Kieron responded with an awkward, hollow cough—something between agreement and denial.

Ariadne, hearing that, let out a soft laugh, her cheeks blooming with shy color.

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

“Mm. No, well…”

Kieron looked away, and Ariadne smiled gently, like a flower cautiously opening its bud.

‘Ah, it really is spring.’

Watching the two, Chelsea murmured inwardly. Couples who make others smile simply by standing together are always lovely.

Enjoying the sight for a brief moment, Chelsea returned to her work.

“How is it here, my lady? Anywhere uncomfortable?”

“No. It’s fine, Chelsea. Everything feels good.”

After checking the dress thoroughly, Ariadne changed back into her clothes and stepped out of the fitting space.

“It’s a bit snug, but I’ll be able to finish it perfectly before Her Highness’s wedding. So please don’t worry and just wait.”

“I’m not worried. It’s you doing the work—not just anyone.”

Ariadne’s bright smile was infectious, and it made Chelsea smile, too.

Chelsea was someone who always saw every task through to the end. She always completed whatever she was entrusted with by the deadline, which is why even the exacting Marquis and his discerning Marchioness trusted her.

It wasn’t because of some grand, special talent; it was simply because she was reliable.

Recognizing this, Ariadne let out a small, warm smile.

“Thank you, Chelsea. Let me know the moment it’s finished. I’ll come pick it up right away.”

“Yes, my lady. Of course.”

Once Ariadne had stepped out fully dressed, it was Kieron’s turn.

He was distinctly uncomfortable about having Chelsea do his fitting without a male member of staff present, but it was unavoidable given the circumstances.

“Since this needs to remain a secret, I couldn’t call anyone else.”

Chelsea said, noticing the tension in his expression and offering a gentle explanation.

“No matter how trustworthy someone may seem, you never truly know what they might be hiding.”

She added that for custom work, especially when something had to be completed by a strict deadline, even a small disruption could cause serious problems.

That was why she preferred to manage the most critical tasks herself.

Even when she met someone she felt she could rely on, she said she always handled the essential work personally.

“Do you normally have trouble trusting people?”

Chelsea let out a small laugh as she pinned the fabric.

“I’ve experienced too much to trust blindly. It’s not that I don’t trust people… I just can’t trust easily.”

Then she added, lightly adjusting the garment.

“Still, there are good people out there. Many more than you might expect.”

She stepped back to assess the silhouette.

“And truly, Your Excellency, you’re fortunate. I’ve never met anyone whose inner self matches their outward kindness as much as the Marquis and Marchioness Peyton—and their family.”

Chelsea continued to praise Ariadne, emphasizing that trust was the most important aspect of a marriage. Without trust, life would be much more difficult.

As he listened to her, Kieron found himself thinking about Ariadne’s usual behavior.

She was delicate and gentle.

She was far more honest about her feelings than she seemed.

She was grateful for the smallest things, and her emotions were always clearly visible on her face.

At times, he had thought this transparency made her seem childish, but now he felt she must have been trying so hard in her own way.

After a brief moment of reflection, he nodded slowly.

“She’s a good person.”

“Isn’t she?”

Chelsea smiled at his answer, finishing her adjustments. Then she opened the curtain and added one more comment.

“And in my opinion, Your Excellency… you’re a good person as well. It might sound presumptuous, but that’s how I see you.”

His ears lingered on her quiet words as Ariadne turned her head towards them.

She looked at him with pure, bright, sincere admiration, and he could clearly see how well the outfit suited him.

Kieron asked Chelsea.

“Do I truly look that way?”

In his own eyes, he was nothing special.

He felt that ‘a good person’ was an inadequate way to describe him.

“You’re a magician, Chelsea!”

Ariadne came running with an expression full of awe, even clapping her hands in delight. And Chelsea, seeing Kieron’s lingering doubt, answered him softly.

“Of course you do, Your Excellency.”