“I don’t think it is, I don’t see any mannequins on display or bolts of cloth laid out.”

It seems Estelle’s suspicions couldn’t be resolved with just my word.

It was understandable.

The condition inside the store was too severe to be called a dress shop.

I didn’t expect the skilfully decorated show window of a luxury dress shop, with dresses hanging for display, but the large table, with numerous fabrics and stray threads scattered about haphazardly, was truly an unprecedented mess in any space expecting customers.

Nevertheless, the merchandise peeking through the mayhem looked quite nice.

“The designs are very sophisticated. The designer’s quite skilled.”

“Is that so? I can’t tell even if I’m looking at them.”

As I was looking alongside Estelle at the dresses, a woman with pink bobbed hair popped out from the store interior.

“Welcome to Chanel’s Dress Shop! I am Chanel, the designer and owner. What kind of dress are you looking for?”

I answered unabashedly.

“I’m looking for a high-quality dress at a low price.”

Those words sounded like bullshit, completely ignoring the laws of equivalent exchange^[1].

(pr/n: the law of equivalent exchange is “to gain something, something of an equal or higher value must be given”. So a high-quality dress means a high-quality price. Which is basically what the author explains in the next sentence)

A price was high if the quality and demand were high, and a price was low if the quality and demand were low. That’s just how things worked.

However, Chanel instead of pointing that fact out, asked.

“If I may ask, what is your budget?”

I said the price agreed upon with Estelle.

“300 gold for two dresses.”

No matter how shabby the shop was, that price point was laughably low.

Chanel furrowed her brows.

“You won’t be able to buy a single proper dress that costs that much. Perhaps a cheap second-hand dress…?”

Estelle’s expression darkened at those words. She turned an apologetic face towards me.

Chanel looked at Estelle and asked, “Are you looking for a dress to wear at the Crown Prince’s birthday party this month?”

“That’s right.”

Chanel’s eyes glimmered at that.

“Oh my, you’re a very valued customer then,” She said, then made an unconventional offer.

“Looks like you two don’t have much of a budget, so how about this? I’ll make a dress for both of you. And for free.”

“Free?”

Estelle and I spoke at the same time.

Chanel nodded and continued.

“In exchange, I have one condition. The design of the dresses is entirely up to me to decide. You two just have to wear the finished product and attend the Prince’s birthday party.”

I squinted and asked, “And what do you gain?”

“Promotion of my shop! There’s no better form of advertisement than two beautiful ladies wearing trendy dresses at a banquet! To see the product in person is much more effective than word of mouth.”

“Hmm,” I stroked my chin. Then I leaned towards Estelle and whispered.

“What do you say? Don’t you think this is a great opportunity?”

Estelle said cautiously.

“It is, but I don’t feel comfortable receiving someone’s hard work without paying for it properly. I’m worried she’ll make a dress that is too fancy.”

“By wearing the dresses she made we’ll be promoting her shop. It’s a form of payment. Besides, it should be a bit fancy. Since it’s a banquet in the Imperial City, everyone there will be dressed exquisitely. I’m sure we won’t stand out.”

“Maybe, but….”

I murmured with a regretful look at the hesitant Estelle.

“The dresses here are totally my style too…”

“·······!”

My sympathy stirring words caused Estelle’s big eyes to widen.

“But if Miss Estelle is uncomfortable, it’s okay to visit another shop instead.” I said, appearing downcast.

Estelle looked restless and shook her head as if she had made up her mind.

“No, I like them too, let’s get the dresses here. I can save money too, so I think it’s a good opportunity.”

Chanel, who was listening in, smiled brightly at those words.

“Wonderful. I’m sure you won’t regret it. I, Chanel, will give you the most marvelous dress there is.”

“Thank you, though I’m ashamed to be acting unduly, I look forward to cooperating with your kind proposal.”

Estelle bowed to Chanel.

My gaze met Chanel’s from behind Estelle as she did so. Chanel mouthed silently, a twinkle in her eyes.

Capture. Saintess. Success!

────── 〔✿〕──────

Here’s what happened.

I will summarize the hardships I had to overcome in order to give Estelle a dress.

Firstly, she would never directly accept my help.

While she would give her own gallbladder to another without a second thought, she would never allow herself to receive anything from someone.

Even if she was my first friend, she wouldn’t accept an expensive dress from me.

Second, even if I assured her not to worry about the cost, she would never choose a decent dress.

She doesn’t think a saint should wear an expensive dress.

She believes a saintess cannot wear materialistic things.

So wearing an expensive dress would be difficult for her due to the price.

But I had to press down on the snouts of those arrogant nobles who were determined to mock her.

So the designer I found was Chanel.

Though I couldn’t imagine Estelle was at all interested in fashion, Chanel was actually a very popular designer amongst the aristocratic youth these days.

Chanel’s dress shop was located on the most high-end boutique street in the capital.

I went to visit her.

The rundown building we went to was actually Chanel’s studio.

[I’d like to order a dress.]

At first, Chanel was haughty.

[Everything has been booked up.] 

That was an expected response.

For Chanel, who was flooded with orders from the capital’s most prestigious aristocrats, I didn’t seem like an attractive customer.

Not even deeming me worth a look, Chanel continuing cutting her fabric. Then I used my secret weapon.

[You don’t even have time to make a dress for the saintess?]

Chanel’s hands stalled at the word ‘saintess’.

Estelle, with her holy powers and striking appearance, was an elusive muse of many artists, especially designers, who sought to bring out the ultimate beauty in their patrons.

But she soon shook her head and laughed.

[I have heard of Lady Pernia’s personality, but I never knew you were so good at jest. The saintess is infamous for wearing horrible dresses at every banquet she attends and you’re ordering her a dress? Even if you bent over backward, the saint wouldn’t wear it.] 

To Chanel, it was absolutely certain that Estelle would never wear a dress made by a famous designer.

That was the understanding of a designer who had insight into the details of high society.

But there was something she didn’t know.

[I’ll get her to wear your dress.]

[How can I believe that?]

[There’s nothing to believe. I will bring her here to order a dress herself.]

It was only then that Chanel put down the cloth she had been handling and looked at me.

[Okay, but how will you do it? How do you plan on paying for the dress?]

Her eyes showed she was wondering if a mere marquess’s daughter could handle her prices.

(pr/n: The irony of it is, a marquess is second only, if not equal,  to a duke in terms of hierarchy.)

Of course, the cost of a piece of work made by Chanel, the top designer of the time, was exorbitant.

The price of the highest quality dress was equal to that of a small carriage.

Which was the same price as the ridiculous amount of money Lucian gave me.

But I was confident.

Confident that I could win in a bartering match with this shopkeeper.

[ I won’t pay for it. This isn’t an order, but a deal. ] 

[What?]

[Make the dress for free. Instead, I leave the design of the dress entirely to you.]

The self-possessed Chanel wavered.

Through the powerful bait I cast, the impudence of asking for a free dress was washed over with the idea of the prospects such a deal would bring.

It was an opportunity to see the saintess wear the dress of her fantasies.

Chanel, after agonizing internally for a long time, took a deep breath and nodded.

[Okay, I’ll take the deal.] 

────── 〔✿〕──────

That was my grand operation to lure the saintess into getting a dress.

I sat on the sofa and sipped some tea.

Estelle was in the dressing room with Chanel, getting her measurements taken.

Looking at the closed door, I leered like an immoral trickster would.

‘The trip to the store and Chanel’s script were all very natural. I set everything up as if it were a mere chance. Even if Estelle knew who Chanel was, she wouldn’t suspect I had planned this.’ 

I make a great criminal! Hahahaha!

After cackling like a witch, I wiped off my dubious grin as Estelle came out of the dressing room.

“Did you get your measurements taken?”

“Yes. The designer was very meticulous. As Miss Nia said, she is quite skilled.”

Even someone like Estelle, who didn’t know anything about fashion, could sense Chanel’s skill.

Well, the extremely skilled could be found in all quarters.

I smiled.

“Then I’ll go get my measurements now.”

“Okay.”

I went into the dressing room, leaving Estelle sitting on the sofa tidying her clothes.

And I saw……

“Are you crying?”

Chanel was on the floor, her knees shaking.

Chanel was covering her mouth, her hand still holding a measuring tape, to prevent any noise from leaking out.

Hot tears full of adoration were rolling down her face as she murmured reverently as if she had met a descended goddess.

“Up close, she is even more of a miraculous beauty than I realized. Her skin is so supple and pale without a single blemish…her figure is so slim and fragile and her hair! Such golden strands…Even her little toe radiates holy energy!” She rambled, barely containing her emotion.

“Inspiration is upon me! Such compassion, elegance, beauty and loveliness! I can feel it!”

Chanel seemed like she was ready to dash out of the dressing room and begin making Estelle’s dress right away. It was my voice that brought Chanel crashing back to earth.

“You also have to take my measurements.”

Suppressing the fire lit by the design spirit within, Chanel looked resentful, but she, reluctantly, came to me and began to measure.

See, she is quite skilled.