Chanel was different from most dress shop designers.

Chanel spoke with a radiant expression.

“You were able to acquire a Chanel dress for only 500 gold. I think Lady Pernia has quite a lot of luck.”

“It’s not luck, it’s skill.”

Chanel pursed her lips a little bit more.

I understood why she was making such a face.

Because having to make my dress wasn’t something she wanted.

[You have to make my dress the same as the saintess’. That’s a condition of this deal.] 

Chanel’s face, which was excited at the thought of making a saintess’ dress, vividly distorted.

It may be her only solace that my clothes were separately paid for.

As Chanel moved about her tape measure she said.

“Lady Pernia, once again, your dress will have less fabric and embellishments compared to the saintess’ dress. You must keep that in mind. I don’t want you to get angry later because the quality between the two complete dresses differs.”

That was obvious.

In the first place, it was unreasonable to ask Chanel to make a dress for only 500 gold.

It was even more ridiculous to ask for a dress of the same quality as Estelle’s in this situation.

I smiled and glanced at her.

“Of course. I know that better than anyone else, so do your best at making Miss Estelle’s dress.”

Make it so stunning and glamorous that no one can compete.

Estelle and I then stood side by side to discuss with Chanel what kind of dress she would make.

Chanel’s eyes were only directed at Estelle, saying she would contact her when the design sketch was completed.

She dared look as if she wanted to steal away the female lead, but what Estelle said to her made me feel placated.

“Then I look forward to working with you, Miss Chateau.”

Chanel was stunned by Estelle, who hadn’t remembered her name properly.

I echoed Estelle with my arms crossed.

“Yes, Miss Chateau, thank you for your hard work.”

To have the female lead all to myself felt thrilling! And refreshing!

────── 〔✿〕──────

‘Hmph. It’s been a long time since I went out. It’s sad to just go home like this. It’d be nice to go to a cafe and chat. That’s standard procedure for outings with friends.’ 

But I couldn’t tell Estelle to go to the cafe and play with me.

Estelle was both a saintess and a devout believer in strict personal discipline.

Attending a banquet through invitation by nobility or the royal family was only done to maintain necessary relationships as a saintess.

She wouldn’t go to such frivolous places like a cafe.

‘Even if we did, Estelle wouldn’t be able to eat desserts made of such luxuries like sugar, so it’d be difficult.’

But then, Estelle spoke in a clear voice, barely containing her desire.

“Thanks to Miss Nia, I was able to save some money and find a good store. I’d like to go to a cafe and get you a nice cup of tea and dessert as thanks, is that okay?”

I opened my eyes wide at an unexpected suggestion.

“Can we?”

“Of course.”

Oh my God.

At this point, most people would say, “But Miss Estelle doesn’t like such places. I couldn’t possibly have you overexert yourself on my behalf.” But I didn’t.

Estelle brought it up first! So we must go!

I spoke, reminded of something.

“Then shall we go to the cafe I wanted to go to? It happens to be around here.”

“Okay.” Estelle grinned.

This is great!

I linked arms with Estelle and headed to the cafe. It was recently open and a popular place amongst the nobility.

As soon as we entered the cafe, I could feel the occupants’ stares.

Some of them were so surprised their eyes were nearly bulging, seeming to recognize Estelle.

Fortunately, Estelle didn’t care about the glances and looked around the cafe.

“Wow, the cafe is really pretty.”

“Right?”

I headed to the display stand with Estelle.

I couldn’t stop ogling the cakes in the glass display cases.

“It is as they say!”

Strawberry cakes with cute strawberry themed decorations, cakes with fresh cream adorning them, and chocolate cakes that looked so rich you could practically taste them just by looking.

The beauty of the immaculately decorated cakes was akin to a work of art.

They were cakes made with love.

My wandering eyes stopped at a red tiered cake scattered with vivid roses as decor.

“Hey, please this cake…..”

As  I stared at the cake, Estelle came closer.

“Did you choose which cake you want?”

“Oh, I…”

I looked at the rose cake one more time, then turned away.

Instead, I focused on a whipped cream cake!

“Clouds on a sunny morn after the rain.”

This naming sense…

Was the staff possessed by the spirit of Baskin Robbins?

Estelle tapped my shoulder with a finger, urging with suspicion.

“Order as much as you like. I have a lot of money.”

Like many women, I had a separate stomach for things like cake, I could eat as many as five slices in one sitting.

But I restrained myself.

Because I knew how precious the money in Estelle’s battered wallet was.

The cost of a single small cake from here for her would be equivalent to one months’ spending allowance.

I smiled, responding.

“I’m on a diet these days, so this is enough.”

Unlike me, who got an espresso sweetened with syrup and a slice of cake heaped with whipped cream, there was only a solitary glass of water in front of Estelle.

I pondered for a bit then asked. “Would you like a bite?”

As expected, Estelle shook her head. “I don’t like sweet things much, so please don’t mind me.”

It’d be rude to keep persuading someone who clearly was unwilling. So I accepted Estelle’s refusal and placed a piece of cake in my mouth.

‘It’s just like its name…how delicious!’

After the initial rain of flavor, whipped cream melted on my tongue like lumpy clouds on a newly sunny morn.

While savoring the cake, I noticed a pamphlet placed next to the table. It was a copy of a magazine prepared for cafe customers.

Usually, the topics were ones aristocratic women would enjoy, such as recent fashion or currently trendy perfumes.

‘Should I take a look? It’s been a while.’

As I flipped through the pages absentmindedly with one hand, I nearly sprayed cream everywhere.

<Prince Carlix vs Dashing Knight Kardien. Who’s the better groom?>

‘Who on earth would write such an outrageous article?!’

I read it incredulously, leaning over the table so far that my head was nearly touching Estelle’s.

The magazine had sheets full of nauseating discussion of the contrasting appeal of Carlix and Lucian.

The two men differed in appearance, temperament, background, capabilities, and just about everything else one could think of.

Therefore, the answer to which of the pair should be chosen was a point of contention.

Many women in the cafe were examining the article with pensive expressions, as if it was the most important issue in the world.

Among them, there were some engaged in heated discussions with a booklet sandwiched between them, obviously being used as a reference to me constantly.

I asked Estelle.

“Which of the two do you think would make the better groom, Miss Estelle?”

Estelle’s face grew embarrassed at the question.

“Well, I don’t know. I’ve never thought about that.”

“Then think about it. I’ve met both men, so I have already chosen.”

Estelle couldn’t bring herself to respond and flushed. I curled my lips when I saw that.

I knew who she would choose.

Because she was utterly dense when it came to romance, it would be a long time before she realized how she felt, but Estelle should already be attracted to Carlix at this point.

Eventually, Estelle, who still couldn’t answer, looked at me, troubled.

“Then who do you think is the best groom?”

I had a firm preference in this matter.

“Of course it’s Lucian.”

Unlike the female lead, who loves the male lead, I was very objective.

Any woman thinking with her head would choose Lucian.

‘Of course, only assuming that Lucian wouldn’t go off the deep end.’

“Beautiful, friendly, and the strongest knight of the Empire. By comparison, the Crown Prince…”

Carlix had a terrible personality. But that wasn’t his only drawback.

There was another definitive factor why he couldn’t be the best groom.

“The moment you get married, that family would become your in-laws. What could be worse than that?”

Estelle couldn’t deny that, and only smiled, her brows downturned. She knew who I meant.

Carlix’s biological and adoptive mother were long passed. Therefore, his paternal grandmother had taken the mantle of matron, and she was infamous for her uptight personality.

‘Even if you’re only a little bit rusty with your etiquette, you’ll definitely get punished. She values maintaining status above all else, she doesn’t even forgive her subordinates if they make any mistake.’

As the Empress Dowager, there was no way she would like Estelle, a commoner.

She hated Estelle so much she allowed her to be ridiculed and had her driven out of the palace during Carlix’s birthday banquet.

Yup.

She was also a major antagonist of Estelle’s during this arc.

‘But she won’t be able to do anything as nasty as what she did originally. Because this Estelle would appear at the banquet looking more beautiful than anyone else.’ 

Even the Empress Dowager would falter in comparison to her.

Estelle looked up at me and flashed a serene smile.

────── 〔✿〕──────

It was dusk when we parted after chatting in the cafe.

Estelle said to me. “I didn’t know how much fun it was to go out and play with a friend. I had a wonderful time.”

“Me too.”

We held hands and laughed together.

“Let’s meet again and play sometime soon.”

My heart swelled with warmth.

At first, she was definitely a little annoying, but not now.

I liked her.  I really really liked her.

My whole body was full of fondness for her.

“I’m back!”

When I entered the mansion and announced my return in a cheery voice, I felt something amiss.

‘It was a warm spring day earlier, but why does it feel like winter again?’

A chill seemed to engulf the house.

And the one who could emit such cold energy was…

“Did you have a good time with your friend?”