*****
Maybe this was a test and a task that must be solved. It wasn’t just a fight at the level of controversy. In the future, Asaya, who had to live here, had to endure and face it. It was a price for wearing the status of a noblewoman that no strangers outside the humble walls dare to match. Asaya looked around the dress store, there were quite a few customers looking around than expected. The inside of the store was spacious.
“Oh, it’s been a while, Mrs. Rosemante! Your daughter is getting married next month, right? Congratulations.” Said the store owner.
“Thank you. Today I came to pick out a wedding dress for my daughter. Oh, you have to say hello to Duke Kabelheider, not me.”
“Duke Kabelheider?”
The gazes of the women, who were looking around, turned to Edwin and Asaya. Then, they immediately gave a greeting to Edwin.
“My Lord.”
Edwin greeted them with a brief silence, as if he was familiar with this situation. Since all were embarrassingly concise greetings, there was a high probability that they were not familiar with Edwin except for Mrs. Rosemante.
“Please pick whatever you like. We have a wide selection. From formal wear to everyday wear.”
Asaya had to choose the dress to wear at the National Day celebration, regardless of her personal likes and dislikes. It was a difficult choice for her. Clothes are becoming more and more fashionable, and those who led the fashion were nobles. The nobility’s outfit was very important because it wasn’t just showing the way, it was showing knowledge for knowing the flow of the times. She knew that the latest trend was as flashy as possible but the designs, colors, and types of subsidiary materials used should be considered in detail, but Asaya was ignorant about this subject. She was trying to survive desperately outside the wall every day, so how would she know about trendy attire?
“It’s difficult, I don’t know what’s best.”
“It’s not about choosing the best one, but to choose a design that you like.”
“No, the dress to wear at the important event should be carefully selected with the best effort. Whatever I do, I’ll be rebuked, but at least I wouldn’t be ashamed.”
For the ladies, a dress is like the armor of a knight. Choosing a dress roughly was no different than going to the battlefield with a useless weapon. However, it was hard for her to have a keen eye for choosing weapons, who had never experienced that battlefield. There were many professional shoppers in the shop, but calling them for advice wasn’t a good thing in the current situation.
At the center of the hustle and bustle was Mrs. Rosemante and the shop owner. They were complimenting the pure white dress that Lily Rosemante had chosen. If Asaya picked anything up, it was obvious that she would be laughed at because she was from outside the wall with no sense for fashion. In fact, they were watching Asaya and Edwin while pretending to choose a dress. Their eyes of a hawk were looking at what dresses and accessories Asaya would choose, it made her uneasy. Asaya, who hesitated for a moment, looked at Edwin.
“Would you pick one for me?”
In the current situation, Edwin’s choice would be best. After all, Edwin would know more about trendy fashion better than Asaya, who had lived outside the wall for 7 years. Moreover, if he chose a dress for Asaya personally would show the people that they were a happy and affectionate couple, and no one would be able to ridicule the Grand Duke for his hand-picked dress.
“Please choose a dress that will suit me.”
In a desperate situation, Asaya raised her head and acted confidently. Edwin looked at Asaya and thought that it was as if the kitten was on the verge of intimidating the other person. The act of holding hands in a timid manner while being confident was very cute.
“It would be my first time choosing a lady’s dress, so I don’t know what the outcome will be.”
“Are all these dresses here made by one designer?” Asaya asked.
“No, there are many dresses that have been brought in from many places.”
“Somehow, it seems that there are too many kinds for an individual to choose.”
“The owner of this place will accept all goods from every designer from the entire estate and everywhere else.”
“But why doesn’t the dress say who the designer is?”
“That’s the peculiar way of operation here.”
What was unique about this store was that it wouldn’t specify who made the dress or where it came from. Dresses from various places were displayed indiscriminately, including clothes of new designers whose names were unknown, and clothes of the best designers worth tens of billions of gold. This method of operation was directly suggested by Mrs. LeBlanc, the designer, and as a condition of accepting it, the owner had to open her shop in August, not in the capital.
“People say that they came here to hunt for treasure.”
“To hunt for treasure…?” Asaya asked in confusion.
“It doesn’t matter where they came from or who made them, they have very high value.”
Asaya, who was listening to the conversation silently, raised her head in amazement.
“Madam LeBlanc? The genius designer who was dedicated to the royal costumes?” Asaya asked.
“Do you know about Mrs.Leblanc?” Edwin asked.
“I’ve heard of her.”
“She’s the most famous and tough among designers. Thanks to that, it was quite difficult to just open the shop with her designs here.”
“I’m surprised. I thought it would be a private shop in the capital instead of a place right here in August.” Asaya said.
“I hope the dress I choose will be Madame LeBlanc’s design. Let’s see, which one shall I pick?”
Edwin looked carefully over the dresses, then stopped in front of a black dress. It was a form of transparent lace overlaid on a silk dress. Inside the skirt, a chiffon lining was added to enhance the volume of the hips. The body of the dress was decorated with sparkling jewels, giving it a feeling of sprinkled star powder. It was a delicate and dazzling yet simple dress.
“I like this dress.” Edwin said.
This dress, which was decorated only with very small jewels, without many of the common flashy decorations, looked ordinary compared to other dresses. However, it had caught Asaya’s attention as well. She wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible, but at the same time, it seemed like a dress suitable for the occasion.
“I like it too. It’s luxurious but not excessive, I think it’s beautiful.” Asaya said.
“Then try it on.” Edwin urged.
After choosing a dress, the staff waiting next to him quickly got the dress along with its matching shoes and accessories. Then the staff took Asaya to the changing room. Mrs. Rosemante, who was watching this, also beckoned to her daughter Lily to try on a dress. When Lily entered the fitting room, a strange stillness filled the shop. It was like a beauty competition between the two young women. People’s anticipation was strangely high to see who would get the crown.
Mrs. Rosemante covered her lips with a fan and held back the laughter. She was relieved to see Asaya’s dress was nothing but plain and simple and thought to herself.
“You’ll only be embarrassed, even if you wear expensive clothes, you know no etiquette. Can you even walk properly?”
Mrs. Rosemante bit her lips and waited for Asaya and Lily to come out anxiously. After minutes passed, and the door of the fitting room opened almost simultaneously. Mrs. Rosemante looked at Asaya first and prepared to mock. However, she lost her words after she saw Asaya.
“It’s a good fit. It’s more to my liking than I thought.” Asaya said.
“It definitely suits you well.” Edwin commented.
Everyone was lost for words at Asaya’s appearance. Lily was dressed very well in the latest fashion, and had long been pushed back. Moreover, Lily’s dress was so big that it seemed difficult for her to walk properly. On the other hand, Asaya’s dress, which was supposed to be laughed at for being ordinary, shed its easiness when it found its owner and broke away from the luxurious dress. Not to mention the luxurious feeling of silk fabric, the luxuriousness was further maximized by the addition of small jewelry decorations that were not excessive with a sophisticated fit. The dark black color made Asaya’s white and pale skin look much more transparent and clean. Even her blonde hair that hung down was dazzling against the black.
Asaya gently grabbed the hem of her dress and walked elegantly. She was naturally a perfect noblewoman without having to prove to anyone. Seeing Asaya’s upright and neat posture without shaking, Mrs. Rosemante sighed briefly.
“She has no problem walking. It’s a very well-made dress.”
Asaya stood face to face in front of Edwin, thanks to the shoes, his eye level, which was usually high above, seemed a little lower. Edwin sighed as he slowly swept Asaya’s appearance, smiling satisfyingly.
“It looks good on you.”
Mrs. Rosemante’s face burned red, feeling embarrassed. As anyone could see, this fight was a victory for a lowly stranger. Mrs. Rosmante hurriedly sent Lily into the dressing room, as if all the gossiping voices seemed to be mocking her.
“Please forgive my rudeness earlier. I don’t think we have to go to dinner to show your skill.”
Everyone’s eyes were focused. Nevertheless, Mrs. Rosemante did not care and admitted the defeat of this invisible flag fight.
“In fact, when I heard about your engagement, there were many people worried. I also did. I thought you were a woman who didn’t have the basics. It was a rash and short thought.”
Walking was more strict and important than any other etiquette education. Nobles practice years to walk properly. Mrs. Rosemante neatly admitted her rashness because she could see that Asaya was a person who had learned minimal etiquette education just by looking at her steps without having to go to the dining table.
“Will you forgive me?” Mrs Rosemante’s gaze was precisely at Asaya.
Asaya nodded with amazement and joy at her behavior that was different from her appearance that looked strong and stubborn with pride.
“I know that a quiet and graceful gait can only come from long training. The reason why the person who received proper etiquette education came to live outside the wall is a personal matter, so I will not ask.”
“Thank you.” Asaya responded.
“I hope you prepare well for the event.” There was no sarcasm in Mrs. Rosemante’s tone this time.
“Yes, I’ll do my best so that I don’t bring down the honor of August.” Asaya said.
Mrs. Rosemante turned to Lily with an expressionless face.
“Lily, I think it would be better to choose a dress next time.”
The spectators looked at each other with a different look. The social world was so popular that today’s small happening would soon be on the lips of an unspecified number of people. It was a disgrace to Mrs. Rosemante, but it was a relief that the silent war did not end up as a dirty one because she admitted her loss. Asaya went in to change her clothes. Helpers who helped with the change of clothes carefully moved the dresses and products that had been tried on.
“Well done.” Edwin praised.
“In this world, choosing a dress is war.” Asaya said.
“It’s childish but you handled it wisely. It’s been a while since Mrs. Rosemante came in.” Edwin said.
“The Lord’s help was great. “Asaya relieved her tension, secretly exhaling a sigh of relief.
Edwin, on the other hand, seemed quite joyful, as if he had had an interesting experience.
“Why do you suddenly seem so happy? Because of how nervous I was?” Asaya asked.
“It was a fun experience. As expected, you didn’t let down my expectations.” Edwin responded.
“What did you expect?” Asaya asked.
“Your strategy with unexpected challenges.”
Asaya didn’t like the challenges so much. It was the same case today as it was with Reibene Schrandel. However, she felt relieved that the victory today was hers.
“The unforeseen existence has messed up our date. We have to enjoy our quiet time now.” Edwin said.
“Shall we go for dinner?” Asaya suggested.
“Yes. Since there are no unwelcome guests, we can spend our time alone.” Edwin agreed.
He reached out and held Asaya’s hand again. Asaya knew it was an act to show the public, but she was conscious of his behavior, and glanced at him contentedly.
“Great job today.” Edwin said as Asaya smiled quietly at his plain praise.