Translator and Editor: Lea and Aki

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Chapter 53

“However…. there aren’t any seats available for you to be comfortable, would that be okay?””That’s fine. I’m not here to sit and chat, I’m here to look at the clothes you have.””All right, if you’d be so kind as to follow me.”

As soon as Selena stepped inside, the atmosphere in the store changed as if a typhoon hit the store.

The two young ladies, who were sitting in their seats, also glanced at Selena. You’d be surprised since it wasn’t a common occurrence. They must have barely made it through the previous process.

It looked empty, but there were quite a few people inside. There was a table and sofa where the guests could chat in a relaxing atmosphere, and each guest had a tea cup. It was more of a secret cafe than a clothing store.

“Who is it?””I’ve never seen her before…… Is she the one the Duke of Renbird has brought….?””Oh my gosh, she’s the rumored girl? Come to think of it, she looks similar to what the rumors described her as.”

Selena could hear them whisper.

“I can’t believe she came here as soon as she got to the Capital. Is she already starting to take a fortune?””If she wasn’t that diligent, she wouldn’t have made it to that position.””But, how did she get in? Indeed, what is the Duke’s money?”

The attention on the appearance of a new guest kept bubbling like boiling water on the stove.

Selena made her way inside under the guidance of the representative. As she passed by where they sat, she met their eyes. However, having all eyes on herself only, she turned her head away almost immediately after. It was not a friendly gaze.

‘This must be how the social circle acts.’

Her social rehearsal officially began after she came out to browse for clothes that matched the trends.

That is because they were the same people she would eventually meet. It would be convenient to pretend she didn’t hear it, but it would only be a matter of time before she is rumored to be an idiot if she chooses to do so.

She couldn’t fight with her hair tied, but she at least had to show that she wasn’t easy enough to ignore.

The representative guided Selena to the stool instead of the table.

“How does your business run here?””Since we mainly produce custom-made goods, we tend to make them based on design catalogs rather than on spot.””Is that so? Then can I take a look at the design catalog first?””Of course.”

The CEO went inside and came out with a booklet the same size as a human.

Selena took a look at the designs, and turned its pages over one by one. It was not much different from what Devin, Renbird’s tailor, suggested. However, slightly different details caught her eye.

Devin’s work with ribbons was replaced with straps here, and instead of monochromatic fabrics, they mainly used fabrics that seemed to have subtle colors smudged in certain places similar to watercolor.

At first glance, one would think it’s not a big deal, but these small details were very important to notice. That is because the thickness of the ribbon distinguished rustic and sophisticated things.

“How is it?””Neat and tidy.”

The woman nodded with a proud smile.

“Yes. The fabric is made thin and delicate compared to the North.””I see. I’ll have to modify all the dresses I’ve brought. I think it will take quite some time…. Do you happen to have any prototypes?””It’s not a lot, but there are a few.”

The woman beckoned to the employees waiting in the corner. Disappearing inside in unison, they returned each holding a dress. It definitely felt different to see them as a finished product.

“Are they for sale?””We’re selling it if you want, but the price will slightly increase because we have to modify the size of the selected piece one more time.”

‘She’s the Duke’s mistress, but does she even have enough money?’ Her tone implied something along those lines.

Selena chuckled. It was time to start a spectacular show.

“I’ll buy everything.”

A silence passed wherein everyone stopped breathing at the same time. While pretending to talk among themselves, the eyes of the two ladies froze on Selena.

“……I beg your pardon?”

Even the representative’s composure was shaken. No noble family’s daughter had ever been able to sweep away things like this. It’s too expensive.

“Uhm, we haven’t told you the price yet, have we?””No need. You can charge me under the name of the Duke of Renbird.””But…..””Oh, shall we make ten different colors of each design? In that way, I’ll be able to see what’s best once it’s done.”

When Kalcion said it, he acted as if money was some bullsh*t, but now it was time to make him come to his senses.

The woman’s eyes changed when she realized Selena was determined to waste money carelessly.

The woman was a flexible thinker who could change one’s horizons before practicality.

“Why don’t you try it on?””Shall we? Can you fix it while I’m at it?””Of course.”

Selena chose the dress that suited her the most and entered the dressing room with the staff.

The changing room was a space with sky-high curtains surrounding mirrors everywhere, as if it were an embodiment of a princess’ closet. There was a fluffy rug on the floor, and a comfortable-looking chair was placed in the middle.

The staff were polite. They knew the work more efficiently than a maid. The power of money was stronger here.

‘It’s easier.’

The kindness that money could buy was the easily gained one.

Miong’s dress only had one layer. It was very similar to the dresses she wore at award ceremonies and events. It had more exposure than Renbird’s, and less corsets on the inside. This attire showed Selena’s figure more explicitly than her puffy skirt.

“You’re so beautiful……..”

One of the employees muttered with a bewitched look.

Selena grinned and walked out of the room. The eyes of the people standing outside gathered on her as if they were iron powder that stuck to a magnet.

“Hup…..”

Someone shut the employee’s mouth when they noticed he was about to mutter something unknowingly.

He was also prepared to laugh at the dress or pretend not to see it, but he failed. That’s not all. All eyes on her were filled with astonishment.

‘Okay, I’m halfway through.’

She was confident that she could fill in their requirements to stand in the midst of the social circle. Whether she was a villainess or an angel, she had to attract attention and have a presence to become influential. Information would not fly into the unwanted.

Having the Duke of Renbird backing her up, Selena must be someone who is not common. There was no way the social ladies would turn a blind eye to it if she was. Therefore, there had to be something she could use other than Kalcion to show off her strength.

The world had changed, from east to west. A man who was unchangeable desired beauty. Fortunately, Kalcion’s aesthetic was not far from the standard of the world. Selena seemed to have looked as beautiful to other people’s eyes as he voiced.

She, with her confidence now doubled, smiled even more enchantingly. The smile that she had practiced thousands of times to make herself look beautiful.

“It’s great. I can take this one right away, right?”

The CEO’s eyes widened, but she quickly returned to her senses.

“Yes, we’ll try to fix it as soon as possible.”

Selena also checked herself in the mirror while the staff gathered to take note of the necessary instructions on where to fix the dress.

She wondered if her figure had changed because of her eating and all that, but training with Kalcion seemed to have played a part in maintaining it.

‘It seems more fit than it used to be.’

She should join the training whenever she had time, she decided internally.

“Now if you take it off, I’ll get it fixed as soon as possible.”

When she changed back to her original outfit, the staff led her to the stool again. The seats were filled by new customers now.

“Would you like a drink while waiting?”

There was a small bar in front of the stool, but it wasn’t a table. She felt like she was being beaten in a corner because she didn’t get a table.

“No, I’ll have a look around somewhere else and pick it up on my way back……”

As she was standing up, a man approached her.

“E-Excuse me.””Yes?”

He seemed like a guest since he was neatly dressed.

“I know it’s rude to talk to you so suddenly, but….. Oh, my name is Smith. I’m the second son of Baron Chade.””Okay.”

Selena waited for his next words, blinking like a doll. It was her turn to introduce herself as an act of courtesy, but she was already caught in the wind of being cautious.

“I came here to buy a gift for my cousin and happened to see you, Miss.””Okay.”

Selena answered briefly again with a friendly smile. It was an implicit sign to get out of her sight quickly, but unfortunately, a man named Smith didn’t seem to understand.

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