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I was taken aback.

Squeak.

The sight of a long garment rack being pushed into the living room was announced by the sound of light squeaking as its wheels rolled across the floor.

The garment rack had all kinds of dresses lined up from one end to the other.

W-Whats this?!

Looking at the dresses with a flustered face, I glanced back at the empress.

I, Your Majesty?

There are only three days left before the victory banquet, yes?

The empress winked at me.

As you know, a lady needs many things to attend a banquet.

Yes, but

Above all else Charlize, this will be your first banquet, is it not? said the empress, knowing full well the answer, but perhaps wanting to let reality set in a second time.

The empress looked at me with a gentle gaze.

That said, I want you to go out there with everything youll need.

As expected of the empress!

I was overwhelmed by a wave of emotions.

The empress gave a sigh as she held one hand to her cheek.

Its unfortunate though.

Why? What was unfortunate?

We ran out of time, we couldnt get a dress specifically tailored for you.

did she mean what she said?

Just look at those dresses sparkle, isnt it almost blinding? Theyre gorgeous.

I wore a doubtful look on my face.

Whether I looked doubtful or not, it didnt matter. The Empress did nothing but let her eyelashes flutter gently.

We instead purchased all the dresses from a well-known boutique as soon as we saw them, so you can be at ease

What?!

I felt like I was going to faint.

The price of a banquet dress is well beyond the monthly expenses of the common household.

Did she also say she purchased every dress from a famous boutique as soon as she saw them?

The treasury of the Empresss palaceis it okay to spend its budget like this?

The Empress glanced back at the dresses.

Once we tailor these to suit your frame and you try them on

Suddenly.

A firm voice rang out.

Your Majesty, pardon me but I hope you will give me that opportunity.

It was Damian.

Hmm, Damian, why are you here?

I widened my eyes while the empress frowned.

No, what are you doing here, Crown Prince? the empress asked.

Well, itll be Charlizes first time debuting as the Crown Princes fiancee.

Damian proudly raised his chin.

Shouldnt she be receiving a custom-tailored dress? said Damian with a sly smile.

Wait, dont tell me you-!

In an instant, the empresss face hardened.

.did his Highness ever stop by Madame Rositas boutique?

Madame Rosita.

Ive heard that she was a designer who distanced herself from fashionable social circles, not taking kindly to them.

Nevertheless, ladies in the empire are more than eager to get their hands on the dresses she made.

Of course. Not only did I visit Madame Rosita this week, but I went to see the seamstresses under her as well.

Damian smiled triumphantly.

Madame Rosita also promised to complete the dress on schedule.

WHAT?! No wonder, she declined my request!

The empress was wide-eyed.

Crown Prince, no matter how much your authority has been restored, to use the treasury of your palace without constraint, isnt that being excessive in your spending?

Cant I give my fiancee whos going to debut as a socialite for the banquet, a gift deserving of her?

Damian countered the empresss question with a cheeky expression.

And the gift Im giving to Charlize isnt from the Crown Prince palaces budget.

Then how did you get the coinage?

After I went to the North, the law was revised with a new decree.

Decree?

Yes. Every time a beast is subdued, the person shall receive a subsidy of a certain amount from the empire.

Oh, I remember that too.

After the Duke had a lengthy and vicious argument with the Emperor, subsidies were enacted in correlation to the subjugation of the beasts.

It paled in comparison to the blood, sweat, and tears given by those in the North but thanks to the decree, those living in the North could breathe more easily.

Damian was still smiling triumphantly.

I got my share while I was there. After eight years of toiling, I saved up an impressive amount.

Hearing that left a sober feeling in me.

It meant that the gift Damian intended for me held the same value as his life.

As he felt my gaze, Damian turned and smiled.

Dont make that face, Lize.

your Highness.

I justI wanted to put on a happy face.

A tender atmosphere started to form when-

Anyway, no!

The Empress interrupted.

It didnt take long for Damian and the empress to start a heated discussion on the topic of Whose dress would I wear?

I dont have time right now, what kind of dress will the custom-tailored dress be?!

Is it not enough Madame Rosita said she would be done with it on schedule!

Ha, his Highness doesnt even know.

The empress retorted fiercely.

It can take a month for a ladys shoes, jewelry, and all other accessories to be prepared accordingly!

No problem, so Ive got a jeweler, a cobbler, and a general wares merchant I need to see!

Damian too, he didnt back an inch.

I, look..can you two.?

I tried to get them two to stop but to no avail.

Just when I was going to feel terrible about myself.

Kid.

Who said that?

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