Chapter 51
I've been choosing only plain white clothes without decorations from the wardrobe to look somewhat kind and free of vanity, but is it having no effect at all? Artemisia looked me over and cautiously evaluated.
"Hmm... It does suit you well, but the style is a bit outdated..."
"These are the clothes of the late Countess."
"That feeling of not following trends is classical yet remarkably original and wonderful!"
Okay. So it wasn't bad after all.
***
Rafaela sighed as she watched Artemisia diligently selecting fabric.
Artemisia had suddenly brought up leather talk that sent chills down her spine, and now she was rattling off designs that would suit Lady Rohanson and showering her with praise. Just like siblings indeed, she's exactly the same as her younger brother.
"Sir Gabriel, how about this fabric? Doesn't it go perfectly with the Lady?"
But Misha, thinking her own younger brother has a crush on Lady Rohanson, why is she trying to make the best couple with the Commander?
I don't know if I should call that thorough professionalism or what. Just then, a familiar face approached Rafaela.
"Sir."
"It's been a while, Sister."
Daisy handed Rafaela a letter.
"Please deliver this to Sir Gabriel."
"Is it a love letter?"
At the habitual joke, Daisy sent a sharp glare without a hint of a smile.
"You may read it first if you'd like."
Well, can't even joke around. Rafaela grumbled as she unfolded the letter.
'Bishop Jabaniya...?'
Her puzzlement at the familiar sender's name was brief, and after reading the entire letter, Rafaela cursed internally. Send a spy to Rohanson mansion? That damned old man, is it his time to die? If he dies, I'll gladly arrange his funeral, but he's digging his own grave alone.
"Is Mr. Fonorr safe?"
"What do you mean by that? He had class yesterday and left. Why. Don't you believe me?"
"Since the Sister has now become completely Lady Rohanson's person."
The nun who once accused Evangeline Rohanson had completely turned into her faithful servant after the orphanage incident. Someone who was helpless and trapped in fear could now even bare her thorns for Evangeline.
"Your Commander is also deeply smitten with the Lady, so is there a law saying I can't be?"
Daisy shot back sharply. It means that Gabriel, too, remains attached even while guessing to some extent the true nature of Evangeline Rohanson.
Since it was true, Rafaela couldn't even rebut and fell silent.
I really don't know what the Commander is thinking. It's definitely not something warm and soft like love.
But the fact that he was thoroughly hiding everything about Lady Rohanson in meetings clearly showed how much Gabriel cared for Evangeline.
What was even more ridiculous was that Rafaela had done her best to help such a Commander. Rafaela looked at Evangeline wrapped in the fabric Misha had brought. She looked fed up with being forcibly recruited for dress-up play.
Red eyes blinked and looked at Rafaela. Just having their eyes meet made her heart sink from the intimidation Evangeline exuded. Ah. So this is it. Rafaela murmured unconsciously.
"That's right... It seems everyone is already bewitched by the devil."
Misha, Daisy, the Commander, and even Rafaela herself.
***
What are those two doing?
Daisy and Rafaela were sitting suspiciously close together. The atmosphere between them was peculiar... My romance fantasy reader's intuition tingled. Rafaela, do you perhaps have feelings for Daisy?
Wasn't Daisy supposed to end up as a sub-couple with Jelly? After thinking about it carefully, I started to wonder if Rafaela was like a love guru who can't make her own love work but successfully orchestrates her superior's love life. Yeah, sometimes you see characters like that in novels.
Watching suspiciously, Daisy handed Rafaela a letter. What, what is that? Could it be a love letter? Was it not unrequited love?
Daisy opened her mouth. What is she saying? I listened as hard as I could.
"—deeply smitten, so is there a law saying I can't be?"
What? Daisy just made a direct confession. She's saying she's fallen for you, so why can't she?! My heart raced at the unexpected romance.
So Rafaela wasn't the one with unrequited love for someone else! Giving her a letter and everything, Daisy actually liked Rafaela! Come to think of it, when I first saw Daisy, she was with Rafaela too.
I must have had the roles reversed from the beginning. Jelly... looks like you're the one with unrequited love. What is this, some kind of supporting male character for everyone?
I kept stealing glances because their conversation interested me so much, and then I made eye contact with Rafaela. Caught! I pretended not to see, pretended not to be interested, and turned my eyes away. I want to hear the rest but why get caught now of all times.
"How is this one?"
"I like it."
Acting like I just accidentally made eye contact, I made it blatantly obvious I was doing my best to help Artemisia choose fabric.
"Right? I thought so too! Lady, your taste is so excellent! It will definitely suit you well. It will also go perfectly with Sir Gabriel's formal wear like a matching set!"
Artemisia wrapped fabric around me layer after layer. T-teacher, I can't breathe. Before I could complain, the fabric slipped loose. Whew, that was close.
"Now we need to take your measurements..."
Artemisia glanced at the men. Ah, to take measurements I need to undress. So that means get out. At the dismissal, Gabriel rose from his seat.
"The Lady must be tired from hosting guests, so I'll take my leave now."
Come to think of it, Gabriel really doesn't resist. He actually leaves when told to. Well, he must be busy, and it's not polite to keep holding him back.
"I'll entrust the Lady's attire to you."
"Even without Sir Gabriel saying so, I will do my best."
Artemisia glared.
"Ah, regarding the chaperone I mentioned before."
Come to think of it, Gabriel said he'd try to find a chaperone. But why? Did he not find one? Did everyone refuse because the rumors were too bad?
Evangeline's mother passed away, her maternal family cut ties, and the Count only assigned a governess without caring about things like a chaperone, so there was no way for me to find one.
"Marchioness Toten has readily agreed to serve as your chaperone."
"Madam Toten?"
"Yes. She's a devout woman who frequently visits the temple. Madam Toten has one child, and I heard the child is in poor health. Upon hearing the Lady's circumstances, she said it reminded her of her child."
So there was someone! I'm lucky there's even one person. She must not have heard the other strange rumors about Evangelin and only heard about her poor health.
"She is well-connected, so she will certainly be of help."
No, what help? He really is a male lead who's only warm to his woman. Gabriel also uses people like tools, doesn't he?
"Madam Toten asked if you could meet separately before the Crown Prince's birthday celebration. Would that be alright?"
Of course. Madam Toten? Just from the name she sounds kind and friendly. I'm certain, without her, there won't be anyone in this world to be my chaperone.
"If you let me know a convenient day, I'll tell her to come then."
"I'll go to her."
No, she's doing me a favor by being my chaperone, I can't tell her to come to Rohanson mansion. My already bad image will sink straight into the mud.
"Tomorrow is too soon, so could you tell her I'll visit in two days?"
"Wait a moment. Three days! Please go at least three days later. Even if I can't make the dress, I'll bring ready-made clothes tomorrow and have them altered!"
I was going to go right away tomorrow since you should strike while the iron is hot, but Artemisia pushed the date back. Can't I just wear clothes I already have? Artemisia shook her head.
"I would like the Lady to wear clothes I made."
"Won't you be busy making the debutante dress?"
"No! It's completely fine."
"If that's the case."
Since I wouldn't lose anything, I gave permission for her to do as she pleased, and she was visibly pleased. Artemisia must have strong artisan spirit. Her customers must only wear clothes she made herself. Is it something like that?
It's not a week, just three days, so I can wait longer. It's not urgent either. So reflecting Artemisia's opinion, we decided to visit in three days. Gabriel said he'd send a letter in advance later.
"Sir Gabriel."
"Yes, Lady."
"Could you visit once more before the debutante?"
There's no other ulterior motive, I just have no one to learn dancing with.
I've only learned the movements but haven't practiced even once. And among the people I know, Gabriel is the only one who can do the male part.
By the way, is this really a romance fantasy? How is Gabriel the only noble male character I've met so far... Is Gabriel lacking in charm? Is the idea to reduce competition and keep only the male lead route?
"If the Lady calls, I will visit anytime."
Gabriel promised with a shy smile. He really doesn't need to monopolize with that kind of visual impact...
Artemisia, hearing that from the side, went 'Oh my, oh my' and made a fuss. Was I just like that a moment ago watching Rafaela and Daisy?
After Gabriel and Rafaela left, Artemisia meticulously recorded my measurements with her assistants. Unlike her chatty self until just now, she was extremely serious when taking measurements. As expected of the artisan Gabriel chose.
"Artemisia, if it's not impolite, could you make clothes for my maids too? It's not urgent, so you can take your time."
I'm still upset about the kids being so disregarded because of their clothes before. I did buy them lots of clothes, but custom-made is different. Plus Artemisia is a famous dress artisan, so this is the opportunity. Let me use my connections a bit too.
"Of course. I don't understand why such rumors circulate about someone who even looks after her servants like this."
Artemisia readily accepted. She didn't even hesitate and just said yes, which was very cool. Good, the fee is double.