『To Baron Edward K. Adrian,
It is a morning with gentle spring sunshine, Baron.
The gardens of the estate are in full bloom with hyacinths and geraniums. Daffodils and buttercups have also bloomed prettily.
I suppose petite spring flowers have bloomed at the Baron's estate as well?
If the Baron is not busy, could you stop by Sona's Dress Shop on Ionel Street at four o'clock this afternoon?
You need not come, so please do not worry too much.
I pray that the warm grace of Rahel is always with you.
-Yellodia R. Savie-
P.S.: The scent from the card is that of geranium. I hope you like it.』
The dress shop was located at the entrance of the shopping district where jewelers gathered.
Holding the reins, Edward quickly passed by buildings of unparalleled splendor and finally discovered a sign at the corner of an alley.
It was a place he had never thought would be associated with him even once.
The wind blowing from the Lilis River cooled Edward's forehead, but soon beads of sweat formed on his brow.
'Come to think of it, this was also where they took my measurements.'
If he remembered correctly, the tailor had taken Edward's measurements well before the dinner with the Emperor.
At the time, he had thought the benevolent Emperor was bestowing a gift to reward a subject's service, but it turned out to be for preparing engagement formalwear.
'Just when did His Majesty begin planning this marriage?'
Edward's liege lord, to whom he had pledged his loyalty, might have been a more cunning and mischievous man than he'd thought.
Two days prior, a ring and bracelet with elegantly cut blue diamonds, calfskin shoes, and gloves had arrived at the mansion.
The butler Edward had newly hired could not tear his eyes from the brilliant luster of the diamonds for some time, then discreetly asked if it might be best to deposit them in the Imperial Bank's vault.
Taking the butler's advice into consideration, Edward placed the expensive gifts in the secret vault at Naval Headquarters.
He did not know about the other gifts, but it was clear that renowned artisans were busily crafting them nonetheless.
"...."
After lingering for a moment before an iron door embossed with elegant curves, Edward finally steeled himself and opened the door.
Ring-a-ling—the bell sounded, and the noble ladies and attendants examining catalogs in the parlor raised their gazes in unison.
"...."
"...."
At that quiet yet strange spectacle, Edward wanted to step back.
If an attendant wearing large glasses had not spoken to him kindly, he would undoubtedly have turned around and left.
"How may I help you?"
"I have... agreed to meet someone here."
"You must have an appointment. If you tell me your name, I will guide you."
"I am Edward K. Adrian."
"Ah, I see. Would you please wait a moment?"
The attendant wiped her hand on her apron and disappeared behind a curtained area.
Even then, the noble ladies in the dress shop observed Edward with sideways glances.
Edward felt as though he were standing naked in the center of Lilis Square and carefully surveyed his surroundings.
Dresses made with meticulous care hanging on garment racks were so colorful and beautiful that even he, a soldier, could not help but admire them.
A satin dress adorned with white jewels, a peach-colored muslin dress, a bright yellow satin dress... They looked as surreal as a painting painstakingly drawn by a renowned artist.
Even the noblewomen and maidservants examining the dresses with attentive attitudes looked like part of a masterpiece.
"Baron Adrian, the Lady is waiting for you."
At the attendant's words, Edward turned his head with a start.
"Please come this way."
The attendant led Edward to where the curtain she had disappeared behind earlier was draped. Edward silently followed.
When the curtain of soft dark-blue fabric opened, a narrow, long hallway appeared. The antique wallpaper and delicate molding allowed one to guess how much effort the dress shop's owner had put into constructing the place.
"We have arrived."
Without hesitation, the attendant opened the innermost door.
The first thing to catch his eye was a white curtain adorned with lace.
The sunlight coming through the window passed through three layers of curtains and changed into a faint ivory color. It was a space that gave a secretive impression, like a lovers' tryst.
"Baron, you have come?"
"......Lady Savie."
Wearing a white satin dress, Yellodia turned to look at Edward.
Edward unconsciously held his breath and gazed at Yellodia.
When the light pouring from the chandelier touched her, it scattered like stardust.
Her red hair, curling down below her waist, flowed with a silk-like sheen, and her fair face was as fresh as a peach blossom.
"...."
As if her own appearance were awkward, Yellodia lowered her eyes, then soon opened them clear and bright and spoke.
"I heard that your formalwear is also being finished here. I thought that if we tried them on together, it would be easier for the tailor to find places that need adjustment."
"Ah...... I see."
"If it was uncomfortable of me to call you out as I pleased, I am sorry."
"No. I was simply a bit surprised by the suddenness."
Though faint bewilderment seeped into Edward's voice, neither displeasure nor reservation could be seen on his face.
Soon, Edward looked blankly at the formalwear the attendant held out.
"The changing room is over there. Please tell us if anything is uncomfortable."
Edward nodded briefly and entered the changing room. Only then did Yellodia let out a long sigh.
"What do you think?"
"Other than being a bit surprised, I cannot tell. He does not seem particularly uncomfortable?"
"That is not what I meant—I asked if you think the formalwear will suit him."
At Yellodia's absurd question, Masa barely suppressed a smile and answered.
"It will suit him well. He is so tall and imposing."
"What if he does not match well with me? Do I not look too short compared to the Baron?"
"That is why I told you to eat properly at every meal."
"That is already too late. Is there no other alternative?"
"Even if you start eating diligently from now on, it is not too late, so please increase your portion sizes."
"Increase my portion sizes?"
Unexpectedly, it was the tailor Sona who cut off Masa's words. The woman Edward had assumed was an attendant pushed her thick glasses up the bridge of her nose and opened her mouth firmly.
"You cannot do that before the engagement ceremony. If you suddenly gain weight, you may not fit into the dress. You are not planning to ruin my magnum opus, are you?"
"I have no such intention, so rest assured."
"Of course, you must not. I have been unable to sleep properly for a month now while making the two of your formalwear."
At Sona's resentful words, Yellodia narrowed her eyes and glared.
With a white muslin apron wrapped over a navy blue pleated skirt that reached her calves, Sona looked like a maidservant or perhaps a governess.
It was likely a measure for mobility, but unfortunately, she showed not a shred of dignity as the owner of a dress shop.
Sona had known Yellodia for a long time, so it was only natural that Yellodia's words were mixed with grumbling.
"What did I do wrong for Sona to resent me? I am the one who is upset. How could you not say a single word to me while fitting my engagement dress?"
"His Majesty the Emperor strictly ordered me to keep silent. How could I dare open my mouth? You have no idea how flustered I was taking measurements of someone who had just received his peerage."
The two, bickering without yielding an inch to each other, fell silent the moment Edward drew back the curtain and stepped out, as if they had promised to do so.
"Oh my......"
Sona let out an exclamation, and Yellodia suppressed a long sigh.
"It suits you so well! If the young ladies of Prier were to learn of you, they would rush at you with fire in their eyes. What a pity it is that you are holding your engagement ceremony before even debuting in high society."
"......Hm, thank you."
Edward, who had heard his betrothed's chatter clearly from the changing room, turned his gaze away for a moment and cleared his throat.
Yellodia was glaring at Sona with thoroughly sulky eyes. It seemed she had looked at Edward with those same eyes at some point.
The more he got to know her, the more Edward could not dismiss the thought that his betrothed was no ordinary tomboy, and he barely swallowed a laugh.
"I suppose the lapels need a bit more work. Would you please stay still for a moment?"
Sona, having already brought a measuring tape and chalk, examined the coat with a careful expression.
"The wrist length seems fine, but would you raise your arm for a moment?"
Edward silently raised his arm. After requesting this and that as she pleased—turn around, unbutton, bend your knee—Sona glanced at Yellodia and said,
"Then lastly, would the two of you stand side by side?"
Edward stood by Yellodia's side with a resigned attitude.
Perhaps because she was wearing high-heeled shoes, the top of Yellodia's head was higher than when they had met before. Even so, if he embraced her, she would barely reach his chest.
Whether it was because a man unrelated by blood had come so close for the first time, Yellodia was visibly nervous.
"Hmm, this much matches well. The bouquet will be a mix of pink, purple, and blue roses. Is there anything else you need?"
Edward wanted to cry hallelujah.
"I have none."
"I do. I want to try on the gifts here."
Sona looked at Yellodia in surprise. Edward also appeared considerably startled.
"My lady, the gifts are being kept at the Duke's residence. It is impossible to bring such expensive gifts outside the Duke's mansion before the engagement ceremony."
That was why Sona had packed the dresses herself and planned to visit the ducal residence.
Yellodia looked at Sona with sullen eyes. Her gaze said, do you think I do not know that?
'Hah.......'
Sona soon narrowed her eyes and clicked her tongue inwardly.
"......If I rummage through the safe, I should be able to find accessories similar to the gifts. Please wait a moment, and I will bring them."
Yellodia nodded haughtily. That seemed to be the correct answer.
'So she wanted to have an intimate moment with her betrothed.'
Thinking that she was, at any rate, a young lady one could not let their guard down around even for a moment, Sona adjusted her glasses.