“Yes. Lord Pryde paid in advance this morning. One suit will leave plenty left over, even with the gold thread and expensive imported lace.”

Only then did Delphine realize what had made that proud woman bow so deeply.

It was an enormous amount of gold.

Dresses were expensive to begin with, and Madam Isabella’s gowns were especially so.

Even for nobility, it wasn’t something one could casually purchase several of at once.

Even Delphine could barely afford to buy a few gowns from her atelier for debutante or royal balls.

The question of just how much that man had paid in advance rose to the tip of her tongue.

But for the sake of appearances, a noble couldn’t directly bring up money matters.

“Then… roughly how many should be made?”

When Delphine asked indirectly, the sharp-witted madam quickly replied.

“You should have at least three made, I believe.”

Three of them.

It was Delphine’s first time purchasing so many of these expensive items at once.

While Delphine was momentarily at a loss for words at this sudden extravagance, the madam, busily taking measurements, offered some flattering words.

“To be able to dress such a beautiful lady to my heart’s content. It’s the greatest honor and opportunity for me.”

At those words, Delphine’s maids standing guard in the reception room nodded with pride on their faces.

Delphine just smiled awkwardly.

The dress fitting and interspersed flattery continued for quite some time after that.

She chose one of the designs introduced in the catalog, held various fabrics up to her face, and selected hat and glove designs to match the dresses.

Anna and the other maids also actively added their opinions.

Following the madam’s statement that three was the minimum, Delphine had to choose the most extravagant and luxurious materials possible.

Even then, it seemed impossible to use up all of the advance payment, as the madam bowed deeply when leaving the mansion.

“I’ll postpone all other orders and work on this one as quickly as possible to bring it to you, my lady.”

Only after gracefully nodding her head and sending the madam off did Delphine relax and furrow her brow.

That man, just how much…

How much had she spent in this one day?

Such luxurious dresses could only be seen at a royal wedding.

Delphine clutched her throbbing head and went back up to the study.

Getting fitted for clothes was more physically draining than she had expected.

It almost seemed like it might be the man’s subtle strategy to keep her from thinking about other things.

However, that man’s eccentricities didn’t end there.

“Ah, so you’re Lady Pryde! You’re truly as beautiful as the rumors say!”

Barely two hours after Madam Isabella had left, another visitor arrived.

It was a middle-aged man dressed in a purple velvet suit with a stylishly groomed mustache.

A plump-faced man with a keen business sense, his face beaming with a smile.

At his gesture, several servants began carrying large and small boxes into the mansion.

“I’ve come to deliver the items Lord Pryde ordered.”

The group he brought included four guard knights wearing armor and carrying swords at their waists.

Judging by the royal crest on their chests, they seemed to be from the Imperial Guard.

‘Why would the Imperial Guard be escorting a commoner merchant…?’

Delphine’s question was quickly answered.

“Here is the list of ordered items.”

After moving all the boxes to the lady’s chamber, the merchant handed Delphine a long parchment list with a broad smile.

“Would you mind checking it once?”

“Ah, you can give it to me.”

Wilson, who had come up to the lady’s chamber due to the sudden commotion, quickly took the paper.

As the servants began opening the boxes one by one to compare with the order list, the eyes of those gathered in the chamber widened.

“Oh my, what is all this…”

As if preparing for the coming cold, there was an abundance of high-quality fur and leather.

In addition, various accessories decorated with large pearls and jewels spilled out of each box.

“Lord Pryde’s love for his wife is truly remarkable.”

The man, who had been smiling broadly since first entering the mansion, quickly offered flattery.

“Such a generous customer is a first since I opened my boutique in the 2nd district! Haha!”

Like Madam Isabella, the middle-aged man was also quite elated.

Delphine finally realized why four armored guard knights were needed.

It was to prevent any possible theft of such valuable items.

“How… Even His Majesty the Emperor couldn’t purchase all these things in one morning.”

Anna, dumbfounded, muttered quietly without realizing it.

Delphine startled and quickly cautioned her, glancing at the knights.

Fortunately, they just stood there with expressionless, stern faces.

“The check is complete, my lady. Everything matches the list.”

“Of course! Haha! A merchant’s life depends on his credibility! Well then, my lady. If you could just sign here…”

The middle-aged man, with a highly elated expression, received her signature and left the mansion.

Delphine stood blankly, staring at the lady’s chamber filled with luxurious gifts.

Unlike the dress fitting, there were no items Delphine needed to personally choose or try on this time, but she was just as dazed.

“Oh my, look at this! It would match our young lady’s eyes so perfectly!”

Just then, Anna, who was organizing the items, exclaimed in admiration as she held out a jewelry box to her.

A necklace with a large emerald sat on a velvet cushion.

Almost the size of a baby’s fist, it was clearly of superior quality at a glance.

Even Delphine, who had been the daughter of an earl, had never owned such an item.

A jewel of this size would normally be offered to the imperial family to avoid suspicion of disloyalty.

Anna, who had enjoyed dressing her up since she was young, couldn’t hide her excitement at the situation.

“This white ermine fur would suit you well too! What should we dress you in first… You said you’d be going out soon, right?”

“…Yes.”

Unlike the cheerfully excited Anna, Delphine felt dazed and conflicted.

Why had that man suddenly bought all these things?

Could it be the aftermath of last night’s events?

If he really did this because of just one smile from her, he couldn’t be more simple and easy to read, to the point of being absurd.

“Didn’t I tell you, young lady?”

Just then, Anna said with a triumphant look on her face, placing her hands on her plump waist.

“I said you’d only receive love.”

All this time, the master’s late returns must have been because he was busy working, becoming so rich due to such diligence…

Anna’s excited voice, constantly muttering, faded into the distance.

Over it, the man’s words, spoken in a low voice while fixing his gaze on her, overlapped.

“Whatever you desire, I will give it to you within that.”

…So did you personally behead my father?

Unable to understand the man’s intentions or why he was doing this to her, her mind was utterly confused.

The man who mercilessly turned the mansion into a sea of blood like a demon that day.

And the husband who lavishes the world’s precious things on his wife for just one smile.

Which of the two was truly his identity?

“Only love, only love…”

Delphine unconsciously clasped her hands tightly to her chest.

Through her hands, she felt her heart beating more fiercely than usual.

Perhaps it was due to being surprised and tired from this sudden situation.

“Where should we put these jewels, young la… no, madam?”

“…Just store them all somewhere out of sight in the dressing room.”

“Pardon?”

Out of my sight.

Adding that quietly, Delphine swiftly turned and left the room piled high with the man’s gifts.

The three days passed quickly.

The emerald necklace he had gifted remained quietly tucked away in a corner of the wardrobe.

Unlike Delphine, who stayed cooped up in the mansion, the man didn’t have a single day of rest.

However, instead of leaving at dawn like before, he now departed after having breakfast with her.

But he still returned late, and if she fought off drowsiness and waited patiently, he would come back late at night, emanating an indelible smell of blood.

‘What kind of work is managing the 3rd district?’

Delphine lay on the bed, listening to the sound of water from the bathroom, and thought silently.

Now that she knew how to move him, if she tried once more, couldn’t she find out a bit more information?

If she looked up at him and urged him to tell the truth, the man might easily give up what he possessed again.

But truly, strangely enough, she always drifted off to sleep before the man even lay down beside her.

When she woke up startled, it was already morning. And the man was perfectly dressed in his uniform.

It was the morning of the third day like this.

“It has been, resolved.”

The man elegantly spoke after taking a sip of fragrant morning tea.

His tone was very casual, as if giving a work report.

“Then…”

As Delphine’s face brightened, the man’s stiff attitude, as if reporting, softened a little.

“Yes. Now you can go out without any problems… However. There are a few points you need to be cautious about.”

“Points of caution…?”

“When going out, you must be accompanied by at least two guard knights, and use a carriage for transportation. Also.”

The man, who had been speaking without hesitation, paused for a moment, then smoothly continued.

“Also, please wear a robe on the street and cover more than half of your face, my lady.”

At those words, Delphine stared at the man’s face without answering.

Cover her face, use a carriage, and always be accompanied by knights.

…Aren’t those the conditions attached when escorting a criminal?

Delphine smiled bitterly.