Nigel bit her lip in frustration as she read the next line.

[Of course, I don’t mind that you only seek me out when you need me, or that you dislike spending money on superficial things. I have no complaints about that. But when it comes to Sienna, it’s a different story.]

For the next two pages, reasons why Nigel should spend money on her appearance were listed one after another.

First, most people in Sienna have honor or wealth, so they will judge Nigel’s value by her appearance. Second, shabby clothes will actually draw attention in Sienna. Third…

Nigel couldn’t bear to read the third reason and turned to the next page.

[I know you won’t listen to me even if I say this.]

‘…This is why I don’t like you.’

Nigel held back and continued reading.

[So I rented a dress shop. The name is Ludin. I’ve already paid, so just go there.

-Zeronin.]

‘How does he usually see me?’

How much have I saved money?

Of course, I managed with two dresses each season, but I always washed and ironed them neatly, so there was nothing to complain about.

Fashion is just made for people with money to spend more.

[P.S. Instead of replying, go to the dress shop first.]

Below was a simple map that looked like it was drawn for a child.

One thing was certain about this.

Zeronin still treats her like a 10-year-old child.

Nigel crumpled up the letter paper where she had written her name to reply and threw it into the fireplace.

The paper quickly burned, leaving only ashes.

“Thank you, Zeron. Thanks to you, the room is much warmer now.”

Nigel glared at the fireplace and entered the bathroom.

[This is the timeline separator]

Washing with cold water refreshed both body and mind.

Nigel sat near the fireplace, drying her long black hair with a towel, and organized today’s schedule.

‘Let’s go to the post office to send a letter to the orphanage, then to Ludin or Rodin or whatever that dress shop is called, have lunch, and then go to Evans Trading Company’s bank.’

Unlike Tillin, the sun rose instantly in Solef, the capital located in the center of the empire.

The sunlight passing through the window pierced Nigel’s eyes hotly, making her squint involuntarily.

‘Here… I won’t need a scarf soon.’

Nigel tightened her scarf to prevent it from coming loose and went downstairs.

“Ah, did you sleep well? Yesterday you were half-dead, but now you’re up first.”

A friendly young woman about Nigel’s age greeted her warmly.

“Are you going to have breakfast? Or are you heading out right away?”

As the savory scent of soup wafted over from afar, Nigel, who was about to leave, quietly sat down in an empty seat.

“Haha! Once you smell the soup my mom just made, you can’t leave without eating. Wait, I’ll bring it right away!”

Soon, a steaming bowl of hot soup, a warm loaf of bread, and a glass of colorful fruit juice appeared.

“The juice is on the house. Mom insisted on bringing it. She said you looked so young and pitiful working hard.”

A kind-looking middle-aged woman winked at Nigel from the kitchen.

“…Please tell her I’m very grateful.”

Nigel said, bowing her head slightly.

“Oh, it’s nothing. If you really want to show your gratitude, just clean your plate. Of course, my mom’s cooking is so delicious you won’t need to be told!”

“Yes.”

Nigel picked up her spoon and put the warm soup in her mouth.

“…!”

The thick soup with a deep flavor that wasn’t too salty, the bread that was moist and savory inside, and the juice that refreshed the palate – it was a perfect breakfast.

“Haha! You’re eating so well, it makes the cook proud. You don’t seem to be from the capital…”

“I’m from Tillin, in the north.”

“Tillin? Isn’t that the really cold place? Where it snows half the year…! No wonder, I thought there was a tough person taking cold baths in this weather, and it was you!”

“…But it’s cool in the summer.”

Nigel casually brushed back her hair, which was still slightly damp.

“Right, if there’s a disadvantage, there’s always an advantage. Just like our inn – the food is great, but the rooms are a bit lacking!”

“Uh…”

Nigel couldn’t find the words to respond and rolled her eyes.

“It’s a joke, so you don’t need to answer, haha. But next time you take a bath, ask for hot water. You might catch a cold.”

“Yes, please make sure to tell them the food was delicious.”

“I will. Take care out there. Oh, what’s your name?”

“It’s Nigel.”

“I’m Andy! By the way, the dinner here is even better.”

It was a statement that naturally called for an early return.

“See you later, Nigel!”

Nigel left the inn with Andy’s warm send-off.

The inn’s sign clearly read “Andy’s Inn.”

‘This is a good start.’

Nigel smiled lightly and moved on.

[This is the timeline separator]

After sending the letter to the orphanage by express mail with extra postage at the post office, Nigel took out Zeronin’s letter, specifically the last page.

Relying on this simple map was clearly an act that her pride would not allow.

But since humans can only grow when they acknowledge their shortcomings, Nigel firmly grasped the map.

‘…It’s quite well-made.’

Unlike when finding the post office, she only got lost twice before reaching her destination.

Indeed, the old philosopher’s words were right – growth begins when one acknowledges their shortcomings.

Nigel slightly raised the corners of her mouth and stuffed Zeronin’s letter into her bag.

Ding-a-ling.

A clear bell sound greeted Nigel first.

The interior of the dress shop was so dazzling that it was just the kind of place Allen would like.

Soon after, a woman in flashy clothes appeared from the back of the shop.

Her clothes matched her so well that even Nigel, who had no eye for fashion, could somewhat understand why people follow trends.

“Welcome, Lady Nigel. This Madam Ludin has been waiting for your visit.”

“Uh…”

“Oh, pardon me. Your brother reserved the entire week. He didn’t tell you?”

It was none of her business whether Zeronin threw money into the river or buried it in the ground.

More importantly…

“…Brother?”

Nigel’s mouth opened in disbelief at the unbearable word.

“Ohoho! My, my, it seems this was a surprise gift. Don’t be too shy, Lady. Your brother cares for you so much – this Madam Ludin has never seen such a considerate gentleman since starting this dress shop! Ohoho!”

“Um, my brother…”

“Oh, this isn’t the time. First, let me show you the prepared clothes, and then you can choose the rest for fitting. Su, Lina?”

As she snapped her fingers twice, young girls popped out and practically dragged Nigel to the changing area at the back of the shop.

When Nigel came to her senses, she was wearing only a petticoat, being measured all over as if she were an experimental subject.

“Madam, we’ve finished taking measurements.”

“Good, now quickly bring the prepared clothes!”

Snap!

With the clear sound of fingers snapping beyond the screen, Su and Lina skillfully dressed Nigel.

A white shirt with an emblem on the chest pocket, a blue pleated skirt, a blue tie matching the skirt, a robe with a wide brim hat…

All these clothes were put on Nigel in the blink of an eye.

Lina and Su smiled, showing their teeth, and removed the screen.

Clap, clap, clap.

A slow applause was heard.

“Per-fect! It’s lucky for all the students that this year’s Sienna freshman color is blue! The blue perfectly complements Lady’s jade-like beautiful skin and purple eyes, ohoho!”

Not sure what was so extraordinary, Nigel awkwardly looked at her reflection in the mirror.

‘Well… not bad.’

Even to Nigel’s eyes, her appearance in the academy uniform looked quite good.

Especially the robe made of magically treated fabric for warmth, which seemed like it would be fine even if she rolled around somewhere for days.

“Now, this isn’t the time. We still have a mountain of clothes for you to try on, ohoho!”

After repeatedly putting on and taking off clothes, only the grand party dress remained.

Madam Ludin seemed to have sucked up Nigel’s diminishing spirit in real-time, becoming more and more enthusiastic as time passed.

“Lady Nigel. I’ve prepared three evening dresses, so please choose whichever your heart desires.”

Ludin pulled back the curtain from a corner of the dress shop that had been hidden all along.

Three dresses with beautiful silhouettes were revealed.

“One was chosen by your brother, one by this Madam Ludin, and the last one was made with reference to the recent capital fashion trends. A lady from a duke’s family wore a similar dress to the New Year’s party, causing quite a stir in high society, hoho.”

The only lady from a duke’s family who attended a recent New Year’s party was the female protagonist from the original story.

She caught everyone’s attention at once, showcasing maximized innocence with just a simple silhouette, wearing a dress similar to the A-line silk dress on the right, which matched the description in the original story perfectly.

‘A crow trying to imitate a swan would only invite laughter.’

Nigel immediately ruled out the cream-colored silk dress on the right.

The remaining choices were a blue dress with lavish decorations like lace and frills, adorned with jewels, and a silver dress with a clean silhouette.

Nigel quickly made up her mind after seeing the waist section of the blue dress, which seemed less than two hand spans wide.

“I’ll take the one in the middle.”

“…Indeed! An excellent choice, Lady. I’m not sure if I should say you have a good relationship with your brother, or that your brother’s eye for fashion is so remarkable that this Madam Ludin wants to scout him.”

…It was absolutely not because she liked Zeronin’s choice.

She just didn’t want to fall ill before even entering school by wearing clothes that didn’t fit her body.