Jackson poked his subordinate’s side with the tree branch.

Time flowed like water ever since I began preparing for the wedding.

Before I knew it, the outside of the window was dyed orange.

I stretched my heavy body and got up from the chair after several hours.

“Miss, I think you need to come out for a moment.”

I followed Betty and went down to the lobby. Underneath, there was Madam Luanna and a girl in shabby clothes standing there.

“Luanna, I’ve been waiting for you.”

I took the hand of Luanna, a welcome guest.

“Come inside.”

However, she couldn’t easily step forward. Upon a closer look, her face, which used to be relaxed, now had a shadow cast over it.

“What’s the matter? Did something happen?”

Upon my worryfilled words, Luanna licked her lips and dragged the hand of the girl she had brought. The girl was about my age.

“I’m truly sorry, Your Highness.”

As she bowed in apology, the child beside her also bowed her head.

“This girl, who does errands at our store, made a mistake. You should apologize quickly too.”

“II’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

The girl’s thin voice trembled. She repeatedly bowed, apologizing.

“The dress got ruined.”

Other than that, there was no other reason for her to apologize to me.

“I asked her to move a pot, but she didn’t look properly and knocked it over. Why would she go to where the dress was located to place the pot outside…”

She scolded the child next to her.

“Is it completely unwearable?”

“The dirt cannot be removed without making a stain, so washing is also impossible.”

The child kept her hands together and continued to bow. Her hands were rough and full of scars, as if she had done a lot of rough work.

“I’m, I’m sorry. The dress was so beautiful, I unconsciously admired it, and my hands slipped. I committed a grave sin.”

“I understand the situation. It’s unfortunate, but we can’t turn back time. I won’t make a fuss about it.”

To be honest, I didn’t feel good.

I had just finished preparing for the wedding and another problem popped up.

But the wedding was soon, and I didn’t want to create a fuss. Getting angry won’t solve anything, and I can just wear a different dress.

‘Hertian had picked out a pretty one for me.’

That’s all that was regrettable.

“Thank you, Miss Anette. I’m ashamed I couldn’t keep my promise.”

“Please be careful not to let such accidents happen next time.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think I have time to serve tea today, is that alright?”

“Of course. We’ll be on our way.”

I saw the back of the girl who was following Luanna. Her dark brown hair looked like a young calf being led to the slaughterhouse.

“But what happens to that child after she leaves like this?”

A dress is so expensive that ordinary nobles can’t easily buy it. Could a commoner girl who runs errands in the costume room afford to pay for it?

“How is she going to compensate for the dress?”

Luanna wouldn’t seem to allow that. However, if the cost of the dress inflicted a great loss on the costume room, it might be a different story.

Then a response came from elsewhere.

“Even if she sells her life ten times, she won’t be able to pay for the dress. Tsk tsk.”
The voices belonged to the maids who had been observing the situation from behind. Just as she said, this child would never be able to afford the dress in her lifetime even if she worked all her life.

“I was curious. I’ve heard that the jewels and materials used in Luanna’s clothing room are all topnotch. I wondered how you would calculate the value of that dress after leaving the mansion.”

“That… I haven’t thought about it yet.”

I approached the shabbily dressed child. Her braided hair on both sides trembled.

“If Luanna gives you the opportunity to repay her, how would you plan to do so?”

“…….”

“Refusing to answer won’t solve the problem, will it?”

Somewhere, there was talk of slavery. Her moist eyes widened as if she had properly heard it.

“Rather kill me… I’d rather die here than be sold as a slave.”

Being a slave must be a dreadful thing.

Still, I was slightly angry.

“Do you have any pain in your body?”

“……No. But, if you plan to sell me as a slave, I will become disabled myself. I will never go.”

She casually uttered frightening words. Perhaps she thought I meant to sell her as a slave. I scanned her with my eyes. She seemed to be around my age, but her body was much healthier than mine.

“Can you risk your life for just one dress?”

“But I have no money to pay for it…….”

“Just because you can’t afford to pay, it doesn’t mean there are absolutely no ways. Whether you are brave or you are full.”

She looked at me with unknowing eyes. It was a face asking who the real full person was. I looked at her dress, which had been catching my eye from before.

“The pattern on your dress is unique. What kind of fabric is this dress made of?”

At my unexpected question, she guarded herself, opening up her dress.

“……It’s a dress made from a piece of tapestry I used in winter.”

Tapestry.

It was a cloth used to warm the room in winter. My curiosity was piqued when I saw the dress made from a cloth I had never thought of.

“What’s your name?”

“……It’s Bonisa. I don’t have a surname.”

At my investigative tone, Bonisa avoided my gaze.

“Bonisa, do you know how to make tapestries as well?”

“In my hometown, the winter wind was very cold so we made it together……. But why are you asking……. ”

I responded with a broad smile.

“I think I’ve found it. A way for you to survive.”

Bonisa promised to visit the mansion again tomorrow. Bringing the tapestry she had made herself.

“Miss. Why are you calling that child again?”

Betty had been observing the situation unfavorably from the beginning.

“I always support what the Miss does, but I can’t understand this one.”

“Because she’s annoying.”

“I’m saying! She’d rather die than be taken as a slave. She has no will to repay the money at all.”

“No, not that.”

I placed my index finger on her protruding lips like a duck. Then, her chattering mouth fell silent.

“She said she’d rather die than live as a slave. It was despicable to hear someone younger and healthier than me saying they would risk their life just for the sake of a dress.”

I too am struggling like this to survive. To hear someone young and healthy ready to risk their life over a single dress.

It’s not that I don’t understand, but it’s disgusting that she didn’t even try her best to find a way out.

I couldn’t stand people like that.

The next day came.

As promised, Bonisa visited the mansion again. Luanna was with her.

“Did you bring it?”

“Yes. Here it is.”

The girl, as promised, brought out the tapestry. As Betty unfolded the cloth, a fairly heavy and large tapestry appeared. I sat in front of the tapestry to check the pattern.

“Did you make all this in one day?”

“Yes.”

“You’re lying, aren’t you?”

“We commoners don’t keep items that can be turned into money stored away.”

The quality was far too good to have been made in one day. There were no areas where the pattern had distorted.

“When did you start making these?”

“From when I was very young. I’ve been continuously making them since I started remembering, following my mother.”

Her eyes were downcast.

I put the tapestry down and approached Luanna.
“Luanna. I’ll buy the dress ordered by the Duke. But don’t blame the child.”

“Miss Anette. You don’t have to worry about it. What about that child?”

“I was worried that if something goes wrong because of my dress, I would feel uncomfortable.”

As there was no clear solution to Luanna, she followed my advice.

Afterwards, I asked the Earl to send it, and told Betty to prepare the tapestry.

“Bonisa. Live a long life.”

And when I greeted the cute girl with pigtails and turned around, it happened.

“Miss!”