Leah and Pauline met Chaener whenever they had time. Of course, his grandfather was always there with them.

They had become close enough to sit together on the grass and enjoy picnics.

“Chaener, is the thing I asked for going well?” Leah asked cautiously.

Previously, Leah had given Chaener a lace handbook as a gift and ordered him to make a lace dress based on her design.

“I’ve finished and brought it.”

“Already?”

Leah and Pauline were so surprised that they couldn’t close their mouths.

Recently, Terrun had informed them of a royal banquet in Luveck in September.

Leah, wanting to wear a special dress to her first royal banquet, asked Chaener to knit the top with lace.

Considering the intricate and complex design, she expected it would take at least a month, but he finished it in just a week.

“Ah! For our grandson, such a task is like eating beans while lying down,” his grandfather laughed heartily, waving his hand.

Finally, the moment to see the finished product arrived. Leah, with trembling excitement, took out the dress that Chaener had brought in a paper box.

“Oh my! Incredible!”

Pauline exclaimed upon seeing the finished product.

The top, meticulously knitted with golden lace thread, was too exquisite to be merely called knitting. It was, undoubtedly, a masterpiece.

“It’s so beautiful, I’m speechless.”

Leah admired the dress from every angle, uttering words of amazement.

Though it could have appeared indecent due to the potential exposure of skin, Chaener had offset this with elegant patterns.

It was hard to believe it was hand-knitted.

Leah admired the dress for a long time before carefully placing it back in the box and handing it to Pauline. She then gave Chaener several gold coins.

“Thank you, Chaener. This is for the dress and your labor.”

“I don’t need money. It’s a gift.”

Chaener threw the gold coins back onto Leah’s skirt. Leah picked them up and handed them to his grandfather.

“Never mind the money. Just being friends with our Chaener is enough.”

Despite his refusal, Leah couldn’t give them any more money.

Leah realized it was time to share her plan with everyone.

“Chaener, Grandfather, I have something I want to do. Of course, it depends on how well this goes.”

“What is it?”

“I want to do business with Chaener.”

“Business?”

His grandfather chuckled as if joking. Lace trinkets for making money?

But Leah continued seriously.

“Lace scarves, gloves, and dresses made by less skilled hands are sold at high prices to upper-class ladies. But with this level of skill, even the empress of this country would covet it.”

Only then did his grandfather take her words seriously.

“Grandfather, don’t you want Chaener to do something meaningful? Do you want him to live under your protection without independence for the rest of his life?”

“So, what’s the conclusion?”

“It’s not fully prepared yet, but I want Chaener to join the business I’m planning. Please think about it. If you agree, I’ll take care of Chaener.”

“Yay! I want to live with the sisters.”

Excited by Leah’s words, Chaener’s eyes sparkled.

“Sisters will make a lot of money.”

“Really?”

“Didn’t your father do well in business?”

Occasionally, Chaener surprised everyone with such remarks.

Meanwhile, Chaener’s grandfather seemed deep in thought.

Happy that his granddaughter, deemed a fool by others, had become friends with such fine ladies, he worried if Chaener could really do well.
It seemed that Leah was a noble lady… If they knew Chayner and I were gypsies, it was obvious the family would strongly oppose it. People dislike gypsies.

“Oh my, let me think about it. Just wait.”

“I want to do it unconditionally, Grandpa Rapa.”

“At times like this, you should say unconditionally. Chayner, you still need to think about it. I’ll think positively, so just wait a bit.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

While Leah smiled brightly, Polline tilted her head in thought.

‘Rapa? Where have I heard that before?’

It was the same name as a notorious gang in Levon City.

‘Ah, what am I suspecting? How could that powerless old man and immature Chayner be…?’

It must just be a coincidence in names. Besides, would gang members leisurely enjoy a picnic in the park?

How ruthless and rough they are. Polline chuckled at herself for having such a strange thought for a moment.

It was the day of the royal banquet.

Leah had been preparing meticulously since days ago and dressed up determinedly that morning. Hair, makeup, jewelry, dress – everything went according to plan.

‘I must grab the attention of the noblewomen at the banquet.’

That was the only thought in Leah’s mind. While pondering over what business she could do, meeting Chayner opened a floodgate of thoughts.

“Polline, don’t overdo the hair decorations.”

Leah styled her hair into a single bun on top, highlighting her slender face and neck. The makeup accentuated her clear skin while making her features stand out.

Finally, it was time to wear Chayner’s creation.