Received the Obsession of a Chaste Dark Lord - Chapter 41
“It’s been a while, Your Highness. It’s Madame de Pahr.”
There was no time to dwell on thoughts for long.
Before I could do anything, the designer Leoprick had mentioned barged in.
And it was the most famous designer in the empire, whom I had met quite often before marriage.
“It’s been a while, Madame. I know you’re very busy, but you’ve made the difficult journey.”
“If it’s for Your Highness, I have to make time even if I’m busy. His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince personally contacted me as well.”
“His Highness did?”
At Madame’s words, I shifted my gaze to Leoprick, who had barged in with her and was sitting next to me.
He cleared his throat with a somewhat embarrassed face.
“The imperial palace’s designers are excellent, but I thought it would be better since this is who you frequently visited even before marriage.”
“His Highness is so affectionate. He personally requested me to create the most beautiful dress in the empire that suits Your Highness the best, without any other worries.”
Madame added in a soft voice to the carefully delivered words.
Madame’s eyes lit up, saying it was common for husbands to visit with their wives, but rare for them to directly contact the designer and even convey words of request.
“You’re going to the party at Marquis Ferze’s estate, right? The Marchioness Ferze may be old, but she’s a well-known figure in high society. I’ll make you my masterpiece to catch her eye.”
“I’m grateful for the thought, but you don’t have to go overboard.”
She seemed to have overflowing enthusiasm from somewhere.
This time, we’re not going to establish order in high society, but to build influence as the Crown Princess.
I smiled awkwardly and waved my hand.
But that was just my wish.
The two people who said they gathered for me seemed to have slightly different thoughts.
“What are you saying! Of course the Crown Princess should exude dignity wherever you attend.”
“I agree, Amelia. Whatever others’ gazes may be, it should be something that suits you.”
Protests that weren’t quite protests erupted from both sides.
No, there’s no need to go out of your way to do anything.
I looked back and forth between the two with a troubled face.
“I’m attending the party for political purposes anyway. You don’t have to try so hard.”
“Don’t say that, Your Highness. Then what becomes of the name of this Madame de Pahr?”
“Madame is right, Amelia. Whether there is a political purpose or not, the important thing is that you will be wearing it, isn’t it?”
When even Leoprick chimed in, the situation became even more awkward.
I just mumbled, unable to find words to answer.
Seeing me like that, Leoprick gestured to Madame as if this was the moment.
“Now, Madame. Show us what you’ve brought.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“You said there are many clothes that can enhance dignity as the Crown Princess, not just the one for this banquet, right? They’ll all suit Amelia, won’t they?”
“Of course, Your Highness! Her Highness was my muse even before marriage! Everything I brought today was made with Her Highness in mind.”
“No, this person…”
When Leoprick gave a little push, Madame began to take out the fabrics she brought one by one, waving her arms like a fish in water.
“Speaking of this fabric, it’s silk brought from far away in the East! It’s soft like silk, but the weave is sturdier, and it’s not as difficult to make as silk.”
“It’s a color that suits Her Highness well. Madame has a good eye.”
“Of course, Your Highness! From the moment this fabric first arrived at our boutique, I thought it was meant for Her Highness.”
“I feel like applauding Madame’s keen eye. How long will it take for the dress made with this fabric to be completed?”
“The production is almost finished, so I brought it with me today. Her Highness just needs to have a fitting later. I’m sure it will fit well.”
“That’s good. Then shall we have you wear that to the banquet this time? What do you think, Amelia?”
Could it be that the two of them had coordinated beforehand?
Seeing them in sync with each other as if playing out a script, I couldn’t help but have a plausible suspicion.
At this point, I’d believe it even if you told me there was a script.
When I looked at Leoprick with suspicious eyes, he hurriedly avoided eye contact and turned his gaze back to Madame.
“That would be good to present to the Marchioness Ferze. She’s someone who likes beautiful things, isn’t she?”
“That’s probably why she likes Her Highness. Because Her Highness is beautiful!”
“The Marchioness has a keen eye too.”
Haha, the sound of forced, awkward laughter filled the space.
What kind of conspiracy did the two of them plot to be so desperate to dress me up like this?
I stared at the two of them for a while and let out a small sigh.
“Give me the dress made from that silk from earlier first.”
“Ah, haha… Yes, Your Highness? You’ll try it on?”
“Yes. Didn’t you say it would be finished after I try it on for fitting? I’ll wear the urgent one for now, and send the rest to the villa. The head maid will guide you.”
I don’t know what happened, but since they’re trying so hard, I should go along with it to some extent.
I stood up from my seat and looked at Madame, who was delighted.
“Do you have some more of that silk? It would be nice if His Highness could also wear something similar to mine.”
“O-of course, Your Highness! I’ll hurry and bring it!”
Madame jumped up and down, moving swiftly.
She was giving orders to the staff who came with her and frantically searching for something among the pile of clothes stacked like a mountain.
And I, while watching her, glanced at Leoprick sitting next to me.
“You must be happy, Your Highness.”
And on his face, there was an undisguisable joy.
When I said that with a slightly tired face, he raised his hand to touch his face and looked up at me with a smile.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes. Very much so.”
“Oh my. I’ve been found out.”
Leoprick laughed without hiding the joy that filled his face.
That appearance looked so innocent, like a mischievous boy, that I couldn’t help but laugh a little when I saw him.
“It’s just for today, Your Highness. I won’t indulge in such extravagance next time.”
“If you want, all the empire’s wealth is yours, and you call this extravagance.”
Leoprick shook his head at my words.
He even had an absurd look on his face, as if I was saying nonsense.
No, what power do I have to make the absurd claim that the empire’s wealth is all mine?
It was I who became dumbfounded by him instead.
Even the current Emperor and Empress don’t easily indulge in extravagance, so who am I to do so?
“You’re saying strange things, Your Highness. Aren’t members of the imperial family supposed to be more frugal than anyone else?”
“But it’s not a big deal to indulge a little. And it’s not a bad thing for you, who has to attend many occasions, to have many clothes and jewelries that suit you.”
He didn’t back down from his opinion until the end.
He just repeated that it was okay with the same playful smile as before.
“You can afford to be a little more greedy.”
Because you are worth more than enough.
The words he added in a small voice were too subtle.
[This is the timeline separator]It seemed like I was busy without even having time to worry, but my curiosity about the epidemic in the East was resolved unexpectedly quickly.
And from a place I never would have thought of.
“Greetings to the small sun of the empire! I never thought you would come in person like this!”
“I thought you sent the invitation because you wanted to see me. I guess not?”
“No! No, Your Highness! Of course I asked because I wanted to see you.”
We were visiting Marquis Ferze’s ball that was scheduled in the near future.
Experiencing all eyes focusing on us simultaneously with our appearance, we greeted the Marquis and Marchioness Ferze.
As light greetings were exchanged, I felt the piercing gazes pouring from all around.
It’s understandable.
I glanced down at the clothes we were wearing today and thought.
The stars embroidered on the soft twilight-colored dress reminiscent of the night sky were all made to follow actual constellations.
Given the effort put into it, it would be strange if it didn’t stand out.
Leoprick had several dresses tailored from Madame de Pahr in addition to this one.
Not just one or two, but several, so I thought rumors would have spread in high society by now.
But to this extent…
Madame de Pahr, the most popular designer in the empire and the most influential figure in high society fashion trends.
She engraves a consistent mark on all the clothes she designs.
Leaving her own mark without disrupting the design of the clothing is truly remarkable, so no one fails to recognize Madame de Pahr’s clothes.
So, it’s only natural for those around us to have eyes that look like they want to rush to us at any moment.
I greeted the Marchioness Ferze with a smile that seemed painted on my lips.
“Thank you for inviting us today, Marchioness.”
“The pleasure is mine, Your Highness. It’s an honor for me that you attended today.”
Even during the brief exchange of greetings, I felt her gaze sweeping over my dress.
I pretended not to notice and brought up the topic of the ball’s decor while surveying the people who came today.
“Everyone always praises your ball, Marchioness, so I came with high expectations today as well, and you don’t disappoint as expected.”
“You flatter me, Your Highness. I’m sure the banquet you host will be much more beautiful and elegant than this.”
“I’ll have to listen well to the stories of the people here today and work hard to meet expectations. It seems most of the nobles in the capital have come, after all.”
As I said that and glanced around, the Marchioness laughed softly and shook her head.
“No, Your Highness. The people here today are not even half of the nobles in the capital. Moreover, not a single noble from the East attended.”
“Oh my. I heard there are many people in the East who love parties. Doesn’t Count Vardel alone attend most of the parties held in the capital?”
Not a single noble from the East attended.
I tried not to let my eyes shine at the Marchioness’ words and mentioned the name of a notorious party-goer from the East.
I brought up the name of the person who built a grand townhouse in the capital and attended all the parties held during the social season, but the Marchioness shook her head again this time.
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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