“Of course, it’s important. However, since so many people gather at the grand ball, even if my etiquette is exceptional, the attention won’t be solely on me. Besides, there’s also a debutante ball for young nobles.”

“That’s true. The grand ball in Wasung is the most preferred debut venue for young nobles.”

Cozette sighed as she finished adjusting the dress.
“There’s a stack of etiquette books in the dressing room. I should have brought one. I hurriedly left without thinking about fabric and materials.”

“A stack of them? In the Kurán Kingdom, they said it’s sold out and hard to get… You intentionally didn’t mention it.”

After checking the dress from front to back, Cozette took off the dress and said, “You noticed right away. You’re not an ordinary lady.”

“That’s one of the basic strategies in business.”

Nodding her head, Cozette frowned as she looked at Ruela, who had put on the Ralph clothes again.

“By the way, are you wearing the dress I made for you last time?”

“I have to go hunting, and the voluminous skirt is uncomfortable. Plus, if it gets stained with the spoils of monsters, it would be a big problem. I’ll soon attend a tea party, and I can’t go wearing a contaminated dress.”

“Oh, sit down for now. I’ll bring tea. Let’s chat for a while over a drink.”

Following Cozette’s suggestion, Ruela sat at the table by the window in the workshop.

After a while, Cozette brought a tea set and said, “I heard that the party dress is more urgent, so I was delaying altering the everyday clothes. I’ll have to hurry now.”

Watching Cozette bring the tea, Ruela lowered her head.

“I mentioned that I’ve been working day and night on this dress. I think this dress is fine, so don’t overwork yourself.”
“In this world, we can’t just leave it like that.”

After sipping the hot tea, Ruela’s parched throat, heated by the dust of the fabric, eased. While Ruela took another sip, Cozette looked determinedly into her eyes.

“Don’t worry about the dress. I’m planning to visit Ellab today, and I’ll bring it then. Now that I know your size, I can pick out suitable clothes for you. Come to think of it, it would be better to choose new clothes than to alter the ones you have now.”

“Going to Ellab? Why?”

“Since I’ve almost finished the ball gown, I’m planning to check on the dressing room. It’s not good for the owner to be away for too long, not just for regular customer management but also for managing the staff.”

“Just looking at the dress you made for me makes regular customer management seem unnecessary, doesn’t it?”

Cozette’s eyes softened.

“Do you know how pleasant it is to receive such a casual compliment? It gives me strength.”

Ruela picked up the tea cup that she had placed down quietly and said, “It’s not a compliment, it’s a fact.”

“Anyway, that’s why I can’t help but like you. I should give you a gift.”

Cozette stood up and took out a box from where she had stacked her things.

“It’s a fan made of natural stones that I obtained only in Ellab. Originally, I prepared it as a gift for Her Majesty the Queen, but I’ll give it to you.”

“A gift? Is it okay, though?”
“You’ll understand. And besides, I can always make another fan. Now, go ahead and open it.”

Cozette nodded reassuringly to Ruela, who hesitated before opening the box.