With eyes as satisfied as the designer’s, she continued explaining as the designer withdrew.

“It was the most worrying dress, but it will surely stand out the most at the debutante ball. I worried unnecessarily.”

After the designer finished speaking and stepped back, the staff neatly adjusted the skirt.

“You just need a little touch-up on the dress here. Since there won’t be much change, how about showing it to your companion?”

Etienne nodded her head while looking down at the dress. It took a considerable amount of time to change into the dress and inspect the areas that needed attention. Ferdinand had been waiting for quite a while.
“If it’s just for a moment, it’s okay.”

The designer, who spoke like that, lightly clapped her hands twice as a signal. Then, the staff quickly moved away from Etienne.

“Well then, I’ll open the door.”

The withdrawing staff opened the dressing room door. As they did, Ferdinand and Etienne locked eyes through the gap. The two didn’t say anything.

Meeting Ferdinand’s direct gaze, Etienne unintentionally tensed under his intense gaze.

It felt as if his gaze was gripping her. Heavy, as if each finger had additional weight, making it impossible to move.

“Just watching, but I can’t move.”

Thinking that he might notice even the slightest movement, it felt burdensome. Eventually, only when he hugged her arm as if shielding herself, Etienne could smile.

“It feels so embarrassing when you look at me like that.”

The meaning in his gaze was so clear. Clenching her teeth, pretending to look at the mirror, Etienne fussed with the dress for no reason.

Although her attention was entirely directed at Ferdinand, she pretended otherwise, dropping one by one the invisible threads hanging from her fingers.

“I shouldn’t react.”

Knowing what kind of emotion Ferdinand might have, if she showed a gap, he would have expectations.

“How’s the dress?”

“It’s beautiful.”

“My appreciation might be short, but I’ll give you a look. Even when I look at it, only the words ‘it’s beautiful’ come to mind. This dress is truly beautiful.”
Ferdinand didn’t ask what it meant for him to be beautiful. It should be interpreted as him saying the dress is beautiful after looking at it. Etienne looked at the dress a few more times and then turned her head to the designer.

“I’ll change now.”

In response to her words, the designer approached Etienne. However, after seeing something, the designer stepped back again.

With a puzzled expression, Etienne turned her head towards where the designer was looking. It was where Ferdinand was. Ferdinand, who had been sitting, had suddenly stood up and come closer.

Normally, Etienne had to look up at him, but because she was on the pedestal, their eye levels matched. Perhaps because of this, she could understand what emotions were conveyed in his gaze before anyone else.

“Wear this dress and let’s enter together.”

“With you?”

Ferdinand nodded. Going to the debutante ball together with Ferdinand?

Etienne hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.

“It’s better if I go in alone. Not just me, but your parents will be surprised too.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Even if the Duchess Suprahu will be surprised, it doesn’t matter?”

Ferdinand lowered his head as if nothing was a problem.

“I’d rather have rumors spread that I’m dating you. Rather than Prince Rudvi…”

“Who? Prince Rudvi?”

Not even Prince Leharth, but Prince Rudvi.
Etienne made a puzzled expression, unable to understand, then suddenly recalled the earrings that Rudvi Prince had given her. Perhaps that’s why. Etienne smiled and shook her head.

“Even so, it’s still Prince Rudvi.”

While having such thoughts, Ferdinand spoke.

“After the debutante ball ends, I’ll propose to you. So, hold my hand before that, Etienne.”

“…….”

Ferdinand’s words created a significant ripple in the calm lake of Etienne’s heart.

“I….”

With a vague ending to her words, Etienne closed her mouth and looked at the designer and the staff. There was no sign of surprise in her expression even after hearing Ferdinand’s words.

If that was the case, did she already know about the story, and was the gaze I received earlier when I appeared related to Prince Rudvi? Has the news of the proposal already spread as a rumor?

“You’ll receive a proposal from Prince Rudvi?”

Suppressing her anxious feelings, Etienne asked, and Ferdinand nodded affirmatively.

“If you don’t want to marry him, there’s only one way.”

Etienne’s gaze was directed toward the hand he extended.

“Holding my hand.”

Ferdinand stated firmly.

Looking at the hand he offered, Etienne couldn’t conceal her bewildered emotions.

‘How did this happen?’

No matter how much the future has changed, it’s still Prince Rudvi…