When The Silver Bell Of Charlotte's Pharmacy Rings - Chapter 34

Charlotte gestured from her head to her toes.

It was an outfit unfit not only for sitting in a box seat at an opera performance, but even for standing at the entrance receiving the jackets or canes of elegantly dressed guests.

However, Matiel merely smiled faintly before turning his head with a serious expression, giving no reply.

At his silence, Charlotte pretended to be annoyed and crossed her arms.

“Well then, let’s see what kind of trick you have up your sleeve, Your Grace.”

Once again, Matiel gave no response.

The carriage now traveled along a smoothly paved main road.

That road near the royal palace was exclusively for carriages, wide enough for two large four-wheeled carriages to easily match speed side by side.

“We won’t be cutting it too close,”

Matiel said, looking at his watch.

Charlotte watched the rapidly changing scenery outside and guessed what his ‘trick’ might be… When the carriage stopped, she knew her prediction was correct.

The Elinak ducal residence did not face the main road, which made its massive scale all the more impressive.

Standing tall with its back to a forest of towering trees, it looked majestic, like a commander leading well-trained soldiers.

“It’s incredible,”

Charlotte said in a slightly dazed voice as she stood at the entrance of the ducal residence, which was as enormous as a temple.

Though she had become accustomed to noble mansions throughout the capital, she had never felt the intimidating presence that the Elinak residence gave off.

As the massive entrance doors that seemed to belong in a storybook swung open wide, a carpeted hallway and spacious hall beyond came into view.

An elderly butler in an elegant uniform with white gloves bowed his head to Duke Elinak.

“Welcome back, Your Grace.”

“I’ll be going out again. After changing clothes. Where is Haley?”

Who’s Haley? Charlotte wondered. Her curiosity was quickly satisfied.

When the butler called out Haley’s name, a maid quickly and quietly descended the curved spiral staircase.

She wore a neatly pleated cap, spotless apron, and black uniform that fit her perfectly yet allowed for flexible movement.

“You called for me, Your Grace.”

Haley clasped her hands and bowed her head respectfully. Matiel turned to look at Charlotte, who was still half-dazed.

“This is my companion for the opera performance. Take her and assist with her preparations. Have her wear a black dress.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

Haley replied in a monotonous, almost mechanical tone before turning to Charlotte.

“This way please, young lady.”

Charlotte followed her words as if drawn along.

There were servants everywhere in the house, all busily carrying out their assigned tasks.

However, not one of them giggled or chatted. No one even glanced at Charlotte.

“It’s a quiet mansion,”

Charlotte said, turning to look at Haley as they climbed the stairs.

Haley, who had been standing about three steps away from Charlotte, looked up at her and replied politely.

“His Grace dislikes noise, young lady.”

“Why wouldn’t he.”

Charlotte let out a small laugh as she reached the top of the stairs, and Haley indicated the direction.

Along the long corridor were several rooms, as well as a living room, reception room, study, and a gentlemen’s recreation room with a billiard table and whiskey shelf.

Glimpsing a massive piano, it seemed they also invited singers on days when lively gatherings were held.

‘Though he doesn’t seem like someone who would suit such boisterous gatherings.’

Charlotte thought.

Haley guided Charlotte into a room that seemed suitable for a woman’s use.

Though clearly a guest room, it appeared larger than the main bedroom of a decent-sized mansion.

Passing through a living room adorned with splendid gold and floral decorations and clean wainscoting, they entered a dressing room where several dresses were draped over torso forms.

Those dresses, too, were free of even a speck of dust.

“Is… is there anyone else besides Duke Elinak living in this mansion?”

When Charlotte asked, Haley, who was emerging from the inner room with an elaborate black party dress, widened her eyes as if to say ‘what do you mean?’

“No, young lady.”

“But there are so many dresses? They all look brand new too.”

“These are a few of the late Duchess’s dresses that have been altered to fit the latest fashion.”

Haley seemed to think this explanation sufficed, but Charlotte felt even more puzzled.

She could understand keeping a deceased mother’s dresses as mementos.

But going to the trouble of altering them to fit current fashions was hard to comprehend.

Moreover, maintaining and displaying them so immaculately, as if someone might come to wear them at any moment, was even stranger.

Though the place was empty, Haley didn’t miss a single task she needed to perform.

She brought out a light blue partition decorated with rose vine patterns to shield Charlotte’s body, then helped her undress.

As it turned out, not only dresses but even undergarments had been prepared.

“Am I supposed to change my underwear too?”

“They’re much softer and more comfortable, young lady. The opera is a performance where you have to sit for a long time.”

“I’m starting to wonder if Duke Elinak has some hobby he can’t talk about.”

Fortunately, Haley didn’t understand Charlotte’s words. Or perhaps she just pretended not to.

Only after putting on two layers of petticoats, an inner dress, and a soft leather corset could Charlotte finally don the dress.

There seemed to be nearly a hundred tiny buttons along the back, but Haley skillfully fastened them at a rapid pace.

“You look very beautiful, young lady,”

Haley said as she removed the partition.

One might think it was just a polite remark, but Charlotte truly did look beautiful.

Her long, voluminous silver hair and jet-black dress harmonized to make her appear like a goddess of the night.

“I thought it might look like mourning clothes, but it doesn’t at all,”

Charlotte said, looking in the mirror.

Though entirely black, the skirt was densely adorned with intricate frills, and tiny diamonds and silver thread decorated the firm bodice, making it look elegant yet radiant.

When she descended to the lower floor with Haley after changing into the dress, Matiel was already waiting in the hall.

Charlotte was about to mention the lack of a hair ornament but closed her lips tightly.

A glittering accessory was in Matiel’s hand as he approached her.

It was a red rose-shaped hair ornament.

Instead of handing it to Haley, Matiel personally lifted Charlotte’s hair above her ear and securely fastened the ornament.

With a click, the clasp locked into place, and Matiel stepped back to slowly look Charlotte over.

It was the gaze of an artist making a final inspection of his work.

“It suits you well. Just as I thought,”

Matiel said. The black dress, her silver hair, and the elegant red hair ornament – everything was satisfactory.

Charlotte said,

“Since when did you plan to dress me up like this?”

“Since you trudged into that filthy swamp to catch that disgusting insect. Now, let’s go.”

“Wait a moment.”

Matiel whirled around. He looked slightly irritated.

Whether due to time pressure or some other reason was unclear, but… Charlotte paid no mind and pulled out the rose pinned to the front of his jacket. It was a fresh, live flower.

“What’s this?”

“I told you about the dress code. There’s no time for other decorations.”

“Even so… Fine, listen to this.”

After handing him the rose, Charlotte swiftly undid the cravat adorning his neck.

Then she said to the butler, who wore a slightly bewildered expression,

“Please take this away and bring another cravat. A scarf or ruffle-style decoration would be fine too, as long as it doesn’t need to be layered on top… In red. But not too bright a red.”

The butler immediately grasped Charlotte’s intention—even if he hadn’t, he couldn’t hesitate with Matiel present—and left at once.

Returning shortly after, he held two types of scarves and three types of cravats in exactly the color Charlotte had requested.

Charlotte took a wide scarf and held it up to Matiel’s neck area, then lifted his shirt collar and tucked the scarf underneath.

Then she swiftly tied it into a rose-shaped knot.

Removing the chain decoration from the front of his jacket and fixing it to both sides of the knot created an even more sophisticated look.

“You need subtle elegance. Sticking a live flower in your pocket is just asking to be laughed at for ages.”

“I’m not sure anyone has the guts to make me the butt of their jokes at dinner.”

“That’s just what you think. Who wouldn’t gossip behind closed doors? Anyway, it’s done now.”

Satisfaction was evident in Charlotte’s voice. Matiel grasped the cane the butler handed him and smirked as he tugged at the edge of his gloves.

“Is this also the taste of ‘the mysterious and talkative Miss Sherry’?”

Charlotte tossed back a lock of hair that had fallen by her ear and laughed softly.

“Not at all. This is Charlotte Berrett’s natural sense.”