Chapter 153

Name：I Became the Black Swan Mother of the White Swan Princess Author：Aperta
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“What do you mean?”

<”Am I wrong? Then what other reason is there for you to refuse this dress? Or was the duke’s last wish for you to only wear black clothes for the rest of your life?”>

“….”

I couldn’t help but flinch at his aggressive tone. It was almost like he was going to cut the duke’s grave with his blade if that was indeed his last wish.

Forget his last wish, I didn’t even get to see his face!

I hurriedly shook my head in denial.

“I-I didn’t even get to try on the dress yet!”

I unknowingly retracted my hands that were about to touch the dress again. Instead, I awkwardly brushed my hair behind my ear.

“It’s just…I’ve only been wearing mostly black clothes all my life, so the thought of wearing a dress with this color is…unfamiliar. I mean, wouldn’t your Majesty act the same if told to wear something your Majesty has never worn before?”

<”Why would I?”>

And with that, he took the hem of the dress and handed it back to me.

<Hurry.>

As if asking why I was still hesitant, he held a strong gaze towards me as the velvety texture enveloped my hands again. Even though it hadn’t been long since I last touched this dress, it strangely felt silkier than before.

<”Go try it on. There’s not much time left.”>

“…”

Seemingly reading my thoughts, his commanding tone made my ears go red.

As Rashid nodded towards the owner, the owner hurriedly came up to me and said:

“Allow me to help you, your Ladyship. After all, we will also need to try on accessories that are suitable with a dress of this caliber.”

“No, no, it’s fine. I can handle it myse…”

<”Alright. Then do it yourself.”>

After his approval – a truly rare occasion – I hugged the beautiful dress in between my arms.

“Yes, then I’ll go and…”

<”Although, one has to wonder why this shop exists if you do a better job than the owner.”>

“…Your Ladyship! I beg you!”

Terrified of Rashid’s chilling yet calm remark, the owner pleaded and begged to let her help.

A clothing store such as this could be closed with just a snap of his fingers, so she grabbed onto my clothes and pleaded with all her might.

<”Try this, this, and this.”>

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Meanwhile, Rashid began adding new dresses for me to try with clean movements, akin to swordsmanship. It wasn’t like he threw those clothes, but they weren’t exactly handled with care either.

<”Hm, this one is acceptable as well.”>

“….”

This man really makes me confused at times.

In a blink of an eye, there was a mountain of clothes stacked on top of the lobby sofa, all chaotic just like my current state of mind. But as if the mass of clothes weren’t enough, he opened up the innermost glass display guarded with numerous locks.

This time, with his sword.

<”…Hm. Not bad at all.”>

Even though he was the one stepping on the scattered glass shards, only he seemed like nothing was bothering him.

After seeing him pick something up with the tip of his sword, all serene as if enjoying a piece of artwork, I finally slammed the curtains shut. Everything felt so wrong, and I felt like I was going to go crazy if I watched him for a second longer.

“….”

Really, no one should be allowed to act like that…and yet, if it’s him, I get the strange feeling that he’s justified, in a way.

“Your Ladyship, try this on. I’ll untie the laces in the back. You should get ready quickly.”

“Will this take long?”

“We need to fit the dress for your exact size, and for a dress of this color, we should check how it suits you outside under the sun. Unfortunately, strong rain is due to arrive soon…”

After seeing the gray, thick clouds beyond, her hands moved even quicker than before.

Looking at the gigantic mass of clothes next to my feet, there really wasn’t going to be enough time to try and fit all of these dresses.

As soon as she began working on the next lace, I quickly turned around.

“One moment, I’ll be back.”

“What? Where?”

“Oh, I left something on the carriage. If unlacing the dresses will take a long time, I’ll go and check quickly in the meantime.”

“But his Majesty…”

What if I just flat-out left and never came back?

She seemed terrified at that prospect and what Rashid might do to her, so I assured her that I was definitely going to come back quickly and for once, I told her my true feelings.

“Don’t worry. I’m also a woman, after all – do you think I wouldn’t want to try on these dresses?”

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[“Huh?”]

Where am I?

Just like always, Haniel awoke from the cradle and stuck his tiny face out. The plush blankets, the crinkling hay noises – all were just like normal but Haniel felt something was off.