Chapter 37

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37. Is that necessary?

Atalante was personally coming to a realisation that there’s a reason behind Madame Delica’s, Gianna’s, arrogance and fame.

“This time, the first part of the debutante will be held in the hall, while the second part will be in the outdoor garden. We’ll need to prepare a dress that’s fitting for each location.”

She knew how to make her own work shine, through meticulous investigations beforehand.

“The recent trending design is an exaggerated dress, but I wouldn’t recommend it for Miss Atalante. I noticed that the bell line that was worn yesterday seemed uncomfortable as well.”

She could also grasp the quirks of the person that will be wearing her work.

“As such, the design that I’ve been thinking of is…”

With a face of excitement, Gianna searched through her large bag and all kinds of catalogues and sketches were emptied onto the table.

“There’s a total of 15 designs that I’d completed yesterday with Atalante in mind. If you’ll allow me to go through them one by one!”

Unlike yesterday’s arrogant attitude, Gianna’s eyes today were filled with raw passion.

When her passionate explanation had ended, Atalante, who’s brows were narrowed, asked a question that she was curious about all along.

“Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

“What?”

“Didn’t you say that you’d only make clothes for those that are worthy? It can’t be that my worth has risen after half a day, so were you instigated by someone?”

Lionel looked at Gianna with narrowed eyes, probably having the same thoughts as her.

‘But I came here with that kind of feeling! What do you mean instigated by someone?’

Her face crumpled with feelings of chagrin.

“It’s not like that! I didn’t tell anyone that I met you here, let alone being abetted by someone else.”

“In that case, why did you come all the way here suddenly, saying that you’ll make clothes for me?”

Atalante’s eyes still contained suspicion.

Although it was upsetting to be suspected, it couldn’t be helped. Even Gianna found it hard to believe that her mind changed like a flip of the palm.

But there was nothing she could do. Gianna didn’t want to admit it, but the villain before her…

“It’s because you inspired me.”

“Inspire?”

At the sound of her firm answer, Atalante’s face distorted due to incomprehension.

“Due to the flood of orders and the pressure to be a trendsetter, I haven’t had the time to research my personal work lately. As a result, it should be described as forgetting my original aspiration, as I couldn’t remember how I felt when I made my first clothing. It’s embarrassing… but I was going through a period of lassitude.”

Perhaps because her pride was damaged, anger appeared in Gianna’s eyes as she revealed her feelings.

But when she blinked, only a vivid passion remained in the reddened rims of her eyes

“But after meeting you yesterday, I forgot about sleeping and came up with all these designs.”

“…I don’t understand.”

“Of course. A villain like you would never know how fascinating creation is.”

Gianna blurted out her thoughts without any filter, and only offered an apology awkwardly after receiving the grand duke’s brutal gaze.

“Though I hate to admit it, I think you’re my muse.”

“Muse?”

“I will put the utmost effort into making clothes for you. However, please keep the fact that I’m your designer a secret.”

I don’t want to leave a stain on my career by making clothes for a villain.

After proudly declaring that, Gianna looked at Atalante with an upright posture.

As she observed that face and figure, new designs kept appearing in her head, making it turn blazing hot.

It felt like she was dying as she endured the urge to sketch immediately.

“In any case, you‘ll be making my clothes, right?”

“Yes. Especially for you.”

Gianna didn’t bother to mention that in order for her to focus all her energy into making Atalante’s clothes, she made up a lie that the chronic illness she didn’t even have had worsened, in order to cancel all the reservations for the entire year.

“All I have to do is choose from these designs, right?”

Without her knowledge, Atalante’s eyes lit up as she carefully scrutinised the notes that Gianna had opened.

She didn’t have an eye for clothes, but she could guess how beautiful her works would look when they were actually made.

While most of the designs were experimental, Gianna firmly believed that Atalante could pull them off easily.

“Please choose something that you’ll like, Atalante.”

Actually, Atalante was beautiful no matter what she wore, but Lionel wanted to give the things that she liked the best to her.

It would be even better if the things he gave her would create an opportunity for her to pay attention to him.

After examining the designs with an interested gaze, Atalante spoke after a long while with a voice that was harbouring many thoughts.

“I… This.”

The design she was pointing at was a dark coloured dress.

‘Oh, I didn’t think that you’d pick this.’

As a matter of fact, the design that Atalante had chosen was the first design that Gianna had completed.

It fitted with Atalante’s image the most, and it was also the work that Gianna was most satisfied with.

But putting aside her satisfaction, this work wasn’t a dress that’s suitable for a debutante.

It was customary for both men and women to wear white clothes for the debutante.

It’s because white symbolises purity and new beginnings.

While those that wanted to stand out would wear pastel tones of pink, yellow, and sky blue, so in the end, bright colours were a prerequisite.

“I’m…not too sure of what the debutante is like, but such a dark dress wouldn’t be……”

“Just wear this one.”

“What?”

The Grand Duke, who had already made his debut a few years ago, should be aware. About the fact that this dress isn’t fitting for a debutante.

Before Gianna could ask why, Lionel continued speaking with an indifferent face.

“I think that Miss Atalante likes the remaining 14 dresses, so get ready as soon as the main dress has been fitted.”

“B—but those designs are special designs that are all borne from my generous taste. The required fabric and the cost of the jewellery isn’t a small sum…”

“The cost is irrelevant. The only answer I want to hear is whether you can or can’t do it.”

Lionel, who cut off Gianna’s words, asked a question with an obvious answer.

“I… I can do it. No, please allow me to do it!”

Lionel gave a content smile upon hearing her answer.

“Alright. I’ll visit again next week, when the dress has finished enough for fitting.”

After nodding, Gianna left the mansion after quickly taking Atalante’s body measurements professionally.

Perhaps because it was the first time someone measured her so meticulously, Atalante’s face was red with embarrassment.

“I’m glad that it’s to your liking.”

Lionel looked at her affectionately and whispered in a voice that was as tender as his gaze.

“It’s pretty indeed.”

Unable to say that it wasn’t much, Atalante gave such a sharp reply.

“Now that the clothes have been settled, the accessories and shoes should match with the dress. I’ll do my best to make you satisfied this time too.”

Lionel’s eyes twinkled, his desire to be praised written all over his face.

She could have left her seat with an expression of gratitude, but Atalante revealed her thoughts inadvertently.

“…To be honest, I am excited, but it’s a waste of money on the other hand.”

“Money?”

“Yes, it’s only for a single day, the day of the debutante.”

It’s obvious that the same amount of money could be used to do much more productive things.

While aristocrats spend unimaginable amounts of money to dress up like this, someone would…

“I may have been thoughtless. From now on, I’ll spend money on the things that’ll make you happy.”

“You don’t have to do that. Those are Your Highness’ assets, and not my money.”

“Everything that I have is yours.”

“…Whether it’s your liver or your gallbladder, it looks like you’re going to take it all out.”

“Of course. Do you need it?”

“Forget it,” Atalante said with disgust, before turning her head to the other side.

Lionel stared at her back with subtle eyes, before speaking in a voice that was devoid of playfulness.

“Can I request something of you?”

“If it’s within my means.”

Although Atalante’s back was still facing him, he went on without minding it.

“I hope that you wouldn’t think of the money that I spent on you as a waste.”

Lionel supported himself with the chair she was seated on, and gently leaned his upper body down to hover above Atalante’s back.

When she felt the shadow above her, a sweet voice melted into her ear.

“I wouldn’t find it regrettable, even if everything that I possessed was poured out, because you’re someone that’s worth far more than that.”

“…Me?”

Annoyed at having to repeat a question, Atalante turned her head in the direction where his voice was coming from reflexively.

A man that’s smiling brightly at her was at the place where their eyes met.

“Yes, it’s none other than you.”

As he answered without hesitation, Lionel’s smile deepened a little.

Entranced by that face, Atalante forgot all about the things she had vowed to ask him yesterday.

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At the same time, an unfamiliar carriage stopped in front of Count Evita.

Dirt stuck to the carriage wheel, proving that it had been travelling for a long distance, and the coachman stretched himself with a tired face.

After the carriage came to a complete stop, the door suddenly opened, and a man with bright blond hair sprang out of the carriage in a rush.

“Essi!”

With a flushed face, the man couldn’t wait for the moment that the front gate would be opened by the gatekeeper, and called out his sister’s name.

When the door finally opened, his family members were standing side by side to welcome him.

“Come here, Tross.”

The first to greet him was his father, Count Evita.

“You’ve worked hard travelling to reach here from a long distance.”

The Countess’ greeting followed after her husband’s.

However, the man, Tross Evita, only had eyes for his sister, who was standing in the middle with an awkward smile.

“I’m glad that Brother has returned after such a long time…”

“Essi!”

Even before his sister finished her greetings, Tross called Esma’s name with a moved expression, and ran straight to her.

“Why have you lost so much weight? Father, don’t tell me you starved your child just for a debutante?”

“Would I have done such a terrible thing to our Esma?”

“Then, Mother?”

“I didn’t do that either. It’s just that she lost her baby fat…”

“This won’t do, Essi. From today onwards, I’ll feed you five meals a day.”

At the sight of Tross’ determined gaze, Esma smiled resignedly.

‘I won’t be going down to the studio for a while…’

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