CH 8.13

Why am I so tense when all I’m doing is putting a leather belt on his chest? The trembling of my heart, which I thought was fine these days, fluctuates again. I purposely preoccupied myself and found distractions in an effort to avoid running into Lacius as much as possible.

Lacius acts as if he is unaware of it. We have thus been acting lately as though the kiss on that gloomy night never took place. Thus, I shouldn’t be acting in this manner.

“You do like this, this here.”

I keep having trouble breathing, which makes it difficult for me to speak. To hide the trembling in my fingertips, I connected the harness a little roughly in an attempt to quickly remove my hands from it.

However, perhaps it’s because I’m anxious? I was having trouble connecting the last piece.

Lacius looked down at me and wrapped his arms around the back of my hand.

“Let me do it.”

“O-Okay.”

My God, my God.

I took two steps back and looked at Lacius.

It was unfortunate that I couldn’t boast about this publicly.

It would be best if I painted it and kept it forever.

“Do you think it suits me well?”

“Huh!? Very! It looked perfect on you!”

In response to Lasius’ question, I got so excited that I cried out without even realizing it.

However, it really looked perfect on him.

Lacius really has a God-given physique. He was proficient with a two-handed sword because of this.

There was no question that even the Sun God did not want the sword he had painstakingly crafted to end up in the possession of just any fool.

Lacius laughed and said, in a light-hearted manner, “Since you like it, I wonder if I should wear this as everyday clothing.”

‘It’s like a heart bomber.’

It may have been said carelessly, but that’s what makes the fans swoon.

I understood the meaning of the word “purification” as I gazed at Lacius, who was so sculpturally handsome that I couldn’t help but sigh.

My body suddenly becomes overly motivated and full of energy when I see a handsome person.

Lacius appeared to really like the harness as he ran his thumb across the leather.

Then all of a sudden he lifted his head and spoke.

“I wish I could have this.”

“Uhh… you want it?”

“Yeah. Isn’t this the first harness you made?”

It must be because of the mood that Lacius’ voice sounds a bit nervous, right?

I scratched my cheek and nodded.

“Yeah, actually, all of the harnesses were designed based on you. Especially the first design, I made it while thinking about how it will—  y-yeah, you can have it. We have many.”

“Alright.”

For some reason, Lacius had a very satisfied face.

Does he really like it?

I tilted my head and soon talked about something else.

“It’s finally today.”

“Right. The show you’ve been working hard on for so long will finally be held.”

“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Then Juliet brought a large basket to the dining room. It contained a bunch of butterfly-shaped cards.

Thoughts of impending rain nearly caused it to turn into a jellyfish, but fortunately, the day was sunny.

“Now, give it to me.”

The card butterflies I made fluttered and flew up.

It would transform into paper when it touched the recipient’s hand, and when the overlapping butterfly wings are lifted, the location and seat number would become visible.

I’ve done everything I can to prepare for this.

The choice is now up to the customer.

It is still unknown whether the showroom will be completely full, leaving no empty seats, or whether it will be empty.

* * *

Seats were prepared with a temple-style opera house as the backdrop.

A light fragrance permeated the area as thousands of flowers were spread out to decorate the temple of spring.

The red carpet, which started from the steps of the Opera House, was spread all the way to the stage.

There were no tables, and the height of the white chairs increased as they moved further to the back, ensuring that everyone could see the stage from wherever they sat.

We’re going to let them watch the performance first, and then we’ll let them eat in the party hall in the opera house.

2 o’clock in the afternoon, when the sun is at its most beautiful.

There are still five minutes until the show starts.

“Guests are coming!”

“… … !”

“But… there’s so many!”

Juliet, who was in charge of keeping watch at the door, ran and jumped.

It’s showtime.

Success is just within reach.

* * *

“Oh, madam, you’re here as well?”

“Yes, my daughter said she really wants to have a dress like the ones worn by priestesses.”

“So is my daughter. After reading the newspaper, she said that if she wants to play the priestess game with her playmates, she must buy two sets.”

“Since my daughter is wearing it, I also want to match it. If you want to resemble a noble priestess, wouldn’t it be nice to buy one?”

Ho ho ho.

There is a lot of chatter in the seats.

The majority of attendees were women with daughters in the age range of six to seven.

The social world is governed by unwritten laws. Wear fancy clothes only until you are a virgin.

It was customary to wear modest and respectable clothing going forward after giving birth.

The color doesn’t matter, but the design shouldn’t change much.

Particularly risky situations include exposing one’s shoulders excessively, much like before marriage, or donning a casual, comfortable outfit.

Because of that, noble wives were constantly exhausted.

The only clothing they can wear is that style of dress; however, they must still tighten the corset to make their waists appear as trim as when they were still single.

They couldn’t help but feel helpless.

Then they received an invitation.

A dress show, showcasing dresses similar to the one worn by the priestesses.

There is a clear difference from their current dress, but it is not that flashy.

That meant that it was a design that would not be frowned upon by others.

That fact alone made the noble ladies attend wholeheartedly.

“I think all the noble ladies of this country are gathered here today?”

Then there’s a VIP seat a little far from them. As soon as they arrived, Princess Dioles and Ram Hertiti, princess of the Ram clan, who passed by everyone and were escorted to the most prestigious position, looked around with interest.

“Even if everyone doesn’t show it, their clothes are uncomfortable.”

“Yeah, looks like it. You dress comfortably, so why is everyone dressed like that?”

“Because I’m not the emperor yet?”

“Ah, that damn Emperor Taryeong.”

Ram Hertiti snorted.