CH 98

Chapter 98

She was about to say that she could wear an original design dress as they didn’t have much time, so she was surprised when Damon said he wanted to buy it exclusively with the design. Thanks to this, Elysia’s big eyes became even more round.

Buy the design exclusively?

“If you buy a design exclusively…”

“Yes, I hope you don’t sell the clothes the wife wears from now on.”

She knew that the more noble they were, the less likely they were to buy off-the-shelf things. Everything from dresses to crockery and accessories. They preferred things that only they could have, so more talented designers were scarce because all they wanted was something special.

“I cannot allow something like this to happen in the future.”

Damon seemed to be in a really bad mood. Was this something that made him feel so bad? Elysia was bewildered.

If sales went well, wasn’t it a win-win for both?

“But… buying a design exclusively indefinitely is… the designs I supply to the imperial family are not even under that condition.”

Even the Imperial Family couldn’t use Catherine’s design exclusively. That must be because she was so good.

“How many years are you supplying the Imperial Family exclusively?”

“…About a year.”

She only knew now that there was even a period of monopoly of the design. After a year, it could be released on the market. She didn’t know that buying a design would have such detailed conditions. Well, among the nobles who want something special, it might feel bad if a lot of similar styles appear.

“Ten years.”

“What?”

“I said I want the exclusivity period to be ten years.”

Ten years, it would be hardly sellable…

There was no way that a field that was as sensitive to trends as fashion could sell designs from ten years ago. Even when she heard it, it sounded like it was a completely exclusive supply. Catherine’s embarrassment at Damon’s request was a predestined reaction.

“Ten years. Even the imperial family couldn’t do that…”

Well, if it were supplied to the Imperial Family for one year but to the Grand Duke’s family for ten years, there would surely be talk. Nonetheless, that didn’t mean she could refuse Damon’s offer right away.

If it had been Catherine, she might have cried on the spot. It was a really embarrassing situation. She hated Damon’s unconcerned appearance after dropping such a bomb.

“I don’t have to buy a design as an exclusive.”

Elysia had even thought of just putting on a ready-made dress this time, considering Catherine’s struggles to match the wedding date the other day.

“The wife should always wear only her best.”

“Still, there’s not much time left until the party.”

It was like showing up the last ten days and threatening to give up the dress. Of course, she didn’t need multiple dresses like last time, but it was burdensome enough.

“I don’t want others to copy my wife. I don’t like them talking about it.”

She didn’t know there was a reason for that. Well, if Catherine sold the dresses, Elysia wore, her name would naturally be in talks. She didn’t expect Damon to care about such a thing.

“Make something that no one dares to wear.”

Oh, that’s right. It just came out of deep-seated arrogance. He wouldn’t care about her that much.

“Well, then… How about five years?”

“….”

Despite Catherine’s offer of five years, Damon’s narrowed eyebrows showed no signs of straightening. It seems like a good enough condition…

Five years was about the same as ten years, so she wouldn’t be able to sell the same dress anymore. However, the period of ten years was compromised to five years because the Imperial Family would notice. It would take a lot of courage from Catherine’s point of view.

“I can’t do more than that. There is a contract with the imperial family… Please, Your Grace, please understand.”

“Damon, I don’t care… and five years seems to be fine.”

In the end, the only person to mediate was Elysia. She was fine with not having to buy the designs exclusively anyway. However, it could have been because she hadn’t yet been to the social circle.

Was it such a big deal that she didn’t wear dresses made with exclusive designs?

“If it is to be sold even after the monopoly period, I will definitely sell it after obtaining permission from the Grand Duchy.”

“Fine.”

If it had come this far, he had to pretend he couldn’t win. Fortunately, Damon nodded his head. She doesn’t know how much her heart would be on edge, afraid that he might say he didn’t like the offer.

“How many days are you planning to join the party?”

How many days…?

Wasn’t she only participating in one day? Elysia looked at Catherine when she said something unknown. Damon was the only one who could save her right now.

“I will only participate for one day. Just in case, three sets will suffice.”

“All right. The same goes for His Grace’s outfit, right?”

“Yes.”

She didn’t know why it was so difficult when it was just buying a dress.

“First, we will measure Her Grace. Would His Grace be looking at the design book?”

“I will.”

Damon looking at the design book… it was a really terribly alien look. In fact, for him to enter such a boutique did not suit him.

“You look much better than you did at the wedding.”

“Really?”

“Yes, you have put on a lot of weight.”

She thought she was losing weight because it was difficult to adapt to life in the Grand Duchy… It seemed that her body was steadily gaining weight. It was natural when she was eating such foods. Anyone who ate the Grand Duchy’s food would gain weight quickly.

“Can you make three sets in ten days?”

“Don’t worry, we have a lot of staff. And it’s much simpler than a wedding dress.”

There were a lot of staff in the boutique. She was like the most popular designer in the empire.

“Oh, and… I have a favor to ask…”

“What are you asking for? Say anything.”

She wondered if she could ask such a favor to the busy Catherine. She was sure there were many people besides Elysia ordering the founding party dress…

“You must be very busy because of the order for the founding party dresses…?”

“There are several designers under me, so it’s okay.”

“Then I want to present a dress to Marchioness Blaire, but how can I present it?”

If possible, Estelle would also like to wear Catherine’s dress to the founding party. Surely she was then told that she would not be able to wear bespoke pieces other than Catherine’s ready-to-wear unless it was the Imperial Family or the four duchies.

“You want it as a dress that she can wear at the founding party.”

“That’s right. Estelle has given me a lot…”

If Estelle were to wear Catherine’s dress, people would surely speak out. Although Marquisate Blair had always remained neutral, they definitely sided with the Grand Duchy. At first, she just wanted to give Estelle a present.

However, if it was a gift that she would give, it was better if Estelle benefited from it as well.

“I think she could wear at least one set at the founding party.”

“Thank you.”

“What are you planning to do with the design this time?”

When asked to choose the design, Elysia did not immediately respond. She wasn’t particularly the type with great aesthetic sense.

“Is there a design or color you want in advance?”

“I don’t think there are yet.”

In fact, coming to the boutique was at Damon’s suggestion. She didn’t even know she was going to make a new dress. She just thought she would wear a conventional dress, and as she was, she couldn’t possibly have her design in mind.

“Then can I design it arbitrarily?”

If it was Catherine’s skill, it seemed that better work would come out if she left it the way she wanted.

“I have measured everything, even His Grace’s measurements. I will take the clothes to the Grand Duchy before the founding party.”

Elysia wondered how she got his size, as he hated his body getting touched though she decided not to ask.

“Your Highness, don’t worry, Marchioness Blaire will visit soon.”

“Thank you, and I hope you will get Estelle whatever she wants. And I want to present about twenty sets…”

It was her first budget. It was good to spend as much money as possible. If she could present all of them as design products, she wanted to.

“You can put the payment in front.”

“Alright.”

“Elysia, do you want to buy more dresses?”

Damon appeared out of nowhere and wrapped his arms around her. He had already overheard the whole conversation and pretended not to know.

“I want to give Estelle a present.”

At this point, even though he should have asked her about her relationship with Estelle, he didn’t. He just smiled quietly.

“I want to give a present, too.”

“It would be burdensome for the couple to give together. I can give it to her, don’t worry.”

“No, I want to give it to my wife.”

He wanted to give her a present? All the dresses she was making today were out of his money. She didn’t know what more he wanted to give. Even if his money would rot, he was always giving her something like this…

“For me?”

“Yes.”

In fact, Elysia was not happy with anything from Damon because she was determined with what she really wanted to receive.

Still, she knew very well that he would never give it away.

“I will buy all the dresses in the boutique. I don’t want it to be sold as a dress worn by the Grand Duchess any more.”

It meant that he would not allow Elysia to be used to increase sales anymore.