Chapter 76
“Yes….”
Jessica was still utterly terrified after seeing Rodellia and Alferen in the drawing room last time.
In truth, she had lied to her parents about spending her summer vacation at a friend’s house and decided to head to the capital.
She was sick to death of the countryside, and she figured that after eight years, Rodellia would have forgotten all about her.
But the moment she laid eyes on Rodellia, who turned deathly pale upon seeing her, Jessica felt a sudden surge of fear.
She worried that something might go horribly wrong and she’d end up facing severe punishment.
That very day, Jessica declared she couldn’t continue as the exclusive maid and began preparing to return home.
In the middle of all that, Nanael had summoned her, so naturally, she couldn’t help but feel on edge.
“I’m so ashamed to leave like this after you’ve taken such good care of me, Your Highness.”
“Well, if you insist on going, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Thank yo—”
“But did you know?”
“Pardon? Know what?”
“It seems Rodellia doesn’t remember you at all.”
“But that day, she clearly—”
“I heard Duke Peris used oblivion magic to erase all memories related to you and made it an unspoken rule throughout the castle?”
“R-Really?”
Jessica stared at Nanael with wide, rounded eyes.
How much courage had it taken her to come to the capital in the first place?
Just when she was feeling bitterly resentful about returning empty-handed, this was incredible good news.
As vitality sparked back into her previously dulled eyes, Nanael flashed a triumphant smile.
“I looked into it, and apparently the promissory note written by Count Miranda has already been lost. Well, it’s been over eight years, so it’s no surprise the records weren’t kept up properly.”
The moment the word “promissory note” came up, Jessica’s gaze wavered wildly.
From that alone, it was clear she was only now learning about it.
“There’s no need to tiptoe around something that happened eight years ago anymore.”
“….”
“Well, if you still want to head back, I won’t stop you.”
Nanael dismissed her outright. Without even giving her time to think it over, the now-desperate Jessica quickly changed her tune.
“Wait a moment, Your Highness!”
“Do you have something more to say?”
“I-I think I was too hasty in my decision. I’m sorry for going back on my word like this, but if you’d still accept me….”
She was a quick-calculating girl. Nanael smiled triumphantly as she moved exactly as intended.
“I hate flip-floppers more than anything.”
“Ah….”
“If you truly want to come back under my wing, let’s draw up a formal contract. It’s just as much of a hassle for me to bring in someone new.”
At Nanael’s subtle nod, one of her close attendant maids presented a contract that had been prepared in advance.
The clauses stretched on at length, but Jessica skimmed through them carelessly.
She only glanced over the salary and benefits, signed it, and handed the document back.
“Thank you for giving me another chance, Your Highness.”
“Yes. I’m grateful too—for staying by my side.”
Nanael flipped through the contract with a broad, satisfied grin.
With this, Jessica Miranda would never be able to leave until she was told to go.
Unaware that she had walked straight into a trap, Jessica left the bedroom to unpack her things.
* * *
While idling away the time at home.
A letter arrived from Lottie.
[Rodellia, I’ve finally completed the dress.
If it’s alright, could I ask you to try it on?
– Your Lottie]
I had already received the tweed-design one-piece from the Magia hideout.
It wasn’t suitable for banquets, so I was saving it for outings.
Had Lottie misunderstood and thought I didn’t like it, which was why I wasn’t wearing it?
It felt like just yesterday that she had taken my measurements, saying she wanted to make a dress in time for the founding festival coming up in a few days.
With the crown prince’s birthday banquet following closely after the founding festival, she must have rushed even more.
She looked like she was pushing herself too hard, so this time, I was determined to wear it to the very first banquet without fail.
‘Anyway, at the crown prince’s birthday banquet, Adrian and Summer will meet for the first time.’
Back then, Summer had attended the banquet in her usual plain one-piece because she couldn’t secure a proper dress.
Her lack of formal attire made her stand out no matter where she went.
If it weren’t for her radiant beauty, it might have drawn even less attention.
In the end, she became fodder for the gossips and suffered humiliation, and the one who stepped in to help her was none other than Adrian.
‘Brother will surely fall in love at first sight the moment he sees Summer.’
Adrian, who had never once felt attraction toward a woman, was fated to tumble headlong into love with Summer, as sudden as a crash.
After that, he’d become love’s utter slave, completely oblivious to the fact that his little sister was stalking and tormenting her own friend.
‘But this time, she met Alferen first.’
Last time, the two had a dramatic reunion by the roadside.
By now, with her commuting to the Magic Tower, they must be naturally building affection through their comings and goings.
‘Yeah. Let the original story handle itself. I’ll just live my own peaceful life. I’m busy with my revenge anyway—why get involved?’
For some time now, Alferen’s winds had stopped coming altogether.
Coincidentally, it had started right after Summer began working at the Magic Tower, which didn’t sit well with me at all.
‘This is really too much. Even though I was the one who suggested we break up, is he already too busy flirting with another woman? Doesn’t he spare a single thought for me?’
With resentment toward Alferen steadily piling up inside me, I boarded the carriage.
Upon arriving at Rosie’s boutique, Lottie was the first to greet me.
“Welcome, Delly! I’m sorry for making you come all the way here. Mom insisted that the dress design couldn’t leak out.”
“It’s fine. But aren’t you overdoing it a bit? You have such dark circles under your eyes.”
As I gently touched the area beneath Lottie’s eyes with concern, her cheeks flushed red.
“W-Well, once I get started, it’s hard to stop…. I-It’s not bad enough to worry about!”
Lottie took a step back and guided me to the fitting room.
Her manner as she personally helped me into the dress was more serious than usual.
‘She’s really putting her all into this.’
Her focused gaze was quite impressive.
“If there’s any discomfort when you move, please let me know.”
“Not at all. This seems like the most comfortable dress I’ve ever worn. Did you really make it all by yourself?”
“Hehe. I promised, didn’t I? That I’d create a dress that’s comfortable to wear.”
“The one-piece you gave me last time was more than enough. I feel like I’m always on the receiving end, so I want to do something in return. Isn’t there anything you want to ask for?”
At my sudden offer, Lottie blinked in surprise, then lowered her gaze and said,
“Then, could you wear my dress to His Highness the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet?”
It was such an obvious request that I found myself blinking back at her.
That was the whole reason I’d come, yet here she was asking for it.
When I didn’t respond immediately, Lottie hurriedly took back her words.
“O-Of course, if you already have a dress lined up, just pretend I didn’t say—”
Her face grew gloomy, as if a dark cloud had settled over her head.
Somehow, with the timid and easily wounded Lottie by my side instead of Summer.
It reminded me so much of my own past self that my heart kept aching for her.
I smiled gently, as if to reassure her.
“I will. And not just for that one? I’ll wear only your dresses to all the future banquets too.”
“Really? D-Do you mean you’ll designate me exclusively? I’m still just an unknown apprentice designer….”
Lottie fidgeted with her fingers, completely at a loss for what to do. I clasped her hands in mine and laughed.
“Does the timing of when you started matter? Honestly, it’s been ages since I wore something this comfortable. It makes me resent all the uncomfortable dresses I suffered through at every banquet.”
“Delly….”
Lottie gazed at me with a deeply moved expression.
“Once I’ve tried this, I won’t be able to wear anyone else’s. So please continue to take care of me exclusively.”
It wasn’t mere flattery. Lottie’s dress wasn’t as ostentatiously glamorous as those from renowned boutiques, but it was imbued with thoughtful consideration for the wearer.
From the way it shaped the waistline to come alive without needing a corset, to the discreetly hidden pockets for carrying items.
Every single detail bore the mark of careful craftsmanship, so how could I possibly dislike it?
In fact, the moment I laid eyes on this dress, I was certain.
Right now, Lottie might be obscure, but from the instant I wear this to the banquet, she’ll skyrocket to fame.
