Chapter 18

A few days later.

Yvette woke to the sound of someone knocking on the townhouse door first thing in the morning.

Perhaps because it was getting close to the time the flower would wither, her whole body’s muscles felt stiff and sore.

And sure enough. When she checked her nape in the mirror, she could see the tips of the petals turning black.

‘I need to go see Noel before my condition gets worse.’

Yvette thought she would have to contact Noel later and let out a long yawn.

‘……Anyway, who’s knocking this early in the morning? Surely it’s not another invitation?’

The number had decreased compared to before, but still a great many letters were being delivered to her door.

Recalling the envelopes piled high on her desk, Yvette entered the bathroom with a fed-up face.

Steaming hot water rose from the bathtub, which had been filled in advance.

Then Yvette undressed and was just about to step into the bath.

With a knock at the door, Filia’s voice came through.

“My lady, may I come in for a moment?”

“I was just about to wash up. Why? Is it urgent?”

“Well, a guest has arrived from the Averon ducal household.”

“……The Averon ducal household?”

Yvette furrowed her brow.

In that moment, the letter she had exchanged with Noel a few days ago came to mind.

‘Right. The designer was supposed to come today.’

She had made the appointment and nearly forgotten all about it.

“I’ll get ready first, so could you show the guest to the reception room?”

“Yes! I’ll be right back!”

No sooner had she spoken than the sound of Filia’s rapid footsteps pattering away could be heard.

By the time she returned to her room, Yvette had finished bathing and was standing before the mirror.

“How about this dress, Countess?”

Filia, moving busily, pulled out a deep navy dress from the wardrobe.

The neckline, slightly cut in a square shape, was trimmed with lace, and below it was a simple design without much ornamentation.

The thin, flowing fabric did not cling too much, yet subtly revealed the lines of her body.

“Yes, that should do.”

Yvette quickly changed with Filia’s help.

She thought that styling her hair would keep the guest waiting too long, so she simply dried it neatly.

After all the preparations were done, she checked her reflection in the mirror.

There were still times when this face felt unfamiliar to her.

At last, Yvette, who had been staring at the mirror with a peculiar expression, turned away.

It was finally time to meet Averon’s personal designer.

* * *

“Hello, Countess Blanche. I am Veri, the personal designer of Averon.”

Having finished her preparations, Yvette headed straight to the living room.

When she made her presence known, a woman sitting on the sofa rose gracefully from her seat.

The woman who introduced herself as ‘Veri’ gave off a rather blunt impression somehow.

On top of that, she was wearing a suit closer to riding clothes than a dress.

The neat, monochrome suit suited Veri extremely well, so Yvette let out an exclamation without realizing it.

“Your outfit is lovely.”

At the compliment that came out before even a greeting, Veri opened her eyes wide as if surprised.

Then, in the same blunt tone as her first impression, her voice rang through the living room.

“……Thank you.”

Yvette gestured for Veri to sit as she took her own seat.

“I heard about you from Noel. He praised your skills tremendously.”

“I always strive so that the duke will not be disappointed.”

Veri answered modestly.

Yvette took an immediate liking to her.

“Seeing the outfit you’re wearing today, it seems the praise about your skills isn’t empty talk. Did you make that outfit yourself, Veri?”

“Yes.”

Veri gave a short nod.

‘She doesn’t seem to be the type to speak at length.’

Yvette noted that inwardly and continued with her questions.

“I like that design. Could you make something similar for me?”

“This outfit?”

Veri stared at Yvette with wide eyes.

It was the same reaction as when she had complimented the outfit.

“Yes. That outfit.”

When Yvette nodded, Veri muttered in bewilderment.

“The duke said you would be ordering dresses……”

“Of course I’ll order dresses too. But I think it would be nice to have at least one comfortable outfit as well.”

At those words, Veri wore a peculiar expression.

But she did not seem to be the type to easily voice her thoughts, so she said nothing more and nodded.

“If you wish, I will make it for you.”

“Good. Then next is the dress.”

“Do you have a design in mind?”

“The most important thing is that it’s comfortable when worn. If possible, comfortable and pretty would be ideal, but…… those two aren’t words that easily go together.”

Veri pulled out a notebook and meticulously wrote down her words.

Once they got into the actual work discussion, her face turned quite serious.

“Are there colors you prefer, or colors you dislike?”

“I prefer blue tones, and I dislike red?”

“You like colors that match your eyes.”

“Yes. And red reminds me of blood, so it’s a bit uncomfortable.”

With a life that could end at any moment, she could not help being sensitive to things associated with life, like blood.

Veri nodded slightly and continued with her questions.

“Do you like flashy designs?”

“No. I don’t like designs with lace hanging everywhere or skirts that are too puffy. As I said earlier, I like comfortable clothes.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

After discussing the design for quite a while, Veri suggested taking her measurements.

Since taking measurements in a living room anyone could walk through felt a bit awkward, Yvette took Veri to her bedroom.

Filia also came in, on the grounds that she should not be alone with a stranger.

Veri positioned Yvette in front of the mirror and slowly took her measurements with a tape measure.

Since it was work that demanded precision, Yvette held her breath and maintained her posture.

Only after that ordeal had passed was she finally released.

“The measurements are done. I’ll send you a draft of the design soon.”

“How long will it take to make the dress? I think I’ll have a party to attend before long.”

“It probably won’t take very long. The duke ordered me to focus solely on the Countess’s clothing.”

‘He didn’t need to go that far.’

Thinking it was excessive kindness, Yvette could not help but smile.

Noel Averon certainly seemed deeply immersed in his role as fiancé.

“Then I’ll see you next time.”

Veri, having gathered her things, greeted Yvette.

Yvette gave her a light wave in return.

“I’ll be looking forward to your work, Veri. Thank you for coming all this way.”

“……Thank you.”

With that, Veri quietly left Witley.

After confirming through the window that she had gone, Yvette turned to Filia.

“Filia, do we have any stationery left in the townhouse?”

“Stationery? I think there should be some left. Why?”

“I think it would be good to send a thank-you note in advance.”

“Oh my, are you going to send a letter to the duke?”

Filia covered her mouth with both hands and made a fuss.

“I’ll run and get the stationery! And a quill pen too!”

“Please do.”

No sooner had she spoken than Filia dashed out of the room.

Seeing her overflowing with enthusiasm, just as always, Yvette let out a laugh.

And so, about a day after sending the letter.

Noel delivered his reply to her in an unexpected way.

* * *

“Countess, a carrier pigeon has arrived.”

“……What? A carrier pigeon?”

Yvette, who had started her day as usual, took the note Habert held out with a puzzled face.

‘Sending a carrier pigeon means it’s urgent news.’

Unless it was a considerably urgent matter, it was customary to communicate by letter.

Because carrier pigeons were not common, and if one was sent by mistake, one could not deliver news when it truly mattered.

‘Was there anyone who would send me something like this?’

As she tilted her head and unfolded the note, Yvette paused the moment she saw what was written inside.

‘What is this.’

“Who sent it?”

Habert asked cautiously. He too seemed curious about who had sent the carrier pigeon.

Yvette folded the note carefully and answered.

“Who do you think?”

“Surely not the Duke of Averon?”

“Correct.”

“Sending a carrier pigeon at this hour. Could something have happened at the ducal household?”

Worry rose on Habert’s face.

Yvette, by contrast, looked not the least bit shaken.

“No. It’s not that, it’s just……”

Yvette trailed off. An incredulous laugh escaped her on its own.

“He says he’s on his way here right now?”

* * *

A few hours later.

Yvette was enjoying tea alone in the reception room while waiting for Noel.

In her hand was a cup of tea Habert had prepared in advance.

She had been waiting about ten minutes, sipping the warm tea.

At last, the long-awaited guest appeared in the living room.

“……Seeing you after so long, you are as beautiful as ever.”

The moment Noel laid eyes on Yvette, he offered a tender greeting.

It was clearly meant for Habert, who was standing nearby.

‘……So that’s how it’s going to be.’

Yvette, her eyebrow twitching once, greeted him with a bright smile.

“And you seem even more handsome than the last time I saw you. I might just fall for you again.”