GAVAF 41

Chapter 41

When my father heard the news that the Crown Prince had visited, he rushed to my room as soon as he returned home.

“The high-ranking priest came recently, and now the Crown Prince visits? Why do they come when you’re alone?”

I smiled calmly at my father, who asked with a troubled expression, having reached a state of complete composure.

“I was surprised by the sudden visit, but he left without any problems.”

“My concern isn’t that there might have been a problem—it’s that you might have been exhausted.”

My father took my hand from the table and let out a deep sigh.

“I’m sorry. I feel bad for burdening you in so many ways.”

“Don’t say that. I was simply doing what was expected of me as someone serving the Marquis of Jurne.”

“Harna.”

My father lowered his head with a moved expression, then laughed while trying to hold back tears. He then took out a small box and held it out to me.

“What’s this?”

Seeing the luxurious box, I thought it was most likely a gemstone, like the ones Cardin gave me, but I asked my father as if I didn’t know.

“Open it.”

I nodded and opened the box, revealing an enormous gemstone inside.

“Is this a ruby?”

“Yes. I hope you like it.”

I was amazed at how red and clear the ruby was, then closed the box and hugged it to my chest.

“Thank you, Father! It’s really beautiful. I’ll treasure it!”

Seeing me so happy at an unexpected gift, my father smiled warmly. Then he cleared his throat and subtly asked me:

“Harna.”

“Yes?”

“Why… um… do you like this gemstone from your father more than the one the Duke gave you?”

I laughed inwardly at my father’s hesitant, stammering words, then got up and hugged him.

“Of course! The ruby is my favorite. It’s a precious gift from my beloved father!”

My father, whose mouth twitched as soon as I hugged him, couldn’t hold back and laughed heartily.

“Well, whose daughter are you? The gift from your father is naturally the best. Next time, I’ll give you an even better gem.”

I pressed my face against my father’s arms and laughed as he clumsily patted my head. I felt happy at his adorable jealousy.

After the royal ball, I received many invitations to social events, but I didn’t attend. I was exhausted from so many incidents in a short period and also had new ambitions I wanted to pursue.

After staying in the mansion for so long, I prepared to go out for the first time in a while. I wore a beautiful dress, styled my hair, and applied makeup with care. My personal maids received double thumbs-up praise for their excellent work.

I smirked and headed to the bustling streets by carriage.

It had been a long time since I had possessed Harna’s body. I had been busy adapting to survive as Harna, but now I had some free time.

That’s why I decided to start something I had only thought about until now—a dress business.

Many people had shown interest in the dress I wore to the royal ball. Having a mental collection of countless dresses that would astonish people in this era, I planned to turn it into a business.

I intended to go to Koma, who could create perfect dresses even from my crude sketches.

Once I got into the carriage and sat down, Vera handed me a bag containing pre-drawn designs she had prepared in advance.

“If I earn money… I might be able to make this a reality.”

My ultimate goal, starting with the dress business, was to establish a theater company. When I lived as Yoon Seung-ah, I had dreamed of training aspiring actors. Once I reached retirement age, I wanted to open an acting school or agency to help struggling actors. But I hadn’t achieved that dream and became Harna instead.

Regret lingered that I hadn’t started earlier, so now I boldly took the first step to avoid any future regrets.

Arriving in the bustling streets, I saw buildings and crowds passing by outside the window. Among them, a strikingly beautiful figure caught my eye.

“May?”

The platinum-haired young lady walking with drooped shoulders was undoubtedly May.

I stopped the carriage and got out. After the short tea party with Cardin, we had occasionally exchanged letters, but it had been a long time since we had met in person.

Had she been through difficult times? May looked pale and tired, and I felt sorry for her.

If events had proceeded according to the original story, May would have become Cinderella with Cardin’s help and started a new life.

But because I became Harna, the story had taken a different turn, and the life May should have had remained unchanged. I felt guilty for taking the place of someone I considered a precious younger sister.

“Unnie?”

I got out of the carriage but couldn’t approach her immediately. May seemed to sense my gaze and turned around. When she saw me, her face lit up, and she ran toward me.

I set aside the guilt filling my chest as May approached. The story had already diverged from the original, and if I only held onto my feelings of guilt, May’s life wouldn’t change.

“Then…”

I would help May in place of Cardin. To make things easier for her, to help her keep her bright smile.

Since the story had already changed, it wouldn’t be strange for Harna, who had escaped the villainous path, to assist May.

With that resolve, I felt much more at ease and opened my arms. May ran into my embrace, chattering like a little bird.

“I can’t believe I ran into you! I must have used up all my luck for today.”

I stroked May’s platinum hair as she pressed her face against me. Perhaps puzzled by my silence, she lifted her head and looked at me.

Finding a way to help May, I held her delicate shoulders and asked,

“Would you like to start a business with me if you’re okay with it?”

“A business?”

“Yes. I’m planning to make money by selling dress designs.”

“But I don’t have any skills or anything…”

Seeing May hesitate and fidget with her fingers, I held both of her hands.

“There’s something only you can help me with.”

“What?”

“Will you be the model for the dresses I design?”

May’s eyes widened at my request, and after a short explanation, she gladly accepted. We decided to start the business together and headed to Koma’s dress shop, where our future business partner awaited.

As I entered, Koma, who had been arranging dresses on mannequins, rushed over in surprise.

“Harna, isn’t it! Welcome!”

I greeted Koma with a smile and looked around the shop. The first dresses I noticed were similar to the ones I had worn at the ball. Even the dress Koma had just displayed was similar.

Noticing my attention, Koma awkwardly smiled and said,

“Thanks to the dress you wore, our shop’s recognition has increased significantly. Many people have been looking for a dress similar to the one you wore to the royal ball, so I modified some designs to make variations. I hope that’s not upsetting?”

“Upsetting? Not at all. I’m actually glad.”

“May I ask what you mean by glad?”

Koma swallowed nervously, perhaps worried I would make an unreasonable demand. I opened my mouth to reassure her.

“Let’s go into business together, Koma.”

“Eh? What… huh!”

Surprised by my sudden words, Koma asked loudly, then immediately covered her mouth, thinking I would be angry.

“It’s okay. You could be startled.”

“I’m sorry, miss. But if it’s a partnership…”

I stepped closer to her.

“I have many unique but beautiful designs in my head, like the dress I requested before. I’ll draw the designs, and you’ll make them.”

At my temptingly low voice, Koma’s cautious eyes lit up with desire.

Seeing her ready to join me, I reached out my hand, and Koma clasped it without hesitation.

“We’ll be the best partners.”

“It’s an honor.”

We smiled at each other.

I sat in a plush chair like a wealthy male protagonist, waiting for the female protagonist to transform beautifully. Time passed, and the curtain blocking the room was drawn wide open.

“Wow!”

I got up reflexively and clapped enthusiastically.

May, now wearing a fitted dress that revealed her figure instead of the outdated dress, blushed and held her hands together shyly.

“Does it suit me?”

“Do you believe me if I say I’ve fallen for you again?”

To ease May’s tension in this new style of dress, I acted like a cheesy boyfriend. My performance worked, and I heard her bright laugh.

“Do I just wear dresses for this job?”

“Yes. This is the most important part. It’s for promotion.”

“This helps your work, right?”

“Yes. And it’s yours too. We’re doing this together.”

Seeing May’s joy as she murmured “we,” I smiled in satisfaction.

Of course, in noble society, no one bought a dress that had already been worn by someone else. Wearing someone else’s dress directly was a loss of honor.

So, as Koma did before, I planned to modify designs slightly.

First, May would wear the basic design and promote it. Then, I’d produce variations with minor differences to attract buyers.

Competent Koma understood my vision and agreed to collaborate. May would now be the model for my dresses, leading trends in social circle fashion.

“You’ll be very busy from now on, but I promise—you won’t have to struggle on behalf of other nobles anymore.”

I intentionally omitted “dangerous or unpleasant tasks” and held May’s white hand.

“Now, let’s become queens of society.”

“Yes. I’ll do my best!”

May’s eyes sparkled brilliantly. Smiling at her beauty, I nodded.

Harna, May, and Koma. Our three-person partnership had begun.