YPDM 62💔

Chapter 62

On the way to the most famous boutique in Elsyum.

Lenox leaned back leisurely against the carriage seat and spoke.

“Being out just the two of us is so peaceful.”

“Ash does talk quite a bit, though.”

“Quite a bit? Are you serious?”

I chuckled quietly at the expression on his face that clearly said he was fed up.

Soon after, the carriage stopped in front of the boutique.

Escorted by Lenox, I stepped down, and the staff who had rushed out to greet us bowed politely.

“Welcome. We’ve been expecting you both.”

The owner, introducing herself as Madame Pauline, guided us inside.

The interior of the boutique was luxurious, befitting a place that doubled as a salon for the Elsyum social circle. I followed her lead, whispering to Lenox.

“Why isn’t there a single person here?”

“They’ve all been bribed.”

I was genuinely impressed.

This was a firsthand glimpse at how power and money could buy convenience.

Having lived a long life as just another ordinary citizen, the sight still felt unfamiliar.

“These are the dresses we’ve carefully selected for the Duchess.”

There was no need to wander around looking for clothes.

I could sit on the plush sofa, enjoy the offered refreshments, and simply gesture when a dress caught my eye.

‘Shopping like this? I could do it for ten hours straight without getting tired.’

After dozens of dresses were showcased, about ten remained before me.

‘Good.’

I steeled myself and slowly rolled up my sleeves, preparing to stand.

‘I have to examine them thoroughly.’

This was the real competition.

The final round of the dress tournament had begun.

But my bravely-started final dress selection soon ran into trouble.

‘…I really can’t choose.’

I was overwhelmed, staring at the five dresses that had survived the first round.

In my previous life, I would have made the decision based on cost-effectiveness—but with no price tags, that tactic was useless.

‘I can’t just outright ask how much they cost.’

Judging by the glittering jewels and hanging lace, they looked incredibly expensive.

‘I’d probably collapse if I heard the price.’

I glanced at Madame Pauline, her kind smile only making my dilemma worse.

“Don’t like any of the dresses?”

“Ah! You startled me!”

I jumped as Lenox suddenly appeared to my right.

“You really startle easily. Like a rabbit.”

“You appear out of nowhere, so of course I’m startled!”

Lenox just laughed, eyes sparkling, then asked:

“None of the dresses suit your taste?”

“No, they’re all beautiful.”

“Then?”

“Um…”

I whispered softly so the boutique staff wouldn’t hear.

“They’re all so pretty that I can’t decide.”

Lenox’s eyebrows twitched at my honest confession.

“Do you really need to make it so hard?”

“Huh?”

“You mean… you like all five of these dresses?”

“Um… yes, I guess?”

I could see the staff holding back cheers. Some were silently bouncing on the balls of their feet.

‘Wait… this scene looks familiar.’

‘Buy all the dresses here. Send them to the Duke’s villa by tomorrow,’ or ‘Pay in full,’ or ‘Prepare matching accessories and shoes for the dresses.’

“I was wondering what you were doing, and it turns out you were agonizing over something trivial.”

‘Oh my God. It’s real!’

I couldn’t help but melt at the rainbow-colored fantasy unfolding before me.

Considering the scale of yesterday’s flower gift, this was entirely believable.

I clasped my hands tightly and blinked in anticipation. Even a clichéd reaction feels disappointing if it’s missing.

“Are you planning to buy them all?”

I saw a faint twitch at the corner of his lips.

‘Perfect. This is a success.’

My body trembled with joy, but then a bolt from the blue struck above my head.

“No. I’ll buy just one.”

‘Why does it always come to this?!’

I glared in protest, but he only returned an expression that seemed to say, Is there a problem?

‘And here I got my hopes up.’

Feeling sulky, I turned my head back toward the dresses.

The time had come for an unavoidable choice.

‘Sorry, everyone. I can’t take you all home. Maybe if I win the lottery later…’

“All five of them. We’ll buy all five.”

Huh?

“The other five we picked earlier, as well.”

Did I mishear?

“I’d like matching shoes, gloves, and accessories to go with the dresses as well.”

For a moment, I thought my hearing was failing—but it wasn’t.

The staff’s faces were alight with joy, bowing repeatedly and exclaiming, “Thank you, Your Grace!”

“Madam Duchess, we’ll take your measurements.”

It was only natural that the treatment toward me became even more lavish.

‘So this is what it feels like!’

It couldn’t compare to reading about it in text. The vividness of reality was overwhelming.

I savored every bit of the joy and thrill that wealth could bring.

Opportunities like this don’t come often, so you must enjoy them while you can.

I quietly chuckled, recalling a line that often came up in such scenarios.

A person acting like they have everything in the world, boldly pointing with a finger and saying, Give me everything from here to there.

‘Even if I’m not that dramatic, this is more than enough.’

To buy ten high-end dresses at once—something unimaginable in my previous life.

Lenox gave me a puzzled look as I laughed to myself.

“Don’t you ever share the fun things with me?”

“It’s nothing.”

I waved my hands, denying it awkwardly, and Lenox’s eyes narrowed.

“The other nine dresses don’t seem to appeal to you?”

What a mean person.

He phrased a threat—I’ll only buy one dress—in the most refined way imaginable.

“Just…”

“Just?”

“It’s the first time I’ve ever bought so many clothes at once.”

Lenox paused, slightly surprised it seemed. I smiled faintly at him.

“Thank you.”

His beautiful red eyes widened slightly.

Was it too subtle? Too plain? I decided to add more heart this time.

“Thank you so much.”

“…”

“I know I’m receiving so much from you compared to what I give in return.”

If our relationship were a transaction, he was running a loss-making deal.

He provided so much help and convenience to me, a temporary contract wife.

‘I’m not even the real wife.’

He was so aware of how much he was giving that it almost made him feel shameless.

“You didn’t have to go this far. I truly appreciate your kindness.”

It was sincere, without a trace of exaggeration.

“What are you talking about?”

Lenox frowned, speaking.

“Why would I not be receiving from you?”

He brushed his palm across his mouth, dissatisfied with his own words.

“Those things are nothing.”

His expression was so serious that I wanted to believe every word was genuine.

“Truly.”

Lenox gently wrapped his arm around my shoulder. For some reason, his face held a tinge of complexity.

His crimson gaze, which had been fixed on me, shifted to the wall, where rows of dresses were displayed.

Then he looked at me again.

“Lenox?”

I tilted my head, wondering why he was staring so intently.

He held my hand tightly for encouragement, then dropped a bombshell.

“We’ll buy everything here.”

“Huh?”

I froze, eyes wide.

‘This can’t be real.’

I used to imagine moments like this when lying exhausted in my tiny basement room after work.

I thought it would feel joyful, exhilarating, like I owned the world. I would jump and cheer with delight.

But imagination is only imagination.

When it actually happened, my mind went blank, as if erased with an eraser.

All I could do was blink dumbly.

‘Did I mishear?’

“…You’re joking, right?”

“No, I’m serious.”

His answer was resolute, and only then did I panic.

“B-But this is too much.”

“It’s not.”

I was left speechless.

“You need to understand how much what I give you matters.”

“I…”

“It’s far more important and valuable than you think. Beyond any comparison.”

He grasped my hand and bent, pressing a kiss to its back.

Like a knight pledging loyalty and devotion to his lady, solemn and respectful.

But when he looked up at me again, his crimson eyes shone like a wild beast, full of desire.

“So, you can’t refuse.”