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Chapter 15
Whose Dress to Wear
“It was dazzling—almost exhausting to look at.”
Tessia muttered in a drained voice. Her cheek was pressed against the table, eyelids fluttering. Eldora clicked her tongue at the sight.
“If it’s going to bother you that much, you should’ve just worn your uniform. Get up—your cheek will get cold. Do you even know how bad that is for a woman’s skin?”
Eldora waved her fan.
“You should’ve seen it, Dora. Truly, it was extravagance taken to the extreme.”
Tessia had just come back from viewing the dresses sent by three people: Lowenhardt, Redford, and even the Emperor himself.
“The only one that was even remotely wearable was the one Didi sent.”
“Hmmm. Redford always did have decent taste. Then just wear that one.”
“But… I already promised to enter with Lowenhardt.”
“Since when do you care about following such traditions?” Eldora asked calmly.
“Then just wear your uniform. Do things your way, as you always do.”
Tessia puffed up her cheeks, about to retort, when a servant knocked on the private room door to take their order.
“Come in.”
Tessia instantly brightened and spoke with a sparkling face.
“One whole carrot cream cake, half a ganache chocolate cake, and half a fresh cream cake. To drink—cherry ade and peppermint tea.”
“Pardon?”
The servant glanced between the two of them, then quickly bowed and scribbled notes.
“Shall I bring… all of that here?”
It was already far more than enough for two people. At least by ordinary standards. Eldora frowned.
“And my order? Aren’t you taking it?”
“Eh? I thought perhaps you were… planning to take all of this to go?”
Eldora’s lips curled into a mocking smile. She smacked her fan against her palm.
“We’ll eat it all here. Is there a problem with that? If you don’t have cake, we’ll simply take our business elsewhere.”
“N-no! Of course not!”
The servant knew exactly who these ladies were. Tessia hardly needed explanation, but even Eldora was the daughter of Count Gladys, who practically held the empire’s purse strings. On the way up to the private room, he’d been sternly warned not to do anything that might offend them.
“Hmph. This place is sloppy…” Eldora muttered, snapping the menu shut with a sharp clap. The sound made the servant’s heart nearly drop.
“Bring me a red velvet cake, a tiramisu, and Earl Grey and rosemary tea. We’ll be eating here, so no need for packaging.”
“Y-yes, right away!”
The servant fled in a hurry. Eldora narrowed her eyes and clicked her tongue.
“Sometimes I wonder—is it cultural?”
“It’s society that’s the problem,” Tessia agreed, pulling her chair closer.
They had faced this sort of thing countless times together. It wasn’t surprising anymore, though it never stopped being irritating.
“In this world, women are praised for eating little and are expected to pick up pens instead of swords.”
Tessia murmured. No wonder people fretted when she first declared her intent to join the Valkyrie Knights. Redford had supported her talent and ability, and Eldora had said:
“Well done, Tessia. Someone of your standing needs to smash those prejudices. Society only changes when people like you take the first step. Just wait and see—before long, half the Valkyrie Knights will be women.”
Eldora was always assertive, independent, and innovative. More importantly, she ate just as heartily as Tessia, who trained with a sword all day. It was difficult for Tessia to get along with dainty eaters. Nothing killed her appetite more than someone delicately dabbing their lips mid-meal, saying, “I’m done.”
“That’s why I like you, Tessia.”
Eldora flashed a dazzling smile.
“You’re like a nail sticking out in this society—but one made of diamond, so no one dares hammer it down.”
“And I like you, Dora. You’re the kind of person who could grab that diamond nail without hesitation and shake it.”
They both laughed, reaffirming their strong, enduring bond.
“So then—which dress will you choose? You really don’t plan to wear your uniform?”
“I did consider it… but army boots hurt too much.”
“What?”
“I’m not exactly good at dancing, you know. But they say it really hurts when someone steps on your foot with boots like ours.”
“Ah… fair enough.” Eldora nodded. Knight’s boots were specially made—sturdy and heavy. Being stepped on was no joke.
“My father already complains when I do it to him. How could I inflict that on Lowenhardt or Redford?”
“True. So basically, if you weren’t going to dance with them, you wouldn’t bother with a dress at all?”
“Exactly. At least with shoes I can quickly pull back my foot. They’re lighter.”
“Fair enough. Still, if Redford’s dress is the one you like best, why not wear that? Pair it with the accessories Lowenhardt prepared for you.”
“Oh! That’s not a bad idea, Dora.”
Neither of them spared a thought for the dress Helios had sent. He always tried to smother Tessia in lace and ribbons.
“See? It’s been ages since anyone’s seen you in a dress. You wear uniforms well, but dresses suit you too.”
“Better than you?”
“And what about me?” Eldora straightened proudly. In a society that idolized willowy, fragile beauties, Eldora stood out with her voluptuous, sensual figure. Some socialites dismissed her as “fat,” but Tessia thought her stunning—healthier and more beautiful than anyone.
“You’re always beautiful, Dora. I don’t think there’s anyone as gorgeous as you.”
“Well, of course.” Eldora smiled sweetly.
“So who will you attend the ball with tomorrow?”
“Hmm… hard to say.” Eldora counted off the young men who had asked her.
“They’re all much the same.”
“By what standard?”
Her red lips glistened mischievously.
“Their performance in bed.”
“Oh, Eldora…” Tessia shook her head. No one embraced free love more openly than Eldora, who was refreshingly honest about her desires.
“It’s an important factor, Tessia. And I’ve been feeling a little empty, not having dated recently.” Eldora leaned her chin on her hand.
“As for Father’s business… let’s be honest, they need us far more than we need them.”
Count Gladys practically owned the empire’s financial sector.
“True.”
“So I make my own rules. When it comes to love, nothing matters more. Don’t you think so?”
“I don’t know… I still have so much I want to do, Dora. Romance isn’t one of them.”
“One day you’ll have to marry, Tessia. It’s the rule of our society.”
And an obligation for the nobility.
“For the Duke of Cloris’s family, if nothing else.”
Tessia nodded. Even she couldn’t deny it. Refusing marriage would mean bringing in an heir from a branch family—a recipe for conflict. Tessia wouldn’t risk her house’s stability for personal freedom.
“Isn’t it time to start thinking about it?”
“I suppose… but what house would welcome a sword-loving woman like me? No one’s proposed to me. Well, except those who demanded I quit the order. And that’s not a marriage I’d ever accept.”
“True. But look carefully, Tessia. A husband who’s also a friend—that’s a good thing. Passion burns out, but ordinary companionship lasts longer.”
“The problem is, no such man exists.”
Eldora clicked her tongue silently. She had been trying to steer things toward Redford, but it seemed her efforts weren’t landing. Clearly, Redford had a long road ahead.
“Here comes the cake.” Tessia gestured toward the opening door. Talking with Eldora had lifted her spirits and cleared her mind. She eagerly dug into her cake.
“But Dora, isn’t this less than usual?”
“I’m saving room for a big dinner later.”
“With whom?”
“Count Gaius. Got to leave space for it. And you?”
“Father slaughtered a pig, so he told me to come home early.”
“Ah, that explains it. No wonder you ordered half your usual.”
Eldora popped a bite into her mouth with a bright face.
“The waiter may be narrow-minded, but the cake is rich.”
“Mm. Flavor’s good,” Tessia agreed, savoring a bite.
And so, Tessia finally decided which dress she would wear tomorrow.
“Of course I should be the one to escort the princess tomorrow, right, Head Steward?”
“I’ll have the carriage ready.”
Lowenhardt smiled softly. Just imagining Tessia in the dress he had chosen, holding his hand, filled him with joy. She was surely the angel destined to save his life.
