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CHAPTER 17
The two left the noisy workshop and began walking through the streets. The alley was too narrow for two people to walk side by side, so this time Ladian walked ahead.
She had a good sense of direction, so even though she had only been here once, she quickly found the way again.
Her steps were light. Before noon, she had already accomplished what she needed so easily that she was even humming as she walked.
“It’s all thanks to you.”
“I only made time for you. If the design hadn’t been appealing, it wouldn’t have worked.”
“But if you hadn’t brought the beer, I’d still be standing there like a fool.”
Thinking of how pitiful she must have looked, Ladian turned halfway back toward Michael and smiled brightly. Watching her, Michael lowered his gaze and quietly smiled as well.
Drip.
The sky, which had been overcast all day, finally began to release rain.
“It’s raining…”
Ladian looked up in dismay. At that moment, a deep navy umbrella opened over her head.
Michael, ever prepared, had opened it from behind her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The rain quickly grew heavier, and since the umbrella wasn’t large, Michael had to step closer.
“Excuse me.”
“Oh… y-yes.”
Suddenly close, like lovers sharing a secret meeting, Ladian tensed without realizing it.
She could hear Michael’s quiet breathing near her ear. A sound so small she could have ignored it—yet now it filled her awareness completely.
Even though they walked at a fairly fast pace, Michael matched her steps perfectly. Of course—he had to, to share the umbrella.
“Um…”
Even the slightest breath made her aware, so when his pleasant voice sounded, Ladian startled.
“Huh?”
“…There’s no one here.”
“What?”
No one? What did he mean?
Confused, she tilted her head and turned slightly to look back at him. At that exact moment, her cheek pressed against his nose.
“Ah! Sorry! Sorry!”
Startled, she stepped away and apologized. Michael froze for a moment, then followed her again as she ended up walking in the rain.
The streets were nearly empty. Michael took a deep breath and said clearly:
“I don’t have anyone I’m seeing.”
Swoosh—the sound of rain filled the silence, broken only by the distant hammering from the forge.
For a moment, it felt like the entire world belonged only to the two of them. The rain falling on their skin felt strangely warm.
“Oh… I see. That’s good…”
“Yes.”
They walked on in silence again. She wanted to see his expression, but she didn’t dare turn around—afraid he might see hers too.
Then—
“Eek!”
Hurrying her steps, Ladian stepped into a deep puddle. In an instant, her calves were soaked, and her dress became stained and heavy.
“Are you alright?”
Michael rushed to steady her from behind, but it was already too late.
“I’m fine. It’s just my clothes got dirty.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing…?”
She trailed off when she glanced at him—his pupils were trembling violently.
He was this upset?
Ladian sighed and tried to reassure him.
“I told you I’m fine.”
But his expression only darkened further. It wasn’t just guilt—there was also a hint of pride wounded, as if he was frustrated that she had gotten wet while he was there.
He almost looked… cute.
Ladian smiled softly at him.
“Michael.”
“Yes.”
“If you feel sorry, will you go somewhere with me?”
Without hesitation:
“Yes. Anywhere.”
Like a well-trained large dog, he answered immediately.
Ladian smiled faintly and led him toward her destination.
Clothing Shop “Rona”
Today, as always, the shop was quiet. The owner, Menskrisha, sighed as she swept the floor.
“I clearly dreamed of a golden pig this morning… was it just a bad dream after all?”
Other dress shops were busy preparing outfits for the First Prince’s engagement ceremony, but Rona had received no orders at all.
The reason was simple: she didn’t follow fashion trends.
The dresses displayed outside were elegant and refined—but lacked the exaggerated silhouettes of modern fashion. No puffy underskirts. No tight corsets. Her designs were far removed from current trends.
Despite not receiving a single order in three months—and being behind on rent—Menskrisha refused to make corset dresses.
Once, she had been brilliant. She had graduated top of her fashion academy and even designed the Second Princess’s debutante gown. Her dresses, tailored to the client’s skin tone, eye color, hair, personality, and hobbies, always made the wearer shine brightest at any ball.
But everything changed after an incident: a noble young lady fainted into a coma for three days on her debutante night due to a tightly laced corset in one of Menskrisha’s dresses.
Though the girl had been overjoyed during the fitting, when she collapsed, Menskrisha made a firm decision:
No more corsets.
No matter how many designers or nobles tried to convince her, she refused to change her stance.
But corsets had already become culture. And in fashion, those who refused to follow trends were simply left behind.
Once owner of the largest dress salon in the capital, she had now been forced into a small shop—and even that rent was becoming difficult.
Ding—
A cheerful bell rang.
A rare customer had arrived.
A silver-haired young man and a noblewoman with deep green eyes stepped inside. They shook off their umbrellas and brushed away raindrops.
“Welcome.”
Menskrisha instinctively grabbed a towel and approached them.
“Thank you.”
When she looked closely, the woman was strikingly beautiful.
A determined brow beneath a rounded forehead, deep green eyes like a rain-soaked forest, and pale lips slightly drained of color from the cold rain—yet even that fragility enhanced her beauty.
Design ideas began flooding Menskrisha’s mind.
Silk fabric… soft sky-blue skirt… delicate floral embroidery at the bodice…
She murmured to herself while the guests waited patiently.
Only after finishing most of the design ideas did she snap back to reality and hurriedly guide them inside.
“I-I’m terribly sorry. Please, this way…”
“It’s alright. Thank you.”
The woman smiled and returned the towel.
“I’m Menskrisha, owner of Rona Boutique. Please call me Risha.”
“I was looking for something simple to wear after getting caught in the rain, and I found your shop. Your clothes are both comfortable and beautiful.”
“Yes, we specialize in comfortable designs without corsets.”
She explained, as she always did—but usually customers would leave immediately upon hearing “no corsets.” So she was nervous.
But the woman simply listened attentively.
For the first time, someone was truly listening.
“I’ll show you our designs. Since we work mostly on custom orders, we don’t have many pieces—but I think something will fit you well.”
The woman selected a soft cotton garment.
“I’ll try this. May I?”
It was one of Risha’s experimental designs—created while trying to make beautiful dresses without corsets. A simple tunic-style dress in autumn leaf colors, ankle-length but wide and easy to move in.
“Of course. Please go ahead.”
When Ladian returned, the dress—though simple—brought color back to her pale, rain-washed face.
She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled in satisfaction.
Ah… I’ve sold it.
That was exactly the kind of expression customers made when they intended to buy.
Hope bloomed in Risha’s chest.
“It suits you perfectly, madam. Your complexion really comes alive in it.”
“Yes, it’s beautiful. I didn’t notice from afar, but the floral pattern is lovely.”
Risha blushed at the genuine praise.
“Th-thank you…”
“It’s also very comfortable to move in.”
Ladian gently lifted the hem and turned once in front of the mirror.
“I’ll take this. Oh, you also do custom orders, right?”
“Yes, we do. But as I mentioned, we do not make corset dresses…”
Risha braced herself, fearing another lost customer.
But Ladian said something entirely unexpected.
“That’s fine. I haven’t worn corsets in quite a while either. If your schedule allows, could you make a dress for the First Prince’s engagement ball?”
“…Though the schedule is a bit tight.”
Risha’s mouth fell open.
Then she grabbed Ladian’s hands and nodded rapidly.
“Of course! Leave it to me!”
“Then about the design I want…”
