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Chapter 46
On the day of the ball, Emilina could not hide her unease.
She had no choice but to accept attending the ball she had been avoiding.
Since there was no way to back out, this was a natural consequence.
And now, she was troubled by a different issue.
“Mother, I really want to wear this one!”
“No. I cannot allow it.”
Indeed, Emilina and Katie were having a battle of words over the dress Emilina intended to wear to the ball.
Katie was displeased with Emilina’s choice.
“Why on earth do you want to wear that? There are plenty of other dresses.”
“It’s because none of the others caught my eye. Please understand, Mother.”
“You think I can understand? At least choose something more appropriate.”
“I’m not going there to draw attention. I’m fine with this one.”
“It’s because I cannot accept it. Choose another one instead—I won’t oppose that.”
Katie firmly rejected Emilina’s choice.
Emilina swallowed a sigh and looked at the dress she had brought.
A dull, dark brown dress devoid of any splendor.
There were no jewels or lace, not even the usual embroidery.
It was so plain that its simplicity was exactly why Emilina had chosen it.
Since attending the ball was unavoidable, she wanted to stand out as little as possible.
After all, it was the male lead’s first appearance, so there was no harm in being cautious.
It would also be ideal if she could avoid the gaze of the other young ladies.
She had chosen it after careful consideration with that purpose, but now that Katie was strongly opposed, Emilina felt cornered.
Then, it happened.
“Excuse me! Is this the Klein residence?”
A loud female voice called out, accompanied by knocking at the mansion door.
Emilina, who had been searching for the right words to persuade her mother, looked at Katie with a tense expression.
Katie, seemingly thinking the same thing, quietly observed the situation.
As the two exchanged glances in silence, a voice outside announced another knock.
“This is from Éclat’s Dress Studio! Is anyone home?”
The visitor was none other than Éclat, the owner of the dress studio.
The Klein women, who had feared a loan shark, breathed a sigh of relief.
But soon, they found themselves facing each other with serious expressions.
‘Éclat’s Dress Studio?’
‘One of the most famous designers in the capital… why here?’
“Why would she come to our house?”
The two spoke almost simultaneously, bewildered.
Madame Éclat.
The most sought-after designer in the capital, who could start a trend just by creating a dress.
Moreover, she only used the finest fabrics, and her dresses were worth every penny.
But she was even more famous for her selective clientele.
She would sometimes accept young ladies from prestigious families, yet at other times she would create dresses for a noblewoman whose family had fallen on hard times.
Her criteria were entirely arbitrary; simply having money did not guarantee her dresses.
Reservations were rare, leaving noblewomen desperate to secure her work.
And now, Madame Éclat had come directly to their house.
The Klein women were, honestly, utterly flustered.
“Just to clarify… did Mother call you?”
“Do you think she would come just because I called? And how could we possibly afford a dress?”
Emilina had no choice but to agree with Katie’s words.
Indeed, they were currently in no position to even consider paying for a new dress.
So, for this ball, they had agreed to attend using the dresses they already had, with minor alterations.
But why had Madame Éclat come?
Emilina couldn’t fathom the reason, which made her even more uneasy.
Katie, likewise, seemed unsure and hesitant to move.
However, their deliberation didn’t last long.
Madame Éclat knocked once again.
The two decided to welcome her in.
It was impolite to leave a guest waiting outside indefinitely.
“Hello, Baroness Klein, and Miss Emilina Klein. I was wondering if I should turn back, thinking no one was home.”
Madame Éclat spoke, bowing politely while spreading the hem of her dress.
Katie, still confused, asked her business.
“Welcome, Madame Éclat. What brings you to our home?”
Éclat gestured behind her.
A carriage laden with supplies and three or four workers waited outside.
The Klein women, still perplexed, looked at Éclat for an explanation.
She smiled brightly and revealed her purpose.
“I’m here to help you prepare for the ball you’re attending today. May I come in? We’re pressed for time.”
Éclat immediately began her work.
She instructed the waiting workers to carry the luggage and arranged jewelry boxes and dresses, moving busily around the living room.
It all happened so quickly that the mother and daughter had no chance to intervene.
As the preparations continued, Katie stopped Éclat and asked,
“Madame Éclat, what exactly is going on? I never requested any dresses from you, and we cannot possibly pay.”
“Madam, there’s no need to worry about that. Payment for the dresses has already been made.”
“What do you mean…?”
“The Baron Klein is aware of it. You haven’t heard anything?”
Katie was caught off guard, recalling MacTruan’s words from last night.
She hadn’t asked him about it then, worried for his health, and had postponed the conversation.
She sighed softly and asked for understanding.
“Could you wait a moment? I need to confirm with him first.”
“Of course. In the meantime, I’ll take Miss Emilina’s measurements.”
Éclat said, taking out a measuring tape.
Katie seemed to want to say something but ultimately turned to find MacTruan.
Left alone, Emilina was approached by Éclat.
“Miss, could you lift your arms, please?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to wait? Nothing’s certain yet.”
“That won’t be necessary. Even if the Baron doesn’t know, I must do my part.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means someone else hired me.”
Éclat gestured for Emilina to lift her arms.
Though Emilina wanted to ask more, she couldn’t continue the conversation with Éclat holding the tape.
She decided to wait for Katie.
After all, she would have another chance to ask later.
Thinking it best to wait, she obediently lifted her arms.
When Katie entered the bedroom, MacTruan was already awake.
“Were you awake?”
“I just woke up.”
“How are you feeling? Rodin visited this morning, but you couldn’t get up before.”
“Not enough to worry about. He said resting would make me fine.”
“That’s a relief. I wanted to ask something, though.”
“Is it about the commotion outside?”
Katie nodded as MacTruan gestured toward the door.
“Madame Éclat came by. She said you know about it. Was that what you wanted to tell me yesterday?”
“Madame Éclat?”
MacTruan looked puzzled, as if he didn’t know her at all.
Katie sighed.
“So you weren’t aware.”
“I didn’t call her.”
“Then what did you want to tell me yesterday?”
MacTruan hesitated before speaking.
“That… would be best heard with Millie present.”
“I understand. I’ll send Madame Éclat away for now. And about attending the ball… can you manage it?”
“I must go even if I cannot. It’s necessary…”
MacTruan said with a troubled expression.
Seeing him deep in thought, Katie left the bedroom quietly without asking more.
While he was lost in contemplation, an idea suddenly struck him.
‘Could it be… that this matter is about Madame Éclat?’
MacTruan hurried to find Katie, but she had already left the room.
He quickly rose and chased after her.
Rushing to the living room, MacTruan saw the Klein women trying to send Madame Éclat away.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding. My husband knows nothing about your visit.”
“Madam, as I said before, this isn’t a mistake. It’s no misunderstanding.”
“But my husband doesn’t know. Considering our situation, we’d appreciate it if you left.”
Katie drew a firm line, but Éclat was equally determined.
“That’s not possible, Madam. I’ve come with legitimate payment. It’s my duty to assist with the attire as requested by the client.”
“Who is this client?”
Emilina interjected, asking the same question.
