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Chapter 63
“Stop right there, Elizia!”
The voice echoed from behind. But Elizia never slowed down.
No way! That dress was sent for me, so of course I have to see it myself!
If she missed this chance, the Duke might secretly send it back—or worse, throw it away. Before she knew it, she had reached the manor’s grand hall and skidded to a stop.
A group of people—likely from the Mage Tower—was gathered near the entrance.
“Lady Semperion…?”
They looked startled, clearly not expecting her to arrive so quickly. Elizia cleared her throat with a dignified little cough and opened her mouth.
“Yes, I am Elizia Semperion. I hear there’s a delivery addressed to me?”
As she spoke, she searched their faces. Unfortunately, not one was familiar. No Jerome, no Finn. She hadn’t expected strangers. Were they magicians from the Tower? But their attire wasn’t that of magicians. If anything…
While Elizia was busy speculating, the person at the front stepped forward and gave a polite bow.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Cordelia, proprietor of Cordelia’s Atelier. These are my assistants who help in dressmaking.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Semperion.”
“The honor is ours.”
One after another, the assistants bowed. Elizia’s eyes lit with sudden realization.
So they came directly from the atelier!
The Mage Tower must have provided their carriage for the delivery. Now that she thought of it, she’d heard high-ranking magicians sometimes borrowed Tower carriages for personal errands as part of its welfare policies.
Still… something feels strange.
Why would anyone go to such lengths—for her sake?
She hadn’t had time to consider it earlier, sprinting away from the Duke, but the thought nagged at her now. Elizia carefully asked,
“Could you tell me who placed this order?”
“Well…”
Cordelia gave a troubled smile, as if unsure how to answer.
“Perhaps you’d like to examine the piece first?”
At her words, the assistants sprang into action. They untied the silver-wrapped bundle, and the fabric unfurled in a shimmering cascade.
“…!”
As the dress was revealed, silence fell—not only from Elizia but also from the household staff nearby.
This is…
Elizia stared, wide-eyed. She remembered well how her last red dress had been an extraordinary masterpiece—so much so that even the Crown Prince had complimented it. In this world, that level of praise meant the dress ranked among the absolute finest.
And this one… even to her untrained eye…
It’s every bit as good.
Again, the base color was crimson, echoing her own hair. But unlike the fiery, explosive vibrancy of the previous gown, this one was calm and understated, almost serene.
The crimson fabric deepened toward the edges into a gradient of violet.
It looked like a flame burning quietly—still, but concealing immense force beneath.
Why did it give her that impression? Narrowing her eyes, she examined it more closely. Beyond the gown itself, even the accompanying hairpiece and jewelry radiated luxury.
Wait… these are all magic stones, aren’t they?
Though empty of enchantments—forbidden at banquets, where no weapons were allowed—their clarity and brilliance rivaled gemstones, each one priceless. Unlike ordinary jewels, these stones emitted a peculiar radiance, lending the entire ensemble a mysterious, dazzling air.
Perfect as ornaments—but depending on how they’re imbued, their potential is limitless.
A gown fashioned from magic stones. Depending on the attributes and spells infused, it could hold all kinds of powers.
…Though they wouldn’t dare add battle enchantments, right?
Otherwise she’d be stopped at the banquet hall’s doors. Elizia was still weighing what enchantments might be practical when Cordelia, her face aglow with excitement, spoke up.
“Isn’t it stunning? We were astonished ourselves when we first received the commission. Truly, nothing is more thrilling than crafting Lady Semperion’s gowns. Why, just last banquet the Duke entrusted us with an extraordinary commission as well. I hear that gown caused quite a stir in society!”
“…What?”
“The red dress you wore at the last banquet! That was one of our atelier’s highest-priced pieces—my personal masterpiece, in fact. But of course, every one of our finest gowns has been made for Lady Semperion. We’re deeply grateful for the Duke’s patronage.”
Cordelia’s dreamy chatter carried more revelations than Elizia expected. So Cordelia’s Atelier had often produced her dresses, each enormously costly.
Which meant that magnificent red gown from before… had been the Duke’s commission as well.
She was still digesting that when—
“You certainly went to a lot of trouble.”
A sharp, displeased voice cut through the hall. Elizia flinched and turned. The Duke had caught up, his eyes fixed on the gown. Instinctively, she moved to block it from view.
Don’t tell me he’s planning to confiscate it?!
He had tried to stop her from attending the banquet before. What excuse would he use this time to send the gown away? Her heart raced as she faced him.
“So,” he asked coldly, “do you like it?”
His expression was darker than ever. Whatever answer she gave seemed like a trap. If she said yes, he might sneer and snatch it away. If she said no, he’d probably order it discarded on the spot.
And besides, the designers stood right there.
After a pause, Elizia answered carefully.
“Of course. Cordelia’s Atelier has never disappointed me. In fact, I adored the last red dress—I realize now I never properly thanked you for it.”
“….”
The Duke said nothing. His earlier edge seemed to soften, though his face remained unreadable.
Well, it’s the truth, so that’s that.
She really had loved that gown, and she truly did want to thank whoever had made it possible—even if it was the Duke.
Who would have thought he’d gone to such lengths for a troublesome daughter? Perhaps, knowing his pride, it was simply to avoid disgrace—but still. Elizia continued,
“I know such a gown wasn’t given lightly. Without Father’s commission, it would have been impossible. For that, I’m sincerely grateful.”
Credit where credit was due.
The Duke didn’t look at her, his gaze locked on the gown.
Honestly. I’m pouring my heart out, and he won’t even look at me.
At last, he spoke.
“…Then tell me—who commissioned this one?”
All eyes turned to Cordelia. Elizia too watched intently. She’d been distracted by the gown’s beauty, but the real question was this: Who would send her such a gift, and why?
Her thoughts circled back to the violet accents, to the subtle aura of mystery. Only one person came to mind.
“…It was commissioned by Magician Finn Ende.”
Cordelia’s voice rang tense in the hall. Elizia immediately glanced at the Duke. To her surprise, he showed no shock at all—only calm acceptance.
“I see.”
He nodded once, curt.
“Leave it here. And convey my thanks to Lord Ende.”
What?
Was that… permission?
Elizia blinked, bewildered. Was he really allowing it?
Cordelia and her assistants, wary of the Duke changing his mind, quickly bowed their farewells and hurried out.
“Thank you always, my lady. Please call on us again.”
Cordelia flashed Elizia a warm smile. That too was strange—someone in this world actually showing her such open goodwill. Perhaps being a VIP client had its perks.
When they were gone, only Elizia, the Duke, and a few servants remained.
A cold hush settled over the hall. The Duke gazed silently at the gown still spread before them. Then, almost too faintly to catch, a wry smile tugged his lips.
“For a mere magician, that was… quite the reach.”
“….”
“Frankly, I don’t understand his motives.”
Elizia stayed silent.
It was a fair point.
Even magicians weren’t miracle-workers when it came to money. How could a humble Tower librarian like Finn Ende possibly commission a gown wrought from magic stones and the finest materials, crafted by one of the capital’s top ateliers?
After a long silence, the Duke continued slowly.
“…Very well, Elizia Semperion. It seems I’ve no choice. If you’re this determined to attend the banquet, I’ll permit it. After all, when your partner shows such sincerity, it would be discourteous to refuse.”
Wait—what? He really means it?
She stared, stunned. He had flatly denied her before—yet this time he relented. Perhaps too many things had happened lately. She had defied him and gone anyway once already, stormed into his office for a confrontation, and now had a gown in hand. Maybe he simply had no grounds left to refuse.
“But let me give you some advice.”
His voice cut sharp again.
“Even when someone offers generosity, you must sometimes question whether it overextends them.”
“….”
“And if something seems impossibly extravagant, yet they show no sign of strain… perhaps there are things you don’t know.”
His tone was rigid, but the meaning clear.
“Either way—you’d best be careful.”
“…Yes.”
Elizia nodded, her eyes drawn again to the gown. All that solemn warning could be distilled into one thought:
Finn Ende… how in the world did you pay for this?
Did he blow his entire fortune? Was he bankrupt now? Or—was he secretly wealthy all along?!
She suddenly recalled his voice back in the library, gently suggesting finance books.
“If you’re curious about making money, the economics section is over there.”
“Would it be rude to ask what you’d spend it on?”
“Yes, that would be rude.”
“…But if you told me, I might recommend something more useful. I am a librarian, after all.”
His polite persistence came back to her now. Slowly, she chewed over the memory.
…Don’t tell me he struck gold on the stock market or something.
Maybe she should have asked for his book recommendations after all. What if he really did know a secret or two?
