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Chapter 29
Although he had always possessed a natural talent for getting on people’s nerves with useless nonsense, Calliope had never expected him to be so eloquent when he was actually saying something true.
While Calliope was momentarily thrown into confusion, Lerazier drove the point home.
“Weren’t we on the same side? Or were those just empty words meant to sound nice?”
“That’s not true!”
Calliope immediately answered, feeling a little unfairly accused because she had genuinely meant what she said back then.
At that, Lerazier’s eyes curved slightly.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
After hearing her answer, Lerazier suddenly stood up. Calliope widened her eyes and looked at him.
In just two steps, he reached her and grabbed the armrest of the chair she was sitting in.
“What are you doing all of a—”
Calliope couldn’t finish her sentence.
A breeze brushed against her ear, followed by his low, languid voice.
“Then you should cherish your partner, Calliope Verdi.”
For some reason, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and Calliope unconsciously held her breath.
“Why are you suddenly acting like this?”
When she pushed him away while pretending to be calm, Lerazier obediently straightened his upper body.
“I was just asking for a favor.”
Then he glanced at her neck and casually added,
“Your neck’s turned red.”
“W-what?”
Startled, Calliope hurriedly touched her cheeks and ears, and Lerazier burst out laughing.
“You were pretending not to care, but it seems you were actually quite conscious of it.”
Only then did Calliope realize she had fallen for another one of Lerazier’s tricks. Her eyebrows shot upward.
“This guy, seriously…”
“Anyway, what’s next on the schedule? Didn’t you say you had a lot to do today?”
Lerazier smoothly changed the subject.
Calliope’s insides were boiling, but there was something more important to handle at the moment, so she decided to let this one go.
“Phew… Consider yourself lucky.”
“I know. I have incredible luck. Almost disgustingly so.”
“Stop talking nonsense and just follow me. We have somewhere to go.”
Calliope stood up and walked past him with a huff.
Lerazier chuckled softly and muttered something no one else could hear.
“Seriously, I really am disgustingly lucky. Considering I’ve managed to survive this long…”
By this time of year, the famous boutiques in the Imperial Capital were always overflowing with customers.
If one didn’t make a reservation well in advance, it was often impossible even to place an order.
However, for Calliope Verdi, reservations were completely irrelevant when it came to choosing a boutique.
The moment she appeared at an official event wearing a dress from a particular boutique, that boutique was practically guaranteed to become recognized as the finest dress shop in the capital.
Not only would they record the highest sales of the quarter, but Calliope also enjoyed discovering talented young designers every year.
Because of this, several designers had risen to fame overnight.
Naturally, whenever an important noble event approached, designers desperately waited for the honor of being chosen by Calliope Verdi.
Calliope and Lerazier walked leisurely down a street lined with luxurious boutiques.
The two of them were impossible to miss anywhere due to their overwhelming appearances, but today, they attracted even more attention than usual.
Linking her arm with Lerazier’s, Calliope chatted away.
“Your Highness, look at that dress. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It would suit you very well, my lady. Of course, it could never compare to your own beauty, which makes it seem rather insignificant in comparison.”
“Oh my…”
Calliope’s cheeks flushed as she lightly tapped his chest.
The people around them stared at the overly affectionate couple with stunned expressions, but Calliope and Lerazier didn’t care at all.
If anything, they continued their act as lovers even more shamelessly.
After leaving the busiest area of the shopping district, Calliope stopped in front of a certain dress shop.
“Welcome, honored guests.”
The employees gathered inside the relatively quiet boutique froze in shock the moment they saw Calliope’s face.
“Lady Calliope!”
Then, when they noticed Lerazier entering behind her, they were completely stunned.
“The 7th Prince?!”
“M-my goodness, what in the world is happening…”
They stood there for a moment, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Eventually, the madam of the boutique recovered first and urged everyone into action.
“Please, come this way!”
However, their surprise was only beginning.
Calliope and Lerazier were guided into a comfortable private room and sat together on the prepared sofa.
“Would you like to choose yours first?”
“Mine?”
Calliope blinked in surprise.
Lerazier smiled and gently brushed her thick red hair.
“I wish to have the privilege of seeing your beautiful appearance before anyone else. Would that be too much to ask?”
Then he tucked the strands of hair that had fallen loose behind her ear.
His touch was gentle and careful, and his eyes looked at her as though she were the most precious thing in the world.
Even Calliope, who knew it was all an act, almost fell for it for a moment.
Lerazier turned to the madam.
“My companion will be attending this year’s New Year’s banquet with me. I would like to choose a dress for her. If you have any prepared designs, please show them to us.”
“O-of course! We will select only our finest dresses and present them to you.”
The employees quickly brought out two dresses.
They were completely different in design.
Calliope looked back and forth between them, while Lerazier carefully examined both dresses as well.
The madam watched the two nervously before asking,
“Which dress do you prefer?”
“The one on the left is better.”
“Oh…”
Lerazier stopped mid-sentence.
Calliope secretly poked him in the side.
Pay attention.
Her warning was clear from the way she glared at him with narrowed eyes.
Lerazier immediately smiled brightly.
Why is that girl acting so suspicious?
Just as Calliope began looking at him suspiciously, Lerazier spoke.
“As expected of the queen of high society, Lady Calliope. Classic fashion is a design loved by everyone regardless of time or era, wouldn’t you agree?
(Your taste is seriously outdated, isn’t it?)”
Of course, Calliope immediately understood the hidden meaning behind his words.
This bastard…
Her long, sharp eyes narrowed.
“Of course. Besides, the New Year’s banquet is an event with a long history and tradition dating back to the founding of the Empire, isn’t it? Some people who don’t understand such things only chase trends, but I believe the New Year’s banquet should preserve its classical beauty.
(You’re a member of the imperial family, yet you don’t even understand the traditions your own family created? Don’t you know that blindly following trends is what’s truly outdated?)”
Likewise, Lerazier was a man with exceptional ability to read between the lines.
He smiled pleasantly.
“As you say, elegant and traditional dresses do possess their own charm. Aside from someone like you, my lady, ordinary people would probably not even dare attempt such a style.
(I’ll give you credit for having the courage to wear such an old-fashioned design.)”
You’re unbelievable.
Calliope turned her head slightly so only Lerazier could see her glare.
However, her outward voice was the complete opposite.
“Oh my, exactly! His Highness the 7th Prince truly understands fashion. Though, naturally, anything would look good on me.”
Calliope, the owner of well-earned confidence, gestured toward the madam.
“I’ll choose this dress.”
“Yes. Understood, Lady Calliope!”
The madam’s face lit up.
Just the fact that she had managed to sell a dress to Calliope Verdi was enough.
The boutique’s sales for the year were practically guaranteed.
And not just ordinary sales—the highest in its history.
“Then shall we choose the outfit His Highness will wear as well?
(Just wait. I’ll get you back for this.)”
Calliope winked at Lerazier.
It was a silent message telling him to prepare himself.
Naturally, Lerazier only scoffed.
A short while later, two sets of men’s formal attire were presented before them.
