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Chapter : 08
Dahlia took another day off and went out to Boutique Street.
She was here to buy a hat again—one she had previously failed to present to the Emperor.
Since His Highness gave me plenty of money, I need to choose carefully this time.
Dahlia grabbed the door handle of Boutique Ellie, the same shop where she had once run into Princess Pravice.
But for some reason, she felt a bad premonition.
What if I run into someone from the Pravice family?
Honestly, Evelyn alone was already scary—but manageable. The problem was the other members of the Pravice family. They were terrifying.
“…Maybe I shouldn’t go in.”
Dahlia let go of the handle and turned around.
But at that moment—
Thud.
She bumped into someone’s chest.
“Ah…! S-sorry!”
Dahlia instinctively bowed.
The mysterious gentleman she had collided with spoke in a gentle voice.
“It’s alright, my lady. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“…!”
Dahlia lifted her head reflexively and covered her mouth.
He was a breathtakingly handsome man with mint-colored hair that strangely suited him perfectly.
His simple attire and clear blue eyes made him look honest and trustworthy, and Dahlia’s face flushed as she shook her head.
“N-no, I’m fine. I’m not hurt.”
“That’s a relief. And this—you dropped it.”
The man smiled softly and handed her a handkerchief.
Dahlia gasped when she saw it.
It was Ulysses’ handkerchief.
She had nearly lost it.
She quickly accepted it with both hands and bowed her head gratefully.
“Thank you. This was given to me by someone very important… I almost lost it if not for you.”
“It was nothing.”
The man smiled politely and turned to leave.
But Dahlia suddenly called out.
“U-um, sir!”
“Yes?”
He turned back.
Blushing, Dahlia asked,
“W-what is your name? I’d like to properly thank you later…!”
At her shy question, his eyes curved gently.
With a soft smile, he replied:
“Raphael. Raphael Celestian.”
“I-I’m Dahlia Hebe! I’ll make sure to thank you properly later!”
Raphael smiled faintly.
He stood there, still smiling, until Dahlia disappeared from sight.
And the moment she was gone—
He removed the glove that had touched her and casually tossed it onto the ground.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
…Dahlia Hebe. She doesn’t seem as obsessed with the Crown Prince as I heard.
He hadn’t even planned to meet her. Nor did he intend to leave a good impression.
And yet she had blushed so easily.
Wasn’t she supposed to be madly in love with the Crown Prince, to the point of publicly humiliating Evelyn Pravice?
Well, whatever. This job might finish faster than expected.
A rare, amusing entanglement request.
But the amusement was brief. If he had known even the Emperor would get involved, he would never have accepted it.
Raphael thought about the easy 200 gold he was about to earn and walked lightly toward his original destination.
As soon as he entered the boutique, the staff greeted him with utmost respect.
“Welcome, Marquis. The Princess is waiting for you.”
“How long has she been waiting?”
“About five minutes.”
“She must be annoyed.”
Still smiling, Raphael made his way to the VVIP room.
Inside, a pink-blonde woman was fanning herself irritably.
“Why are you so late?”
Evelyn snapped her fan shut.
Raphael bowed slightly with an apologetic smile.
“I apologize. I ran into someone on the way.”
Evelyn frowned, then waved her hand dismissively at the staff.
At once, they sprang into action.
Raphael asked quietly,
“Why did you ask to meet here?”
Evelyn smiled and opened her fan.
“My fiancé shouldn’t dress poorly. Buy whatever you like.”
She smiled brightly, as if showing the world what extravagant spending looked like.
They waited on the sofa while the staff prepared clothing.
Raphael murmured,
“Of all boutiques, why here?”
“I’ve gifted the Crown Prince more than enough things already. If my fiancé’s clothing comes from somewhere cheap, it’ll look suspicious.”
It was all part of maintaining appearances.
This boutique was exclusive even among men’s fashion stores. Perfect for fooling the Crown Prince.
Raphael sighed.
“That’s not the issue. This place belongs to the Duke of Pravice’s household.”
“It does. So what? Do you not like the clothes here?”
The Pravice family owned many boutiques—half for Evelyn, the rest for Asil and Douglas.
Even this one had been selected deliberately.
Raphael finally asked the real question.
“Do your family members know about this contract?”
“Yes. Of course.”
Social circles were under Henry’s control anyway. Hiding it would be pointless.
Raphael sighed again, worried about the notoriously intense Pravice family.
Evelyn waved her fan.
“Don’t worry. I already told them clearly—you’re just a fake fiancé, and we’ll break up once I’m done with the Crown Prince. No one will bother you.”
“That’s… reassuring.”
Then she added casually,
“And don’t complain about the clothes. I know you’re going for a modest image as Marquis Celestian, but during this contract, you’ll need at least this level of styling.”
“…You’re very demanding.”
“You think a fake fiancé job comes easy? I paid 200 gold.”
Raphael smiled faintly.
“True. Thinking about the money does make one smile.”
When the clothes arrived, Raphael tried them on.
Soon he emerged wearing luxurious white formalwear.
It suited him so perfectly it looked like he had been born in it.
Evelyn tilted her head.
“Not bad. What do you think?”
Raphael smiled smoothly.
“As long as I look good in your eyes, I’ll wear anything.”
The staff nearly lost their composure.
Evelyn thought calmly.
Of course he can act.
“Good. Wear that to the party.”
Then she pointed to another outfit.
“Now change into this.”
“Yes, Evelyn.”
He obeyed without hesitation.
While he changed again, Evelyn ordered the staff:
“Pack all these clothes and send them to Raphael’s mansion.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Soon Raphael returned, dressed again.
“Do you like it?”
Evelyn nodded.
More than she expected.
No wonder readers used to ship them.
She could see why.
Handsome enough to make even the Crown Prince look replaceable.
“This is fine.”
With that face, even if Evelyn ditched Ulysses, people would accept it a hundred times over.
Strangely, she felt like just attending the upcoming party might be enough to make Ulysses finally let go of her.
