What could it be?
Adrian found it strange to see the woman, who had always seemed eager to run away, now trying to put down roots in the North.
There was nothing in this for Ione.
Bakran was a useless shrub, with no increasing value even over time.
And she wanted to plant something so pointless in a barren land?
He wanted to shake out her thoughts and examine each one, but strangely, today, that felt harder than ever.
During their first meeting, her thoughts had been easy to read—like glass.
But now? He couldn’t guess a thing.
“What if I fall in love with you?”
The way she gritted her teeth and let those words out like a groan...
If you hadn’t known better, you’d think she was truly overwhelmed with emotion.
Her eyes flushed red at the corners, and she struggled to hold back tears—
Just for a moment, that alone made his heart ache.
In some ways, she really was a remarkable woman.
Even though they weren’t true mates.
Adrian glanced anew at the woman lightly holding his fingertips as she walked beside him.
She was beautiful, yes—but not so much that he couldn't look away.
Sometimes her eyes sparkled with a boldness that piqued his interest, but that was all.
What truly intrigued him was her strange affinity—like her mana was completely empty.
But that curiosity was directed at the “
individual
,” not Ione herself.
And yet… why does she keep bothering me?
Adrian’s expression subtly tightened.
Ding-ling.
A bright bell rang through the boutique as Madame Camille looked up from a roll of dress fabric.
“Oh my! Lady Garnet?”
Her voice cracked with surprise, as if the air had been knocked from her lungs.
“Hello, Madame Camille. I hope I didn’t come too suddenly, without notice?”
“Oh, not at all! It’s always a joy to see someone so dear.”
Madame Camille quickly wiped away her startled expression and gave a warm smile.
Her bright red lips curved into a showy arc.
“Please, come inside. It’s cold out—I’ll have tea brought right away.”
Even before she finished speaking, her assistant had already rushed off to prepare it.
Lady Garnet slowly made her way to the sitting area, her eyes drifting across the fine and luxurious fabrics displayed throughout Madame Camille’s boutique.
“If you’d let me known, I would’ve visited you with joy.”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly trouble someone as busy as you.”
“Busy? Nonsense.”
Madame Camille grimaced as though Garnet had said something outrageous.
“How could I speak of being ‘busy’ in front of
Lady Garnet
?”
“Please don’t say things like that.”
“Oh, no—Lady Garnet, you mustn't say
that
. Who do you think gave me the name ‘Camellia of the Capital’?”
Camille was a woman who knew how to repay a debt.
Though she was highly skilled, she had been forced out of the boutique district due to a lack of funds.
That left her operating a shop in a secluded alley.
Naturally, business had been slow.
No matter how beautiful a dress may be, nobles wanted people to know
where
they spent their money.
And nobles don’t exactly go out of their way to visit obscure shops tucked into the quietest parts of the capital.
Madame Camille had nearly given up.
She had pooled her late husband’s inheritance just to open this boutique.
At that rate, bankruptcy—and being cast out onto the street—had seemed inevitable.
And then, Lady Garnet appeared.
She wore a bold and innovative dress Camille had only dared sketch, never display.
If anyone else had worn it, it may have gone unnoticed.
But this was
Lady Garnet
—the emperor’s fiancée.
People were dazzled by the fresh, daring design she showcased.
Just six months later, Madame Camille had moved her boutique to the most coveted spot in the fashion district.
Now, every noble in the capital wanted her dresses.
Her reservations were booked two years in advance.
And still, Camille had told her to call upon her anytime—
For the woman who had rescued her from ruin.
If Lady Garnet asked for the boutique itself, she would hand it over without hesitation.
But now, on this freezing day, Lady Garnet had come here herself.
“Lady Garnet, seeing you so chilled breaks my heart. Please, next time, call me instead. Even if you're not in the capital, I’ll find a way to come to you. So don’t worry, and
do
call me. Yes?”
Lady Garnet’s eyes widened slightly at Camille’s words before she let out a small laugh.
“You always say such kind things.”
“Kind? I owe you a great debt. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I’ve achieved my life’s dream thanks to you. I could die happy now.”
“Oh no, how frightening! I only came to ask for a dress.”
“A dress? When will you be wearing it?”
“You’ll have to let me know your schedule first. I heard you're very busy.”
“Oh no, not at all!”
They shared a warm back-and-forth for some time.
Only after about 30 minutes did Lady Garnet speak her true purpose.
“Would it be possible to commission… a wedding dress?”
“
Kyaaaaa!
”
Even before she could finish the sentence, Madame Camille squealed, pressing her hands to her cheeks like an overjoyed girl.
The sound rang sharp in the ears.
But Lady Garnet didn’t scold her.
No—she couldn’t.
Tears of joy were already falling down Camille’s cheeks.
“When do you need it?”
Overwhelmed with excitement, Camille could barely form words.
“In the spring. I’d like to wear it when spring arrives.”
“Oh my goodness—spring! Perfect. Lady Garnet
must
marry on the loveliest spring day. Ah! I’m brimming with inspiration!”
“About that, Madame Camille…”
Garnet gently closed the sketchbook Camille had been flipping through in excitement.
“There’s a design I already have in mind.”
“You do?”
If Camille had been purely excited before, now her eyes gleamed with something else—
The look of a designer who had tasted the flavor of gold.
Her pale green eyes glistened deeply.
“Please, tell me. I, Camille, will draw out exactly what’s in your imagination.”
“I hope this will become one of your masterpieces someday.”
“It will, Lady Garnet. It certainly will. I’m so thankful you continue to think of me.”
Camille stood and gracefully walked on her knees to Garnet’s side, lowering her head to her hand.
It was the kind of gesture a knight might make in a vow of loyalty.
Garnet, pleased, helped her up and began explaining the design she had in mind.
“Ah… ahh! Simply marvelous!”
Camille’s awestruck exclamations filled the sitting room for a long time.
“And Madame Camille, I’d also like to commission one more dress.”
“Of course, Lady Garnet.”
“It’s a different design…”
“Just say the word.”
“Please make it with thicker fabric.”
“Thicker?”
“Yes. I’ll be sending it to the North.”
“Ah…”
Camille’s brows twitched slightly, as though she immediately understood who the dress was for.
“Given they grew up in the South, warm fabric would definitely help.”
“That’s true, but… I also don’t think there’s anyone in the North with your level of skill.”
“You always say the most flattering things—it makes it hard to keep my feet on the ground.”
Camille clearly didn’t mind the compliment, smiling softly as she moved her hands.
Soon, the sketchbook was filled with designs based on Garnet’s descriptions.
But when Camille finally saw the completed design, her expression turned curious.
“Is this… by any chance…”
“It’s probably exactly what you’re thinking.”
“You’re preparing
this
here?”
“Yes, here.”
“But… will the North really accept something like this?”
“They will. …Probably.”
Garnet’s final word was so faint that Camille leaned in with an apologetic look.
“Pardon?”
“They’ll accept it. Because His Majesty will be the one to send it.”
But that wasn’t what Lady Garnet had whispered a moment ago.
Not that it mattered.
For Camille, the only important thing was
Lady Garnet
—
And she would follow whatever she said, no matter what.
“Then I’ll be counting on you.”
“Of course. I’ll visit in about a month for the first fitting.”
“No, I’ll come to you. And please start with the dress for the North.”
“Y-yes, of course.”
With business concluded, Lady Garnet left as swiftly as she had arrived.
There were still bouquets, veils, and countless accessories to choose—
Yet she hadn’t picked a single item for herself, only made clear decisions about the dress meant for the North.
It almost felt like
that
had been her true purpose.
Camille watched the carriage grow smaller, then drew the curtain.
The sketchbook on the sitting room table had, in that short time, filled to the brim with dazzling designs—
Each one so creative and beautiful it could make your head spin.