# 61
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As they left the cart vendor and made their way out of the alley, Ian asked.
“Are you planning to give this accessory as a gift to the princess?”
“Yes, of course, but not just like that.”
I answered briskly, waving the ribbon looy in my hand.
The tape made by the cart vendor was impressive, but it still seemed like something was missing.
She pulled Ian, who was wearing a confused expression, and headed towards Zed's dress shop nearby.
The dress shop, once hidden in an alley without proper street lights, had recently moved to a street right next to the square.
It looked like she had made good use of the blank check I had given her.
Moreover, with my permission as her exclusive employer, the store began accepting reservations from other customers, and the dress shop was gradually gaining popularity.
With a satisfied smile, she opened the door and looked at the polished sign that said “Zed’s Dress Shop.”
The bell rang as she entered, and Mrs. Zed, who had been buried like a zombie in the fabric, came out like a bullet.
“Ah! Your Highness…no, wait, Your Excellency…?”
Mrs. Zed looked completely shocked, her face was tired from the stitching, and there were dark circles under her eyes.
She was about to throw herf on the ground, but I hurriedly picked her up.
“That's enough. There's no need for that. Stand up.”
"What brings you here? If you needed me, you could have called me!"
This was my first time visiting her since our first meeting, so Ms. Zed seemed understandably confused by the situation.
"I'm here about the princess's dress. Her request is a yellow going-out dress, right?"
“Ah, yes. She ordered it to be made quickly for her vacation at the Summer Palace.”
It's about the princess's trip to the Summer Palace.
amazing.
Instead of explaining further, I handed her the tape I had brought.
“Can you make a hat to match this dress, decorated with this ribbon? Add some jewelry too.”
Mrs. Zed's eyes widened as she examined the tape.
"What is this? I've never seen a ribbon like this before. The lace pattern is unique. Where did you find it?"
While still examining the tape cloy, she finally looked up at me with eager, curious eyes.
“From a ler in the fabric market.”
"What? There's a store like this, and I didn't know about it? How did I miss it?"
Well, the store has been open for about a week.
Ms. Zed certainly has a keen eye for other craftsmen.
The ler was not just a businessman but a true craftsman.
'Just seeing him making lace with his rough hands was enough to know that.'
Returning to the capital a year later, Diana met the ler.
After recognizing his talent, Diana did not hesitate to begin working with him, which led him to close his cart and become a full-fledged textile craftsman in the capital.
"This is the name and contact information of the person who made the ribbon. When you hand the hat to the princess, if she asks who made it, give her this."
No doubt the princess would recognize his skill.
‘Since I took Mrs. Zed from her, I must give her to at least one other person.’ Z
Besides, if he caught the princess's attention, it would be easy to link him to Diana afterward.
I was planning to make sure the princess would be on Diana's side anyway.
"concept!"
She smiled, pleased with Mrs. Zed's enthusiasm, and added something else.
“Oh, and it would be nice if you mentioned that this gift is from Duke Ian Cloud, and not from me.”
At this, Ian, who had been standing silently as if part of the scene, turned to look at me.
"…my lady?"
His facial expression was wondering what I was talking about. I expected this response, so I answered without shame.
“Didn't you choose the tape and pay for it? So, it's a gift from you.”
You can go ahead and argue if you want.
She looked at him confidently, and Ian opened his mouth in disbelief.
A moment of silence passed between us.
Mrs. Zed sensed the tension, stepped back quietly and began watching Ian with great interest.
He let out a low sigh. He frowned again, clearly upset.
“…This is unnecessary.”
"Why is it unnecessary? It's just a birthday present."
“…Anyway, there's no need for that.”
He was firm in his stance, even though he couldn't explain his reasoning.
It was clear that he thought there was no need to further his relationship with the princess in this way.
Ian preferred to treat not only the Emperor but also the Princess as if they were strangers to him.
As I stared at him, I slowly shook my head and, as if I couldn't help myf, called out to Mrs. Zed.
Mrs. Zed, who was standing at a distance, hurried over with quick steps.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Can I see what the princess was preparing?”
Mrs. Zed, who was approaching me with a curious expression, gave a silent gasp.
Then she hesitated and glanced at Ian.
“Well, I have that, but...”
She whispered to me in a low voice, as if it was difficult to get him out. He patted her shoulder.
"It's okay. I'll take responsibility. Can you take him out for a moment?"
“If Your Highness so requests...”
At the same time, Ian, standing a few steps away, was eyeing Mrs. Zed and me suspiciously as we whispered to each other.
“Wait a minute, please.”
Mrs. Zedd took something out from behind her—a set of three silk handkerchiefs. Each design was a little different.
“You tried harder than I thought you would.”
I smiled in relief and pointed to Ian.
He approached reluctantly, still looking at me suspiciously.
"… What is this?"
“It's a gift the princess is bringing. She's planning to travel to the south for her birthday, and she's preparing presents for her family. Isn't that right, Lady Zed?”
She emphasized the word “family,” remembering what the princess had said while having tea in the palace. I glanced at Mrs. Zed, silently urging her to agree.
Mrs. Zed quickly realized this, and nodded sternly.
“Yes, while we were making the dress, the princess asked us if we could make these too, according to the designs she provided.”
Despite our efforts, Ian still seemed unconvinced. He frowned as if he heard something completely strange and checked the tissues.
“Why are you showing this to me?”
...Moments like this made me seriously wonder if this man was really a heartless tin man. What should I do with it? I swallowed a sigh and asked him.
“Who do you think these tissues are for?”
“For His Majesty the Emperor, His Majesty the Empress, and the Princess, I believe.”
Mrs. Zed and I pressed our hands to our foreheads at the same time.
“…Would she make one for herf as a gift?”
“Then for whom?”
“One for you, of course.”
At my obvious answer, Ian frowned more, then his entire facial expression crumpled.
As I watched him, I wasn't sure whether I should feel pity, frustration, or console myf that this man's emotional walls were still as high as ever.
After a few moments of silence, during which I chose my words carefully, I finally spoke.
“Do you remember what His Majesty said? Receiving the title of Duke does not mean that you are no longer part of the royal family?”
Ian remained silent, as if of course he had not forgotten those words.
Sensing the shift in the air, Mrs. Zed quietly put down the tissues and retreated away to the back of the store.
I added lightly.
“It seems the princess feels the same way.”
“Becoming a duke doesn't mean severing blood ties, right?”
I looked at him, as if asking him if he agreed.
“…So, what are you trying to say?”
His voice was as calm as ever, but there was an underlying stiffness in it. I tilted my head and looked at him sideways before answering.
“This is not necessary.”