# 9
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"What?"
“S-Ma’am!”
From both sides, I could hear Vivi and Ms. Zed's voices in surround sound.
"Did I hear you correctly? You said you were going to buy all the dresses in the store?"
“If your ears don't fail you.”
Upon hearing my confirmation, her face turned white like a piece of paper. She stared at me blankly and even gently pinched her cheek.
"Yes!"
Oh, that must have hurt. Maybe she pinched herf too hard. Unlike me, who sighed softly, Mrs. Zed seemed to still be in a daze.
Out of consideration, she decided to wait patiently until she gathered her senses. After all, it was understandable that she would be surprised by such a sudden offer.
How much time has passed?
Mrs. Zed, apparently realizing that this was true, asked me in a trembling voice,
“Is there a reason why...?”
“Does a lady need a reason to buy a dress?”
“No, it's not like that...”
“I really came here to buy your dresses.”
“Huh...”
At my repeated confirmation, Mrs. Zed gasped, her breath catching in her throat.
If she emphasized it again, she might faint.
She kept looking between me and her dresses, clearly still in disbelief.
Then I asked cautiously,
“In this case... what parts of the design would you like to modify...?”
Her voice was full of caution.
Usually, noble ladies are famous for their extreme precision, requesting alterations down to lace or ribbon. This was the main reason why Mrs. Zed's shop was marginalized in the back alleys.
She was very proud of her designs, which often led her to decline requests for modifications from others. In short, her stubbornness caused her downfall.
'She's asking me this now, she must be in really great distress.'
After all pride means nothing in the face of financial difficulties.
As evidence, Ms. Zed was preparing for anything I might say, with a look of determination in her eyes.
I glanced at the dresses indifferently, and shrugged.
“No design changes needed. Just adjust it to fit my measurements.”
“No changes...at all?”
"This is correct."
I answered indifferently.
'Whatever it is, it will be better than what's currently in Eloise's wardrobe.'
Eloise was the type of woman who would shamelessly wear a dress more than ten years old just because it wasn't worn out yet.
Of course, with a face like hers, she could do anything.
'However, she has managed to maintain her position as the most beautiful woman in the social world with this kind of attitude.'
The more I learn about it, the more I like it.
Maybe she really believed that the ultimate fashion accessory was a pretty face.
However, unlike Eloise's usual fashion choices, the dresses in front of me were so expensive that it was difficult to understand them.
“I trust your sense of style.”
Mrs. Zed gasped again, taking a sharp breath.
For a moment, she thought she might faint, but this time it was different.
Her eyes suddenly began to shine brightly.
She looked incredibly affected.
'Looks like I hit the target.'
After fulfilling my request, he slowly turned to Vivi.
“I will settle the payment immediately. Vivi?”
At my words, Vivi, who was standing a step away from me, handed me a blank check with trembling hands.
Her expression was hesitant, as if to say, “That doesn’t seem right...”
Without hesitation, she snatched up the blank check and handed it to Mrs. Zed.
“Write the price and send it to the Grand Duchy. Don’t leave anything out.”
“Ah…”
The moment Lady Zedd received the check stamped with the golden seal of the Grand Duchy, all color disappeared from her face.
Her hands trembled as she accepted the check nervously.
“Sew the dresses according to my measurements and send them to the Grand Duchy within a week.”
“N..yes.”
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“I plan to continue using this dress store, so you might want to check my measurements.”
Mrs. Zed's eyes lit up at my words.
“I will do my best to serve you!”
Mrs. Zed carefully placed the check in her locker, then rushed toward me with a measuring tape in hand.
“Let's start taking your measurements.”
In that moment, I saw it clearly.
In her brown eyes, which had been dull until now, there appeared a sharp, sly gleam.
It was hard to believe that this was the same person who looked so defeated moments ago.
Mrs. Zed began circling me with her measuring tape.
"Your Highness, you have long arms and straight shoulders. You would look beautiful in an off-the-shoulder dress. Oh my, your waist is so well defined! You have the shape of a spine-tingling beauty!"
'What is 'spine beauty' anyway?'
Once Ms. Zed started talking, it seemed like she couldn't stop.
I've talked a lot about my natural physique and how I can wear any fabric with ease.
'There are definitely some mixed compliments, but....'
Aside from that, Mrs. Zed seemed really excited.
Maybe I had gone too far, I thought, as regret began to creep in. But before I could think about it any longer, the measurement was finally over.
It took all of 30 minutes.
“That is enough. I will hand you a dress that will perfectly suit Your Highness.”
'This sounds like a ringing sound to my ears.'
“I will deliver the dresses within a week.”
Mrs. Zed's eyes sparkled with excitement.
I'm completely addicted now.
In fact, in this world, nothing beats money when it comes to getting what you want.
But was this the end?
'Of course not.'
Despite her stubbornness, Lady Zed was also full of loyalty. She was already halfway to becoming my ally.
But for my dear Diana's sake, I needed to be sure.
“Fifi?”
"Yes?"
“There's something else we've prepared, right?”
“Yes, ma'am. There it is!”
Delicately, I extended my hand, and Vivi immediately pulled out another blank check she was holding.
She handed it to Mrs. Zed without hesitation.
“What…what is this…?”
With one blank check in her hands, Mrs. Zedd's face paled even more, and she looked like she was about to faint.
Why was she so shocked by something like this?
You were the Grand Duchess, after all.
“Write any amount you want. It doesn't matter how many zeros you add.”
"What?"
I smiled at her tenderly.
“From now on, I will sponsor your dress shop. In the name of the Grand Duchess.”
Here's the final touch.
❖ ❖ ❖
“Then, Your Highness, take care!”
Mrs. Zed was treating me almost like a saint when I left the store, probably because of the two checks I threw at her.
She kept saying that she did not know that such a noble person existed, and that meeting the Grand Duchess was the greatest luck in her life.
She waved nonchalantly as she bowed for the twenty-eighth time.
“See you then.”
“Thank you, thank you! Your Highness the Grand Duchess!”
Her spine will break.
The door opened with a clang, and I stepped outside.
'At this point it looks like I've made her mine.'
Now I will use her as my informant for a while, and once Diana returns, I will link her to Zed's dress shop.
A proud smile on my face.
'My favorite! I wish you could only walk on flower paths!'
I walked quickly, chanting a little tune.
“Vivi, since we’re out, let’s go for a short walk before we come back.”