A thrill, that was different from when she received all those compliments after coming to Claymore, went through Rubica. She felt proud to see everyone was so impressed by the dress that had started out as her idea.
It was a different sense of accomplishment from what she had gotten from her previous life when working for others.
Would you call Ann and Elise for me?
A maid went to call the two. Rubica then became a little nervous, even though all the maids had complimented her dress.
She had been confident when she considered it Khanna’s design, but when she herself got involved in it as Madam Berry, she was worried that it might be criticized. She flicked her feet hidden under the dress to calm herself down.
Your Grace?
She could hear Elise’s voice, and she instinctively clenched her fist.
‘I cannot frown!’
Rubica feared her anxious look might ruin the girl’s first impression about the dress, so she smiled as brightly as she could.
Elise, this is the dress I prepared for the tea meeting.
Her voice shook so hard that she couldn’t ask how it was. Elise, however, didn’t move from the door for a long time and every second felt like a whole year. Rubica’s palm got sweaty. Right now, she wasn’t the duchess. She was a designer waiting for her design to be evaluated.
Oh, I don’t know what to say…
Rubica feared the new design might not appeal to the conservative girl, but then, a voice that was much higher hit her ears.
Oh, Your Grace! What is that dress? It is so unique and pretty!
Ann didn’t hesitate to come past the door and came to Rubica. Her grey eyes sparkled like those of a teenage girl who loved dresses.
I had this designed for my tea meeting.
For the tea meeting?
Yes. See, it has no jewel.
Ann kept exclaiming. The dress had no jewels and no delicate embroidery, but it was as beautiful as any dress that had a bunch of gems and embroidery.
No jewel… it’s marvelous.
Elise had come to them and curiously looked at the ribbons on the chest and sleeves. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to hate the dress.
This is called ribbon.
When Elise couldn’t take her eyes off it, Khanna kindly explained.
Ribbon?
Yes, adding ribbons to this dress was Madam Berry’s idea. She once met a sailor named Chris, and…
Elise’s eyes turned teary at hearing Khanna’s explanation. Nothing was better at moving a person’s heart than a love story. That is an all-time law.
It’s wonderful, and it has a good meaning. It is so pretty, even though it has no gems… it’s like it was created for tea meetings.
Well, actually, Rubica had decided to host that tea meeting because of the dress, but the girl’s compliment gave her confidence.
Rubica looked at Khanna and she quickly brought the other two dresses.
I wanted to wear this design together, so I ordered dresses for you too.
There was a deep green dress and a royal blue dress, but Elise could immediately see which one was for her.
You don’t have to wear it if you don’t like it.
Rubica anxiously added. Elise had clearly changed after what had happened with Dashner, but she still liked to wear that grey dress.
And, Rubica stopped asking her to wear more splendid dresses. Before, it was as if the girl was being forced to wear that dress even when she didn’t like it, but now it no longer looked like that.
Why would I not want to wear such a pretty dress?
Oh, I just thought it’s not in the style you like…
Oh, because it is not plain like the one I’m wearing right now?
Elise smiled as she could guess what her mistress was thinking.
But madam, I wear this just because it’s comfortable for working. I know how hard you are preparing for the tea meeting, so I cannot show up in this grey dress and break the mood. From now on, I am going to wear pretty dresses to balls and parties, regardless of practicality.
But this dress is completely different from any dress that has been in fashion till now… maybe they will criticize it.
Did she want the girl to wear it or not? Rubica could feel her own contradiction as she said that.
Now she knew why Khanna had been so nervous every time she showed her designs.
Criticize? They will all be eager to know which boutique made this!
I think so too.
Of course. If anyone criticizes this dress, you must tell that person to go see a doctor as there must be something wrong with her eyes.
Even the maids were eager about it. Rubica’s heart was even about to jump out of her chest and she had to press on it to keep it in its place.
Is it… really that good?
Both Elise and Ann nodded. Ann had also realized the deep green dress was for her the moment she saw it. Unlike the other two dresses, its ribbons were in one color. It had a calm and elegant charm.
Then, could you wear them so that I can see if they are in the right size and if there’s anything uncomfortable about them?
The maids moved fast at hearing that. When the two finished wearing them, Rubica exclaimed to see them. She was now seeing what she had been imagining for so long, and she felt so happy.
Oh, gods. Ann, I almost didn’t recognize you!
Rosa the seamstress, who came after hearing what was going on, yelled at the door. She was so surprised that she called Ann by her name as she did in private instead of calling her Mrs. Taylor.
Rosa, you’re embarrassing me.
Ann shyly smiled at Rosa as she made a fuss about her dress.
Please don’t say that in front of Her Grace and Elise. They are much prettier than me.
Oh! Your Grace!
Rosa spotted Rubica only then and yelled.
Oh my, you look like a goddess.
Now it was Rubica’s turn to smile shyly. Rosa grabbed Khanna and started to ask her questions. Her questions were much more professional and sharper than what the others asked.
That decoration in the chest part is so unique. Madam, how did you make this? From where did you get this idea?
Actually, this knot is not my idea. I have a friend called Madam Berry, and she…
The more Rosa’s eyes sparkled as she heard the story, the hotter Rubica’s cheeks became. Listening to her own story and compliments about it wasn’t a thing she could easily get used to.
She didn’t overlook a knot made by a sailor and transformed it into a dress decoration? She must have great senses. Is there any way I can meet Madam Berry?
And the head of seamstresses was different. She was more interested in the designer than the love story between Chris and Ivonne.
Oh, Madam Berry doesn’t really like to meet people.
But I wonder so much how she came up with such an amazing idea. Madam, is there any chance…
Rosa!
In the end, Rubica couldn’t stand it anymore and called Rosa.
I think a hat made of the same color would suit Ann better… I want Claymore’s symbol embroidered on it. Can you do it in time?
Do you want me to embroider the whole hat or add it as a point?
Really, Rosa was meant to be the head of the seamstress. That had to by why she was so curious about Madam Berry.
The whole hat.
Rubica thought that much would be enough to make her forget about Madam Berry, and she was right. Rosa widened her eyes.
As we need time to make the hat itself, we might not have enough time.
Soon Rosa completely forgot about Madam Berry, so Rubica let out a sigh of relief at seeing her discuss what kind of decoration would be good for the three’s hats and whether it would be better to embroider their gloves with Khanna.
‘It seems like I should come up with the reason why Madam Berry cannot present herself to the people.’
However, that worry went away the moment she saw herself wearing a beautiful dress in the mirror.
The dress that had started from her idea didn’t look good just on Elise. It looked good on everyone. It could change from calm to splendid just by using different colors and materials.
‘Oh, why am I nervous?’
She had thought she would be relieved if only Elise and Ann liked it. However, their compliments made her even more nervous.
What if the other noble ladies called it too unique or strange? What if she had dragged the two of them into this just to satisfy her greed? She was now really afraid.
Um, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to wear it at the tea meeting?
Don’t like it? I am definitely going to wear this. I have never had such a pretty dress. I thought it was luxurious when I saw the fabric, but it is even prettier when made into a dress. I would rather be sad if you order me not to wear it.
Elise’s firm words and Ann’s firm nodding let Rubica breath again. Now, even if she yelled this wasn’t right, the two were not going to accept it. They were all, including Rosa, fascinated by the dresses’ beauty.
‘Ugh, what am I supposed to do now?’
However, the arrow had already left the bow. All she could do now was to prepare for her tea meeting as best as she could.
