Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 151
‘What is that country bumpkin doing here? She doesn’t seem like someone who should be invited to our family.’
The harsh evaluation from the lady of the house was still fresh in her mind.
‘Why didn’t I question Caroline’s flawed character back then?’
Every time past events surfaced, she felt like a fool.
‘Don’t waste time on self-deprecation. That’s not important right now.’
Cecilia quickly returned to reality. In front of her were all sorts of ridiculously outdated fabrics. It was as if Caroline had purposely gathered the most tacky materials.
“Wouldn’t a bold neckline be good for the design?”
“…”
What won’t she come up with next?
Cecilia had a small, delicate frame. Clothes with exposure wouldn’t suit her as well as off-shoulder dresses with lace puffs.
Moreover, the design Caroline showed looked like an artifact from a century ago.
‘Should I just let this slide or not?’
After a brief moment of contemplation, Cecilia made a decision.
‘There’s no need to get angry over something like this.’
She wasn’t going to wear it anyway.
Even if she chose decent fabric and designs here, Caroline would probably ruin them somehow like last time.
‘Sometimes patience is necessary.’
Cecilia picked the tackiest fabric Caroline showed her. Instead, she chose a decent design that suited her figure.
Caroline seemed satisfied with this implicit compromise.
“I’ll take the fabric now and check if there are any issues, so please visit again before afternoon tea next Wednesday.”
The two scheduled a visit to make the dress pattern and left the boutique. Cecilia looked down at the silver-gray silk in her hand.
“It’s really… something else.”
* * *
“Oh my! It looks even prettier outside!”
Caroline exclaimed in enthusiastic admiration at Cecilia’s dress fabric.
“Ceci, this rare color silk isn’t common. I’m almost envious that it suits you so well.”
‘I can see you’re holding back your laughter.’
Cecilia hid her thoughts and made a kind suggestion.
“Then why don’t you wear it? I can get something else tailored.”
“H-Huh?”
Caroline visibly flustered, waved her hand.
“Oh, Ceci! There’s no need for such considerations between sisters. You haven’t been to many parties, so you should dress up beautifully when you go out.”
Sisters, my foot. Cecilia smiled and said,
“Your fabric is really pretty too. If you like this one so much, let’s switch.”
Caroline’s smile faded, and her face paled.
“…I appreciate the thought, but I’ll let you have it.”
Cecilia watched Caroline struggle to suppress her irritation while she nibbled on a sweet treat. It was quite amusing to see her expression change with every word.
“Well, if that’s how it is, then I suppose it can’t be helped.”
Cecilia crunched on a candy filled with honey syrup and speculated about the next target’s arrival time.
It was almost 4 p.m. Margaret would soon bring her friends over to show off her dress fabric.
That was why Cecilia was enduring this unpleasant tea time with Caroline.
* * *
“Have any of you ever seen fabric this white?”
Margaret eagerly displayed her fabric to her friends. It was a white, thick satin overlaid with a translucent glossy layer that looked like dragonfly wings.
When Margaret held it up and shook it, it looked just like angel wings.
The young noble girls around Margaret, with innocent faces, showed their envy.
“Margaret, it’s so beautiful!”
“Can I touch it just once?”
Margaret shrugged and replied,
“Sorry, but that’s not possible. The fabric is too thin and precious.”
The girl, who had half-reached out her hand, withdrew with a disappointed look. It turned out Margaret had called them over just to boast.
Their mood soured, but there was nothing they could do. Margaret Lasphilla was the daughter of a noble with the largest estate in the central region.
