I Tamed the Monstrous Prince - Chapter 45
Chapter 45
And maybe, just maybe, if Cesar could present a convincingly human facade… wouldn’t that be wonderful?
“It won’t be easy.” A sigh escaped my lips. But I couldn’t afford to despair. I’ll name this endeavor “Operation to Make Cesar Human.”
“We’ll start with appearances.” Cleaning the small details first was inefficient. What was the point of dusting when the room was cluttered with debris?
The visible areas needed to be addressed first. And I had brought someone to help: Delphina.
Delphina was a quiet, unassuming maid with light brown hair and similarly pale hazel eyes. Her demeanor was calm and composed. I understood why Elda had tried to frame her. Such people were easy targets, easily overlooked and exploited.
“Delphina.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Delphina had worked at Moonstone Palace, assisting with the wardrobe, just like the other maids. She was the most qualified person to help me, the one with the necessary skills.
“Can you assist me?”
Delphina’s face lit up. “You saved my life, Your Highness. I would do anything to be of service.” A grand statement, but reassuring nonetheless.
I explained the details of “Operation Make Cesar Human.”
“Your Highnesses will attend the Empress’s ball?” Delphina was astonished, speechless.
“That’s right.”
“Yes…” I knew it was a difficult task, but I refused to believe it was impossible.
“First, we need to make Cesar presentable.”
The social season ran from spring to early summer. Young ladies making their debut and courting gentlemen filled the early spring.
The Empress’s ball, the grand midsummer event, was the season’s climax. The ladies attending would have new gowns made. The same applied to the gentlemen. Clothes make the man, as they say.
“Who manages Cesar’s clothing?”
Delphina excused herself and returned with a few of Cesar’s garments.
“There’s a designated wardrobe attendant for the royal family. Sometimes, the dressing maids also act as seamstresses.”
“Can you do that?”
Delphina shyly nodded. That was a relief.
“His Highness hasn’t had any formal attire made recently.”
Cesar always wore a simple, often tattered and torn, undertunic. It was practically rags. The reason he didn’t have proper clothes was one we all knew.
“I suppose Cesar hasn’t been very cooperative.”
Delphina nodded, her head bowed.
“We’ll need more than just clothes for His Highness.”
“What else?”
Delphina blinked a few times, as if asking if I was truly unaware.
“A dress for Your Highness.”
“My clothes are fine.” The dowry from House Flores included several going-out dresses. I could easily choose one.
“Even so… it’s customary to have a new dress made for the ball.”
Just as Delphina finished speaking, a knight announced a visitor, Countess Elvira.
“There you are, Your Highness.”
“Countess Elvira, it’s been a while.” She greeted me with a haughty smile. Why had she come?
“Countess, what brings you here?”
Instead of answering, she nodded. Several servants entered, carrying large boxes. At her gesture, they opened them. The first contained a dazzling array of dresses, so ornate they made my eyes ache. Other boxes held jewels, elaborate hats, feathers, and ribbons.
“What is all this?”
Countess Elvira chuckled, hiding her smile behind a fan. “I heard that Your Highness will be attending the upcoming summer ball with the First Prince. Her Majesty, Cornelia, was so impressed by your resolve that she sent these as a gift.”
It was a gift from the Empress.
