If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 37
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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At the sight of the bright smile, Agatha couldn’t help but feel a slight fear of an imminent storm of chatter. Fortunately, it seemed that the apprentice tailor had effectively conveyed Agatha’s recent exhaustion. Her reduced verbosity and manner of interacting with people were evident.
“I should have come to visit properly, but there was so much to show you. Please forgive my impudence in asking you to come here.”
“Thanks to you, I was able to catch my breath for a moment. It was nice.”
Agatha replied sincerely. It was true. As her wounds began to heal, staying still in the bedroom had started to feel like a torment. Even sitting quietly, sipping tea, and strolling in the garden had become increasingly tiresome after about two weeks.
She had contemplated seeking permission to go out from Cain, but it wasn’t easy to ask, given how busy he always seemed.
It was different from Stella’s house. Agatha’s life under the County’s roof, where she had to seek permission for every outing, was over. Even though she knew it in her head, habits were a fearsome thing, and she was afraid to move freely without the owner’s consent.
Amidst all this, the emergence of a valid reason to go outside couldn’t help but make her happy. Perhaps noticing the change in Agatha’s smile from the last time, Madame de Borre’s face also lit up with a bright, beaming smile.
“Please come inside.”
As expected from a dressmaking room supported by Grand Duchess Norfolk, the interior was splendid. The marble columns were adorned with gilded borders, and the floor was covered with a luxuriously plush carpet, giving it a sophisticated ambiance.
Though she didn’t know, it wasn’t the kind of decoration an ordinary commoner merchant could achieve. It seemed the relationship between the Grand Duchess and de Borre was deeper than she had thought.
As Agatha entered the dressing room and took her seat, the apprentice tailors began bustling about. Looking at the array of fabrics laid out before her, Agatha already felt a sense of fatigue setting in.
There seemed to be no end to the fabrics they were presenting. It seemed like they had already fitted several dresses, both for the ceremony and for everyday wear since the last time she had her measurements taken.
Yet, de Borre was now enthusiastically displaying new fabrics, boasting about some newly arrived damask fabrics from across the sea.
“Your fair skin is so radiant that any color will truly dazzle.”
“With the splendor of your features, we won’t need much embellishment to make you shine.”
Madame de Borre’s words were eloquent and smooth. Despite pouring out lavish praise to the point of excess, she managed to temper it and make it feel genuine at the same time. Perhaps, if they were like any other noblewomen who loved flattery, they would eagerly accept her recommendations and add several more designs.
But Agatha was different. She considered herself quite objective. So she wouldn’t easily fall for such excessive praise and engage in unnecessary spending.
“Oh, that’s enough. Those things suit only the most beautiful women.”
“Oh my, Miss. Why would you say that? You are so beautiful!”
“Of course, Madam. We have never seen such a noble beauty in Leden.”
Agatha seemed to have humbled herself, as Liana widened her eyes and retorted. Madame de Borre also added her comment with conviction.
She was going to receive the Duchy’s seal soon, but not just yet. Anyway, for now, she was living under Cain’s care.
Everything, from wedding preparations to dress fittings, was supported by Cain, so Agatha couldn’t just be swayed by a few flattering words and try on dresses recklessly. She had some dignity.
“Well then, if you ever feel inclined, please do come back to the dressing room.”
De Borre, who read the refusal in Agatha’s calm smile, gave a slightly annoyed expression. Not used to noblewomen who didn’t fall for such praise, she probably had such thoughts.
It wasn’t that the noblewomen were easily swayed by her flattery. They didn’t have much qualms about spending money, so they tried to please the owner of the dressing room, struggling to match her taste, and that eventually led to the pleasure of spending.
“This was specially ordered by the Marquis.”
As the additional dress seemed to have failed, De Borre quickly turned Agatha’s attention to the jewelry. In her hands was a flat jewelry box, wrapped in blue velvet.
“Would you like to open it?”
“Go ahead, Liana.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Wearing gloves received from the tailor, Liana slowly opened the top of the jewelry box, revealing a necklace and bracelet studded with diamonds.
“Wow, they’re truly beautiful.”
Enchanted by the dazzling light emanating from the diamonds, Liana murmured. Even to Agatha, who had no particular interest in jewelry, the diamonds were clearly not ordinary items.
“Sir Cain ordered this separately?”
“Yes. He was so insistent that we prepared it with the most precious and expensive jewels. It was quite a struggle to find them.”
De Borre gave a meaningful look. Quick-witted Liana quickly gathered Agatha’s hair to one side and carefully picked up the necklace.
“Oh no, I can’t accept something so precious.”
“What are you saying, Madam? His Excellency has already paid the full price. It belongs to you.”
“Even so…”
“If you don’t accept it, this necklace will lose its owner. Please accept it quickly.”
