The Adopted Princess Hopes to Escape the Genre - Chapter 22
Meanwhile, their conversation continued.
“For someone who claims otherwise, your eyes betray you, Young Master. They’re the eyes of someone cherishing a beloved younger sibling. If you’re trying to deceive someone, you should choose your target more wisely.”
At the Madame’s remark, Theodore’s face flushed slightly, and he cleared his throat awkwardly.
“At first, I felt strange because she reminded me of my lost younger sister. It hasn’t been that long since we lost her… not even knowing whether Rose is alive or dead. When Father suddenly brought in a new child, I felt angry.”
“…….”
Theodore spoke haltingly, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his clothes as if unsure where else to place them. The Madame silently watched him, saying nothing.
“But then… memories of how I regretted treating her so coldly came flooding back. I swore never to make the same mistake again. She was too young to understand back then, but still….”
“So, are you treating the new Lady well out of guilt for your sister?”
“That, that’s….”
The Madame’s piercing observation left Theodore visibly shaken, his pupils trembling slightly.
“I don’t know why, but I keep feeling like I must take good care of her. It’s as if something terrible will happen if I don’t… I just feel uneasy.”
Watching Theodore quiver under the weight of his intangible unease, the Madame finally spoke.
“Young Master, if I may speak, not as the Madame of this boutique but as someone who has lived longer than you, and as a close friend of the late Duchess… or rather, Lady Ellia?”
Theodore gave a silent nod.
“Don’t do this.” she said.
Her abrupt words caused Theodore’s eyes to widen in surprise.
The Madame met his gaze directly and continued.
“Why are you misplacing your guilt toward your sister?”
“…….”
“That would be disrespectful, both to Lady Rose and the new young Lady. Don’t see Rose in her, or anyone else for that matter.”
Theodore seemed lost in thought at her words.
“If you’re not going to show her affection for who she truly is….”
He turned his gaze to Lassetia, who was sitting on the sofa flipping through a catalog.
“You’re right…. But it’s hard not to think of Rose when I see her, especially since I’ve only just met her.”
The Madame offered him a gentle smile.
“There’s no need to rush. But in the end, make sure you see her for who she is.”
“…….”
“And finally, I hope you won’t carry guilt for how you were with Lady Rose when she was younger.”
“…….”
“You had only recently lost your mother back then. You were far too young to be comforting anyone. Lady Rose, the new young lady, and you—all of you were just children. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Yes… I’ll keep that in mind.”
Theodore concealed a faint, wistful smile and began walking toward his new little sister.
***
“Have all the measurements been taken?”
Finally, the long conversation had come to an end.
I’d tried my best to catch even a snippet of their exchange, but all I managed to pick up were fragments—phrases like “a child who resembles your sister” and “angry at Father.”
It was frustrating. Why is it that important conversations always come through muffled, but unpleasant remarks are crystal clear? I cursed my ears for their selective perception.
Part of me felt irritated with Theodore as well. If he had been so displeased with me that he was angry at his father, why hadn’t he shown it? Or maybe I should be grateful that he didn’t?
Still, hidden hostility, discovered later, tends to hurt more than overt malice.
Fortunately, I reminded myself, my real family, the ones I truly loved, existed in another world. The people here were merely fulfilling their roles as my employers. That’s all.
Their guilt over losing someone dear, mirrored in my presence, provided me shelter and sustenance. That was our contract, our arrangement. My very existence was fulfilling my end of the deal. I had no reason to feel guilty.
Until their real daughter returned, I planned to make good use of the Delphinium estate’s wealth.
Theodore approached me, who was flipping through a catalog, and picked up another one.
“It’s your turn to choose a dress.”
I thought I was good at reading people’s emotions, but now I wasn’t sure anymore.
What on earth is Theodore thinking when he looks at me?
“If there’s something you like, don’t hesitate to let the Madame know.”
Instead of responding, I simply stared at Theodore. He then asked,
“Do you not like this place?”
“No, it’s just that there are so many beautiful options that it’s hard to choose.”
“What’s there to be concerned about? Just order them all.”
He spoke as if it wasn’t a problem at all and urged me to buy every style available.
“No, my dilemma isn’t whether to buy them or not, but whether I should get them in every color.”
At my response, the Madame’s face lit up. She immediately signaled to Julie to bring more catalogs.
“As expected of the Young Lady! Julie! Hurry! Bring all the catalogs!”
Julie dashed to the back of the shop and returned, struggling to carry an overwhelming number of catalogs, which she stacked on the table with a grunt.
It seemed she had brought every catalog the boutique had, as the table was completely covered in them.
Thus, we purchased approximately 250 dresses and countless accessories before finally leaving the Shreia boutique.
