Ch#95
All eyes in the shop were focused on Madam Crevel and the children beside her.
She was the owner of the largest dress shop in the capital.
And it wasn't just large in size.
From prominent high nobles to renowned tycoons and other celebrities.
All the customers who visited were fans captivated by Crevel's talent.
With so many such people, it was natural that Crevel couldn't personally attend to every customer.
Besides, she spent most of her time in the workshop designing and making clothes for commissioned clients.
As a result, those she personally greeted were ones even others could understand as deserving.
But the customers beside Crevel now were just two young children.
“A silver-haired girl with purple eyes.”
One was a girl with such striking beauty that it was hard to forget her at first sight.
Still young, but in a few years, she would easily reach the pinnacle of imperial high society. People quickly realized who she was.
“It's Airin Terrins.”
“Madam Crevel rose with the help of the Terrins family, so of course she'd treat her well.”
“I heard she'll start full high society activities in the capital after graduating Yeongjae Academy. That's why they renovated the Terrins family townhouse here on a large scale.”
“Yeongjae Academy's on break, so she must have come shopping. Wonder if we get a chance to greet her.”
“But……”
Those whispering about Airin turned their gazes to the child beside her.
“Who's that little one?”
“No idea. Never seen that face at any social gatherings……”
“But Madam Crevel's treating her so politely—must be from an incredibly prominent family.”
“But for that…… isn't her outfit too shabby?”
People continued murmuring while watching the three.
And Airin heard every word they said.
‘So what if the clothes are a bit worn? She's cute!’
But even Airin couldn't deny that Ibi's clothes were worn out.
‘That's why I came here.’
Airin looked over the clothes hanging on the long racks.
They were all designs from this season by Crevel and her favored apprentices.
Clothes available in three sizes per design were tried on here first to check the fit, then altered to the client's measurements before delivery.
Naturally, since they were just slightly modified ready-made garments, they were considered a lower tier than fully custom-designed ones.
‘But Ibi needs to wear them right away, so no choice.’
Airin gazed at them briefly before quickly selecting outfits.
The nearby staff swiftly took the clothes Airin picked.
After Airin chose enough to make three staff members wobble, she declared firmly.
“All of these.”
“As expected, miss. I trusted your eye, but you picked ones that would suit Miss Ibi perfectly.”
“Of course. I spend all day with Ibi—think I can't pick this much? Alright, let's have her try them on and check sizes.”
At Airin's words, other staff approached Ibi with the first outfit she'd chosen.
Ibi looked up at them as if wondering what was going on.
“What's wrong, Ibi?”
“Uh, well…… why clothes for me……”
“Why? Because they're for you to wear.”
Ibi glanced around awkwardly, then hurried to Airin and whispered urgently.
“Airin. This place seems too expensive for me.”
At Ibi's words, Airin looked at her in genuine exasperation.
“What are you talking about? Why would you pay?”
“Because they're my clothes.”
“No. I'm buying them for you. That's why we're here.”
At Airin's declaration of buying them, Ibi jumped in even greater shock.
“No! I can't accept that!”
“Why? They'd suit you so well. You'd look adorable in them.”
Crevel, watching from behind, nodded in agreement.
Ibi was still young and skinny. For months, Airin, Arcel, and Ruska had devoted themselves to fattening her up.
But Ibi's body, never used to overeating, refused to gain weight easily.
Fortunately, her face had plumped up a bit. Pinching her cheeks now gave a pleasant soft feel, with improved complexion.
Her hair no longer frizzed like before; brushing it now brought out a healthy sheen.
Thanks to that, her once straw-like hair was turning into quite rich golden blonde.
Airin had considered all that in picking outfits that would suit Ibi best.
Yet she refused?
“Ibi, don't worry about money. I'll……”
“That's why I can't.”
Normally, Ibi would yield to Airin quickly. But not this time.
“……I'm really grateful for your feelings, Airin.”
At the uncharacteristic firmness, Airin held back and waited for Ibi to continue.
“But I think it's wrong for you to buy my things. I'm thrilled that you like and care for me…… but if you keep treating me this well, someday I might take it for granted, or feel upset if you don't.”
Unlike her brief hesitation, smooth words flowed from Ibi's mouth.
Airin realized from Ibi's demeanor that she'd thought deeply about this for a long time.
Otherwise, how could it come out so fluidly?
‘She's been worrying about that every time I treat her well.’
Airin's nose tingled.
“Ibi…… how are you……”
She murmured in moved wonder.
“Until now, everyone around me just took what I gave for granted……”
Whether in the south or capital, kids around Airin always wanted something from her.
They'd say thanks when she gave gifts, but acted like it was their due.
Some even openly showed disappointment if it wasn't better than others got.
After that, Airin stopped sharing her things.
Then Ibi came along—the first one she wanted to give to again.
Ibi, who marveled at her belongings, always politely asked to touch them.
She looked envious but without jealousy or envy in her gaze.
So Airin had planned to take Ibi shopping for the same things she used and wore during break.
Ibi would thank her sincerely and smile brightly as always.
But refusal.
Despite it being her first rejection ever, Airin wasn't upset. She felt like smiling even more.
Airin pulled Ibi beside her into a hug and rubbed cheeks.
“Yeah, yeah, got it. Didn't know you were worrying like that. I don't think you'd ever feel entitled, but if you don't want it, I won't.”
At Airin's response, Ibi's face brightened.
“Airin, thank you so much.”
She'd worried Airin might feel hurt after refusing.
“But you'll still help me pick clothes, right? I want someone honest about what suits me. I have tons to buy.”
“I'm confident in that!”
Ibi clenched her fist from Airin's embrace and replied.
“Then let's look at hats first. What do you think suits me?”
At Airin's question, Ibi dashed to the hats and examined them one by one intently.
“Hmm, in my opinion……”
Meanwhile, Airin whispered something in Crevel's ear. Crevel smiled softly.
Airin returned to Ibi's side, and in the meantime, Crevel quietly instructed the staff.
They marked the numbers of the clothes Airin had picked and slipped away discreetly.
“Airin! I think this one's pretty. It has that flower decoration you like too.”
Airin took the hat Ibi chose and tried it on in front of the mirror.
It was a wide-brim hat that suited her perfectly. And it had her favorite style of decoration.
Delighted that Ibi knew her tastes so well, Airin picked up an identical but smaller size hat and placed it on Ibi.
Then she stood beside her in front of the mirror.
“Both look great on us, right?”
“Yes!”
Since Airin wasn't buying it for her, Ibi answered freely.
“Great! I'll take these. Madam Crevel, please.”
“Yes, miss.”
With that, Airin handed Crevel the hat Ibi was wearing too.
“……?”
She'd said no need to buy hers, so why two hats?
As Ibi looked puzzled, Airin said innocently.
“I heard from Madam Crevel earlier—there's an event today where buying one gets you a smaller one free! Right, Crevel?”
“Yes. It's our special promotion period.”
With Airin and Crevel speaking without hesitation as if it were obvious, Ibi tilted her head.
They sell things like that?
Wouldn't they end up with mismatched sizes?
It didn't make sense by Ibi's logic, but maybe fancy shops had such rules.
“Oh, this one's pretty too. Ibi, come here!”
As Ibi puzzled, Airin grabbed her hand and headed elsewhere quickly.
Crevel took a long thread from her pocket and subtly measured Ibi's shoulder and arm length.
While Ibi held clothes for Airin, she swiftly measured height, wrist, and waist too.
For anyone else, it might be hard, but for Crevel, it was effortless.
She recalled the clothes Airin had chosen.
Those would be hung in the Terrins family mansion as if they'd been Airin's childhood outfits.
