Translator: Nox

Chapter 30

‘What should I do?’

She didn’t have much spare cash in her pocket right now. It was soon to be Rosalyn and Blair’s birthday. For the past few years, she had celebrated with homemade sweets or embroidered handkerchiefs, but this year, she harbored a greedy desire to give them something truly special.

Vanessa picked up the simplest-looking blouse she could find and checked the price tag, only to carefully set it back down.

‘Goodness.’

If every outfit she had ever worn in her life had cost this much, she could finally understand why her uncle used to grumble about how expensive it was to raise a girl. Having seen the price tag, buying new clothes for herself felt even more absurd. If she was going to buy anything from this shop, she felt it would be better to choose a gift for the twins instead of something for herself.

A place like this was only fit for an elegant lady like Rosalyn, after all.

‘I thought boutiques like this only existed in the capital.’

The boutique in Linden that she had followed Rosalyn to had looked exactly like this. Just as they were now, messengers had moved in and out of the back door incessantly. Artificial laughter, the scent of perfume, the rustle of fabric, and particles of cosmetic powder drifting from brushes floated through the air like embroidery on the stifling atmosphere.

She’d had to kill time sitting awkwardly alone in a chair until Rosalyn’s fitting was finished, but it had been an interesting experience in its own way. At any rate, if it was something sold in a shop like this, it might actually satisfy even Rosalyn’s discerning eye.

Vanessa cautiously raised her hand.

“Excuse me, do you sell accessories like fans or gloves as well?”

“Of course. We have a fair selection of accessories to match our garments.”

The shop owner led her toward a glass display case. Vanessa scanned the items on display with a meticulous eye. From fans and lace gloves to handkerchiefs, jeweled ornaments, and even antiques—as the owner had promised, the case was filled with a diverse array of fine goods.

The price tags were all dauntingly expensive. However, since this was to be both a coming-of-age and a graduation gift, she wanted to give them something proper. Opal necklaces, amethyst earrings, folding fans encrusted with tiny pearls, and luxurious bracelets…. Among them, a peridot brooch that resembled the color of Rosalyn’s eyes caught her attention.

Noticing her interest, the shop owner donned a pair of gloves and opened the display case.

“This brooch is made of olivine from Cologne. It was crafted from the same gemstone as this pair of cufflinks.”

The owner carefully lifted the brooch and the cufflinks. Under the glow of the gaslight, the luster of the gems was brilliantly radiant.

“The price is somewhat high, but these are high-quality pieces that could easily be put up at an auction in Linden. The clarity is excellent, the color is uniform, and the light reflection is quite marvelous.”

Her voice was subtle, and her hand movements as she tilted the jewelry to catch the light were practiced.

“The craftsmanship is also very delicate, as you can see. It is the work of a very famous artisan.”

“An artisan?”

“The name was Dessin, I believe. From Lille…. Would you like me to look into more details for you?”

“No, that’s fine. I’ll take this. And the cufflinks next to it as well.”

Having made her decision readily, Vanessa pulled out her wallet. It was a large sum of money she would never have dreamed of spending on herself, yet strangely, her heart felt at ease. When she thought of how happy Rosalyn and Blair would be to receive them, this much was nothing.

She could always save up money again. The only thing she needed money for immediately was university tuition, but university was an impossible goal for this year anyway, and her friends’ coming-of-age only happened once in a lifetime. The shop owner skillfully pinned the jewelry onto small velvet cushions.

“Will you be taking them with you now? We can arrange for secure delivery of valuables to your residence.”

Vanessa considered it for a moment before shaking her head. The shop owner had already heard the name ‘Vanessa.’ If she gave Gloucester Castle as the address, her identity would be exposed instantly. Moreover, she had no other place to leave them.

“I’ll take them now.”

“Then I shall have them wrapped for you.”

While an assistant tried different wrapping papers against the box, Vanessa carefully checked the certificate of authenticity the owner had produced.

River Ross had still not come downstairs. Her gaze, idly scanning the interior, landed on a white muslin dress hanging on a fitting hook. It was a design that bared the shoulders, as if intended for a midnight ball, and the deep green ribbon tied at the waist was exceptionally elegant.

“Would you like to try it on?”

The shop owner asked, noticing her gaze. Vanessa hesitated, then shook her head.

“No, thank you. My companion will be down soon.”

“The gentleman will likely take a bit longer.”

Perhaps because she had purchased the expensive brooch, the owner’s attitude had softened significantly.

“I think it would suit you perfectly…. Please, try it on and show me. Give me that skirt and the shirt with the torn button.”

“But…”

“To commemorate being our first customer today, I’ll mend it for free just this once.”

Before she knew it, Vanessa had the dress in her hands and was practically pushed into the dressing room by the owner. Since she was offering to fix the button and the skirt, it was an offer too good to refuse—though she wondered at the sudden kindness.

She hurriedly shed her blouse and skirt. She had just pulled the dress up to her waist over her undergarments when she heard footsteps descending the stairs. River Ross’s voice drifted faintly toward her and quickly grew closer.

“Vanessa. Are you in there?”

His familiar voice came from just beyond the curtain.

“River? Are you finished already?”

Checking the watch on her wrist, Vanessa scrambled to pick up the clothes she had cast aside.

“Wait a moment. I’ll be right out.”

“I heard you were trying on a dress. Take your time.”

“Just wait a second. Ah….”

In her flustered haste, she accidentally caught the ribbon of her corset. Since she had roughly tied it herself without help after their tryst, a slight tug was enough to loosen the laces, causing the gap that had been cinched from her chest to her hips to fly wide open.

In her frantic attempt to fix it, her elbow slammed hard against the wall with a thud. Vanessa swallowed a groan and leaned against the wall.

“Vanessa? What happened?”

“…Nothing. I just bumped into something. Just… give me a moment….”

“Are you undressed?”

“A little…. Not entirely….”

“I’m coming in.”

What? Before she could even blink in her shock, the curtain was pulled wide open. The light from the shop, previously blocked by the heavy fabric, flooded into the dressing room. The man stood framed by the light like a halo, his face cast in soft shadow.

“…….”

As her eyes adjusted to the light, she could finally see River Ross’s expression. His heavy gaze swept slowly over her from head to toe.

“Where did you hit yourself?”

“I’m fine, really.”

Heat rushed to the tips of her ears under his slow, scrutinizing gaze. Even though they had already shared their bodies several times…. Vanessa pressed the back of her hand to her burning cheek and looked past him.

The shop owner and the assistants had vanished. They had likely withdrawn discreetly. Or perhaps he had dismissed them all. He was a man who sometimes acted more arrogant than any nobleman, after all….

“My corset… it came loose….”

“Do I need to tighten these laces?”

“Yes.”

“Hold on.”

He gestured with his chin toward the support bar. Vanessa gathered her dress and turned her back to him, standing before the mirror. Everything was visible at a glance—her own figure, trembling slightly as she gripped the bar, and River Ross standing close behind her.

The rustle of fabric every time he moved seemed exceptionally loud. He wound the dangling corset strings once around each of his hands. As she took a sharp, tense breath, River slowly tightened the laces.

Contrary to her expectation of immediate pain as if her internal organs were being crushed, he stopped at a moderate point.

“…You can go a bit tighter.”

“I feel like your waist might snap before I finish tightening this.”

“It’s fine. You can go tighter than this. I’ve always worn it that way….”

He arched an eyebrow as if reluctant. He looked as though he couldn’t believe how women could move at all while being so constricted. This time, too, the pressure wasn’t very strong. Vanessa looked back at him as if coaxing him.

“Don’t be like that, River. A little more….”

He let out a laugh and leaned down. His breath fell upon her ear and her bared nape. The man, his eyes heavy with languor, curved his lips into a smirk.

“I’d like to hear those words in bed as well.”

Vanessa’s eyes widened in silent horror. Then, seeing her own reflection mirrored so vividly, she fell silent. It would have looked more modest to be completely naked.

Her heated breath fogged the mirror slightly before vanishing, over and over again. Vanessa squeezed her eyes shut. It was happening again. Now, such thoughts were occurring to her… regardless of the time or place….

“Vanessa.”

She reflexively looked up at the sound of her name. Through the mirror, her eyes met River Ross’s blue gaze. His face, looking as clean and innocent as a youth who knew nothing of desire, made her imagination feel all the more shameful.

Pulling the laces a bit tighter with his left hand, he caught her chin. Her back arched back into a rounded curve.

“Just what kind of lewd thoughts was my lady having, I wonder?”