Chapter 50
This brat's Lady Rohanson fanaticism shows no signs of improving. He's perfectly fine normally, but whenever Lady Rohanson's involved, he turns into this. That's why I tried to leave Michel behind….
"Just move the luggage and head back with the others. Your role's done once you bring Misha."
"If I've been of help to Lady Rohanson, that's satisfaction enough. Sis, please make the finest debutante dress befitting Lady Rohanson. You're the only one in the world who can create garments worthy of her."
Who the hell is he praising, anyway?
"Michel…."
Raphaella subtly gauged the mood.
Only two weeks remained until Evangeline's debutante, and few had the skill to produce a dress in that time. Given the tight schedule, Artemisia wouldn't have taken the commission if not for her brother.
Artemisia must be even more shocked, not expecting her brother to end up like this. The punk had inflicted three shocks on his sister: once from being enthralled by Donau's painting, once from throwing himself into the burning one, and now as Evangeline Rohanson's fanatic.
Artemisia dabbed her tears with a handkerchief.
"You've fallen into such a vicious love…."
What? Raphaella rubbed her ears, wondering if she'd misheard.
"Of all people, to fall for Lady Rohanson amid all the wild rumors…."
Raphaella left the two lost in their own world and quietly went to the carriage to move the luggage. She should've done this from the start. Uriel sidled up to Raphaella, now an ant hauling loads.
"Sir Raphaella, I have a question."
"What?"
"With the commander as the rival, does Sir Michel stand a chance? Romantically speaking."
Seraph nearby had his eyes sparkling with curiosity too. Raphaella gave up answering. She just wanted to get back to the commander. Commander, our knights' order is doomed.
"Seriously, you lot just move the luggage and go."
"Yes? Understood."
At least they obeyed orders impeccably.
***
Whoa… is all that fabric? Watching people haul the luggage left me in awe. The fitting room had been gradually filling up, and now it was practically a full wardrobe.
For a villainess, Evangeline lacked vanity, so she had very few wearable outfits. Plus, without a social debut, she had nothing suitable for a ball.
With just two weeks left, custom dressmaking was too late; she'd planned to grab off-the-rack, but Gabriel had rented out an entire atelier.
Literally. From the designer to exclusive cutters, seamstresses, and fabrics—everything was being moved to Rohanson Mansion.
She could've visited the atelier, but with time short for constant fittings and alterations, cohabitating was faster. Guest rooms were provided for lodging and meals.
"Sorry for the hassle."
Gabriel apologized, checking my reaction. It really hit home that he was the male lead. Right… romanta-sy male leads solve everything with money since that's all they have, buying manpower as routine.
But Evangeline's loaded too? Flaunting wealth in front of me! Unknowingly, rivalry flared with Gabriel, but I deep-breathed to calm down. Saving money's good anyway.
"How have you been, Lady Rohanson?"
His social insider deputy joined today to actively support Gabriel's romance. Raphaella greeted me like an old friend of five years. Wasn't just me feeling drained—Daisy nearby looked repulsed too.
Huh? Who's that behind? Someone trembled behind Raphaella.
"Ah, and this is the one making your dress, my lady."
Before I could ask, Raphaella shoved the hider forward.
Aha. Gabriel's money-bought designer… She clearly didn't want to come but was dragged by an irresistible sum. Worried she'd flee in tears like the tutors.
"Her name is Artemisi…."
"I-I-I can't work with human skin!"
Raphaella tried finishing the intro, but Artem-whatever shrieked, cutting her off.
What did she say?
"Pardon?"
Question marks floated over heads at the bellow. The fitting room fell silent instantly.
"These crazy siblings are driving me insane…."
Raphaella facepalmed with a tongue click.
Me too—I'm going insane. What skin? Must've misheard from lack of sleep, or translation glitch.
How far has Evangeline's notoriety upgraded? Never heard of a romanta-sy villainess wearing human skin clothes. Even in a grim world, there's a line, right? Nauseating just imagining.
"What did you just say?"
"Eep, sorry! My mistake! Just don't kill me."
Just confirming if I'd heard right, asking her to repeat—now she bowed, begging for life.
"…Why would I kill you?"
No, I'm too nice for a villainess—everyone knows I'm possessed—yet why no change in public infamy? It's worsening?
"You're brought by Sir Gabriel."
Didn't he explain? Gabriel, what'd you do without prepping?
Well, what to expect from a taciturn male lead. No misfires from miscommunication's a win. This is Raphaella's fault for not explaining.
Raphaella, realizing her error, hurriedly clarified.
"My lady doesn't kill just anyone."
Not just anyone means she kills some? No, she doesn't kill period?
This won't do. Leaving it to Raphaella might spawn rumors I pick and choose victims. Better clarify myself.
"I don't know the rumors swirling about me, but ignore malicious gossip. Judge what you see. How am I in person?"
"Beautiful…."
Brushing back her disheveled hair from bowing to show kindness, Arte-whatever murmured entranced.
As expected! My romanta-sy experience doesn't fail. My eloquence shines today.
Or Evangeline's face carried. Romanta-sy always has a designer yelling 'You're my muse!'—spot on character.
"Sorry for the misunderstanding! I'm Artemisia Schmitiana. Michel's sister."
"Evangeline Rohanson."
Her name's long. No way memorizing full. But Michel?
"You're the benefactor who saved Michel, so sorry for alarming you based on rumors."
Ah, saved him—right, the super polite melon-haired knight. Siblings both chatty and bubbly—identical.
"What stories did you hear?"
"Well…."
"Speak freely; I won't scold."
Urged her hesitant self to spill.
Curious if my good deeds had zero effect—want details fast. Eyes scanning, Artemisia spoke.
"Um… rumors say the real Lady Rohanson died, and the count fetched a body double. But seeing you, that's nonsense! You're so dignified; maids wouldn't serve sincerely if a double."
What? Spot-on minus possession. Might get outed as possessor soon. Sorry, but my kids like me knowing I'm possessed….
"And they say meeting you steals souls. Even noble knights enchanted—but clearly everyone's smitten by your beauty!"
Classic villainess route. Knight means Gabriel? They think his crush is my ploy.
"And Lady Evangeline buys children."
Just reclaiming Daisy's siblings. They're the traffickers—why pin it on me!
"All sorts of theories on why buy kids…."
Among guesses, human skin stuck most impactfully. Hence her words? Shockingly memorable.
"But all baseless rumors!"
"Hm…."
Her bright declaration drew my unwitting hum.
What now? Mostly true? Distorted weirdly, but fact-based.
"I thought rumors too… but seeing you, just a bit—very slightly scary, so…."
So core issue: Evangeline's pretty but terrifying face.
"I'll ensure no more malicious talk spreads! I'll support fully for your perfect debutante with Sir Gabriel. The finest debutante dress."
Artemisia eyed me shiningly. Fear moments ago seemed lie. Admit truth, scare her again?
"Rough's fine."
"But my lady, clothes are your introduction. Even beauties get scorned in ill-fitting attire."
Is that so?
"Then how's what I'm wearing now?"
