Chapter 32
Chapter 32.
Amidst the Marquis Aratus and his wife's guest room bustling with staff carrying various fabrics, booklets, lace, and ribbons, an employee from the dress shop passing by another guest room, where only occasional sounds of presence were heard, was called to a halt.
"You there. Come here."
"You called, Madam."
As the employee entered, a close maid, signaled by the Madam, stepped forward to ask.
"I heard that the Marchioness Aratus is here. May I ask if you could bring the fabrics and designs she chose?"
The employee lowered his head with a troubled expression.
"As you know, Madam, most of the fabrics the Marchioness chose are limited in quantity. And the designs are all managed by Madame herself."
"Then even a hint of which fabrics she chose would be fine. Also, please let me know if there are any additional patterns, ribbons, or lace the Marchioness has added. That much should be possible, right?"
The maid subtly offered a small pouch, about the size of a baby's fist. The employee's face brightened.
"Of course. I'll go find out right away."
Secretly and quietly, the same phenomenon was occurring in other guest rooms. It was an entirely natural occurrence.
Whatever Agatha Nobilis chose always swept across the entire Empire.
Madame Challet's dress shop became one of the foremost in the capital precisely because trends spread from here.
With the backing of Agatha Nobilis, Madame Challet exerted influence in high society by informing nobles in advance about the fabrics that would be in vogue that year and selectively releasing designs through her employees.
If Iris Domunia, Agatha's closest confidante and friend, was sensitive to news targeting high-ranking nobles.
Then Madame Challet, another confidante, was a source of information encompassing high society as a whole.
Agatha, along with Enoch, ascended the platform to fit the completed designs for her formal wear.
The dress was made from the fine, white fabric chosen moments ago, decided upon in a straight-line bodice with a slightly plunging neckline.
While the exposure was daring, it was designed to wrap around the neck like a choker, with fabric connected to the neckline covering the middle of the arms; lace was planned for these sections and the bust line.
The hem of the skirt was gathered generously, falling in a wave-like bell shape.
"How is it, Enoch?"
Agatha, turning this way and that in front of the mirror, looked up at Enoch.
"......"
The man, who seemed momentarily speechless, slowly nodded.
"It suits you even better than I imagined."
"You too."
Enoch made a cravat from the white fabric chosen earlier.
For the suit, a subtle pattern from the dress was planned to be faintly incorporated, which would surely look like a matching set and suit him well when completed.
'It was a good decision to come choose them together.'
Agatha's eyes curved gracefully. Madame and the dress shop employees were showering them with compliments.
"Oh my. You both wear clothes so well. At this year's Imperial Ball, not only Madame Agatha but also the suit the Marquis is wearing now will surely set a trend!"
"Thank you, Madame. Now, all that's left is to choose jewelry and shoes to match."
Enoch gazed at Agatha's reflection in the mirror, then leaned his head close to her ear.
"What about a shawl or a cape over it?"
"Hmm, a cape wouldn't suit this dress. A shawl..."
Would it suit?
As Agatha paused, he whispered again in her ear.
"It will be cold."
"...It's summer?"
"It's night."
Of course, the Imperial Ball would be held at the end of summer, but the interior was unlikely to be cold.
"It will be fine. I'll just stay inside."
"...I can't help it then."
Enoch murmured softly, kissed the back of Agatha's hand, and ordered the jewelers, artisans, and leather craftsmen to be brought in.
Madame, whose eyes had been sparkling subtly for a while, brought in and introduced the jeweler and craftsmen.
"My boutique is connected with renowned artisans in the capital. My Lord, whatever jewels and designs you choose, they will suit Madame and yourself wonderfully."
Enoch nodded lightly and led Agatha to a sofa, seating her.
"Madame, do you have any jewelry you like?"
Agatha examined the boxes filled with the finest jewels spread out by the merchant.
'It would be good if it matched my wedding ring...'
The blue diamonds and sapphires caught her eye.
"This is pretty. I think it would be nice as a headpiece."
"Anything else? More?"
"I want a new fan with lace trim..."
"You'll need jewels for the fan."
After calling for a tanner to make shoes and selecting items for Enoch's brooches and buttons, time flew by.
When Marquis Aratus and his wife returned to their newlywed residence in the capital after finishing dinner.
A messenger from the Imperial Palace was waiting for Agatha. An envoy dispatched from the Ministry of Civil Affairs respectfully presented a scroll containing an Imperial decree.
"Marchioness Aratus. His Majesty is looking for you."
It was an order to enter the palace.
Finally, the leave granted for their honeymoon had ended.
Until now, it had been postponed due to internal family matters and accompanying unofficial negotiations related to the marriage, but starting today, Enoch was also required to attend court meetings.
After breakfast, Agatha followed him to see him off to the morning audience, but Enoch suddenly stopped.
"Did you say the audience is at noon?"
"Yes."
That would be around the time the morning audience concluded. After a moment's thought, he gripped his horse's reins and stopped again.
"Shall I come to pick you up around the end of the audience? I was thinking we could have lunch together."
Agatha, whose eyes widened for a moment, then smiled brightly and nodded.
"That sounds wonderful. I'll send you a message when it's over. Will you be at the Aratus residence then?"
"No. I will be at the Imperial Palace. I have business with the military, so please contact me there."
"Yes, I will."
Why were the days so happy lately?
Agatha smiled and watched him ride away. His adjutant, Ched, his aide, John, and Aratus's knights followed behind.
It was just past 8 AM.
"Let's begin."
"Yes, Madam."
Left alone, Agatha leisurely prepared to enter the palace with her close maids.
As it was an official audience, she chose a dress that was splendid yet elegant and dignified.
It was a summer dress made of fabric densely embroidered with delicate patterns, with sleeves that fluttered near the elbows.
A slightly deeper makeup revealed her neat yet distinct features.
Her plump, red lips, elegant eyes, a waist sash adorned with platinum thread, and a circlet with large emeralds and dozens of small diamonds.
"Madam. Please open your eyes."
On the sofa, surrounded by mirrors on three sides, sat an elegant and radiant lady. Agatha nodded with satisfaction.
"Do you like it?"
"Yes. It's beautiful. Thank you for your hard work."
Agatha lightly praised the maids and rose from her seat. It was just past 10 o'clock, the perfect time to depart for the Imperial Palace.
Her loosely flowing hair mingled with the jewel strands of the circlet, swaying gently.
Her escort for today was Aratus's First Commander, Leon Takran.
"You're here, Madam. The carriage safety check is complete."
The knight with a gentle demeanor escorted her to the carriage.
"Thank you, Sir Leon. Please take good care of me on the way to the palace."
The carriage passed through familiar streets and soon reached the Imperial Palace, located in the heart of the inner city.
The Imperial Palace, visited after a long time, had been beautifully transformed with cobalt blue banners, platinum thread, and white ivory arches.
The carriage soon arrived at the Emperor's Palace. As always, the Emperor's Head Steward was waiting at the palace gate.
"Welcome, Marchioness Aratus. His Majesty is waiting."
The morning audience must have already concluded.
Agatha, elegantly escorted by Sir Leon, alighted from the carriage and asked.
"Where is the location?"
"The First Audience Chamber."
"Let's go."
It had been a while since she last headed to the First Audience Chamber. Upon arriving quickly, Agatha tilted her chin and adjusted her attire.
"Your Majesty. Marchioness Aratus has arrived."
"Let her in."
Releasing Sir Leon's hand, she entered and whispered softly.
"Thank you for your service."
"Not at all. I will wait here."
Agatha quietly composed her expression and stepped forward gracefully.
At the end of the red carpet, the Emperor, seated in the center of the vast audience chamber, looked down at her.
"I greet the Sun of the Empire."
"Welcome, Agatha. Please sit here."
The door behind her closed with a click. The Emperor gestured to the sofa and table prepared one step below.
As Agatha sat, refreshments were soon served.
Slightly sweet tea and cold desserts, perfectly suited to her taste.
The first to speak was the Emperor, Warmilai II.
"I heard the news. The second prince of the Mainyucore Empire behaved disgracefully towards you."
Unlike the dignified and welcoming reception at first, the Emperor's expression appeared troubled.
It was understandable.
Neither the Emperor of the Mainyucore Empire nor the Emperor of the Roxbard Empire could have imagined that a prince would barge into Agatha's chambers without permission.
They likely wished to create the impression that the past friction with the Nobilis Family had been resolved and relations between the two empires were restored.
The problem was that even if much was received and the incident was overlooked, what Agatha experienced did not disappear.
The same was true for the Aratus household.
