Chapter 37
“D-Daring to beg you, Y-Your Majesty, D-Duchess. I’ve heard the finest materials are arriving soon from across the West Sea. Please let me make your gown with them.”
Inspiration flooded my mind like mad.
As a creator, I had to seize this.
My life’s masterpiece— it would be born!
‘……He’s kneeling for that?’
Charlize, who had flown in from her previous life in modern society, couldn’t understand it.
Did he really need to kneel to say something like that? Wouldn’t Charlize have enjoyed a bit of flattery?
Of course, Charlize had no idea that the terror from what had happened in this room before was etched deep into the bones of the maids, designers, and assistants alike.
“Permission granted.”
Roxidian, who had been watching silently, gave his approval.
Color bloomed across Designer Rona’s face, while Charlize simply tilted her head.
Rona was overcome with emotion at this once-in-a-lifetime chance to capture his divine inspiration.
He vowed eternal loyalty to the emperor.
Roxidian grasped his chin and slowly tilted his head.
‘She looks just like Mother.’
Their late mother—the Late Empress, who had been the Altzveit Duke’s daughter—was renowned as the empire’s greatest beauty back when she was alive, just like Charlize now.
“No one as beautiful as your mother will appear again for the next thousand years.”
Even their gruff father had spouted such sappy nonsense in front of their mother.
However, while their mother had slightly drooping eyes, Charlize took after their father and had the exact same sharp eye corners as him.
As Roxidian gazed at her, memories of their late mother surfaced.
‘Of course, there’s no comparing it to the clothes made by some Altzveit designer.’
Roxidian held the firm belief that even his foolish little sister couldn’t be allowed to wear cheap rags.
If his aide Noah had known his thoughts, he would have explained that the Altzveit family would never let Charlize wear anything cheap—but Roxidian hadn’t considered that far.
Roxidian flashed a crooked smile.
“Wow, clothes really are wings.”
“…….”
“Suits you. You look less unsightly?”
Charlize, who had been intently studying her reflection, shot her brother a glare through the mirror.
That jerk’s tapping his foot like he’s got all the time in the world, she thought.
Roxidian could read exactly what Charlize was thinking.
She’s probably cursing me out.
“The imperial designer’s excellent, isn’t he? Nothing like Altzveit could ever compare.”
“……Then why are your clothes like that when you have such an excellent designer?”
If you only wear clothes made by the imperial designer, then why do they look like that?
Roxidian bristled at Charlize’s retort. No—he was utterly dumbfounded.
“Hah, who else in the empire has my sense of style? Sis, even if your eyes are just for show, look properly, huh?”
“There is.”
Charlize tilted her head.
Her expression was haughty yet serene.
“Duke Remute.”
“Huh?”
“Style-wise alone, he’s the best in the empire—even without using a single luxury material.”
“…….”
Roxidian shot to his feet, fuming.
“You dare compare that beanpole to me right now?”
“When did I compare you? I’m just saying there’s someone else who looks that good to me.”
Charlize frowned slightly, cocking her head as if wondering what the big deal was.
“I didn’t say you’re ugly. Why are you getting so worked up?”
“You’re defending that guy right in front of me?”
“……No, when did I ever—?”
Charlize felt deeply wronged.
* * *
‘Why is he acting like this?’
I was utterly baffled.
All I did was answer his question about whether anyone else had a good sense of style—and now he was accelerating into overdrive on his own.
What, was I supposed to say something like, ‘Oh, no one’s as great as you, the best tyrant, the pinnacle of madness! Thrilling! You’re the best!’?
I had no idea what about my fiancé rubbed him the wrong way so badly.
At least admit there are other handsome men in the world besides you.
I started to say something but clamped my mouth shut.
‘Oh god.’
I had seen flecks of gold shimmering in Roxidian’s eyes.
Wait, hold on! Does that piss him off so much that he’s on the verge of rampaging?
‘Wow, narcissist much? He must really love himself.’
I frowned slightly and brought my hand to the necklace.
I was wearing the blue diamond necklace, but I hadn’t taken off the one from Charlize’s mother.
Of course not—it was her most precious treasure, practically her lifeline.
……If I forgot it, this tyrant of a brother might just kill me.
As if reading my intent, the tyrant snapped out of it.
Thank goodness—I wouldn’t have to use the necklace in front of all these people, or see him humiliated like that.
I had no desire to witness him raging over his own embarrassment.
‘Honestly, I’d prefer if no one knew about this ability of mine.’
Roxidian swept his hair back.
His face was still full of displeasure, but it looked like he wouldn’t erupt further.
“Anyway, make sure you wear it properly to the banquet.”
“Oh, what about the necklace?”
“What?”
“This one.”
“…….”
The tyrant gave me a look like, why are you even asking about that?
Oh, so it’s mine?
A grudging command to take the necklace too soon followed, and I felt a little spark of excitement.
It seemed Charlize’s memories and knowledge were influencing me just a bit.
Feeling happy about getting something she wanted.
‘Well, since it’s been given to me, I could always sell it later?’
It felt like I’d received a notification: Charlize, you’ve acquired an asset. Gift received.
Grandfather’s gifts would be easy to track or monitor.
Having something like this wasn’t a bad thing.
……Maybe after the banquet, I could sell it and chip away at my fiancé’s debts?
Wouldn’t he like that?
“Hey, are you listening?”
“Huh?”
“Sigh, you can’t even focus.”
I gave an awkward smile and took my hand off the necklace.
“What did you say?”
“On the day of the Goddess’s Blessing Banquet, I’ll come pick you up myself, so wear that properly.”
“……Huh?”
I froze. What did he say?
‘Picking me up means he’ll be my escort for the banquet?’
What was an escort?
The partner’s role at a banquet—they had to stick together until the end.
In other words, I’d be stuck with him the entire banquet!
“No.”
The word slipped out the instant the thought crossed my mind.
Oops.
“What?”
“No, I don’t want to. Why would you escort me? Have you forgotten? I have a perfectly fine fiancé.”
“Oh, that beanpole who doesn’t give a damn what happens to you?”
“…….”
Yeah, couldn’t argue with that.
I was speechless in the face of my brother’s brutal fact-bomb.
Seriously. My fiancé probably wouldn’t bat an eye if I got run over by a carriage right now.
He might even think, ‘Finally gone,’ and feel relieved.
“No comeback, huh?”
But that was one thing.
I didn’t want to see that smug grin on his face.
The more I frowned, the happier he looked, and it made my blood boil. That jerk?
“On second thought, that guy doesn’t even have proper clothes for a banquet. And I’ve specially ordered stricter dress checks that day. For a banquet of proper dignity, you see. So…….”
My brother crossed his arms with smug confidence.
Ugh, I hate looking at him. He’s handsome, but I hate it!
“That beanpole won’t set foot in the banquet hall.”
With a final sly chuckle, the tyrant turned and walked away.
I scowled fiercely after him—then froze.
“…….”
My eyes met Noah’s as he stood there blankly.
Had he been making that face the whole time? It was a dazed, hazy expression.
Only when our gazes locked did he seem to snap partially out of it.
With his sea-blue hair, the man who always had that cynical, scholarly air—seeing him like this startled me so much that my anger ebbed away without realizing it.
‘Why’s he acting like that?’
Roxidian seemed to notice his aide’s state too.
He clicked his tongue low, then grabbed Noah by the scruff of the neck.
“What are you doing, aide? Follow me.”
“Ah…… Understood, Your Majesty? I-I can walk on my own feet.”
“Shut it.”
The tyrant dragged Noah out by the scruff like a sack.
Even his loyal aide gets treated like that? I tsked inwardly.
And he still likes the tyrant?
Whatever Noah’s reason, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.
Once the tyrant had vacated the dressing room, a brief silence fell.
I looked around and let out a deep sigh.
‘Tyrant brother and Grandfather—they’re both desperate to devour my fiancé.’
At this point, I could well understand why my fiancé acted like a fragile little kitten, pretending to be in pain at the slightest breeze.
How many people must have tried to manipulate him using his little sister as a tool up until now?
Of course, sorry for being a hypocrite, but I hoped he’d treat me a little differently.
“And we’ll announce your marriage date with Duke Remute at this imperial banquet, so keep that in mind.”
“Behave demurely and win that man’s heart for once. Captivate him with your beauty or something. Tsk, how long do you plan to chase after him so pathetically?”
Grandfather’s words flashed through my mind.
And then the tyrant’s uncharacteristically petty fussing just now over whether my fiancé might show up at the banquet.
It was a situation that naturally drew a sigh from me.