Dammit!!!!!!
Fuck this shit!
Why?!
All of that and for nothing?!
Yeah I’m pissed.
Right now my floor was littered with round and crumpled sheets of paper! And it’s already night for fuck sake!
This is cringy as fuck!
I an who the fucks designs clothes like this? T-This looks awkward and impractical! Dammit!
Nothing has ever frustrated so. This sucks! Why can’t I design an outfit that doesn't incite this disgust within ? Dammit, creativity be damned.
I have been thinking and trying to draw since dayti — mostly spent thinking — but I have not accomplished anything decent. I just want to look good, elegant, badass, sothing charming while also good to wear in operations. But nooooooo, my dumbass can’t create anything good!
Grrrrrrrrr!
And I began working early for this, and I missed my training!
I threw a crumpled sheet again in the fit of irritation.
Fatigued, my head slamd on the desk — but of course not too strong since that would be unnecessary.
“Haaaaaaaah….”
I always have this trouble… when trying to be creative in the forms of art. I’m not really into drawing, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad. And this is why I never tried writing songs — well I tried once, but I didn’t get to finish one line…
Am I only good at killing after all?!
Maybe I should just give u— Uh ah, was that what you expected to hear? Well, no way!
This is n-nothing. Yeah. Yeah. I can co up with sothing. This was a small hurdle compared to music practice…
I had to stop for dinner, so I did while showing almost a blank face, holding in the swirling emotions within . My eldest brother tried talking to , but when I was put in a spot, I made my response brief. I’m also not being completely rude to him because, after all, he would be paying for my expenses tomorrow.
But I tried my best to avoid anything that has to do with Lucious, making my responses vague and sowhat. He’s the least of priority.
Skipping, and next daylight ca. Odd that I said ‘next daylight’, yes? Well, that’s because I barely slept at all!
I was woken up by the knockings from the door, but my eyelids felt so heavy. Dammit, even agents need decent sleeping ti… Well, this was my doing, but still… I want to sleep more.
Then knockings again.
But mom! I don’t want to go to school!
No, wait… it’s not Mother.
Anyway! It would be unbecoming of to let my sleepiness do in... Buuut, there’s nothing urgent going on. The tailor won’t co until later anyway. Since Lucious was not kind enough to tell what exact ti he would arrive, I had to ask my eldest brother when there was no one around, at the ti he tried talking to .
I tried getting up, only to deliberately fall back on the soft bed and pillow. Oh no, I’m getting lax.
I rubbed my cheek on the pillow for about a minute before opening the door. My three servants’ faces turned to shock when they saw .
“M-Milady, did sothing happen?”
For your information, I have already disposed of the trash before I went to sleep, like how I did last ti. So the shock they had now was not because of a ssy room. It’s because of yours truly.
You see, I am so perfect that one can easily notice what’s off with . Needless to say, it was my lack of proper sleep.
“No, nothing’s wrong. I just didn’t sleep well.”
I adorably smiled at the concerned ra, but that didn’t seem to put her at ease. In fact, everyone else still appeared worried, perhaps confused as to why I couldn’t get a decent sleep. Eh, it doesn't matter, I’ll look better after a fresh bath.
I ignored them and went ahead for a bath. Then after that, breakfast.
When that was done, my eldest brother spoke to privately that the tailor had already arrived — wow how early, way ahead of schedule. I was to et with the tailor first and Eleden would follow later since he had sothing to finish first. He assured that he would not take long.
Well, he has nothing else to do when the tailor’s asuring and so on anyway. So before going to et with the tailor, I returned to my room and sneaked a sheet of paper into the sleeve of my clothes.
When I arrived at the reception room, there were two people there, one was a young woman, and the other was a peculiar man, but familiar. The woman was soone I have never seen before, and she was young, so she must be new. She got the looks, average-length black hair, and a pair of amber eyes. Her civilian dress looked good on her, and quite fancy, working with a renowned designer seems to have its perks.
Then who would catch everyone’s eyes the most was the tall fancy looking man. His neck-length blonde hair combed sideways. His beautiful face wore a wide smile and a pair of green eyes. Then fair skin that suggested he worked mostly inside.
He looked quite eccentric due to his extravagant outfit, colored in fairly bright colors. His boots hid the edges of his trousers, and a long coat with a short cape on his right shoulder. His slender figure was further expressed through his straight posture.
He snapped his finger the mont he laid eyes on .
“Aaaaaah — O gorgeous princess, it is a great pleasure to finally et you again.”
He genuflected in a theatrical manner and lowered his head. His companion on the other hand was normal.
“It’s been a while, rvizo.”
rvizo Deyaren, the number one clothes designer and the finest tailor favored by every aristocrat all across the country.
“Yes, it is, your highness. The mont I received your summons, I couldn’t hold back my excitent.”
He genuinely looked excited. Now that I think about it, based on mory, he always looked excited when asuring … Guess I’m just so beautiful, hehe. This reminded of my girl cousin who always makes wear a variety of dresses.
“I see… Um, may I ask who your companion is?”
He nodded his head. “She’s my recently hired employee, an aspiring designer, Kali Eryliez.”
When she raised her head to look at after her introduction, her eyes widened as we made eye contact. She seed to freeze, like seriously, she gazed intently at . My crimson eyes and her amber eyes stared at each other.
I felt like she was in awe, but the intensity, and the silence, made think there was another emotion within her…
Maybe she fell in love already?
I’m kidding, but that could be it, or it could be sothing else.
“Kali.”
rvizo’s ntion of her na appeared to have brought her back, and she frantically lowered her head.
“I-It is a great pleasure to et you, your highness.”
“... The pleasure is all mine…”
“Kali pleaded with to let her co with today to et you, and so, as an aspiring designer, why not let her et the best model there is in the world.”
Hey, I’m not your doll… But not that I mind, just don’t get too annoying.
When I heard his flattering words, a blush ca to my cheeks.
“Why did you want to et , Kali…?” I asked her.
“E-Eh, u-um…” she stamred. “... I, I heard about you in the shop, how pretty you were and how wonderful the clothes they designed for you… And, they always said that you look great in everything… so I beca curious.”
Is that so?
“I see… and the stories… aren’t they exaggerated?”
“....Um…” she didn’t seem to know how to respond.
Well, she had never seen personally dress up, so she couldn’t say anything for certain.
“I vouch for the stories, your highness. Hehehe, I don’t believe they are an exaggeration at all.”
Such flattery, don’t spoil so much.
“Oh…um… I understand… Then can we proceed with our business?”
“Of course!”
He walked towards his small case and took out a tape asure, with Kali by his side seemingly unsure of what she should do. She should have nothing else to do since rvizo was always the one to asure — except for the rare occasion he’s with soone. Before this, he had brought a companion for only twice, but I think those two were the sa person. My mory’s hazy to recall. I didn’t particularly pay attention to faces.
“So, princess, what kind of dresses do you want? And for what purpose?”
He then proceeded to asure my body.
“You have gotten taller…” he comnted.
“Um, I want dresses for the upcoming Festival.”
“Ah, yes… You didn’t make such a request last ti.”
“Yes, but I need a few now.”
“I see. Hm, Kali, how about you take her highness’s asurents.”
“ — M-?!”
“Relax, co one. Keep your composure. How are you going to work with nobles otherwise?”
She rubbed her hands together, seemingly nervous about it. Understandable.
“Co now, this will be a good experience. Here.”
He put the tape in her hands without any intention of hearing her refusal. Pushed to a corner, she had no other choice but to walk towards . I extended both my hands and she positioned herself behind .
Her hands trembled a little.
She’s that nervous?
I could hear her shaking breath from behind .
“What purposes will the dresses have for the festival?” rvizo asked.
“Ah, yes. I want formal dresses for formal events. Then maybe a pair of casual clothes.”
“Casual?”
“Like for a casual walk around the festival.”
“I see.”
Kali was pretty gentle and careful as she took my asurents and then wrote the numbers on a sheet of paper.
Woah wait, is that? A pencil?
A shabby-looking pencil, but I knew it was a pencil — graphite okay? Graphite pencil! Dammit why don’t we have that? Hmmm, I can’t rember it being used in the past by the tailors, mory too hazy… I didn’t pay too much attention to small details! Why do we only have quills in this place anyway? Was it because we’re too luxurious for re graphite?
“S-Should I put a few extra values on the asurents?” She asked rvizo.
“Just a couple of centiters I believe will do. I trust your physique won’t change drastically these few months, princess?”
Like getting fat? Belly getting loose? As if I’ll allow that, I work out often you know.
“Of course.”
He nodded his head, satisfied by my answer.
It took a while for the asurents to be completely finished. The mont it finished, I turned to Vernon.
“Vernon, brother’s taking a while. Would you be so kind as to call him?”
“Certainly.”
With that, he left. Finally…
“rvizo.”
“Princess?”
I approached him and presented a folded paper, it was my design. I pulled it from my sleeve without anyone noticing, doing it while I was talking to Vernon, a trivial misdirection.
In another scenario, I might have to forcible speak privately with rvizo and give him this.
“This is…?”
When he unfolded the paper, his eyes widened.
“I would like you to make this outfit.”
Honestly, that took a vast amount of ti. Since I was having a hard ti coming up with a cool and pretty design, I opted to have it a bit simple, but I think I’ll still look good. The important thing was functionality really.
“You designed this?”
“Why? Is it terrible?”
He glanced at then back to my drawing.
“Not exactly, not that extravagant, but this is mostly what one would expect for this kind of outfit.”
“If you find it lacking, you’re free to give it improvents design-wise.”
“Of course… But, you drew this yourself?”
He glanced at the two servants remaining. ra and Rogan also looked surprised, too bad they won’t be seeing it.
“And the detail of this illustration, and you even drew your face. Amazing!”
Kali took a peek from behind him, and she also looked amazed by it. Well, they didn’t expect to make sothing like this.
“I never would have expected you to have a talent for designing and drawing, princess. Training would bring vast improvents to your skills.”
rvizo said to with a wide smile.
“That’s not important right now. Please finish them with the ones to be brought to this festival. And is there any stretchable fabric?”
“... Yes there is.”
“Splendid! Then use it for that.”
“As you wish…”
“Then lastly, keep it a secret from anyone.” I looked at everyone in the room. From rvizo, Kali, to Rogan and ra. “Please.”
I smiled at rvizo and Kali.
“If that is your request, we will do so.”
He must have realized the bit of sternness in my voice, so he bowed his head, and Kali followed after him.
“Needless to say, my family, including my brother, has no need to learn of this.”
rvizo chuckled.
“I believe they won’t ask for any specifics anyway. So I suppose we have no need to worry.”
My parents didn’t know about this anyway. Color impressed that Eleden managed to keep this a secret within the palace — maybe also because my parents were busy, and Estevan was focused on his knightly duties. But I imagine they’ll discover this sooner or later, and mother’s gonna be bugging how I didn’t invite her or sothing.
“Thank you, rvizo.”
“Anyti, princess.”
Well, not like they can defy my request slash order. It may sound like a request, but when spoken to a commoner, you might as well consider it as an order. Famous and wealthy rvizo was, in the end, he was still a commoner. He couldn’t just defy the “request” from the princess of the kingdom.
“But if I may ask, princess. For what purpose is this outfit?”
“Hm? I just want to try sothing new, and that type of outfit is interesting to try out.”
“Is that so? In that case, next ti I co back, I can offer a few dresses and outfits for you to try.”
“N-No need, isn’t that too much trouble for you?”
He held out his finger and swayed it side to side.
“Nope. They’re actually dresses I made in my spare ti, and it just so happened that a few can fit you. If they look good, I’ll even give them to you as gifts!”
“R-Really?”
“Yes, your highness. Consider it as my thanks for years of patronage.”
“... If you say so… Thank you.”
Of course, I’m not against it. Why? I can have exquisite dresses that can make anyone fall in love, for free at that! I’m already perfect, but I can still further that perfection.
A short while later, Vernon had returned with my brother, and another one with him, naly Lucious.
When he made eye contact with , I averted my eyes away with a little blush. But as pale as I was, it was too blatant — aaaah, the drawbacks of my peerless beauty.
I stole a glance at Lucious for a second and oh boy, he looked pitiful — let’s leave it at that.
“So, Estelia, is everything done?” Eleden asked.
I ekly nodded at him.
“Hm… then…”
The tailor then discussed the down paynt with my brother — well not that amount mattered that much. We have the people’s tax money hehehe. Thankfully the tailor didn’t ntion my special request. It was a gamble, but there was no other way — I can’t sew my own clothes after all.
So, as they discussed, all I could do was behave by a corner. Need to ntion that Lucious was looking so frequently at as though he wanted to approach . I have been thinking about his offer though, but I still have no definite answer — it might complicate things for …
Things finished when my brother gave the tailor a pouch that I imagine filled with gold coins.
“Then I shall take my leave, thank you for the ti, prince, and princess.”
rvizo bowed extravagantly followed by a formal one from Kali.
“I look forward to your return.”
I said sweetly to them. After that, they made their way outside. But right at the door, Kali looked back for a second, looking at , before continuing onward.
You know, so people were just weird.
“So, is there anything else you need, my sister?”
“No, that will be all. I’m sorry for the trouble, and thank you.”
“No problem.” He smiled. “Ah yes, I have sothing to talk to you about. Can we have everyone leave the room for a mont?”
The others looked at each other before leaving the room, my servants were reluctant at first, but in the end followed my brother’s request.
“Brother?”
“Let us sit down.”
We sat down on the couches facing each other.
“Will you openly talk to , my sister?”
Ah I see, let guess, this will be about Lucious. And now that I had my request fulfilled, he believed that I would be considerate enough to be open in this discussion. Well, I suppose that’s alright.
“... Alright.”
He smiled softly.
“Bear with , okay?” After seeing nod, he continued. “What do you think about Lucious?”
See? They really were endorsing him to .
“What do you an…?”
I looked down and pulled strands of hair to the back of my ear with a finger.
“I have been asking you why you are avoiding Lucious, but you never gave a proper response.”
“...”
“Do you not like him?”
“ — It’s not like t-that.”
Co on, that question can go both ways!
“Is that so? In that case, back to my first question, what do you think about him?”
Annoying, noisy, botherso, always disturbing my quiet tis with his shenanigans. Though that was when we were younger.
“I… I think he’s… a good person…”
“What else?”
Dammit, this feels like a therapy session. I hate this kind of thing. Back in the organization, they often send us this fucking therapists, I’m not crazy! What uses were they? If they wanna settle our ntal health, leaving alone for so alone ti would have been the best.
And they were too nosy, even asking questions about my private tis, aning my hobbies, my thoughts about things bla bla bla… Though I have noticed they always go to evaluate deeper than my teammates. I’m sure the Professor requested that… How annoying.
“.... Um… I don’t know what else…”
“I see… But I’m curious, why are you avoiding him? Please answer this, my sister.”
I understand where this was going, he’s trying to figure out if there would be any chance.
I rubbed my hands together.
“... It’s… It’s because…” I squinted my eyes as I lowered my gaze. “He s-said so weird things… About going out to the festival and such and…. And…”
My blush intensified.
“Are you embarrassed?”
“...”
For so reason, seeing I was unable to respond, he smiled.
“Why do you think Lucious said those to you?”
“...”
“It’s alright, no need to force yourself to answer… That aside, do you like soone, my sister?”
“!”
My eyes widened at his daring question. ? The princess of the kingdom, liking soone? Impossible. But, if that were the case, that man must be so lucky.
“... I like everyone.”
“I ant, like, as in liking soone very much, so much. So much more.”
I like myself very much.
“... N-No.”
“What about Rogan?”
“What does Sir Rogan have to do with this?”
“He was assigned as your knight, so, I suspect you recomnded him.”
“That’s… Not exactly…”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Not exactly? Can you elaborate?”
Long story, so no way. Not that I have any intention of explaining that circumstance. I assu it was supposed to be a secret between and my father, nor did I have any intention of sharing the story.
“I can’t…”
“Why?”
Damn Eleden, why you pushing this much? This was pretty surprising, to be honest. Have rcy on your sister.
“Can’t say.”
“... Okay, I understand. So… you don’t like anyone in a special way…?”
His voice trailed off at the end there, he sounded almost hesitant to ask that.
“Why are you asking such a question, brother? I like everyone in their own special way.”
I ekly said.
“Very well. I’m sorry I asked you these questions.”
He stood up and patted on the head.
“Lucious has been so troubled lately. Please try talking to him, okay?”
I gave no answer, hesitation evident on my face.
I would have enjoyed letting him agonize for a bit more — but I guess that’s enough.
Of course my brother didn’t press for a reply whether I would really do it or not. But he had expectations, so in exchange for his kindness, I’ll do what he asked.
When we made it outside the room, I instantly hid behind Eleden and grabbed the back of his shirt with my fingers. Behind his shoulder, I raised my head to look at Lucious.
“L-Lucious… I…”
I stamred around and failed to make a sentence, but before I could continue, my brother moved aside.
“Estelia, don’t hide behind when talking, okay?” he kindly smiled as I was left exposed.
My eyes begged at him but to no avail. How shrewd, brother!
I gripped my skirt after my last form of comfort forsaken .
“Hello, Estelia…”
He smiled wryly, looking to be shy.
“Hi… Um, I apologize for… suddenly leaving you last… ti.”
“That’s alright… That was understandable.”
“...”
There was an awkward silence.
Dammit, this should be held in private, and not in the eyes where others were.
I’m not talking no more. As I said last ti, I won’t be helping this guy anymore.
But enough, I have other things to do, so I’m leaving. I have fulfilled my end of the bargain — brother didn’t say to make a conversation anyway. Just talk, he said.
“T-Then, you two must be busy, so I’ll be leaving… Excuse .”
I walked past him, then behind , I heard my brother sigh.
“You’re an idiot.”
I heard him, he must have said that to Lucious.
Yeah, he’s an idiot…
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