I Raised Cinderella Preciously

Chapter 9

2. Mrs. Barnes and Mildred -4

Yes, Daniel nodded. He rubbed his chin and said,

"I promised to pay for your treatment and your dress. I suppose I'll take a dressmaker as well. When will it be all right?"

People say he is good at business and I think I know why. He was speaking to me as if it were natural, as if he didn’t think I would refuse.

I hesitated for a moment to say no and then came to my senses. Why refuse in the first place?

It's not about this guy, but it's about his life, right? This brunette. Iris and I don't resemble each other, I don't look like her even though we have a mother-daughter relationship.

Maybe it's different if your mom is different, or if your dad is different.

I reckoned Daniel was trying to make up for his brother's mistake. Then, of course, that is worthy.

"Anytime is fine."

***

"Lily! Should I discard this paper?"

The next afternoon, I was cleaning up the drawing room and shouted. The paper Lily had been writing last night was flying around the base of the drawing-room.

What did she draw? I raised my eyebrows and Lily ran into the drawing-room.

"No!"

"I told you not to run in the hallway."

Lily’s face burned in my scolding. She came over to me and grabbed the paper.

"You can't throw it away."

"I won't throw it away even if you run, which, of course, should not be done in the hallway."

I let go of the paper by saying so. What is this about? I looked at her with curiosity and saw a princess.

Huh? Princess?

It's not surprising that girls paint princesses. I drew a princess when I was young. It's because I was still so young back then that I couldn't believe it.

Lily has already come to an age that does not draw princesses. I asked in bewilderment.

"What's that, what's that about?"

Surprisingly, Lily's face turned red. Why are you shy? I asked with a bit of force.

"Did you paint that?"

"No!"

She sounded surprised, and she screamed, without knowing it. Huh. I winced with surprise. Adolescence? Late puberty?

"Oh, no, it's just."

Fortunately, Lily's face also showed a sense of embarrassment. She hesitated and said, showing me the paper.

"We're discussing what dress to make with Dabina."

That's right. A few days ago, Dabina came and got the children's sizes. And she talked about what design she was going to make.

She brought her own Design book, which was quite heavy, and I was surprised that it was just a collection of designs for the debut.

"Ms. Dabina told me to tell her if there's a dress I want, but I think it's better to draw it than to say it."

Lily said so and stuck out another paper. You drew it yourself? I looked at the paper she gave me and looked at Lily in amazement.

You drew it well.

Very well painted. This is the Dress Lily wants to wear.

"Good drawing."

I spoke lightly as I handed over the paper. Then something amazing happened.

A look of as if she had been struck in the face formed on Lily's. What is it? Did I say something I shouldn't have? Is painting well in this world a curse?

I searched Mildred's memory in amazement. Shouldn't you tell someone if they did a good job?

"Well, do you really think so?"

When Lily's trembling voice came out of her mouth, Mildred's memory flashed into my head. But that was an information I already knew.

Mildred did not like Lily painting. It's a very expensive hobby, but that was not exactly the reason.

Because she didn't think it was a good hobby for a lady. It's okay to play music, read books, or play tricks. Because it doesn't get dirty.

Writing or painting as well is not a lady's hobby. Not to mention, gardening. The reason is simple. Your hands and clothes get dirty.

Hmm. I stared at Lily as if I was waiting for the rope to come down from the climbing tree. I think differently from Mildred. Lily draws really well.

And I think it is a good hobby as long as it is not about cost.

But can I really say that to Lily?

Mildred stopped her from painting for her.

There is a prejudice that women who write, paint, or gardening cannot marry in an aristocratic society. And in this world, it is possible for noble women to have a fortune from those, but it is difficult path to be situated in.

If you are a rich heiress, women like Lily should marry a wealthy man, if you are not wealthy, at least you are a man who can feed Lily. That would also be fine.

And Mildred was afraid Lily wouldn't get married.

"I think you draw well."

I said with a sigh. But Mildred's idea is right. Art was an expensive hobby even in the world where I used to live. Many were born poor, daughter, and gave up art.

Then, someone knocked on my door.

"Oops!"

I turned my head toward the hallway in surprise. There was a reason for this rush. We were supposed to have a visitor.

Last night, I said to Daniel, who took me from Gary's house, "Come any time." And he said he'd come the next day, so today.

"Lily! Put it away here! Quick!"

I left the drawing room with Lily and ran out on the aisle. I heard Lily talking from behind.

"Mother, you told me not to run.

I know, man, you can't run.

But I can't help running. I'm in trouble. I was busy cooking in the morning because I couldn't send him away without at least feeding him anything and I was...

Of course the cooking is cooking well in the oven. I left this oven to Iris because there was no fire control or timer.

And Ashley....

I crossed the hall to open the door and found Ashley still cleaning the floor of the hall and approached her.

Hey, it's lunchtime when I asked you to clean this place up. You can't clean the hall for three hours!

I'd like to shake Ashley's shoulder if I could, but I don't have time for that. I said, fishing for a rag mop with Ashley on it.

"Stop and put it away."

"But, Mother, I haven't finished...…."

Oh, that’s frustrating. I put the rod back in Ashley’s hand and said,

"The guests are here. Put this away and go change your clothes. Got it?"

What the hell did she do to clean up? Ashley had black spots on her face and clothes. And I swear there's no stove in the hall of this house.

I only approached the door after I checked that Ashley went in with a mop and a bucket of water. And I organized my clothes.

"Welcome."

When I opened the door, I saw Daniel standing in a creaky way. With one hand on his back, he remained expressionless and straightened his posture when the door opened.

Oops...

I felt a little strange. It's not because he was standing well. It was because Daniel's expressionless face brightened the moment he saw me. It was as if I had seen the stage before the curtain went up.

"Come on in."

I checked Daniel and the people standing behind him and opened the door wide, And he led them to the drawing room where we ran hard earlier.

Lily cleaned it up, didn't she? I hope so.

"Welcome."

Fortunately, the drawing room was clean. Lily was also waiting for us empty-handed. The clump of paper she was holding seemed to have already been removed.

Thank God. I felt a little relieved and offered a seat to the guests. Daniel brought in a total of three people. There were two women who looked like a dressmaker and one man who looked like a doctor.

I'm not against it.

"Thank you for coming."

Iris then came in with a cart. I introduced my daughters quickly.

"Iris Barnes and Lily Barnes. There's a youngest one named Ashley Barnes."

Then, I heard Ashley running from somewhere. Maybe I should write it down in the hallway.  <Don't run in the hallway.>

It's like some high school.

"This is Ashley Barnes."

I introduced Ashley as soon as she entered the drawing room. Ashley's appearance was disheveled by the change of clothes and the rush.

But she's so beautiful. She's still pretty.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

"It's okay, but don't run in the hallway."

Daniel chuckled and laughed. Yeah, you're funny. Daniel opened his mouth when I ignored him and arranged Ashley's hair and clothes.

"This is Dr. Hampton. And this is the white dress...…."

"White dress?"

Iris gave a shrill shriek. Huh? I looked at her in amazement and found that Lily and Ashley had the same intense look on.

Luckily Daniel had a surprised look on his face with me. Together with the doctor.

The women from the white dress looked natural in Iris's response. Is the white dress famous? I threw a warning look at Iris and asked Lily in a whisper.

"Is it from a famous place?"

"Of course! It's the queen's exclusive dressing room."

It's a great place. My eyes were all on Niel again. You're going to make me clothes in such a tremendous place? Daniel seems to have a lot of money, a lot.

"The white dress. It's great."

After seeing the doctor, the dress room staff took my measurements and went back, I advised Daniel to eat as scheduled. And he came into the restaurant as if he knew I'd recommend it.

The children were the cause of the disease throughout the meal. A white dress.

"It must be a very famous place, isn't it?"

I asked while eating roasted chicken. Daniel picked up a glass of wine and spoke with a modest hand.

"It's a nice place."

"It's not just a nice place! That white dress!"

It was Lily who was excited. And Ashley. Iris managed to contain her feelings, feeling envious of the excitement she saw in front of the staff of the first white dress.

That white dress? I looked at Daniel with an interesting look. Come to think of it, Lily said, the queen's exclusive wardrobe.

And it was only a week ago that I told the owner of the first costume shop that Iris had asked me to listen.

"Not to that extent."

Daniel grinned and said to Lily, then turned his eyes to me. Then he took a sip of wine and said,

"It's a good place."

"I heard it's the queen's exclusive wardrobe room."

"I make the Queen's dresses."

He said, I've brought him here, but I didn't know. Slowly, it was starting to get confusing whether the man was really modest or showing off his skills with high caliber.

The white dress was certainly a piece of good work, and compared to Dabina, I showed him the design catalog before I asked for the design I wanted.

And I went back the next day, saying I'd come back with a cloth that would suit me. It means that out of the many pieces of cloth, you can look at me directly and make me what I want.

I guess that's how you'll be the queen's consort. Daniel opened his mouth when I sighed.

"More importantly, how's the wound? The doctor said it won't be a problem, is it hard to walk?"

"Yes."

I answered reflexively and looked at Daniel. He looked uncomfortable talking about the white dress.

Is he just modest?

"After a week, I'll be fine. The doctor said no scar would be left."

He even gave me a plaster. Put it on in the morning and in the evening. I don't know what they're made of, but I'm afraid I can't use them.

Daniel's eyes have eased off. He tilted his head and smiled.

"That's a relief."+

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CL: I finally finished this. My phone was lagging, fortunately, I strengthened my gut and pulled through. Thank you really so much for the support!!

Keep safe guys. We are in quarantine and there really have been a lot of problems lately. I hope this corona virus ends soon.