Princess Shu

Blank murmurs came about. The people’s words unconsciously came out of their mouths, talking mostly of that reddish-blonde hair. 

Unlike the inside of the hall, the outside area was bright. So there were quite a few distinguished guests who checked the man’s hair color in detail. It was an implicit rule not to make noise in the hall, and although the distinguished guests did not chatter with their elegant temper, the shock did not disappear.

“…Oh my gosh.”

Marquess Garth bought all of the women’s accessories. And there was clearly only one woman who would receive such precious jewels.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

“Thank you for the invitation, Marchioness Joan.”

“I’m so grateful that you accepted, Marchioness Garth.”

It was Valia’s first tea time with a high-ranking noble. After having been slightly nervous, she could soon finally relax. The tea was fragrant, the cookies were sweet, and the annex was full of fresh roses.

What Valia liked above all was Marchioness Joan. having a cheerful yet elegant look, she expressed a strong liking for Valia.

“I’m also quite young for a Marchioness, but not as young as you, Valia.”

“Is that so? Marchioness Joan…”

“Oh my, you’re doing that again. Please call me by my name.”

“I’m sorry, Diana. I’m still not used to it.”

“As a token of apology, promise me that you will come for tea again next time.”

“Of course. It’s an honor for me.”

The awkwardness only lasted at the beginning. The two Marchionesses of similar age quickly became friends, and Diana especially had fun all day. She really liked Valia, just as she really liked her first impression of her. Although Valia was calm and neat, she always had a gentle smile, so Diana could not help but feel attracted to her.

“Valia, shouldn’t it be time to show your face in social circles? Everyone is very curious about Marchioness Garth.”

“If you’re talking about a tea party, I’m planning to hold one soon. Banquets are still too burdensome for me.”

Unlike banquets where invitations could be sent to many nobles, tea parties were limited in number. Since Valia was a noble from a foreign country who had never made her debutante in Gel, she did not have any connections. So she needed the help of a chaperone or someone older in the family, but Valia did not have either. In this case, it was common to first attend a banquet hosted by a high-ranking noble or the Imperial family, build relationships, and then, host a tea party.

“Then, Valia.”

Diana’s eyes twinkled.

“Is it okay if I invite you to the tea party in Marquess Joan’s manor? Although it is simple, I always regularly invite some people to have some time together.”

Diana was speaking without hesitation, but most noble women’s regular tea parties had a fixed number of people from the beginning. In particular, it was very difficult to intervene in the tea party of someone from the level of a Marquess family. Valia was well aware of these social customs from her past experiences. She asked Diana in surprise.

“Can I attend it?”

“Oh my, of course! I would be very happy if Valia would attend.”

After blinking her silvery-gray eyes, Valia soon smiled and expressed her gratitude. Diana recommended another cup of tea to her, who somehow looked lovely in a calm atmosphere like the moonlight. Suddenly, she remembered what his husband, Marquess Joan, had said before.

‘He said Marquess Garth has a good judge of character.’

Marquess Garth had excellent eyes for deploying knights on the battlefield. Perhaps that was the reason why he chose his bride well. Diana thought so and smiled brightly, already imagining herself as Valia’s prospective chaperone.

Diana’s kindness was only natural. Because in high society, meeting a friend who was not only similar in status and age but also had a personality that she liked was as difficult as picking the stars off the sky.

“I had a great time today, Diana.”

“Me too, Valia. Be careful on your way back.”

After the pleasant tea time came to an end, Diana saw Valia off in front of the carriage herself. And in front of the carriage carved with the emblem of the House of Garth, there was a reliable knight waiting. To be honest, Diana was severely flustered when she first saw the knight.

‘I can’t believe the commander of the Knights of Garth is her escort.’

Shaun, the commander of the Knights of Garth… Tales of heroism of the Knights of Garth spread throughout the Empire. The commander of the famous armed forces personally escorted the Marchioness! Marchioness Joan would understand if Valia was attending the Imperial banquet, but this was just a mere Marquess’ manor. It was just a simple tea time with the two of them, not a tea party attended by many people.

“Marquess Garth may even come to escort her personally at the tea party…”

Diana muttered to herself and laughed.

“..Nah, no way.”

No matter how she thought about it, it was a silly thought. Soon, she entered her office to write out a new invitation for the tea party.   

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

“Greetings to Lady Garth.”

“You’re here. Have a seat.”

After the designer was seated, the maid brought a new cup of tea. The aroma of well-dried rosemary rose along with the warm steam. Valia waited for the designer to take a few sips of her tea before opening her mouth.

“I called you today because I have an offer to make.”

“By all means, Marchioness.”

“I want to make you my exclusive designer.”

“Pardon?”

The designer who had been sitting politely suddenly raised her head. The half-empty cup of tea gently shook, seemingly representing the designer’s surprise. Valia gave a soft smile, it was only natural for the designer to be so surprised. Usually, high-ranking nobles chose a designer from the top famous boutique. The designer in front of Valia has not yet had that much reputation to her name.

“The conditions will be explained in detail by the general butler. I just want to hear your opinion, what do you think of  my proposal?”

“For me… Of course, I will accept your offer. It would be such an honor to be your exclusive designer, Marchioness Garth.”

“That’s a relief. I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

“With the honor of Fleur Beauty Salon, I will make beautiful dresses for you with all my heart.”

‘Such an interesting thing.’

It was only a few hours ago that Valia heard the designer’s name.

I can’t believe she was the designer of the famous ‘Fleur Lace’ in the past. There were many ladies who wished to have a handkerchief embroidered with her lace

It was a surprising coincidence for Valia, she had been determined to appoint her as her exclusive designer since a few days ago.

Although being the exclusive designer for the lady of the House of Garth was not something to be surprised about. Fleur was breathing heavily and felt like her heart would jump to the sky. But the Marchioness sitting in front of her had a voice so soothing that it calmed her down. 

“Marchioness, I will take the liberty of asking you one thing.”

“Go on.”

“Why do you want to have me as your exclusive designer?”

Fleur was a designer recognized for her elegant sensibility and outstanding skills, but there were definitely the so-called top designers above her. Of course, they refused Schuden’s request to make a wedding dress within a month. However, at that time, no one knew that the wedding dress was for Marchioness Garth. This was because Schuden wanted to prepare as quietly as possible.

However, now Valia was a dignified Marchioness. If she wanted to, she could have emptied the top designers’ beauty salon right away, that was the power and authority of Garth. So Fleur’s question was only natural. 

Valia smiled brightly.

“First of all, I like your ideas and artistic viewpoints.”

During the few days of wedding dress tailoring, Valia had never been uncomfortable with Fleur. She was an artist who took the obvious as it should be, that was what kind of a designer she was. 

“But more than anything else, your lace was very pretty.”

“…”

“Is this a convincing enough reason?”

“How can I have any questions about that? I will do my best so that you do not regret choosing me.”

Fleur was immediately motivated and pulled out tools for sketching. It seemed that her artistic spirit was mixed in the deep emotions that flocked like the tide. While Fleur was busy sketching designs and asking Valia for her preference, Paul came into the drawing-room.

“Excuse me, Madam.”

He bowed his head and spoke politely.

“I think you need to come out for a while.”

“What’s going on?”

“His Grace sent you a present.”

“…He sent a present?”

“Yes, it just arrived. He sent jewelry for you.”

‘If it’s a jewel…’

Valia remembered a few days ago that she asked Schuden to give her jewelry as a gift, but she did not expect him to send it this soon. Fleur asked with half curiosity and half work ethic.

“Marchioness, can I watch with you? I think the dress will be more beautiful if you wear the jewelry you got from His Grace to your first tea party.”

Valia nodded. At that time, she said it to break the awkward atmosphere, but now that it was here, she really was looking forward to Schuden’s present.

What did he send? Did he contemplate on what to pick, even if just a little bit?      

Following Paul’s guidance, she came into the storage room. The maids who were busy displaying the jewels inside stepped back with red faces. Sarah said with an excited look.

“Madam, the jewelry had just arrived so we displayed it in a hurry.”

Valia’s gaze moved along Sarah’s hand. Luxurious jewelry boxes were displayed tightly on a large, wide table. Contrary to what Sarah had just said, the jewelry boxes were laid out nicely. Valia looked at the table and asked.

“Sarah.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Hmm… Which of these did His Grace send?”

Of all the jewels on the table, she did not know which one Schuden sent. 

Why did they take out other jewels and display them together in the first place?

Sarah smiled brightly at Valia’s question.

“These were all sent by His Grace, Madam.”

“…Everything?”

“Yes! He sent them all from here to here.”

“…”

Valia’s silvery-gray eyes trembled out of bewilderment. Seeing the jewel that Schuden had sent, Fleur’s eyes also trembled as she tried to grasp the concept of the tea party dress.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Under Schuden’s orders, Shaun was in charge of escorting Valia. Usually, a knight only follows the escorted subjects when they go out, but Shaun was a real square. He thought that, as he was ordered to escort the noblewoman, she should be escorted even if it was in her own manor.

“You’re here, Sir Shaun.”

Shaun visited Garth’s manor again today for that reason. And after his visits continued for several days, Paul had become accustomed to the knight commander. He greeted him.

“Where’s the Marchioness?”

“Madam is in the jewelry storage room.”

“The jewelry storage room?”