Chapter 50
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
Chapter 50
"My goodness, how long has it been, Miss!"
The moment I stepped into the Clothing Shop, Mrs. Loaas greeted me with familiarity.
Mrs. Loaas was the owner of this shop and a renowned designer specializing in children's clothing.
"I thought you must be terribly busy since you hadn't been in touch. Oh my!"
Her cheerful chatter came to an abrupt halt when she noticed Claude's hand overlapping with mine, and her eyes widened considerably.
"I knew you were busy, but it seems you've had quite an eventful winter indeed, haven't you? Hehe!"
"It's not like that. This is Marquis Agris. He's merely staying at the Duke's Mansion temporarily due to certain circumstances."
"Goodness, Marquis Agris himself!"
Mrs. Loaas brought both hands to her mouth.
"You always acted so disinterested in men, but I was wrong, wasn't I?"
"What are you talking about?"
I desperately wanted to release Claude's hand, but I couldn't. Amelia's gaze fixed upon us was far too sharp and piercing.
"No need to be shy in front of me, dear."
"That's not what's happening."
"Hehe. You're at such a delightful age, after all."
There was simply no getting through to Mrs. Loaas.
'Though to be fair, I'm still holding his hand while denying it.'
I wouldn't believe me either.
In the end, I decided to change the subject.
"I came to have a boy's outfit tailored."
"Is this for young master Lucian of Bellomen again?"
"Well, it is for a young master of Bellomen, but... it's not Lucian."
"Pardon?"
Mrs. Loaas tilted her head in confusion, as if unable to comprehend what I meant.
From her reaction, it seemed she hadn't yet heard the rumors about Edwin.
'Never did I imagine I'd be the one explaining this complicated family matter.'
I felt a dull throb at my temples as I opened my mouth to speak.
"It will become common knowledge soon enough, so I won't keep it hidden."
"Surely not..."
"Yes."
Mrs. Loaas, accustomed to dealing with countless women of High Society, was quick to grasp the implications.
"The Duke's child from outside the marriage."
"I see. Such things do happen, after all."
Her swift change in demeanor made her earlier shock seem almost comical. Indeed, those seasoned in service work truly are different.
"In any case, I need clothes for this boy."
"Since these will be for the young master, I shall ensure they are as beautiful and fine as possible."
"Skip anything too fussy or overly formal. He's been accustomed to comfortable clothing, so he'll find anything too restrictive uncomfortable."
Mrs. Loaas nodded and quickly took Edwin's measurements.
"He's growing remarkably fast, probably from eating well. Don't make them too snug—add about one size extra so he'll have room to grow comfortably."
"Yes. Let me show you the catalog first."
At Lua's signal, the waiting staff swiftly unfurled the catalogs and presented them.
We settled comfortably on the sofa to admire the garments adorning the pages.
"Wow, this is so beautiful!"
"I want this one! I'm going to wear this!"
"Lucian, we didn't come here today to look at your clothes."
"I find this one most appealing. I believe the sky blue would suit Edwin wonderfully."
"Is that so? Edwin, what do you think?"
"I like sky blue."
With so many people speaking, it felt as though my ears might fall off from the noise. I was embarrassed at having transformed this upscale boutique into a marketplace.
"How delightful—so lively and cheerful!"
Yet the staff paid no mind whatsoever.
"With so many children, it's just like a large family!"
"Exactly. The Marquis and the young lady seem just like a married couple!"
Instead, they busied themselves giggling at such preposterous remarks.
"A married couple? What on earth—"
As I began to rise from my seat, unable to bear the nonsense that followed—
Claude tightened his grip on my hand and pulled me back down.
"Getting flustered will only make it seem stranger. It's better to remain silent in such moments."
"Is that so...?"
"Yes. Strong denial is often indistinguishable from strong affirmation, after all."
It was odd reasoning, yet strangely persuasive.
"I understand."
I reluctantly sighed, catching sight of our clasped hands through my slightly lowered gaze.
"But how much longer are we going to hold hands?"
"Look over there."
Instead of answering, Claude gestured toward the children across from us. They were still gripping each other's hands tightly.
"If we let go, they'll surely protest—saying they listen well, so why don't the adults?"
"Surely not..."
"Perhaps not Lucian or Edwin, but Amelia would absolutely do so."
I recalled Amelia, who expressed her opinions clearly and deliberately at all times. It certainly seemed difficult to win an argument against her with words.
"If Amelia takes the lead, Lucian will chime in too. And then he'll insist that everything Amelia says is correct."
"Likely so."
Lucian is so simple-minded that he's utterly smitten with Amelia.
"They might decide that if the adults won't do it, neither will they, and release our hands. Then the children would scatter in three directions, running about this place in utter chaos."
"..."
"Or perhaps they'll throw themselves on the floor, crying that you're a liar who doesn't keep promises..."
Hearing that much, I squeezed my eyes shut.
Lucian's track record was quite impressive.
From lying down in the street to sobbing dramatically to following strangers...
If he threw a tantrum, that would be one thing. But if he let go of my hand and got lost wandering alone, that would be a disaster.
"There's no helping it. I'll keep holding on."
"An excellent idea."
Claude met my gaze and smiled softly.
At the sight of that smile, my heart suddenly raced.
'He's been handsome for ages now, so why is my heart pounding like this?'
It must be because we're holding hands. I murmured to myself, trying to calm my racing heart.
"Have you selected all the garments?"
Fortunately, Mrs. Loaas spoke to me at just the right moment, pulling me away from my flustered state.
"Yes. One of each piece I marked. For the outer coat, make it the warmest one but not heavy."
The Duke insisted on the finest quality and ordered an incredibly heavy coat.
"Of course. I'll have them made and sent to you as quickly as possible."
"Thank you."
With our business concluded, we left Mrs. Loaas's Dressroom. We were still holding hands.
"Shall we head home now?"
At my question, all three children pouted simultaneously.
"We just got here...."
"I want to eat crepes...."
"This is my first time in the Downtown District...."
"All right, all right."
Faced with their sullen expressions, I burst out laughing.
"Since we're out anyway, let's enjoy some delicious food and look around."
"Yay!"
"But you have to listen well to me and Marquis Agris. Understood?"
The children, who had been bouncing in place, quickly nodded. Their eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Marquis Agris, is this all right with you?"
"Yes. I'm quite pleased."
"Your leg isn't fully healed. You shouldn't overexert yourself. If it becomes too much, you can return to the mansion first."
"Not at all. After being indoors for so long, stepping outside feels wonderfully refreshing."
"Well, I'm glad then."
I walked at Claude's pace while the children dashed ahead.
"I apologize for the slow pace. My leg hasn't fully recovered yet...."
"It's fine. Walking slowly has its own charm."
Though the crutch made walking slow, there was a certain pleasure to it. I could see things I'd miss when walking quickly.
Like sparrows perched on window ledges, or coins dropped on the ground.
As I took in the surroundings, I kept my eyes on Lucian.
The children, excited and full of energy, had stopped in front of a Crepe Shop.
"One strawberry crepe and two chocolate crepes, please."
"That's 30 yentres."
Hearing the price, Lucian ran over to me and held out his hand.
"Aunt, give me money!"
"Did you leave it with me?"
Even as I said this, I pressed a banknote into Lucian's hand.
The little thing already knew how to demand money. Lucian had grown up so fast.
I walked slowly alongside Claude and stopped in front of the crepe stand.
"Marquis, would you like a crepe?"
"Does the young lady enjoy them?"
"Yes, I do."
"Then I would as well. Though I suspect I won't be able to finish one."
"Neither will I. I ate not long ago, so I likely can't finish a whole one either."
I gazed at the crepe models lined up in a row at the stand, deliberating.
Perhaps it would be better to buy two and leave some uneaten?
The shop owner opened his mouth toward me, who was still lost in thought.
"Why ponder so much? Just buy one and share it amicably between the two of you."
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org