439 – Me before others – 3
I feel déjà vu.
“The princess goes well with any style, so it’s hard to choose just one. I really want to give you several.”
“Please bear with me. It would be strange to have multiple wedding dresses.”
Seeing Mar and the imperial tailor conversing in a friendly atmosphere gave me a strong feeling of déjà vu. It’s definitely my first time seeing this situation, but somehow I feel like I’ve experienced it before.
I looked at the two in a daze and realized it late.
‘It was like that before the abdication ceremony.’
I wondered why I felt a strange sense of familiarity when looking at an unfamiliar situation, but I too had experienced a similar situation.
Before the abdication ceremony, Mar used me like a mannequin for several days. As the Crown Prince’s godfather, she had to attend the abdication ceremony, so she had to choose a nice outfit that everyone would remember. She eventually broke down and went out wearing a normal uniform – but that didn’t mean her experience as a mannequin was lost.
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The same goes for Mar today. No, on the contrary, unlike me, who was tired, she was looking closely at the dress the tailor showed her with sparkling eyes. If I had enough time, maybe it would be like this for a few weeks rather than a few days.
“What does Carl think is good?”
After talking with the tailor for a while, Mar showed as many as five dresses and asked.
I flinched instinctively. The problem is that she suddenly catches fire with me, but as the tailor said, any style suits Marr.
‘What should I do?’
But ‘everything is pretty!’ I couldn’t say that. A wedding that only comes once in her life. It’s a time to choose the precious dress she will wear at the wedding, but how disappointed will Mar be if the groom-to-be gives an insincere answer?
“That’s—”
“Oh, princess? It’s no use asking the groom about that. He’ll look pretty no matter what he wears, so it’s good if he doesn’t ask him to wear everything.”
“Is that so?”
Just as she was racking her brain to find an appropriate answer, she was able to open her path thanks to the tailor’s perfect support.
‘I lived.’
She sighed in relief as she looked at Mar who was smiling brightly. When she heard something like that, she thought, ‘So, what seems to suit you?’ She is not a cold-hearted person to the extent of saying that.
And as she glanced behind Marr, she was able to exchange a look with the tailor who quietly gave her thumbs up.
‘Pro…’
I was moved. Although I heard that she was the best tailor on the continent, she was not only the best in her skills but also in her service. Not only does she make beautiful clothes, she also protects the happiness and tranquility of her guests.
Yes, he must have been given the rank of baron because he was such a talented person. As expected, the imperial family has an excellent eye for talent. The problem is that the talent they found that way is treated like a slave.
“Hmm, I think this dress would suit the princess.”
“So are you making something new based on this?”
“Of course! These are just samples, so we have to make a one-of-a-kind, customized dress for the princess!”
A tailor who naturally attracts Mar’s attention by emphasizing the word ‘unique’. She quietly retreated to a corner while watching his brilliant remarks.
It was a moment when I felt grateful to the emperor for the first time in a long time. Thank you so much for sending me such a talented person.
‘It was indeed sent by the empress.’
For a moment, I misunderstood the person I was thanking. To the emperor, insults rather than gratitude are enough.
My presence began to fade further.
“Did you decide on this one? It’s pretty. It really suits you.”
“It’s not too flashy… I think it’s just right!”
At some point, the lovers in the mansion began to gather one by one.
‘It came later than I thought.’
I held my breath even more and looked at the lovers who were now having a lively discussion and compliments. In fact, Mar’s marriage is not just Mar’s auspicious event. It’s a kind of signal that other couples’ marriages are getting closer.
Therefore, Mar’s wedding dress was enough to attract the attention of other lovers, and even the tailor naturally welcomed the lovers who entered the room. If you have a variety of perspectives, it’s easy to catch things you missed.
The field of collective intelligence was opened, but of course there was nothing I could do. Just ask ‘Which is prettier?’ I just pray quietly, hoping that the same question will not come again.
“By the way, since the Duke and the ladies are here, would you like to choose something you like? Her Majesty said she would entrust me with the dresses you will wear.”
In the meantime, I once again expressed my gratitude to the tailor who continued to attract aggro.
As long as that tailor is there, I think the possibility of me being in trouble is infinitely close to 0%.
***
We walked around the Empress’s palace with our lovely daughter, Charlotte, in her arms.
Charlotte’s curiosity about the world exploded from the moment she came into focus, and she often stretched out her hands and whined when she lay down on her bed. In those times, she would calm down only if I held her in her arms and walked around her hallway, like now.
She may be bothered because she has many things to do as an empress, but surprisingly, such feelings did not arise even in the slightest.
“Aww- wow-“
“hehehe, do you like it?”
“Awww—!”
How can I be bothered when that bright and beautiful smile greets me? Rather, it’s to the point where Charlotte wants to carry it around every day, even if she doesn’t like it.
– Gogok─ Gogok!
– That, ───! Right now───!!
– ───! ───!?
I smiled softly at the sudden noise I heard from far away. At first, I was surprised and wondered what all the fuss was about, but now I have accepted it as a daily routine in the imperial palace.
“It looks like he escaped again.”
“Aww?”
I carefully kissed Charlotte’s forehead, who was cooing as if she was responding to my self-talk.
It’s so lovely even now that I can’t speak properly, how happy I’ll be when I can speak. I’m already excited.
“Her grandfather’s little girl came to play. When Charlotte grows up, she will be able to play with her.”
As long as she didn’t get eaten before that, she didn’t bother to say the word “Her.”
The chicken making a fuss outside did not come to play but escaped, and thanks to the knights’ desperate efforts, the chicken never came inside the empress palace.
But if Charlotte can walk on two feet, she will be able to see those chickens in person. Even though I was born in the most noble place in this empire, I will be able to experience a little of the lives of commoners.
“Wow—woo!”
Charlotte also smiled brightly, as if she was looking forward to such a future.
… Isn’t our daughter a genius who understands what her parents say? No matter how you look at it, it seems correct.
“Her Majesty the Empress.”
Just as she was about to kiss Charlotte’s forehead again, she heard the voice of the maid from behind her.
“Baron Nealon has returned.”
“You came sooner than I expected. It looks like you overexerted yourself again.”
“He said he was actually happy to see good models.”
Her laughter leaked out at her words. Baron Nealon, the imperial tailor, is a genius born from a combination of talent, effort, and passion. Therefore, as soon as he is asked to do something, he handles it with incredible speed and returns to work leisurely.
But I didn’t expect it to end this quickly. He ordered Princess Margueta’s dress to be made and dresses for the minister’s other wives to be designed in advance. It wouldn’t have been something that could be done physically quickly.
Of course, the dress making is done upon return, not on site, and the other ladies are only in the planning stage – but even so, the speed is amazing.
“Tell them that you worked hard. When the work is done, I will reward you generously.”
“Yes, Her Majesty.”
She looked at the maid, who bowed her waist and retreated behind her, and then started walking.
Charlotte will get bored if she stays in the same place. I don’t want to see my angel crying.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it because it was related to your godfather.”
“Aww!”
When I spoke softly to Charlotte, who blinked her eyes, Charlotte stretched out her hands again and smiled brightly.
‘As expected, he’s brilliant.’
I also laughed heartily at that smile.
And seeing how she reacts immediately, perhaps because she often hears the word godfather, gives her hope that Charlotte will remain close to the minister even when she becomes an adult.
‘I’ll be fine.’
Her hope turned to confidence as she remembered the spectacle she had just witnessed. Unless Charlotte reaches puberty and fights with the minister, the minister will cherish her and take care of her.
No, even if puberty hits hard, she will sigh and take care of him. Because the minister is that kind of person.
“When the godfather gets married, let’s celebrate together. The godfather will also be happy when the goddaughter graces her place.”
They lent St. Paronas Cathedral as a venue for the minister’s wedding, and also sent an imperial tailor. Since it has already brought so many honors, it is not strange for the imperial family to attend as a guest.
Moreover, the crown princess’s godfather is in a relationship with the duke’s family, and it would be even more strange if the imperial family did not show her face.
‘You’ve paid it all now, Eri.’
Since her first wife, Princess Margeta, entered into her marriage with the active support of the imperial family, her second wife, Princess Majon, will also receive similar treatment. Since the first and second couples had such a splendid wedding ceremony, it was natural for the subsequent wives to be treated as well.
Then naturally, Eri, the fifth child, will have a wedding worthy of others. I was able to repay the best reward to my junior who was the only one who congratulated us on our marriage.
‘…I didn’t know the cathedral would be open.’
Even thinking about it now, I smiled softly because it was such a ridiculous thing.
Of course, even if something unexpected happens, it’s okay as long as the results are good.
***
When I woke up, the butler greeted me with a rather stern expression.
“A gift has arrived from the Kingdom of Armenia. To be exact, it is in the name of Prince Lyutis Robens, the 3rd prince—”
And I ended up laughing at the next words.
He said he would send a gift even if he couldn’t come as a guest, but the gift arrived before the ceremony even took place.
‘You sent it too quickly.’
Did you just send this bastard away because you thought it was better to be early than late? Considering his personality, it really seems that way.
‘…Thank you.’
Still, he obediently expressed his gratitude to Ryutis, who was not present. Anyway, you are congratulating me on my marriage.
It’s embarrassing to say that I’m a replacement, but even if it’s someone who came to deliver, I should treat them with the utmost respect and send them away.
‘Next time, later.’
Maybe it’s Tanian.
Because my network is spread all over the continent, I experience all sorts of things.