episode_0062

When using highly elastic fabrics, the difficulty of cutting and sewing increases compared to using common fabrics such as cotton or silk.

The reason is, of course, because the fabric stretches too easily.

If the fabric stretches easily, the thread used for sewing must be strong and elastic, and you must be careful not to stretch the fabric while cutting and sewing.

Otherwise, the sewn fabric may become twisted or bumpy, so you must pay attention to the strength of your grip.

If you get used to it after a few practice runs, it’s not a big problem, just a slight increase in the elements to pay attention to.

The problem was that only I and Adelheid were familiar with highly elastic fabrics.

“You pulled it too much.”

“Is this amount appropriate?”

“Good, hold it like that.”

“Yes.”

Thanks to this, it took a long time to even make a single cut with scissors, as we had to give all sorts of instructions until the others got the hang of it.

Still, everyone had a good sense of touch, so they were able to adapt quite quickly.

Nevertheless, it took two days to get to the temporary sewing stage.

Of course, it’s incredibly fast compared to people, but we have Adelheid, you see.

Since temporary sewing involves almost no stitching, it effectively took two days just to cut the fabric.

And that was with four people working on it.

In many ways, it was a disappointing speed.

Even if we were disappointed, the speed would be resolved eventually, so we put it aside for now, and we had Katerina put on the temporarily assembled girdle.

“Is there anything uncomfortable?”

“She says it feels a little loose on the ribs compared to the waist, so we need to reduce it by 1cm more.”

“Okay, let’s stop here for today and start sewing in earnest tomorrow, got it?”

After confirming the revisions through Katerina, I stopped working even though there was still time left.

Once we start sewing in earnest, it’s hard to undo, so I wanted to start with the freshest mind possible.

“Understood.”

“Yes~”

Even though it took a long time to cut, the employees, who could have been anxious, started cleaning up their tools without complaint at the prospect of leaving work early.

_

“Your Highness, you have a guest.”

“A guest? Who on earth… Oh…”

Frowning at the unannounced guest, I raised my head, and there stood a secretary with a troubled expression and the Countess of Hume with a chilly expression.

It was around the time I had mentioned to Frederick, so I expected her to come sooner or later, but I didn’t expect his wife, not Frederick, to come.

An ominous premonition crawled up my spine.

Putting on the most nonchalant expression I could muster, I looked at the Countess, who slightly grasped the hem of her skirt and bowed.

“Helen Maria Howard, the legal spouse of the Shield of the Empire, Earl Hume, greets the Moon of the Empire, His Royal Highness the Prince Consort. It seems like it’s been a long time.”

“……”

The moment I heard the Countess’s greeting, I knew for sure that things had gone wrong from the start.

“Why does your face remain the same even after a long time, both you and Her Majesty? Why don’t you age? Is there some secret?”

“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but could we postpone the small talk for later?”

I tried to create a gentle atmosphere, clinging to a sliver of hope, but I was immediately blocked.

“Tsk…”

Clicking my tongue and leaning back in my chair, I covered my head with my left hand.

“… Secretary, please leave for a moment.”

“Understood, please call me anytime if you need me.”

After calming my complicated mind for a very brief moment, I waved my right hand limply and dismissed the secretary.

“So, what is it that you wish to say to me that you have come so suddenly?”

“Your Highness, our family has been in a lot of trouble lately because of what happened recently.”

I pointed out that she had come without notice and tried to create an equal situation, but the Countess ignored me and strode forward, placing three letters on the desk.

“What is this?”

“Evidence that the family’s collateral lines tried to contact William. They tried to seduce William to change the heir.”

“Those are some daring fellows. Her Majesty herself approved that the one who inherits the Hume earldom is the eldest son, yet they tried to overturn it.”

“This is all thanks to Her Majesty’s great generosity.”

“……”

I was speechless at the Countess’s words, which were full of sarcasm.

“Before the succession is even over, Her Majesty is pushing the second son, who wouldn’t be swayed?”

If you look at the root cause, it was because of the big picture the Emperor was drawing.

I had nothing to say, so I avoided the Countess’s eyes and remained silent, and the Countess began to appeal in a voice full of injustice.

“It is the duty of a nobleman to be born and obey the orders of His Imperial Majesty, so I have no complaints about William obeying Her Majesty’s orders, but why now of all times? Just one year… no, even half a year more… Could you not have waited and put us in this difficult situation?”

“Regarding that part… I have nothing to say. I will offer an apology on behalf of Her Majesty.”

“The only reason nothing happened is because that child has no interest in politics. If he had even a little desire for power, one of my two children would have been beheaded, and you’re going to get away with just a verbal apology? You know better than anyone that apologies in closed rooms are useless, so you’re not thinking of ending it with an apology, are you?”

The succession issue was not something that could be resolved with an apology, so I immediately shook my head and answered the Countess’s question.

“Of course not. So, what does your family want from me and Her Imperial Majesty?”

“I don’t need anything else, I just want you to say a light word about the succession. Shouldn’t we calm down even the hyenas who are showing their teeth without any sense?”

“I will do so.”

“And, we will try to finish the succession before the end of this year, so I hope you will leave William alone at least until the new year.”

“I can’t guarantee it… but I will try my best.”

“Ah… Haa-”

The Countess also knew very well that no one could stop Her Imperial Majesty, so she seemed to have a lot to say, but she only showed her frustrating feelings and swallowed the words that had come up to her throat.

“… Thank you for listening despite my rude request.”

“No, rather, I am ashamed to face you. It is also true that I briefly agreed with Her Majesty’s intentions…”

“……”

The Countess’s gaze, which had been about to soften, sharpened.

At first, I was intoxicated by the boldness of that friend William and subtly pushed him along.

It was only later that I came to my senses and realized that I was not confident in handling Frederick and his wife.

“You’ve become very similar in personality to Her Majesty as you spend time with her.”

“I have nothing to say.”

I couldn’t deny it even if I wanted to.

In the old days, I would have somehow blocked it before it came to this.

“But, Your Highness.”

“What is it?”

“I heard that that person is by William’s side, did Your Highness assign them?”

“Countess Hume, do you think the women around me would listen to me?”

“Ah… I see.”

Smiling bitterly and asking the question in reverse, the Countess nodded, looking at me with pity as if she had realized something.

“It seems William is also unlucky with women. I wish he had met a docile child like Edward…”

“How can his bad luck compare to mine? I’ve been suffering for half my life because I met the wrong woman.”

Suddenly, the Countess’s eyes sparkled.

She made a face like a cat who had found a toy, then slightly raised the corners of her lips and said.

“Who are you talking about, that woman?”

“Oh, damn it…”

I made a slip of the tongue without realizing it because the atmosphere had softened.

If it was Countess Hume, this story would surely reach the ears of the Emperor and others in less than a day.

I felt goosebumps all over my body and a feeling of blood draining from my head.

“That’s not what I meant at all.”

“Ah, it might not be just one person.”

“Countess Hume, what are you talking about?”

“I heard a really good story. I was worried about what to talk about when I saw Her Imperial Majesty or the Duchess of Ross, but I’m glad I have something to talk about thanks to Your Highness.”

“Countess, please calm down and how about we have a rational conversation?”

I tried to continue the conversation somehow, but the Countess gave a meaningful smile and bowed deeply.

“I can’t disturb Your Highness any longer, so I will be on my way.”

“Countess Hume, please reconsider just once.”

“May peace be with His Royal Highness the Prince Consort’s future.”

“Countess, no, Helen O…”

Even at my urgent voice, the Countess steadily took her steps and left the office.

I stared blankly at the door through which the Countess had disappeared, and the prospect of the future, in which I would be tormented for several days, no, several weeks, was drawn before my eyes, and I felt dizzy.

_

“Hmm…?”

I returned to the townhouse earlier than usual. When I opened the door and went inside, the servants were bustling around, unlike usual, and my brother was also out on the first floor instead of in his office.

The place, which had been peaceful in the morning, had suddenly become as chaotic as a battlefield, and I approached my brother in a daze and asked a question.

“Brother, is something going on?”

“Ah, William, you came earlier than usual.”

“Yes, I finished a little early because I have something important to do tomorrow.”

“Yes, that’s good. It turns out that our mother is coming to the townhouse.”

“… When?”

“She’ll be arriving soon.”

“Excuse me?”

Right now?

“This is the first I’m hearing of it?”

“Well, that’s because Mother didn’t tell you. I only found out this morning.”

“Wow…”

A sudden wave of fatigue washes over me.

I thought I would be able to rest today…