episode_0065

Mr. Aban opened the calendar.

“Let’s see. Today is the 18th, and the Autumn Festival is on the 21st… We’re a little short on time, but it’s not enough to give up yet.”

“Is something happening at the Autumn Festival?”

“Of course! We’re announcing Tia’s new venture at the Autumn Festival. We’ll attract significant interest from the upper class, secure investments for the business, and expand its scale.”

After that, I received a detailed explanation.

The Autumn Festival is said to be broadly categorized into three types.

First, the ‘Feast’ held by royalty and the newly rich at the royal palace.

Second, the ‘Banquet’ hosted by nobles in salons.

Third, the ‘Festival’ enjoyed by common citizens on the streets.

Among these, participating in the ‘Banquet’ was said to be important.

But then, a question suddenly popped into my mind.

“If we’re going to promote a new business anyway, wouldn’t the ‘Feast’ with its many newly rich be better?”

“No. Everyone who wants to make money flocks there, so it’s best to avoid it if you don’t have a solid foundation. You should think the opposite. Go to the anxious nobles first, those who have accumulated a lot of money but are gradually losing influence.”

“Ah, I see! But wouldn’t others who think like us also try to attend the banquet?”

“Hahaha! I swear that won’t happen.”

Mr. Aban chuckled confidently.

“Nobles are terribly picky about bloodline and birth. So, Tia, you must learn this one thing properly before you go.”

Saying that, he mimed holding a fork and knife with both hands.

“…Etiquette.”

Nobles who had lived in Deseo since ancient times thoroughly upheld tradition.

However, as the city grew and merchants accumulated wealth, the authority of ‘nobles’ began to wane.

The value of money became more important than status, and nobles were no longer figures to be looked up to.

Nevertheless, they still discriminated, distinguishing between noble and common, and picking and choosing people.

By things like origin, family, and etiquette.

Naturally, from the perspective of the ‘newly rich,’ most of whom were commoners, such an attitude from the nobles could only seem arrogant.

It’s said that they fought for a long time, unable to tolerate each other.

This strange atmosphere is said to have begun with the appearance of a new king in Deseo, and now it has been almost certainly decided as a victory for the newly rich.

Because of this, the nobles were under great pressure both internally and externally, and were in a very difficult situation.

“What’s more, His Majesty is siding with ‘the wealthy’ like us. After all, money is more important.”

“There are some complicated circumstances.”

“Haha. It’s a complicated political story of Deseo, so you don’t necessarily need to remember it.”

Mr. Aban explained kindly.

“Tia, you only have one job. Go to the cornered noble alliance and gain their recognition. From the nobles’ perspective, they’ll undoubtedly welcome someone who wants to start a new business for their benefit.”

“Can I do it? They value nobility so much… I’m just an ordinary person.”

“It’s perfectly possible. I’ve seen it.”

He said in a firm voice.

“Tia. How should I put it… you resemble the old nobles. I sensed a conviction in you to protect ‘what’s most important to you’ rather than money or gold. Like a noble knight who draws a sword to protect a precious person.”

“…!”

Those were truly grateful words.

Because it felt like he was calling me a ‘knight’ — me, who came all the way to Deseo just for Ritsu.

“What’s more, your red hair is also a symbol of the old royal family. Just that alone will earn you great favor from the nobles.”

I fiddled with my bangs.

I’d heard so many times since long ago that my hair color was unusual, so I didn’t feel anything special about it.

But hearing that this hair is a ‘symbol of the royal family’ felt like an awkward crown had been placed on my head.

“So, just ‘etiquette.’ If you master only this and enter the banquet, you’ll gain recognition even from the arrogant nobles.”

“I see…”

Mr. Aban stood up from the desk.

“I’ll help you. Don’t worry about anything else and just focus on learning etiquette.”

“Um- I’m really grateful for your words… but why are you helping me so much?”

“Hmm? No special reason. I’m just trying to be like Mr. Modaless.”

“Wha-?!”

Fosao Uncle, who had been quiet, flinched.

Smiling broadly, he pulled his fedora down low.

“…Tia’s advice was so impressive. ‘Offer goodwill without expecting anything in return.’ So I decided to do that. The reason I visited the government office today is because I, too, am starting a new business.”

“What kind of business?”

Instead of answering, he showed her a piece of paper with something written on it.

I read the writing.

“‘Saint Lucretia Foundation’…?”

“It’s named after Tia. I plan to donate a portion of my wealth to the poor of Deseo. I established this foundation with the goal of making this city a better place to live. What do you think?”

It was a noble deed that I dared not even try to evaluate.

To think that my name was included in the name of such a glorious and honorable foundation.

It was just… at that time, I simply expressed my personal thoughts to comfort Mr. Aban.

It was simply too much.

“That’s amazing…”

“Haha. Oh, it’s nothing. I think Tia is even more amazing.”

He thwacked the calendar shut.

“Now…! Mr. Modaless. Shall we work together to transform Miss Tia into a ‘noble lady’?”

“Ah, ah… Yes, yes! G-good, yes.”

“Then first.”

Mr. Aban’s finger pointed at my shirt.

“Let’s change your clothes first.”

* * *

Swish-.

“Hmm…”

Swish-.

“Hmmmm… Don’t you have anything else?”

Swish-.

“I don’t think this is it.”

Swish-.

“It’s uncomfortable.”

Swish-.

“Haa… This is tiring.”

I’d lost count of how many times I’d gone back and forth to the changing room.

I’d given up counting.

No matter what I tried on, nothing pleased me.

It made me realize anew how truly remarkable upper-class women were.

Because they had to wear such cumbersome, uncomfortable, and annoying clothes every day.

And to think that was formal attire!

Is sticking to etiquette worth dying for?

The salesclerk was equally pitiful.

Perhaps fed up with me disliking everything I tried on, she no longer brought out new clothes.

No matter how I thought about it, just a shirt and pants.

That was the best.

Just put it on, wear it, and you’re done!

Noble’s clothes had too many frills and unnecessary decorations, making them too heavy.

On top of that, they even pulled the waist ties tightly to make the waist appear thinner…

I felt like I was suffocating to death.

Just as I was exhausted and resting, lost in thought.

The proprietress said after much deliberation.

“I have a dress I specially made for young ladies who fuss.”

Finally, the last outfit was brought out.

It was a pure white dress.

With frills only on the hem of the skirt, and all decorations removed.

It was the simplest dress I had seen so far.

“Hmm…”

Reluctantly, I took the dress and changed into it.

It was much lighter, so it was considerably better.

But just like when I worked at the bar, I still didn’t like ‘dresses’ as an outfit in general.

Somehow… this feeling of air flowing between my legs felt very awkward.

Also, the frills rubbed against my boots, making an annoying sound.

And if I were to wear heels, I disliked them because they were too uncomfortable.

“Ugh…”

In the end, unable to choose any dress, I could only sit there blankly.

Jingle-jingle-.

Fosao Uncle, who had been away for a moment, returned to the shop.

“H-how is it, Tia? Have you l-looked around a bit?”

“No… I don’t like anything at all.”

“O-oh… really?”

“Look at this! How am I supposed to wear such uncomfortable clothes?”

I spread the dress out wide, as if to show him.

“…Ohh.”

But when Uncle saw me, his eyes widened, and he couldn’t speak.

He remained speechless for a long time, as if shocked by a beautiful work of art, then collected himself and stammered.

“G-goodness… So… so b-beautiful!”

“…Huh?”

“Ti-Tia… look…”

Uncle pointed behind me.

There was a mirror.

I walked towards it.

“…”

I stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror.

A girl in a pure white dress, her red hair tied to the left and falling down.

A small ruby sparkled above her exposed chest.

I held the hem of the skirt and turned sideways.

I’d never seen a noble young lady before… but perhaps this is what it felt like?

Fosao Uncle’s face was reflected over my shoulder.

“You’re r-really pretty… Tia.”

“…Pretty?”

“Yes. Like an angel…”

“Heh-.”

I wasn’t sure myself.

But seeing Uncle’s broad grin, it seemed this dress suited me well.

Indeed, being told ‘you’re pretty’… even if I hear it repeatedly, it always makes me feel good.

“I’ve decided. I’ll take this one!”

“Understood.”

While the dress was being altered to fit my body.

I walked around the streets with Uncle, looking at various outfits.

Deseo had so many pretty and stylish clothes.

You could even tell a person’s wealth by the sophisticated feel of their clothes.

After browsing the dress shop, we headed to a jewelry store.

As expected of the best city, colorful ornaments were abundant.

For example, there were bracelets woven with small jewels, ribbons tied with soft silk, and even simple hairbands had various patterns.

As I admired them, a red ring placed on the display caught my eye.

It had a brilliant red glow like a ruby, yet its slightly dull color was intriguing.

While I was looking closely at the ring, Fosao Uncle asked.

“Are you i-interested?”

“No… not really. I just looked because it was intriguing.”

“T-try it on. Just to see if it s-suits you, to get a f-feeling.”

“…Shall I?”

I took the displayed ring and tried it on my ring finger.

“Mm-.”

Even with just a slight movement of my finger, the gem sparkled in the sunlight, casting various colors.

Though the inside of the red gem appeared somewhat deep and dark.

The sunlight glistening on its hard, smooth surface looked as if it held a red sea within.

“What kind of gem is this? It doesn’t seem like a ruby.”

“It’s c-called a garnet.”

“Garnet? Is it because the color is the same as a pomegranate?”

“Mm-hmm. That’s right…”

“Hmm-.”

Uncle chuckled widely beside me.

“You look l-like a noble… Tia. It r-really suits you.”

“It doesn’t suit me. Not these kinds of gems.”

“Wha-?! I-I mean it! Red suits you well, Tia… I th-think R-Ritsu also gave you a ruby necklace for that r-reason…”

That’s right. The necklace Ritsu gave me…

He gave me a raw ‘ruby’ gem because he must have thought it would suit me well even from his perspective. That’s why he chose it.

This ‘garnet’, which is also in the red family.

It certainly resembled the color of my eyes. And I thought Uncle wasn’t just flattering me.

“Hehe-. You’re right. Thank you!”

We returned to the tailoring room.

There wasn’t much left until the final touches, so I planned to pick up the dress myself.

“Ti-Tia! Look at this…”

Fosao Uncle brought something.

It was a belt.

“Ti-Tia’s… it’s old, isn’t it…”

“Hmm- that’s true.”

The belt I was currently wearing had all its seams burst and was quite dirty.

Since I received it as a birthday gift from Ritsu four years ago, it was probably to be expected.

Fosao Uncle suggested.

“W-would you like to change to this one?”

“Yes, well… I’ll try it on.”

Click.

I unbuckled my old belt and wrapped the new one Uncle gave me around my waist.

“It’s not bad, but this belt doesn’t have pockets. That’s a bit disappointing-.”

I mentioned the inconvenience.

Instead, Fosao Uncle smiled widely.

“A-amazing! Tia, you look even more, even more beautiful… We can a-add pockets later.”

“Beautiful…? Ahem-.”

Uncle was right too.

It was slightly uncomfortable to wear, but I could slowly get used to it.

And as for pockets, I could just add them later.

“…Well, alright. I’ll take this one.”

“Hee-hee… Th-then I’ll put this in your bag now…”

“Okay.”

The belt I originally used went into the bag.

Tia silently stared at the bag.

But soon, she turned her head, wearing her new belt, and approached Uncle’s side.