95
The eyes of everyone in the store were on Crevel and the two girls next to her.
She, Crevel, ran the largest fashion salon in the capital.
But it's not just about the size of the salon.
From the high nobility to the wealthy and famous, everyone who visited this place was fascinated and even admired by Kreipel's talent.
With so many customers, it was natural that Kriebel could not receive everyone herself.
On top of that, she spent most of her time in the workshop, designing and tailoring clothes for customers who placed orders.
As a result, it has become common knowledge that the clients Krehbiel herself receives are people whose presence convinces others of their worth.
But today, the customer beside her was just two little girls.
“A girl with silver hair and violet eyes!”
One of them was a girl whose dazzling beauty was difficult to forget at first sight.
Despite her young age, it was clear that, within a few years, she would easily rise to the top of the empire's high society.
It didn't take long for people to recognize her.
“It's Irene Terrence.”
“Since Ms. Crevel has received a lot of support from Terrence’s family to get to where she is now, it is only natural that they treat her with the utmost respect.”
“I also heard that after she graduates from the elite academy, she will begin her social activities in the capital in earnest. For this reason, they have greatly renovated Terrence’s family home in the capital.”
“It looks like she's out shopping now, with the academy going on vacation. Maybe this would be a chance to greet her.”
“But...”
The attention of the interlocutors turned to the other child next to Irene.
“Who is that little one?”
"I don't know. I've never seen her face at any social event."
“But look how respectfully Madame Crevel treats her. Doesn’t that mean she is the daughter of a great family?”
“But, as for that… aren’t her clothes a bit shabby?”
People continued to gossip as they watched the three.
Irene heard everything they said.
"What's wrong if her clothes are simple? She's so cute!"
But even in Irene's eyes, it was hard to deny that Evie's clothes were threadbare.
“That's why you came here, right?”
Irene examined the clothes hanging on the long racks.
They were all designs from this season, designed by Crevel and her favorite students.
The clothes, which are available in three sizes for each design, are tried on here to ensure fit, and then new clothes are tailored to the customer's measurements and delivered to him.
Naturally, slightly modified ready-to-wear garments were considered lower class compared to clothing tailored to the customer.
“But since Evie needs clothes now, there's no other choice, right?”
Irene looked at the clothes for a moment, then began quickly picking out the pieces.
The employees standing next to her quickly received the clothes she had chosen.
After selecting a pile of clothes that made three employees sway slightly under their weight, Irene said firmly:
“All of these.”
“As I expected, Miss Ivy’s taste is incomparable. Whatever you choose will undoubtedly suit Miss Ivy.”
“Of course! I spend all day with Evie, so how could I not know what fits her? Come on, let’s start trying her on and measuring.”
At Irene's words, the staff approached Evie with the first piece of clothing she had chosen.
Evie looked at them suspiciously, raising her head as if wondering what was going on.
“What's going on, Evie?”
“Um… why are they bringing me clothes?”
"Why? Because it's your clothes, of course!"
Then, Evie looked puzzled, looking around anxiously, then approached Irene and quickly whispered:
“Irene, this place seems too expensive to me.”
Irene looked at her in genuine amazement.
“What are you saying? Why are you pushing?”
“Because they are my clothes, right?”
“No, I'm the one who's going to buy it for you. That's why you came here with me.”
When Irene said she was going to buy clothes, Evie jumped in shock.
“No, I can't accept that!”
"Why? It would look great on you. I'm sure you'd look very cute in it."
Crevel, who was watching from behind, nodded in agreement with Irene's words.
Evie was still young and skinny. Over the course of months, Irene, with the help of Arcel and Ruska, worked hard to gain Evie's weight.
But Evie's body, which had not been accustomed to eating much since birth, did not gain weight easily.
However, fortunately, her cheeks have gained some plumpness, and a comfortable softness can be felt when touching her healthyly colored cheeks.
Her hair is also no longer as dry as it used to be, but rather shines when combed.
As a result, her hair, which was like dry straw, turned into a beautiful dark blonde color.
Irene took all these details into consideration as she searched for the most suitable clothes for Evie.
How could you refuse?
“Evie, you don't have to worry about money. I'll take care of everything...”
“That is why I cannot accept it.”
Usually, Evie would quickly give in to Irene's insistence, but this time was different.
“…I am very grateful for your feelings, Irene.”
In the face of this unusual firmness, Irene stopped insisting and waited for Evie to speak.
"But these are my own things, and I don't think it's right for you to buy them for me. I'm so happy that you love me and care for me, but if you keep treating me with such kindness, I might one day start taking it for granted, or get frustrated if you don't. I don't want to be like this."
In contrast to her slight hesitation, Evie's words came out fluently and smoothly.
Through this, Irene realized that Evie had been thinking about this for a long time.
How could the words flow so smoothly if you hadn't thought about them over and over again?
“You were thinking about this every time I tried to help you?”
Irene felt her heart contract.
“Evie...how could you...”
She muttered, her voice laced with emotion.
“All my life, I've only seen people take everything as if it's their birthright... I mean, take it without thanks.”
Whether in the South or in D.C., the kids around Irene were always expecting something from her.
When she gave them something, they would thank her with their mouths, but they acted as if receiving gifts was a given.
Some of them even openly expressed their disappointment if they did not get something better than what others got.
Since then, Irene has stopped sharing her stuff.
But with Evie, I felt like giving again.
Eppie looked at Irene's things with eyes full of wonder, always asking if she could touch them.
Despite her eager looks, she did not harbor any envy or jealousy.
So, Irene decided that once the vacation started, she would take Evie to buy her things similar to what she used and wore.
She imagined Evie thanking her warmly and smiling with her usual innocence.
But to be rejected?
Even though this was the first rejection she had ever received in her life, Irene did not feel upset. On the contrary, her desire to laugh increased.
She hugged Evie warmly, rubbing her cheek softly.
“Okay, okay, I didn’t know you were that worried. I don’t think you’ll ever be like this, but if you don’t want to, I won’t insist.”
Hearing Irene's response, Evie's face lit up.
She feared she had offended Irene by refusing.
“But you'll help me choose my clothes, right? I need someone to tell me honestly whether the clothes fit me or not. I have a lot to buy!”
“This I can do!”
Evie answered excitedly, clenching her fists while still on Irene's lap.
"So, let's start with the hats. What do you think would suit me?"
At Irene's question, Evie rushed towards the hat section, and began examining each one carefully.
“Well, from my point of view...”
Creppel Meanwhile, Irene whispered something in Crepel's ear, who smiled sweetly.
Irene returned to Evie's side, while Crevel gave whispered instructions to the staff.
Suddenly, the staff disappeared with the clothes Irene had chosen, after recording her numbers.
"Irene! I think these are very beautiful. And there's also the flower decoration that you love!"
Irene took the hat Evie had chosen and tried it on in front of the mirror.
It was a wide-brimmed hat that fit her perfectly, decorated with her favorite decorations.
Irene felt happy knowing that Evie knew her taste so well.
Then she picked up a very similar hat, but a smaller size, and placed it on Evie's head.
They stood together in front of the mirror.
“We look great together, don't we?”
"Yes!"
Evie replied relieved, reassured that Irene wouldn't buy her anything.
"Okay! I'll take this. Mrs. Krehbiel, please have it ready."
“Yes, miss.”
Irene handed the hat that Evie was wearing to Kreppel as well.
“…”
Evie looked questioningly. Didn't she say she wouldn't buy her anything? Why hand out two hats?
Irene smiled innocently and said:
“I just heard from Mrs. Creppel that there's a special offer today. If you buy a hat, you get a smaller one for free! Right, Creppel?”
“Of course, it's the season for special offers in our store.”
Irene and Crevel spoke confidently as if it were a self-evident fact.
Evie tilted her head in surprise. Do they sell items this way?
But what if the size doesn't fit?
Evie didn't understand this logic in her simplest sense, but she thought this might be the norm in such an upscale store.
"Oh, this is beautiful too! Evie, come here!"
While Evie was still confused, Irene grabbed her hand and pulled her towards another section.
Kreppel took a long string from her pocket and quickly measured the length of Eppie's shoulders and arms.
While Evie was busy carrying Irene's clothes, Kreppel quickly measured her height, wrist and waist circumferences.
For someone else, this might be difficult, but for her, it was very easy.
Crevel remembered the clothes Irene had chosen.
These clothes will be hung in Terrence's family mansion, as if they were Irene's clothes when she was a child.
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