"How about a dress like this? This design is inspired by red tulip petals."
As soon as Madame Pluto finished speaking, her staff brought out a new gown.
It was a beautiful dress that looked like crimson petals blooming in water.
"I'll buy that one too."
Edwin said it as soon as he saw the dress.
Madame Pluto's face brightened—while mine grew a shade paler.
There were already plenty of dresses lined up for purchase.
All of them were Madame Pluto's premium works.
I knew best that the premium line cost five times more than regular dresses.
Sometimes, I'd had dresses sent from the Imperial Palace tailored at Madame Pluto's boutique.
"Your Highness—"
"Are there any other dresses?"
Despite my call, Edwin pretended not to hear and spoke to the Madame instead.
She smiled broadly.
But I couldn't take it anymore.
I called Edwin as if issuing an ultimatum.
"Edwin."
Edwin froze for a moment at the soft call.
I took advantage of that opening and spoke to Madame Pluto.
"Madame, I think I need a little more tea. Would it be all right to ask for some hot tea?"
"Of course! It will take a moment to prepare. Please take your time looking at the dresses."
Fortunately, Madame Pluto was quick to catch on.
In the luxurious parlor, once all the staff had left, only Edwin, me, and Winster—standing guard by the door—remained.
I glanced at Winster.
His grinning face quickly hardened into a knight's stoic mask, as if he'd been focused on something serious all along.
He tried to seem distracted—but he wouldn't let me leave his sight.
"Sir Calter... could you step outside for a moment?"
When his name was called sharply, Winster looked at me with regret written all over his face.
Surely something interesting is about to happen!
But even setting aside the wide-eyed Grand Duke beside me, the words of that small lady held a strangely irresistible power.
"...Yes. Then I'll wait outside."
Only once he'd left the drawing room did I turn to Edwin.
I called his name softly, as if soothing him.
"Edwin."
"...Yes, my lady?"
Unlike his usual friendly tone, his voice was a bit sulky and petulant.
But despite that, the corners of his handsome mouth slowly turned up.
Even though Edwin cleared his throat and tried to control his expression, he'd already been caught.
I chuckled.
"If you're going to smile, just smile."
"Why do you look so stern? You have such a scary expression."
"I'm just showing that I'm a little disappointed."
Edwin made an aggrieved face.
"If I'm disappointed one more time, I'll buy the entire boutique."
"Would that really be wise?"
Edwin's eyes sparkled, as if he'd just realized something brilliant.
His expression was so sincere I quickly shook my head.
"I misspoke! I don't need that many dresses."
Especially such bright, beautiful ones.
From a pink dress with rose-colored frills, to a navy and silver gown inspired by the Milky Way, to an elegant white dress dusted with pearl powder—there were more than a dozen lined up already.
But despite my words, Edwin shrugged.
"Where did that spirit from earlier go—when you said you'd only choose the very best?"
"Well, that..."
"Even when I ask you to tell me your preferences, you don't pay attention."
Edwin said it sulkily.
My conscience pricked.
It was just as Edwin said.
Unlike him—who'd been excited the moment we entered—I'd been half-hearted and hadn't properly looked at the dresses.
It's not easy to visit Madame Pluto's boutique without a reservation... and I've been looking at everything so carelessly.
I felt ashamed, remembering I'd simply nodded when Edwin had asked to see the premium line.
Feeling sorry, I fidgeted with my fingers.
What should I say first?
In truth, as soon as I'd seen Madame Pluto's boutique, I'd thought of Ethella and couldn't concentrate.
The thought that the seamstress must have visited the Duke's residence kept lingering in my mind.
But before I could open my mouth, I heard a soft laugh.
"I can't even scold you properly. Why do you look so apologetic?"
"...I'm truly sorry. I didn't intentionally zone out—I just kept thinking about other things and couldn't focus on the dresses."
I confessed as if I were admitting guilt.
Worry spread across Edwin's face as he tilted his head.
"Is something troubling you? You weren't lying when you said you weren't tired, were you?"
"No, it's true—I'm not tired. It's just..."
I hesitated for a moment.
It would be silly to think about my younger sister even after leaving the duchy...
But to me, Ethella was special.
"If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. Should I just choose the dresses myself?"
I slowly opened my mouth as I watched Edwin change the subject considerately.
"...Before I left the Duke's residence, I reserved a dress for my sister at Madame Pluto's boutique. I suddenly remembered that."
"...Just like last time, you seem to think very fondly of your younger sister."
I smiled faintly instead of answering.
I have to stop thinking about Ethella now...
The bitter feeling of being unable to do the things I'd always done—things that had been part of my daily life—was overwhelming.
Edwin must have seen that expression, because he spoke more playfully:
"...How about paying more attention to me now? You see, I almost felt genuinely sad because you kept not looking at me. But it gets resolved with just one word."
Even though Edwin spoke sternly, his eyes softened, and he smiled.
His red eyes gazed warmly at me.
It was at that moment—laughing unconsciously—that I opened my eyes wide.
"Now that I think about it... Edwin, you're the one who doesn't call my name, aren't you?"
I said it casually and blinked.
The man who'd asked me to call him by name had never actually called mine.
Where's the fairness in that?
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Edwin.
But he shrugged and spoke with a calm face.
"That's because you never gave permission—or asked me to call you by name."
"When did I—"
I started to respond reflexively, then paused.
Come to think of it... I've never given such permission.
Until now, no one had ever asked for permission to call me by my name.
Strangely, my cheek felt warm.
No—it was my heart that felt itchy.
"Well... it would've been fine if you'd just called me by my name."
Despite my humble words, Edwin looked at me seriously.
Then he smiled sweetly and shook his head.
"It can't be like that. I told you—I'm ready to do anything for you. But to put it another way... if you don't tell me what you want, I can't do anything."
"You're so mean."
"You're mean too. I'm not a mind reader."
Edwin shrugged and narrowed his eyes.
I avoided his gaze—that alluring smile seemed to captivate me.
But he tenaciously followed my eyes, his red gaze filled with anticipation.
"I think there's something you want now. Aren't you going to tell me?"
The end of his drowsy voice stretched out, as if pleading.
What I want...
I pressed my lips together.
What I'd wanted hadn't always come true.
It had been easier to swallow it down and wait for next time.
But strangely, in front of Edwin, I wanted more.
I've never felt desire this strongly before.
It seemed the more my expectations were met, the more I wanted.
When I didn't want to return to the Duke's residence. When I wanted someone to see the carefully decorated Tiase Palace and recognize my efforts. And even now.
My heartbeat grew stronger.
I felt like I could hear the pounding in my ears.
I clenched my fists and pressed my knees together.
I spoke slowly, making eye contact with Edwin.
"Edwin... I want you to call me by my name."
I paused.
Is it all right to say something like this?
But on impulse, I raised my chin as if provoking him and said:
"Preciously."
---
Looking through the carriage window, the sky had grown increasingly dark.
Edwin quietly knocked on the coach seat twice.
The coachman, noticing the signal, slowed the carriage.
Edwin smiled and looked across from him.
Olivia must have been exhausted—she'd begun to doze off as soon as she'd gotten into the carriage.
Little by little, her upright posture had loosened.
What is she dreaming about?
Olivia wrinkled her nose.
The smile on Edwin's lips deepened as he looked at her face, which reminded him of a sleepy kitten.
"Olivia."
Edwin murmured her name.
Olivia seemed to recognize it and let out a small sigh.
Edwin immediately fell silent.
Then Olivia started dozing off again.
I'm thrilled to be in a relationship where she shows her vulnerabilities instead of sharp thorns...
If he received permission from the Emperor, he'd take Olivia down to Vikander territory right away.
He wanted to let her laugh more freely. Hope more openly.
"Um... Your Highness the Grand Duke."
A small voice spoke as Winster came closer to the window.
"There's someone at the front gate."
Edwin's eyes sharpened at Winster's words.
Is it Jade again?
This time, he wasn't going to send Olivia away gracefully—she was asleep.
However, the identity of the person standing at the gate was unexpected.
Cool silver hair, just like Olivia's. A familiar pink diamond necklace.
Even without hearing her name, Edwin knew who the young girl was.
Ethella Madeleine.
Olivia's younger sister—whom Olivia said she cared for so much—was standing in front of the Grand Duke's residence with a tear-swollen face.