Chapter Title: The Distance Between Worlds
The list included a silver silk dress, a women's shawl generously adorned with Colbert lace costing eight gold per yard, an evening robe embroidered with gold thread, and an ink-black brocade dress. He also didn't forget to buy a pair of silver shoes made from sharkskin, twenty pairs of women's shoes covered in velvet and satin, a small evening handbag made from white sable fur, and a velvet hat with peacock feathers. Finally, he bought the finest canola oil for hair care, thirty bolts of fabric in blue, navy, and dark green, twelve pieces of twill rugs, nineteen bolts of tulle fabric, five hundred ounces each of black lace woven with silk thread and silver-threaded lace with sequins.
By the time they finished and returned to the carriage, it was well past seven o'clock. Cesare glanced at Adelaide. It was an exhausting schedule even for an adult man, but his sister showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, she looked Cesare straight in the eye and asked.
"Is there something you'd like to say?"
"Not really." Cesare reflexively flashed a mischievous smile. "You smiled more than I expected. I almost thought you were someone else."
This was not a joke. Adelaide perfectly played the role of a 'lady who came up from the countryside, not yet accustomed to high society, but elegant in her demeanor as proof of her noble birth.' Her smile was just as convincing, making Cesare doubt twice—or rather four times—whether she really was falling for him.
"You're flattering me."
The stiff, unsociable woman replied indifferently. Cesare gazed at Adelaide for a moment before speaking.
"Smile again."
"..."
Adelaide made a face as if she were grumbling inside, then pulled the corners of her mouth up. It was beautiful as if drawn, but anyone could tell it was a forced smile.
"Hmm. That's not it."
"...I guess I'm better in real situations."
"This isn't a real situation?"
"You're not my enemy, Brother."
"What an honor."
Cesare smiled and crossed his arms.
"Your thoughts on today?"
Expecting an amusing response from his stiff, awkward, and foolish shoe shiner, Cesare asked. But Adelaide stared at Cesare and said.
"I'm not sure what you mean. However, shouldn't I be the one hearing the feedback? It's my first time coming out. If there were any awkward parts, please let me know for reference."
Cesare involuntarily stopped smiling at those words. She was right. Strictly speaking, the eighteen billion gold spent today was not a gift for Adelaide but a business expense. There was no reason to give her a present and receive an excited kiss like other ladies.
"...You did well."
Feeling an oddly calming effect, Cesare said. Adelaide's face brightened.
"That's a relief. I'll try not to make any mistakes."
"..."
Cesare added a frown to his smile without saying a word. Although today's extravagance was for the promotion of his 'sister,' Adelaide's reaction was too bland. No matter what, wouldn't anyone be a little happy to buy things they would use like this?
*She seemed to enjoy it at first. At Bottega di Vesio...*
Cesare recalled. He remembered when Adelaide had subtly calmed down at some point. Calmed down? No. It was closer to a slight sadness. Why? Cesare, who was staring blankly at Adelaide, spoke.
"Do you dislike jewels?"
"Is there a woman who dislikes jewels?"
"Then?"
"...I don't understand the point of the question."
Adelaide replied with a serious face. Cesare was curious and decided to be honest.
"You didn't seem very happy."
Having an employee with no curiosity is a good thing. In this situation, she didn't ask, 'Why is that important?' Adelaide replied indifferently as if that's what she meant.
"I won't take it with me when I leave anyway."
"But for now, it's yours."
"Yes. Thank you for the loan."
"..."
Cesare sighed softly at how dry she was. He didn't expect her to change her attitude and fawn over him for a few sparkling stones. But there was no reason to be sad over pearls, silk, duvetine dresses, and velvet hats.
Just as he thought that.
"...Ah."
Adelaide, who had been staring out the window the whole time, let out a short sigh. Her honey-colored eyes widened slightly as if she had discovered something. Cesare, seeing the warmth in her eyes, immediately knocked on the wall of the carriage. The carriage stopped. They were at the end of Bella Stella Street, passing by a few shabby shops claiming to sell luxury goods.
"Why?" Cesare asked Adelaide, who looked surprised as if she didn't expect the carriage to stop.
"Just, I saw a shop..." Adelaide hesitated and answered.
"A shop?"
Were there any decent shops around here? Cesare frowned and was about to smile when Adelaide spoke.
"...Yes. 'Secretum.' I've seen it from afar before."
Expecting a better answer, Cesare's smile lengthened.
"Adelaide, it's a cheap shop."
For a brief moment, Adelaide seemed to hesitate. It must have been an illusion. Her eyes were calmly looking at him. Nothing had changed. Cesare thought she didn't realize what kind of gifts she had received today.
"The Flanders lace you bought today is three times more expensive than the most expensive item in that shop."
"...I see."
Adelaide replied in a low voice, her face occasionally showing an inscrutable expression.
"Thank you."
It didn't seem very grateful. Cesare, losing interest, knocked on the carriage wall in silence. The carriage started again. They had reached the end of Bella Stella Street.
---
The day after returning from Bella Stella Street, Epony looked more excited than usual.
"Miss, how about musk for today's bath? There was some high-quality musk among the items bought yesterday."
Was there? Adelaide, who had slept in late from fatigue, nodded blankly.
"Do as you like, Epony."
"Yes. After your bath, please just wear a gown. I'll proceed with a massage with the maids. The finest evening primrose oil has arrived."
Her quick steps showed she was more excited than usual.
"He really spent a lot, even though he's just a young master. Fortunately for me, though. It was a bit difficult helping you dress up with only the things Madam Catarina left behind."
She also started talking about things that weren't asked.
"I see..."
Adelaide responded appropriately and headed to the bathroom. She took off the thin negligee covering her body and immersed her legs first in the warm water. The steam filled with the scent of musk slowly filled the bathroom.
In fact, she couldn't quite remember what she bought on Bella Stella Street yesterday. It didn't seem very important either. Adelaide's role was to be a mannequin. The name tag was 'sister.' Towards the end, she decided what to buy based solely on Cesare's expression. Most of the items she didn't need to wear were also chosen by him.
He was really generous. Truly. She remembered him smiling warmly at her while spending hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of gold without hesitation. His face showed that the money was not wasted at all.
She felt a distance. It made her realize that he was at the pinnacle of this splendid high society.
"..."
Adelaide lifted her hand submerged in the water and examined it. Epony's consistent application of medicine and whitening lotion had faded many scars. Still, Cesare's hands were prettier.
Adelaide plunged her head into the water. Bubbles rose. Her thoughts boiled and evaporated with the steam. She exposed her entire body to the maids, who inspected all her wounds, received a massage with evening primrose oil, and sat in the dressing room with her heated body. Epony brought out a new dress bought yesterday. It was a pure white dress tailored to the taste of Fornatie, who favored bright colors.
"It's fashionable these days to cinch under the bust or at the low waist, but it doesn't suit you very well. You have a fuller chest... A dress that shows your body line suits you better."
"Do you think Sir Ezra will like it?" Adelaide asked indifferently, raising her arms.
Epony cleared her throat quietly.
"No gentleman would dislike it."
"That's good."