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Initially it was planned that the atelier staff would come directly to Eileen's house.
But Eileen desperately refused.
The thought that she would have to try on a wedding dress surrounded by people in the cramped living room of the brick house made her feel as if the house were about to explode.
However, calling them to the Grand Duke's residence was also impossible.
According to an old omen, if the groom sees the bride in a wedding dress before the ceremony, it will bring misfortune.
To exclude the slightest possibility that Cesare might accidentally see her, the residence was immediately excluded from the list of possible places.
*‘Although, of course, His Grace hardly pays attention to such superstitions.’*
Eileen still worried a little.
In the end she decided to set off for the atelier herself.
*‘What kind of dress?’* Eileen knew nothing.
She was only told that the wedding dress was already ready at the atelier, and today it would be fitted to her figure and the decorations adjusted.
She was burning with curiosity and anticipation—all because of an article in a magazine.
*[Grand Duke Erzet, blinded by the news of the wedding, has begun preparations for the ceremony in incredibly short periods.
For he has only a month. (What is going on in men's heads?!
Reader-men, do not repeat this recklessness!
Such is possible only for a person with the appearance, wealth, and power of Grand Duke Erzet!) To turn the impossible into the possible, the three best ateliers of the capital have joined forces.
Sworn enemies—atelier owners—have joined efforts to create the Grand Duchess's wedding dress.
But who knows what will come of this union: a masterpiece or a complete failure...]*
Lately around me and Cesare there had been so much talk that I tried not to read newspapers.
But today I bought a magazine and accidentally stumbled upon this article, so I couldn't not finish reading it.
In fact I’d bought the magazine because of Ornella.
About such famous people as her, they usually write all sorts of trifles.
But about Ornella I found out nothing.
The whole magazine was filled with articles about the Grand Duke's wedding.
Closing the magazine, Eileen found out a bunch of gossip about herself, but nothing about Ornella.
She would have to look for information in other ways.
"Young Lady!"
Diego, waiting under the orange tree, waved a hand energetically.
In his uniform he looked incredibly pleased.
For him it was a chance to see Eileen in a wedding dress before anyone else.
Everyone had vied to ask to accompany her.
Even Senon had declared he was ready to stand watch all night before the wedding just to get this privilege.
In the end, four knights had gathered and drawn lots.
Diego had won, and now he was accompanying Eileen.
"Shall we go?"
He closed the door of the military car, humming to himself, and sat at the wheel.
Diego had intentionally come without a driver so Eileen could speak freely.
Thanks to this, on the way to the atelier Eileen was able to ask about what worried her.
She began with the most harmless—the dowry.
"Sir Diego."
"Yes, Young Lady."
"I spoke to His Grace about a dowry..."
As soon as Eileen spoke, Diego immediately laughed.
"Ha, forgive me, Young Lady.
Just... can't help laughing." He tried to restrain himself, but to no effect.
He laughed to tears and only then was able to utter: "I couldn't even imagine this worried you.
It's a forced marriage, after all.
Of course all expenses are borne by His Grace."
He for a moment clenched his teeth, restraining a new fit of laughter.
"If one thinks about it, His Grace himself is to blame.
He should have reassured you about a dowry at once.
But you, Young Lady, managed to surprise me."
Diego snorted and cleared his throat, trying not to treat Eileen like a child.
But Eileen, used to such treatment, simply said to forget about the dowry and changed the subject.
She wanted to ask about Cesare too, but they had already arrived at the atelier, so the conversation had to be postponed.
The atelier was located on Avenue Venu.
When Eileen and Diego in military uniform stepped out of the car, attention was immediately drawn to them.
Eileen involuntarily shriveled, but Diego, used to attention, didn't even notice.
*‘The magazine said military style is in great fashion now.’*
Eileen remembered the article and, hiding behind Diego's back, stared at the ground.
Only upon entering the atelier did she finally raise her head.
The air in the atelier was slightly stale.
Luxury dresses on mannequins stood everywhere, arranged so one could view them from all sides.
In the depths of the room Eileen saw three unusually dressed women.
They were arguing over a large board with pieces of fabric, not even hearing the doorbell.
It seemed strange that no one came out to meet them, but all the employees were trying in vain to quiet the owners.
One of the girls timidly tried to intervene: "The young Lady Elrod should arrive soon... maybe we should stop the arguments?.."
"You call this an argument?" sharply objected a woman in bright attire.
"At least pretend!
Show a bit of breeding," parried another, dressed in strict tones.
"Breeding?
Well, well, what breeding?.." mockingly mimicked her a third in a dress with a damask pattern.
Eileen understood who they were.
The atelier owners who’d joined forces to create the wedding dress.
‘Joined efforts’—but it seemed now they were ready to fight.
Diego intervened loudly:
"Are you not working today?"
His gruff tone made everyone turn around.
Seeing him, the women broke into smiles.
"Goodness!
Grand Duchess Erzet has graced us..." exclaimed the one in the patterned dress.
But noticing Eileen, peeking from behind Diego, she went sharply silent.
Not believing her eyes, the woman finished gloomily: "...graced us."
The atelier, just now ringing with arguments, was as if doused with cold water.
Three women, just now ready to kill each other, looked at each other desperately.
Without words, their faces expressed despair.
Seeing Eileen, they realized—all was lost.
It was so obvious that even Eileen felt it.
She embarrassedly ran a hand over her face.
Meanwhile, the atelier owners agreed in whispers.
"Let's...
Let's first deal with the bangs!
And the glasses."
"Agreed."
"If nothing comes of it, at least the veil will hide a bit."
They spoke so seriously that Eileen felt guilty.
Lowering her head, she thought: *‘If it were Ornella, this wouldn't have happened...’* She immediately drove away this thought.
No need to compare oneself with others.
While Eileen was banishing Ornella from her thoughts, the women, having restored their dignity, approached to bow.
"Lady Elrod.
We thank you for the visit.
For us it is a great honor to create the wedding dress for the Grand Duchess."
"Will you pass this way?
We will show you the dress.
But first... just a little bit... e-eh..."
"Maybe slightly adjust the bangs?"
"Leave it as it is," Diego interrupted them sharply.
He measured the women with a cold look.
But the atelier owners didn't give in under the tall soldier's gaze.
"His Grace personally asked to create the best wedding dress.
How can we not touch her hair?"
"At least do a hairstyle suitable for the dress."
Diego smirked and dropped almost a threat: "You better just do what you were instructed."
The women's faces froze again.
Eileen hastily stepped forward.
"Sir Diego, enough."
Eileen took off her glasses and then neatly pinned her bangs back with a clip an employee handed her.
She looked timidly at the atelier owners: "Will it do now?.."