'Wait... didn't they forget something important?' I thought, my brow furrowing. 'If Askin is my fiancé, shouldn't he be my escort to a banquet like this?'
I muttered a curse under my breath. The air in the room seemed to freeze. My grandfather was no help, and Loxdian was just making things more complicated. They were both like a couple of arsonists who only knew how to make things worse.
I looked up at the circle of waiting servants. "Clean this up. I’m going back."
"Yes, Princess."
I was about to change out of the red dress when my gaze landed on Lorna, the Imperial designer. I paused for a moment.
"What was your name again?"
The woman slowly raised her head, her eyes wide with surprise. "...It’s Lorna, Princess."
"Lorna. Are you a commoner?"
She nodded.
"The dress was beautiful," I said, a small smile touching my lips. "I used to think there wasn't anything special about 'Imperial' quality, but I suppose the Emperor only hires the best. You’ve done well."
I left the room before she could respond, completely unaware of the stunned look on her face. To be praised by Charlize Altsbeit—the woman who usually expressed her dissatisfaction with a thrown vase—was practically a miracle.
* * *
The next morning.
I woke up late again, though slightly earlier than the day before.
"Good morning, Princess!"
"You look stunning today!"
"Our Princess is truly the most beautiful woman in the world!"
The maids’ greetings seemed to be getting more enthusiastic with every passing day. It was a bit overwhelming, but I didn't hate it. I suspected it had something to do with the fact that I’d tripled the salaries of Susan, Anna, and Beth the night before.
'In my old life, if my boss had tripled my salary overnight, I’d have kissed his shoes,' I thought. 'Money might not buy happiness, but it certainly buys a very friendly morning.'
But my good mood was short-lived. I was soon summoned to the main hall, where a crowd of people was already waiting.
"Princess! It is an honor to meet the Jewel of Altsbeit!"
I frowned at the sea of brightly dressed strangers. The hall was overflowing with boxes, rolls of fabric, and racks of dresses.
"What is all this?" I asked.
Ten minutes ago, my grandfather’s assistant had told me I needed to come here. I’d expected another lecture or a reprimand for my behavior with Loxdian. Instead, I found myself in the middle of a shopping frenzy.
"Ah, Princess! I am the head designer from AB Boutique! We were so excited to bring you our latest collection!"
"And I am the owner of the Biak dressing room! We have the most exclusive fabrics in the Empire..."
"Princess, did you receive the limited edition bag I sent? I am Beone, from Le Papa..."
They all started talking at once, their voices overlapping like birdsong. I quickly realized what was happening. This was my grandfather’s response to Loxdian.
'A gift from Grandfather?' I thought, looking at the staggering amount of luxury goods. 'He must be trying to out-spend the Emperor.'
I surveyed the pile of jewelry and silk. There was enough here to buy a small province. I’d heard that Grandfather had ordered his people to buy *everything* exclusive they could find. What was in this room was probably only a tenth of what he’d actually purchased.
'What a waste,' I thought.
"Jojo, the Princess has such a wonderful grandfather! The Duke truly cares for you!"
"Indeed. Every item here is a limited edition. Once you wear them, they will never be seen on another woman in the Empire."
I tilted my head, unimpressed. The maids were gawking, but all I could think about was my "survival coin." What was the point of all this if I was still destined for a bad ending? If I couldn't win over Askin, all these dresses would just be very expensive burial shrouds.
Besides, after seeing the dress Loxdian had commissioned, all these "exclusive" pieces looked gaudy and over-the-top. It was like looking at a regular man after being in a room with Askin and Loxdian—nothing compared.
"Take it all back," I said, my voice flat. "I’m not interested."
The designers looked like they’d been slapped. They clung to me, begging me to just look at one more piece, one more design.
"Is there something missing, Princess? Just tell us! We’ll make whatever you want!"
I ignored them, my expression cold and distant. I was busy thinking about how to handle the banquet when there was a knock at the door.
A maid I’d never seen before entered, carrying a silver tray with a single envelope on it.
'Correspondence?'
I picked up the envelope and my eyes widened.
*Askin Lemut.*
My heart skipped a beat. It was from my fiancé.
"Everyone, out. Now."
"But Princess!"
"Do you want to leave on your feet, or should I have my knights carry you out?" I asked, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
They didn't need to be told twice. They scrambled out of the room, nearly tripping over each other in their haste.
I sat down among the piles of discarded silk, my heart pounding. Surely he wasn't writing to break the engagement *now*? Not before I’d even had a chance to fix things?
I opened the letter with shaking hands and began to read.
"...Amazing."
I covered my mouth, a low murmur escaping my lips.
*“The Duke of Lemut recognizes your recent assistance and has no intention of ignoring your excellence.”*
'Wow, he’s actually using formal language?' I thought. 'And his handwriting is so... clean. It feels like I can almost smell the freshness of his scent through the paper.'
*“I will officially attend as your fiancé for the Goddess Festival banquet. I do not consider this a loss for myself, but rather a way to repay the favor you showed my sister.”*
I felt a surge of excitement. He was coming! He was going to be my escort!
'This is perfect! If he’s there with me, I have a chance to change his mind. If I can just get him to stay engaged for one more year...'
I traced the elegant script with my finger.
*“Please send your response with the bearer of this letter.”*
I laughed. Even in a letter, he was blunt and masculine. Not a single word of actual "thanks," but for Askin, this was a massive step. He was acknowledging that I’d helped Aria.
"...Princess?"
I looked up and saw my maids watching me with wide, curious eyes.
"We don't mean to pry, but... was that a letter from Duke Lemut?" Susan asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well... you’ve been smiling like a girl in love the whole time you were reading it," Anna added, giggling. "Your face is all rosy!"
"I... what?" I touched my cheek. Had I really been smiling?
'Am I really that excited about a "survival coin"?' I wondered. Or was there something else?
I shook my head and stood up. "Susan! Go find those designers and bring them back! Now!"
"Yes, Princess!" Susan turned and ran for the door.