It wasn’t long before the designers returned to the hall, each of them panting for breath. They’d clearly been hovering just outside the door, too terrified of Charlize’s temper to leave but too desperate for her favor to stay away.
I sat with my legs crossed, a finger pressed to my lips. My eyes narrowed as I scanned their hopeful, sweaty faces.
"Can you do something for me?" I asked, my voice low.
"Yes! Yes, of course!"
"Our boutique is at your service, Princess!"
"We can do anything! Something unconventional, something daring!"
"Shh."
The room fell silent instantly. I gestured to one of the knights standing by the door. It wasn't Jette—he’d disappeared somewhere—but another man who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else.
"You. Go find the designer who usually handles Duke Lemut’s wardrobe."
"The... Duke of Lemut?" the knight stammered.
"Yes. Now."
I wondered for a second if Askin even *had* a regular designer. He probably spent all his money on Aria’s treatments. But a Duke, even a bankrupt one, had to have someone who made his formal wear.
"Actually, cancel that," I said, rolling my eyes. "Just find whatever designer currently has the Duke’s measurements and bring them here. Immediately."
The knight bowed and took off. I didn't feel sorry for him. He was one of the men who’d been ready to drag me away on my grandfather’s orders just yesterday. Only Jette had shown any real loyalty.
'Out of all these knights, he’s the only one worth keeping,' I thought.
It didn't take as long as I’d expected for a very nervous-looking man to be ushered into the hall. He looked like he’d been dragged out of bed.
'I thought it would take at least half a day,' I thought, checking the clock.
My fiancé had agreed to go to the banquet with me, but there was a major problem. Askin didn't care about fashion. He dressed neatly, sure, but he wasn't exactly a trendsetter. And Loxdian, being the petty tyrant he was, had already threatened to block anyone who didn't meet his "Imperial standards."
If Askin showed up in his usual, plain formal wear, he’d be kicked out before we even crossed the threshold. And then my "survival coin" would be gone forever.
I couldn't let that happen.
"You have the Duke’s measurements memorized, don't you?" I asked the new designer.
The man shuddered. "Y-yes, Princess! Of course!"
"Good. Tell them everything." I pointed to the other designers.
The Duke’s designer looked confused, but he did as he was told.
"Now," I said, smiling brightly at the group of designers who were still hanging on my every word. "I’m sure making a simple man’s suit won't be a problem for talents such as yourselves."
"Princess...?"
"You have the measurements," I said, snapping my fingers. "Now, make it happen."
I gestured to Susan. "Bring it in."
The doors opened, and Anna and Beth entered, carrying a large, carefully wrapped package. It was the red Imperial dress Loxdian had given me.
"This is the dress I’ll be wearing to the banquet," I announced, revealing the stunning garment. "I want a man’s suit that matches this perfectly. Something that won't just 'fit in,' but will command the room."
The designers stared at the dress with a mix of awe and professional jealousy. They knew quality when they saw it, and this dress was a masterpiece.
'Charlize sets the trend,' I thought. Like it or not, every young woman in the Empire envied her style.
"My grandfather will be choosing his primary dressing room based on the results of this project," I added. "Forever."
The atmosphere in the room changed instantly. It was like dropping a bone in front of a pack of hungry wolves. They practically tripped over each other to get to the Duke’s designer and start planning.
"Does the Duke have any particular... preferences?" someone asked.
"Just tell them everything," I said to the Duke’s designer.
The man looked at me like a lamb about to be devoured, but he started talking. I handed him a heavy bag of gold coins—half for his trouble, half for his silence. His expression changed from terror to pure, unadulterated joy.
'Treat him well,' I thought, watching the designers swarm him. 'He’s our only hope.'
I gave them their deadline—which was tight, but not impossible—and then ordered everyone to leave. I was tired of being the center of attention.
Once the room was empty, I sat back and picked up Askin’s letter. I still couldn't quite believe he’d reached out to me first.
'Is there finally a crack in his armor?' I wondered.
A surge of pride and relief washed over me. It was like finding a rare, beautiful coin I’d thought I’d lost. The wind was finally changing in my favor.
'Now I just have to deal with my brother's temper and my grandfather's greed,' I thought, sighing.
I looked around at the mountain of luxury goods my grandfather had sent. In my old life, any one of these items would have been a dream come true. But here, surrounded by too much of everything, I felt... nothing.
'Maybe it’s because none of this actually belongs to me,' I realized. 'It’s all just part of Charlize’s gilded cage.'
* * *
The next morning.
I woke up early—a rare occurrence.
"Princess? You're already awake?" Susan asked, surprised.
"I’m wearing this today," I said, pointing to a simple but elegant traveling outfit.
The maids followed me into the dressing room, nodding in unison like three little birds.
"I have somewhere to go," I said. "You don't need to follow me."
"Oh! But... is it okay if we come anyway?"
I frowned, but before I could protest, I realized that Charlize’s tone had already become my own. 'Do what you want,' I muttered.
I got into the carriage, my mind already on the person I was going to see.