Chapter 71

 

***

 

Ronny’s efforts didn’t stop there.

Even in this cold winter, he managed to find green plants that symbolize the ducal house, enabling him to create comfortable and beautiful indoor decorations.

Of course, he had the help of Higgins, but successfully completed a contract with a famous decorator.

He also chose matching tableware with the help of the servants.

The only barrier was the letter from the Tower Master regarding Jeremiah, which was still written in incredibly large script, but fortunately, ‘Kind Melody’ was able to solve that with her reading.

“You’re really amazing,” Ronny said, resting his chin on his hand after hearing her read the entire letter.

“What’s so amazing? It’s all thanks to the Tower Master writing such a kind and simple letter.”

Melody returned the letter and took an apron from her wardrobe.

In fact, what Ronny found ‘amazing’ was Melody’s ability to skillfully decipher such worm-like script.

But at that moment, something even more astonishing caught his attention: Melody’s wardrobe.

He knew it was impolite to snoop through a lady’s wardrobe, but this was an emergency, so he approached and inspected the inside.

“What is this mess in your wardrobe?!”

Melody frowned. This wardrobe was the most luxurious and expensive collection of clothes she had ever owned, spanning her past and present lives.

Yet, he was insulting it.

“If you speak so unpleasantly, I’ll be hurt, Young Master.”

“The one hurt here is me! Are you really planning to attend the feast for the best meat in such clothes? Do you think that’s respectful to the grand meat?!”

“Respect for meat is enough if you chew it well and eat it neatly.”

“No, it’s not enough. If you don’t want my elegant banquet to turn into a vulgar village festival with these plain clothes, then go buy new ones.”

As expected, Melody looked troubled at the mention of ‘buying.’

“Who’s asking you to pay? The money will come from the ducal house’s banquet budget.”

Ronny pulled out a metal badge with the family crest from his pocket. It was a very precious item that only those belonging to the ducal house could receive.

“Show this at the store, and you’ll be able to have any dress you want tailored for you. Don’t forget to ask them to finish it as quickly as possible.”

Melody wanted to say that she didn’t know how long it takes to make a dress, but Ronny left before she could speak.

Regardless, Ronny was right.

No matter how fine the materials of Melody’s current clothes were, they fell into the category of casual wear.

‘My standards have certainly risen.’

Until recently, she thought her clothes were like those a princess would wear. Now, she classified them as ‘casual wear.’

Melody pondered for a bit but decided to take Ronny’s advice.

‘If I don’t dress appropriately, it will be troublesome for the Duke as well.’

Besides, Ronny might not give her the large piece of meat if he disapproves of her ‘miserable’ clothes.

‘Large meat…’

Melody momentarily swallowed her saliva, imagining that beautiful shape in the air.

Ronny, despite his annoying words, was a tsundere who definitely took responsibility for what he said.

If Melody dressed appropriately, he would surely reward her with a fantastic piece of meat.

 

***

 

The next day, Melody managed to get a ride to the city by asking the postal delivery man who had just arrived. She carefully carried the ducal badge Ronny had given her, tucked inside her thick coat.

The servants of the ducal house offered to get a carriage ready for Melody, but she felt guilty about mobilizing a coachman just for her, so she firmly declined. Instead, she promised to meet Mrs. Higgins, who had gone to the yarn store in the morning, and return with her.

“It won’t take long to get to the city.”

The postman said so, but as time passed, the carriage didn’t seem to make it to the city. Melody poked her head out slightly to check the front. For some reason, many carriages were lined up, unable to move forward or backward.

“Is there something happening today?”

“I’m not sure. I didn’t hear anything special… Maybe there’s a roadblock or something.”

Just when she started to worry, the carriage slowly began to move forward.

“Ah, it seems to be clearing up now.”

Noticing Melody’s anxious face, the postman lightened the mood by starting a different conversation.

“By the way, Miss Melody, what brings you to the city?”

Melody slightly bowed her head. She felt somewhat embarrassed about going to buy something that didn’t fit her status.

“I’m going to look at dresses.”

“Is Miss Loretta still unwell?”

“What?”

“But you know Miss’s heart well, so you’ll definitely choose something good.”

It seemed he misunderstood that she was going to look at dresses for Loretta. Actually, it was for Melody…

Melody decided not to correct him, fearing the kind postman would fret over apologizing to her.

More time passed, and soon the carriage reached the city. The postman stopped in front of a clothing store filled with lavish decorations. Melody remembered receiving several catalogs from this store through the mail.

It was a newly opened place, and they had sent a letter hoping to be entrusted with making clothes for the ladies and guests of the ducal house, welcoming them anytime.

“How will you return?”

“Mrs. Higgins is nearby. She said she was going to Mr. Neil’s store to look at yarn today. I plan to meet her there and return together.”

“Hmm.”

Mr. Neil’s yarn store was fortunately only a block away.

Yet, the postman looked somewhat concerned. As she got off the carriage and asked why, he pointed to the sky far away, where a bit of grey smoke was rising.

“It seems like there’s been an accident in the city. I’m worried about leaving young Miss Melody alone. But I need to hurry with the mail…”

“I’ll be fine. I’m not going that way, and haven’t you already been delayed because of the traffic jam?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Hurry on. There’s nothing more agonizing than waiting for a letter.”

Melody gently pushed his arm, urging him to go. Even as he started the carriage, he repeated at least five times, “You must absolutely not go in that direction.”

After the postman left, Melody stood alone in the heart of the city.

She glanced around at the high-end stores, then checked her reflection in the shiny glass window.

She adjusted the ribbon in her hair and dusted off her skirt, which had become wrinkled in the carriage.

She then rummaged through her pocket and gripped the small badge made with the ducal family’s crest.

‘Act gracefully, as you’ve been taught.’

Counting to three in her heart, Melody opened the door of the store. Nervous, she closed her eyes tightly.

A sweet scent wafted through the  gap in the door, lifting her spirits, and her eyes sparkled open.

The first thing that caught her eye was a dress made of fabric with a beautiful shimmer.

As she took a step forward, the rug under her  shoes felt incredibly white and soft, making her hesitate to step on it freely.

She stepped back a little from the rug and circled around it. It looked expensive, so she decided to be careful.

Once fully inside, the lavish interior was visible in every corner.

She looked at the walls hung with lace and then at the display cabinet below. Buttons adorned with jewels twinkled, tempting those who looked at them.

‘This would suit Loretta well.’

Melody smiled softly as she looked at the green jewels. She liked how, even in such a situation, Loretta naturally came to her mind.

‘When she gets better, we must visit together.’

Loretta liked anything interesting, so she would certainly like this place too…

“Oh dear, child. What would you do if you entered through the front door?”

Caught up in the cute buttons, Melody was startled when a clerk suddenly appeared and tapped her on the shoulder, scolding her.

“It’s you, isn’t it? The errand runner that Mr. Brook recommended.”

“What?”

“I heard you could read, is that true?”

The clerk picked up a nearby catalog, flipped it open to a random page, and handed it to her.

“Read this.”

“Actually, I’m here to…”

Melody tried to say she came to buy a dress, but the clerk’s sigh was quicker.

“I knew it! The kids Mr. Brook sends are always like this! All dressed up fancy but…”

She snapped the catalog shut with a sigh.

“How can I use a child who can’t even read?”

The rolled-up catalog hit Melody’s forehead with a thump.

“Ouch.”

“You shouldn’t hang around those lying adults either. Got it? Already trying to be cunning at such a young age.”

“That’s not it…”

Melody looked up at the clerk, holding her forehead with one hand.

“Anyway, get out quickly. Today, we have guests from a long-time-prepared noble family coming.”

The clerk grabbed Melody’s arm and started pulling her out of the store.

“Wait a moment.”

Melody quickly tried to clarify that she was from the ducal house.

“I don’t have a moment to waste on you.”

But the clerk didn’t give her a chance to speak and soon pulled her out of the store completely.

“Oh, right.”

As if remembering something, the clerk tossed a small coin to Melody.

“Here, take this.”

The shining coin landed in Melody’s open hands.

“Tell Mr. Brook. If he sends another absurd child like you, I will never use any child sent by him ever again.”

Still visibly irritated, the clerk hit Melody’s head a few more times with the rolled-up catalog.

“Understand? Got it?”

“……”

Melody didn’t respond, and the clerk sighed deeply before going back into the store.

‘What should I do now?’

While she stood there with a troubled expression, someone soon tapped Melody on the shoulder.

Not expecting anyone to approach her in the middle of the city, she was startled and turned around.

“……?!”

There, smiling gently, stood Claude.