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Ezkhiel was sitting on the sofa, reading a book while enjoying the madeleines and cookies piled up on the table, along with the endless tea the maid kept pouring.
When he glanced at the clock, he realized it had already been two hours since the people from the Flabellum dress shop had arrived at Count Sharon's residence.
As Lenard had said, three hours was the standard time. Sure enough, Letticia had already tried on a riding outfit, a hunting competition suit, an indoor dress, and was now choosing an outing dress.
On top of that, she was also picking shoes, gloves, and hats to match the dresses. Seeing this, Ezkhiel, just as Lenard had advised, opened up the book he had brought along in advance and began reading.
Of course, at first Ezkhiel tried to join in the conversation. But with no knowledge of fashion or trends, hearing about Amara silk or Rasseles velvet only reminded him of the council meetings where officials had debated whether to adjust tariffs on trade with Amara. None of that information was of any use to Letticia in choosing her clothes.
Still, when the topic shifted to the outfits that would debut in the fall season, Ezkhiel finally managed to focus and join in. After all, this wasn't just about Letticia, he too had to match his attire for the occasion.
"First of all, I absolutely need to use the chiffon and jeweled chains from the spring season. But how should I arrange the decorations?"
"My lady has slender, graceful arms. If you drape the jeweled chains around them like a vine, it would suit you perfectly. You could add several large floral embellishments, trim the edges with lace, and connect it all with a ruby chain. Or, for an off-shoulder design, adorn the shoulders with chiffon and pearl chains…"
The owner and designer of the Flabellum dress shop, Rosamund, answered Letticia's question without hesitation and even presented a sketch of the design.
She had not only anticipated what Letticia might request but had prepared designs in advance. Letticia couldn't help but be impressed.
"You're very thorough, Madame. You must be busy, yet you even had time to prepare the designs right after the appointment was made?"
"It wasn't too difficult. More than half of the current orders we're receiving feature chiffon and jeweled chains. By the way, do you perhaps have a specific design in mind for this occasion as well?"
Ever since Letticia had revealed her coronation dress design, Rosamund had always asked her that same question.
But this time, Letticia hadn't come with a particular design in mind, so she simply answered off the top of her head.
"I don't have a clear idea this time, so I'll leave it to you, Madame. Just make sure to include my birthstone, sapphire, and also add elements to match with Sir Bright."
"In that case, allow me to show you the design I've prepared. Sir Bright, please take a look as well."
Rosamund pulled out another design book and handed it to them. This time, the sketches were colored, making it easier to distinguish.
"Lady Sharon's hair color is unique, so the color coordination can be tricky. Fortunately, it pairs well with Sir Bright's eye color. Therefore, I suggest using a deep green as an accent, and if you wear a sapphire hair ornament, you'll have more freedom in choosing the dress color."
"…Is this design meant to leave the shoulders completely bare?"
Ezkhiel's voice grew slightly stiff as he studied the sketch. He had thought that, since it was autumn, Letticia's dress would be more modest compared to the revealing gowns of spring. Yet this one didn't seem all that different, and it unsettled him.
Perhaps sensing his concern, Rosamund smiled faintly and replied.
"Yes, but over it, I intend to drape a translucent chiffon shawl, adorned with jeweled chains. That way, the upper body will look splendid without being overly exposed. It's a style quite popular among young ladies who already have suitors."
"…I see. Well then…"
Embarrassed that his worry had been so easily seen through, Ezkhiel let his words trail off. Letticia, laughing softly, placed her hand over his.
"I wasn't planning on wearing anything too thin for autumn anyway. Madame, I also think this design is fine. Could you first make the dress and bring it over? As you know, I can't decide on the jewelry alone."
"Very well. Then we'll settle on this design for the dress and move on to Sir Bright's attire. Since this will be my first time tailoring for him, I don't yet have his measurements, so I ask for your patience, it may take some time."
Once the dress was finally decided, it was Ezkhiel's turn to choose his clothes. Letticia, still full of enthusiasm, eagerly flipped through the catalog and picked out designs that might suit him.
"Ez is far too busy to bother with every passing trend. I think a more classic design would be best. And while we're at it, why don't we also get you some everyday clothes? Not just the ones for the ball. I'll choose everything for you."
"If you're the one choosing, then I'm more than grateful. I'll leave it in your hands."
Ezkhiel expected it would take about another hour, so he entrusted the matter to Letticia.
At that point, he assumed she would at most select some indoor wear and a few formal outfits. After all, men's fashion was far less varied than women's. And since Ezkhiel, as a imperial official, rarely attended social gatherings, he thought he could simply rotate the same suits with minor adjustments.
"Then the trousers should match the vest's color. Do you have this tone in a different shade?"
"That particular shade is not in high demand, so we don't keep much in stock. Sir Bright, would you prefer another color instead?"
"Hmm…"
But Letticia's standards were far higher than his. She insisted that simply swapping an accessory was not enough, and that colors and many other details had to be considered. Before long, the number of outfits selected exceeded the total he had bought in the past four years.
"I-Is it really all right to have this many made…?"
"Ez, it just means you haven't bought enough clothes until now. And besides, you don't even like choosing your own outfits, do you? So let's get plenty while I'm picking them out for you. That way, you won't need to bother shopping again later."
"Well… thank you for choosing for me, Letty. Thanks to you, I'll be able to get through this autumn comfortably."
Letticia grinned playfully, and Ezkhiel hesitated before nodding. Truthfully, he disliked shopping for clothes anyway, and the outfits she chose were always better than what he would've picked himself, so he had no complaints.
Watching the two of them, Rosamund let out an amused laugh.
"You sound exactly like Count Sharon and the Countess. The Count has little interest in clothing as well, so the Countess always selects everything for him."
"Which works out for me, since I get to have him wear the kind of clothes I like."
Letticia declared proudly, and Rosamund, still smiling, replied.
"It's easy to see how close the two of you are. Now I'll have something to tell those curious about the young lady's news."
"From the way you say that, I take it people are already asking what kind of dress I'll be wearing this autumn?"
"Of course. The dresses you wore in spring set the trend. More than half of the orders for autumn coronation gowns are for off-shoulder dresses. One might even say it's like seeing the young Lady Sharon of old reborn. Honestly, no matter who debuts this autumn, I doubt anyone will attract more attention than you, Lady Sharon."
Coming from the very designer who had once crafted Camilla's dresses and set new fashion trends, such praise made Letticia straighten her shoulders with pride. Hearing things like that always made her feel she was doing well, and it delighted her.
Once Rosamund had left, Ezkhiel hesitated for a moment before turning to Letticia.
"Letty, I didn't end up being useless help, did I?"
"What are you talking about? How could you say you weren't any help?"
"I was just reading the whole time you were picking clothes… Even when you asked what looked good, I barely gave an answer."
"That's fine. You can say what you think after seeing me actually try them on. I'm the one who should apologize for taking so long to choose. There were so many new items that I lost track of time while listening."
"…Then, can I stay and watch next time when you try them on?"
"Of course! But only if you try yours on too, okay?"
As they exchanged promises with smiles in the warm atmosphere, Ezkhiel suddenly asked with concern.
"By the way, Letty, how's the business preparation coming along? You said you've been busy hiring new people."
"It's nearly done now. The product planning will be handled by my brother and Lady Averil with the working staff, while I'll just take care of the meetings and networking."
That's what she said, but in truth, Letticia was extremely busy. Because of recent complications, Ariette could no longer serve as co-representative, forcing Letticia to take on the role alone. On top of that, she was also preparing the opening of the second Faymont branch, attending the Empress's tea party, and keeping up with various social gatherings, all of which delayed calling in the dressmakers.
Ezkhiel, too, had become busier than ever. Other than the brief conversations they managed through the communication crystal every few days, they were lucky to see each other once a week. It hardly felt like the "season of rest" that summer was supposed to be.
"Then… once things settle down a little, shall we go see a play together? I think I'll be able to take some leave toward the end of this month."
"Of course! Let's watch the play, have dinner, and do everything else together."
Unlike today, which had been more like working together than an actual date, the thought of a true outing made Ezkhiel smile brightly.
And so, Letticia firmly decided, when it came to dates with Ezkhiel, shopping would never be part of the plan again.
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