Chapter 26

Unlike the peaceful Adeloff ducal house, the outside world was buzzing with excitement. Every person passing through the streets had something to say about Elena and Maxim.

“The Adeloffs have chosen a new young lady. The wedding is right around the corner!”

“Princess Hazel herself took on the role of chaperone, didn’t she?”

“My goodness, her? She hasn’t accepted any young lady all this time!”

“That’s exactly why opinions are so divided, isn’t it? That young lady must be planning something for sure.”

“Even so, isn’t she a Joseph? When did the Joseph family fall into ruin? How vulgar her mother is… ahem.”

“Surely that great Princess Hazel wouldn’t have brought in such a young lady. There must be something different about her.”

The rumors floating through high society and the streets flowed straight into Empress Riana’s ears.

“Kimberly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Isn’t the ability of these people to inflate what’s merely a spark of gossip to this extent quite remarkable?”

Empress Riana let out a cold smile. The head lady-in-waiting, Marchioness Kimberly, bowed her head. Knowing that Empress Riana became especially sensitive when it came to Maxim’s affairs, she was more cautious.

“Shall I dispel the rumors? There must be a way.”

Empress Riana sipped her tea. She was just as curious about Elena. However, the reason Riana was doing nothing and merely observing was that she didn’t want to interfere and ruin something that was going well.

Elena was said to be a small, precious child like a mimosa. She didn’t want to frighten Elena with misguided hastiness. She was watching with the mindset that Hazel would handle things well on her own.

But it seemed Empress Riana wasn’t the only one curious about Elena. She let out a thin sigh.

“No. There’s no need for that. Rather, let’s fan the flames of the rumors.”

Empress Riana’s eyes gleamed.

However, she had to use everything available to her. For Maxim’s happiness, she was someone who could do anything. Riana bit her thin lips tightly.

They say there’s no finger that doesn’t hurt when bitten among ten fingers.

When he was young, attention had been focused on Frederick, who was frequently ill. Maxim truly belonged to the category of children who raised themselves well.

That same Maxim had returned completely wounded. And because of his parents’ choice at that! While Maxim suffered, Empress Riana suffered twice as much. Right now, Maxim was her most painful finger.

The Emperor probably felt the same way.

The past days when she had been anxious about possibly losing Maxim flashed by.

“What do you mean by that…”

“Rumors that are bound to spread will spread anyway. Then let’s twist those rumors in our favor. How about adding rumors that the imperial family is behind Miss Elena?”

“Are you trying to prevent people from treating Miss Elena carelessly?”

“The central noblewomen in particular tend to be quite territorial. Soaked in their sense of superiority, they might ostracize Miss Elena. Hazel is there, but we could be of help too.”

“I’ll send people out to twist the rumors in the direction you’ve indicated.”

The Empress, who had nodded, asked in a voice mixed with sighs.

“Have you heard anything from Miles? How has Maxim been lately? I know Hazel called for Orlando recently.”

“Orlando is still in the south, so he hasn’t been able to visit the Adeloff duchy yet.”

“Still?”

“Yes. Since he went on imperial orders, it seems to be taking time.”

Orlando had been dispatched to contain an epidemic that had briefly appeared in the south. This was an incident that even the nobles kept quiet about. Epidemics make people fall into fear.

“And His Highness Prince Maxim… still seems to be suffering from insomnia.”

Empress Riana pressed around her eyes and let out a long sigh. Her stomach hurt and her chest felt queasy.

“At least he doesn’t seem to be skipping meals…”

“With Hazel there, how could that happen? She’d force him to eat even if she had to. It’s something to be grateful for. Then… since that day…”

“Yes. His Highness Maxim is safe, Your Majesty.”

“…Then that’s enough.”

Riana leaned back against the sofa. Even knowing Maxim was doing well, she was often driven into the hellish phantoms of the past. She buried her face in her palms.

The blood that had flowed freely and Maxim dying.

No, Maxim wanting to die. The smell and fear that had pierced her nose that day rose again.

Maxim wasn’t the only one suffering from the past. Empress Riana’s lips trembled.

---

Elena carefully examined the fabrics with deep thought. Hazel had commissioned her to make clothes for Maxim. She wanted her to make comfortable formal wear that he could wear on ordinary days.

It was something she had never done before, but she desperately wanted to succeed. She had found the only thing she could do for Maxim. Of course, this couldn’t offset that debt, but Elena wanted to do her best.

She slowly touched the fabric. Different patterns and colors suit different people.

Elena closed her eyes and thought of Maxim.

Deep black hair and brilliant green eyes.

And firm lips with a handsome nose bridge. He seemed like someone without laughter, but when he occasionally showed a smile, his neat face would transform brilliantly.

And Maxim was tall with broad shoulders. His fingers were rather jointed but long… his legs were long too.

After pondering about Maxim for a while, she started and opened her eyes wide.

‘What did I observe so closely!’

Elena blamed herself and slapped her cheek. The salon madam who had visited the mansion with Hazel and fabrics was watching Elena, who was entertaining herself, with a pleased expression.

Elena chose the fabric she liked most among them.

“I think this will do.”

“You’ve chosen well, Miss Elena. This fabric is precious – you can’t get it even with money. It’s imported, and the production volume is very small.”

“But I’ve never made men’s clothes before. Could you perhaps teach me how to make a pattern…”

“Don’t worry, Miss Elena. I’ve been making His Grace’s clothes for several years! I have pattern templates updated to the latest style.”

“Could you lend those to me?”

“Of course!”

The madam smiled brightly. She had already finished discussing this part with Hazel. The madam had already received payment for the kindness she was providing. Except for ready-made clothes, Elena and Maxim would wear the madam’s clothes for the next five years.

That would be sufficient promotional effect, making it profitable business in many ways.

Moreover, making clothes for a man who might become her husband – wasn’t that romantic and charming!

The madam organized the fabrics she had brought with a slightly excited face.

“This fabric also requires specific thread. I’ll send you plenty of that too. But do you have accessories like buttons?”

“No. I was planning to go look for some.”

“Then may I recommend some to you? I brought things His Grace prefers.”

Elena nodded like an enthusiastic student. The madam spread out the accessories she had brought and gave a passionate lecture. However, regardless of what the madam said, one thing was stuck firmly in Elena’s mind.

It was a brooch embedded with a green peridot. She wanted to make clothes that would match this.

Watching Elena fidget with the brooch, the madam was impressed.

“You have an excellent eye! Actually, that’s something I personally imported for His Grace. I was planning to send it along when making his new clothes this time.”

“May I really take something like this?”

“Of course! If it’s used more meaningfully, it would be good for the object too.”

Elena smiled shyly. For the other accessories, she followed the madam’s advice. After all, this was her first time making men’s clothing.

Additionally, the madam gave her plenty of reference books. After the madam left, Elena looked over the items again.

“Do you like this kind of thing?”

“I like seeing people happy wearing clothes I’ve made. Besides translation work, I often made clothes.”

Elena spoke with a distant expression.

“Though it was only clothes for Mother and Leana.”

Leana used to laugh as if she owned the whole world whenever she made new clothes for her. And Cecilia too…

[How shabby. Where would you wear something like this? Instead of spending time on this, you should take care of your face.]

Even while saying that, she would occasionally go out wearing clothes Elena had made.

Elena touched the brooch with a wistful face. It was probably a past she could never return to.