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“Oh, was the dress already purchased?”

I asked, pretending to be polite, with my gloved hand covering my mouth. Both women looked at me.

“It hasn’t been purchased, but it’s reserved for me to buy.”

Anna responded with a hint of arrogance as if she were imparting a great lesson.

“Have you paid a deposit?”

“A deposit? Oh, how amusing. Well, I guess you think nobles like us wouldn’t know how to make a living? My very name is a testament to trust, so there’s no need for a deposit.”

Anna burst into laughter, clapping her hands as if finding it hilarious. However, her bright and cheerful face quickly stiffened at my next words.

“You didn’t pay a deposit, did you? Well then, I’ll buy this dress.”

“What? Right now?”

“What are you talking about? Wake up. Do you even know how much this dress costs? You… Even if you sell hundreds of your dresses, you still wouldn’t be able to afford it.”

Anna tapped my shoulder with her fan. It didn’t hurt, but it was an unpleasant jolt.

I thought my dress was expensive… turns out the design is just cheap.

I blamed my dress once again. 

But I realized that it didn’t matter how terrible it was. It was wrong for people to judge solely based on appearances. Such people deserved to experience the same treatment.

“Well, it turns out that even though you wanted to buy it, but couldn’t. Just talking, talking, and bothering the tailor. It’s so pitiful.”

I clicked my tongue, and Anna’s face turned red. She quickly blinked her eyes and glanced at the tailor, trying to gauge her reaction.

Seems like my words hit the mark, huh?

“But what should I do to make it up to you? I want to buy it. Not just this one, but everything from here to there.”

I gestured from one end of the shop to the other with a disdainful flick of my hand. I briefly wondered if I had enough money to cover it all, but that thought quickly passed.

I don’t know. If I don’t have enough money, I’ll just ask to send them to the Prince’s residence. As they said earlier, nobles’ names are a testament to trust.

The eyes of the two women widened in surprise.

“What?”

“I’ll take it all. Right now.”

It’s fine. If Etienne doesn’t give me the money… I’ll just steal a frame or two…

“What? Don’t be ridiculous. Have you been living in a dream? Do you think these clothes are priced the same as those on the market floor? You can buy them as you please? Even if you sell your house, you won’t be able to afford them all!”

Anna retorted from behind me. Her words seemed to startle the tailor, who looked suspicious.

“Well then, shall we count the total?” 

It was a rude attitude, openly showing that they didn’t trust me.

 Anna scoffed from behind me.

“Yeah, sure. That’s the way to leave. It’s all just empty talk. What are you even going to buy? Look at yourself, all raggedy and pathetic.”

Anna was muttering when it happened.

“What’s wrong with being raggedy?”

Everyone turned to look at the unfamiliar voice.

Through the hazy glass, a dim light illuminated Etienne as he stepped inside.

The sound of two people gasping for breath could be heard.

His appearance was out of this world, with his shining silver hair. Just that alone was enough to deduce his identity. Only royals in this country could have silver hair.

Anna and the tailor looked at him with a stunned expression. They seemed to lack the presence of mind to respond.

Well, the chances of meeting a prince in a small shop on the outskirts of the city are about as likely as seeing my boss riding a horse in the middle of Gangnam street at 8 am on a Monday morning.

Oh, what perfect timing.

I ran towards him, my steps quickening. Then, I wrapped my arms around his waist. Naturally, my cheek pressed against his firm chest. I could feel him startle, but I held onto him even tighter.

“Honey~”

“Ho… what?”

“Why are you late like this? I was so scared, you know!”

“Aren’t you letting go?”

I desperately winked at him.

 Hoping that this gesture would have the same meaning in this world. 

Fortunately, it seemed like he understood what it meant as he looked around.

The merchant and Anna were alternating between looking at us with disbelief.

Come on, can’t you see what’s happening? If you understand, please play along with my act!

In case he tried to push me away, I clung even closer to his waist. I could feel him stiffen.

Etienne raised his hand. Is he going to push me away? No!

Contrary to my expectations, he awkwardly patted my shoulder. Can I interpret this as a positive sign that he’ll go along with my act?

I added a hint of a nasal tone to my voice.

“They’ve been bothering me, Etienne.”

“What?”

Etienne, who had a discomforting expression, suddenly changed his demeanor. He glanced at the two women with a lively expression, causing them to lower their gaze to the ground.

Oh, he’s good at acting, isn’t he? Anyone would think he’s a compassionate husband.

“Who dared to bother my wife?”

He asked sternly.

The tailor, who had been rolling her eyes for quite some time, turned pale. I had kindly mentioned that he was Etienne, so she should have understood. This is not going to end up well.

She quickly fell to her knees and prostrated herself flat on the ground.

“Ah, I-I didn’t realize it was Princess Consort…! I’m really sorry.”

“They treated me like a beggar~ Thinking, I couldn’t even afford a pair of gloves… Baby, Dahlia is so sad~”

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