
Elena's travel party began to travel to the capital slower than before. Fortunately Mirabelle had recovered her strength after only a few days, but after that incident, Elena was even more cautious than before.
"I really feel better now, brother."
"I know."
"We can speed things up a little bit …"
"Don't worry about anything else and cover yourself with a blanket."
It was always a good idea to keep Mirabelle warm, so Elena piled another blanket on the train. Mirabelle just smiled, knowing she couldn't stop her sister.
Mirabelle's hair is now adorned with butterfly hairpins. It was more suitable for her than Elena had imagined, and she felt a surge of happiness every time she saw how beautiful her sister was. But the strange thing is …
Mirabelle felt much more mature during this trip.
Although Elena could not determine exactly when it happened, but Mirabelle, who was small for her age, began to appear more mature. Something changes about Mirabelle's heart, but what's not clear.
'… I guess there was nothing special about Sir Kasha that day. Why?'
For a moment Mirabelle kept asking for Kuhn's whereabouts, but Kuhn never mentioned it as if she was unconscious about the night. But there is something strange that cannot be ignored. The face that Mirabelle made when she put the coat around the precious teddy bear left behind by their mother. It surprised Elena. Mirabelle and Kuhn are two people who will never cross paths with each other under any other circumstances. They don't fit in status, age, personality, anything. Mirabelle was a soul so gentle that she would not pluck a single flower, while the path of Kuhn was filled with blood. It was not good that there had been some accidental encounters between the two, and some sort of change seemed to have happened to Mirabelle.
'… Did I miss anything?'
He knew he was worried unnecessarily, but he didn't want to bother about it. He did not reveal Kuhn's whereabouts to Mirabelle.
Mirabelle, who was secretly looking out the window of the carriage, suddenly spoke to Elena.
"Look over there, brother. The white flowers are so beautiful. ”
Elena looked to the point where Mirabelle was pointing.
"They're so pretty."
Suddenly, a sweep of thanks approaches him as he remembers he is living in a time he thought would never return. He's already lost Mirabelle once. Even a small moment every day was precious to him. So Elena and Mirabelle enjoyed their time with their own little words, chatting on the carriage while taking them to the capital. And in those happy moments, Elena sometimes recalled the words Carlisle had left behind.
"I want to see you."
A man who could not bear to see him in such a short time that he traveled far from the capital …
Does he still miss her? He's very curious.
*
*
*
Elena read the report of the Kraus family when they stopped to take the inn. He also read through the information he had received several times about the nobles and the royal family in the territory of the capital. As Kuhn had warned him, there was not much detailed information to be obtained in Kraus. In the document is a brief account of Count Evans, the most powerful man in the Kraus family.
Evans Kraus's. Despite his age of over sixty, he was still quick to calculate profit and loss. As a businessman, he was reluctant to get into the politics of the Ruford Empire, preferring to focus on his commercial ventures. There was nothing particularly helpful in the report, but it was better than nothing.
'… I wonder if Caril knows what I think.'
If Carlisle also knew all this information, he would definitely want to gather the support of the Kraus family. But there must be a reason why not.
Elena comforted the possibility that Kuhn might be hiding information from her. Although he didn't need to doubt Kuhn, he couldn't just rely on her. In a restless political sphere, he could not trust unconditionally whatever was given to him, and he needed to confirm everything for himself.
"Much to do."
For now, it is imperative that she and Carlisle meet at the dance to be officially married, but there are still many mountains to climb before he can be crowned emperor. He was calculating the scenario in his head when–
Tap knock.
He checked his watch and saw it was time to get on the train.
"Are you ready, brother?"
Hearing Mirabelle's voice, Elena started scrambling the documents on her desk.
"Yes, I'm going out now."
Their journey was slow, but after some time they finally entered the capital. Maybe at the end of the day they'll reach their father's house. When Elena emerged from her room, she saw Mirabelle waiting at the door.
“Oh, sister, about dresses for dance parties. Should we stop by the clothing store on the street? "
"His dress? Do you wonder how they were made? "
"Yes. I wish we had a dress sent to Blaise Castle, but I said we would pick it up in the capital if they were wrinkled. And I want to see how they look on their own. "
Nowadays, all the clothing stores are flooded with orders due to the royal balls. Fortunately, Elena and Mirabelle had already ordered their dresses quickly, and were told they were done. Elena nodded happily, as the clothing store was heading towards the mansion.
"All right then."
"I can't wait!"
Elena boarded the carriage with her beaming sister. No matter how luxurious the inn was, it was finally the day when the monotonous carriage and inn would end. Her spirit is as high as Mirabelle.
They did not arrive at the clothing store until the afternoon. Elena and Mirabelle stepped out of the carriage and went inside.
Kkiggeu–
The first thing they hear when the door is opened is the sound of a busy sewing machine.
Tatatathatags.
Usually the work is done on the second floor so as not to disturb visitors at the entrance, but the work spills over to the first floor due to the large number of orders. Anco tailor is one of the most famous shops in the capital, and is where Elena and Mirabelle order their clothes. Madame Mitchell, owner of the Anco Tailor, saw the visitors coming in and rushed out to greet them.
“Welcome, Ladies. Are you Blaises who sent the notice in advance? "
Mirabelle, who was already looking forward to the dress, answered first.
"Yes, we're here to take our order."
"Please get through here."
Madame Mitchell had a smooth expressionless expression, but she began to guide them into the room politely. As they walked through the corridor to the antique changing room, they saw two dresses hanging on the dolls.
"Wow."
Mirabelle's face brightened in admiration. The dresses were tailored to his order. A slightly smaller dress is the Mirabelle dress, pink, feminine, and cute. Next to her was Elena's dress, which was an elegant deep blue. Because it is custom made, everything from fabric to decor is tailored to perfection. Mirabelle circled her beloved dress and spoke with a delighted expression.
“You have a very unique eye for fashion. When I saw the finished product, I was amazed. This is one of the most beautiful dresses ever made at Anco Tailors. ”
"Hehe, really? I just added a few more things to the design. "
Elena smiled when she heard Mrs Mitchell complimenting Mirabelle's style sense. Elena knew Mirabelle was good at making dresses, but she was glad she wasn't the only one who thought so.
"Are you going to wear this when you attend the royal dance?"
"Yes, I'll go with my sister."
"The dress may be pretty, but it's the beauty of both of you that everyone will notice."
It was a casual pleasantries, but Elena still appreciated the comments towards Mirabelle. There was a short pause, then Elena spoke to Madame Mitchell.
"We'll take it ourselves, so if you can wrap it up."
"of course. Please sit on the sofa and wait a moment. "
As soon as Mrs Mitchell moved in, a female employee brought along some nicely decorated snacks and fragrant tea. It didn't take long before the two dresses were wrapped carefully to prevent them from wrinkling, then put into the luggage compartment of the carriage by the coachman. After waiting, Mrs Mitchell walked in again.
"You're ready."
At his movements, Elena and Mirabelle got up straight from their seats. They are tired from their journey and want to leave.
"Thank you for your service."
Mrs Mitchell replied with a pleasant smile.
"Please come again."
When Mrs Mitchell saw them off, the young Blaises headed straight for their father's house, Mirabelle beaming all the way back. She fell in love with her dress. By the time the sun had set and the night had arrived, the train had started to slow down and then stopped completely. Soon after, the voice of Mary's servant appeared from outside.
"We've arrived home, madam."
"Thank you."
Elena gently shook Mirabelle who was asleep next to her, then stepped out. The exterior of the house that he had seen the past lifetime was visible. It was bought by his father so he had a place to stay in the capital when he worked. It was not a large and magnificent place, but it was neat and tidy and only for his father's taste. Elena too.
"…It's been a long time."
His last memory of the mansion was when he attended the royal dance in his last life, about twenty years ago. Elena reminisced in silence as Mirabelle stepped out of the carriage, yawning long ago.
"Let's go in, brother."
"Yes." Yeah."
As the two young women headed towards the mansion, they saw a young man waiting for them at the entrance. He had brown hair and a black suit, and his mouth smiled when he met their eyes.
"Welcome. This was my first time saying hello. I'm Michael, the butler at the mansion. ”
"Well…"
Elena's mouth gaped in shock. They did not have a long relationship, but they had met and exchanged greetings like this in their past lives. Mirabelle looked at Michael, then turned towards Elena.
"Sister, do you know him?"
"Oh no. I was surprised to see someone standing there. ”
He quickly covered up his reaction, and Michael replied with an expression of regret.
"My apology. I didn't mean to surprise you .. ”
"It's okay, I'm just tired."
Elena returned Michael's apology. Mirabelle spoke again with a hint of curiosity on her face.
"I think the butler changed since the last time we came here."
"Yes. The former butler is old now and has retired to his hometown. I was only a butler for three months. "
"Oh, so we really don't know you."
Mirabelle muttered casually, and Elena smiled awkwardly. Although this was the second time he had experienced this, he had to pretend not to know. Mirabelle glanced around the area.
"Our father …?"
“Count has left the house on urgent business. He commanded me to serve you wholeheartedly when you arrived. "
Elena smiled sinisterly at those words. His father was not so friendly as to order such a thing, but Michael was a very considerate man even in his last life. Elena had no further questions, so she took the topic elsewhere.
"Please show us to our room first."
"I understand. You should be tired from your trip. We can leave soon. Please let me know if there is any discomfort. Let's go this way. ”
At the guidance of the butler, Elena and Mirabelle headed to their respective resting places. As in Blaise Castle, their rooms are close by and make it easy to visit each other. Elena looked forward to sinking into the soft and warm bed after such a long journey.
When he started reading to sleep, there was a muffled sound of footsteps quickly approaching his room.
Jubug, jubug.
Tok.
There was a sharp knock on the door, then there was Michael's stiff voice.
"Can I come in for a second, ma'am?"
"Yes. What the hell is going on?"
As soon as Elena's permission was granted, Michael entered the room, his face filled with shame. He carefully opened his lips as Elena watched him suspiciously.
“Today, you stopped by the clothing store and bought a dress for the dance. Is that true?"
"Yes that's right. It was loaded on the train. "
"Good…"
Elena had an unpleasant feeling when she saw the restless butler. Finally, Michael hesitated to speak.
"… All the dresses are torn to shreds."