Chapter 4
4. A New Tutor
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The first artificial flower I tried making was finally complete.
I fashioned the pale lavender-colored flower into a corsage for myself and a lapel pin for His Majesty, Emperor Aleksanteri.
“Very well done, Your Highness. With this, perhaps you could even begin work on the wedding crown and bouquet.”
“Thank you very much. It’s all thanks to your teaching. I look forward to your continued guidance.”
The tailor praised the corsage and lapel pin I had finished, and I happily thanked him. Just the thought that I might next attempt the wedding crown and bouquet filled me with excitement.
I had also begun making progress on our wedding attire.
The designs had been decided and the patterns created, but once the fabric pieces were cut and sewn into shape, I would need His Majesty Aleksanteri to try them on.
Since His Majesty is tall, I envisioned something like a tailcoat with a long hem. I intended to make not just the coat, but also the shirt and vest beneath it—all with my own hands.
Back when I had been engaged to Lord Renan, I never would have imagined sewing my own wedding gown. Lord Renan mocked the very idea, calling it shabby and poor. To him, the true mark of nobility was to commission a tailor, and for a noblewoman to sew for herself was no different from a servant’s work—shameful, in his eyes.
But I had always taken pride in my skills, believing them to be no less refined than a tailor’s.
Without ever seeing what I had made, Lord Renan passed unfair judgment. I could never grow to love a man like that, and as for marrying him—I had only ever felt resignation.
By contrast, His Majesty Aleksanteri recognizes my talent.
Not only does he entrust me with my own gown, but even his imperial attire.
It is the clothing of the ruler of this nation.
It must convey dignity, and its design must befit the emperor himself. Yet, the fact that His Majesty entrusts even the design entirely to me makes me truly happy.
Creating my own wedding gown had always been my dream, and now it was coming true. But this was not just any wedding—it was that of the Emperor and Empress. I would never think of cutting corners, but rather I reminded myself constantly to stay focused, from design to sewing, with not a moment’s carelessness.
With the tailor’s advice, I spent an extraordinary amount of time refining the design.
I resolved to pour every ounce of passion I had gathered throughout my life into these wedding garments.
Of course, I knew that after the ceremony, my true life would begin. As Empress, I would no longer have hours to devote solely to sewing. That made this wedding attire my life’s masterpiece—my crowning work, the one I wanted most to perfect.
Placing the corsage and lapel pin into their respective boxes and carrying them back to my chambers, I thought to myself that I must ask His Majesty Aleksanteri to make time for a fitting.
Nearly a month had passed since the tea party for my birthday.
The wedding was now less than ten months away.
When I went to the tailors’ workshop, I wore old clothes I had brought from the Dian viscount household—garments I didn’t mind soiling. A plain dress, simpler even than the uniforms the servants wore.
Here in the imperial palace, most of the servants were nobles themselves, and their uniforms, though standard, were finely tailored from quality fabric.
At the Dian house, we could not afford expensive cloth. For everyday wear, practicality mattered more than elegance, and I had always avoided extravagance.
When I returned to my chambers, I found Madam Laval waiting.
It wasn’t the first time she had seen me in that dress.
The first time, she had been quite shocked to see me dressed so plainly, with my hair tied back.
“Lady Reisie, I told you not to wear that outfit.”
“I—I had just finished some flower-making in the workshop, so I wore this in case it got dirty.”
“Any of your other garments would do, even if they were soiled. You are to be Empress—you must not dress in a manner more modest than the servants.”
“But I sewed this myself, and I’m fond of it…”
“I know that you made it, and your skill is excellent. Still, as future Empress, you must be mindful that what you wear influences those around you.”
For once, Madam Laval scolded me.
Was my outfit really so improper?
As I drooped in dismay, she sighed, guided me to a chair, and sat down beside me.
“Your frugality is admirable. It will surely endear you to the people. But once you are Empress, you must no longer wear such clothes.”
“Yes. Until then, may I wear them only when I am working?”
“Only when working.”
Relieved by her compromise, I nodded. The new clothes I had been given since coming to the palace were plentiful, but even those that seemed practical were all made of fabrics so fine I hesitated to risk staining them.
“Even just for tending the kitchen garden…”
“You truly do favor that dress, don’t you? Very well—only while working. Otherwise, it will undermine your dignity as Empress.”
“Yes, I’ll be careful.”
The cloth was cheaper even than the servants’ uniforms. For Madam Laval, it must have been intolerable that a bride-to-be would appear in something so shabby. Yet she never mocked my sewing—in fact, she praised it. I realized she was, in her own way, understanding.
“Today, I’ve come to introduce your new tutor,” she said.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Madam Laval rose to open it. As a consort candidate, I had been taught that I must not open such doors myself.
I stood to greet the visitor. Entering the room was a woman in her mid-forties, about Madam Laval’s age.
“I am Martida of the Monreille count’s family. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
“I am Reisie Dian. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
After our greetings, Madam Laval explained:
“Madam Monreille has experience tutoring members of the imperial family. She is knowledgeable in areas beyond my expertise, so from now on, she and I will alternate in your education.”
“Madam Monreille, I wish to learn diligently. I look forward to your guidance.”
“It will be my pleasure, Your Highness.”
Madam Monreille had light brown hair braided up and eyes of the same shade. She seemed strict, yet I already felt anticipation for her lessons.
Even back in school, I had loved to study. Learning enriched me, and above all, I found joy in the simple act of gaining knowledge.
“I will focus on languages and music. Do you have a favored instrument, Your Highness?”
“At school, I majored in vocal music. I don’t have a particular instrument I excel at, though I can play a little piano.”
Sofia had been given piano lessons for refinement, but I had thought the fees wasteful, so I only ever taught myself. I could read sheet music, but I was by no means skilled.
“As Empress, there will be times when you are asked to perform music or sing. Let us begin practicing.”
“Yes, thank you.”
I bowed my head. Meanwhile, Madam Monreille and Madam Laval began discussing the plan for my education going forward.
