Chapter 178 – The Long-Awaited Opera (1)

“My dress must be the most extravagant, no matter what.”

In truth, Madam Lamondria preferred much more delicate and elegant designs. But to match the capital’s trends, she also attached many jewels and decorations to her dresses.

However, Ladriel had no limit to what she wanted.

“Since the skirt hem is already flashy, it would stand out more if we reduce the decorations on the upper bodice.”

“Who asked for your opinion? What is this sleeve frill? I told you to make it fuller!”

“If we make the sleeves any larger, it would go against imperial etiquette.”

Lamondria was struggling to persuade Ladriel when—

“Lady Ladriel, I tried making a sleeve. How about this?”

Lamondria’s head staff member stepped forward.

She had made the sleeve without discussing it with Lamondria at all.

“Oh? You’re easier to talk to.”

Just like that, the dress project was handed over to the head staff member.

After Ladriel’s debutante event ended successfully, that employee declared independence and opened a new dress shop called Sharaide.

Not long after, a ridiculous rumor spread that all of Lamondria’s designs had actually been stolen from her former head staff member.

Work gradually stopped coming in. One by one, her employees quit.

Later, she learned they had all moved to Sharaide.

After coming to the North, Lamondria threw away all her stubborn pride about fashion.

She made dresses exactly the way noble ladies wanted—more flashy, more decorative, more extravagant.

Just when she barely managed to rebuild her position, she met the Grand Duchess.

The younger sister of Ladriel.

At first, Lamondria was terrified.

She was afraid she would lose everything she had rebuilt.

But the dress the Grand Duchess liked the most was the only one Lamondria had made completely according to her own taste.

“I don’t want it to look like the dress is wearing me. I want to be the one wearing the dress.”

Surprisingly, the Grand Duchess’s taste matched Lamondria’s own vision.

For the first time in years, Lamondria enjoyed making dresses again.

Moreover, the Grand Duchess had an even sharper eye for beauty than Lamondria herself.

The Grand Duke’s formal suit she made following the Grand Duchess’s request amazed even her.

If this had been the capital, the Grand Duke’s style would have instantly become a social trend.

And today, seeing the couple standing together in her designs made her heart race uncontrollably.

“Would you consider matching outfits with His Highness?”

It had been an impulsive suggestion, but surprisingly she had even received the Grand Duke’s approval.

The Grand Duchess had opened a new life for Lamondria.

‘On the first day of the opera, all of Blenheim’s nobles will gather.’

At that event, she wanted to make Her Highness more beautiful than anyone else.

And according to the message she had received late—

‘That person’s’ outfit must also be a perfect match.

After long consideration, Lamondria finally picked up her pen.

Then she began drawing bold lines without hesitation.

* * *

The Viscountess Territo carefully finished dressing up and left her estate with Viscount Territo.

They were going to watch —

the first new opera held in Blenheim in years.

“Isn’t Cecilia so admirable?” the Viscountess asked excitedly inside the carriage.

Viscount Territo sighed uneasily.

“I thought she would become quieter after becoming Her Highness’s maid, but she keeps starting bigger projects.”

“Starting projects? Her Highness worked so hard to open this opera, and Cecilia helped her. That’s something to be proud of.”

“The more she steps forward, the more likely she is to cause trouble.”

He grumbled that he felt like he was walking on thin ice every day.

“Cecilia isn’t a child anymore. And Norton takes good care of her, so she’ll be fine.”

Since two of their children, except their eldest son, now served the Grand Duchess, the Viscount couple could not help but worry.

At first, they were afraid their children might anger the Grand Duchess and suffer consequences.

But contrary to their fears, the Grand Duchess was very wise and even embraced Cecilia’s unusual personality, giving her wings to fly.

Even stoic Norton talked more whenever the Grand Duchess was mentioned.

To the Viscountess, the Grand Duchess was like a benefactor.

‘And Blenheim has changed so much because of Her Highness.’

Their children were serving the Grand Duchess, the shopping district had become as splendid as the capital’s, and now there was even an opera.

Her heart swelled with pride.

When they arrived at the theater, the Viscountess widened her eyes the moment she stepped out of the carriage.

A life-sized poster of a tall, handsome man was attached to the front of the theater.

“Oh my.”

The man in the poster smiled boldly, posing as if reaching out toward her.

“He must be the male lead.”

It felt so vivid, as if he were standing right in front of her.

Around the building were posters of the other actors as well.

“Oh! There’s Isadora’s poster too!”

The enchanting face of Isadora, the prima donna of the Cariso troupe, was displayed proudly.

“I’m still disappointed Coachviel isn’t performing,” some noblewomen whispered nearby.

The Viscountess frowned.

She had already heard from Cecilia about Coachviel’s wrongdoing.

‘What’s so special about Coachviel anyway?’

“With such a handsome actor as the male lead, I’m really looking forward to it!”

She deliberately raised her voice and entered the theater with her husband.

Inside, the Viscount admired the crowded hall as he exchanged their tickets.

“If you visit Goldrain within a week with your ticket, you’ll receive a discount,” the staff member explained kindly, pointing to the list of shops on the back of the ticket.

“I was planning to buy a new hat anyway. I should visit Goldrain soon. What’s that?”

In one corner of the lobby, people were holding wine glasses like they were at a tasting event.

“Snow Wine must finally be released!”

The Viscount, who had tasted it before at a banquet with the delegation, led his wife toward it.

“Snow Wine, Blenheim’s specialty, brewed with elfberries said to intoxicate dragons and the purest underground water from the Fogen Mountains!”

‘Intoxicate dragons?’

She had never heard that before, but it sounded amusing.

The wine bottle showed a dragon beneath snowy mountains holding an elfberry in its mouth.

“It’s really delicious.”

“If you order from your seat, staff will bring it to you.”

“Can we purchase a bottle?”

“Yes. Bottles bought at the theater come in a special package engraved with the opera’s title. Only 150 bottles are sold per day, so we recommend ordering before the performance begins.”

The purple package displayed the opera title along with a line:

“Before the snow fully melts, my flames will consume you.”

“Shall we buy one?” the Viscountess asked.

“Will it really sell out? Let’s just buy it after the performance,” the Viscount shrugged.

They also browsed the merchandise booth, which sold wooden wine cups, stationery, and ink bottles engraved with the opera’s title.

Suddenly, the entrance grew noisy.

The Grand Duchess had arrived.

Wearing a dazzling light lavender dress, she brightened the theater just by entering.

“We greet Your Highness.”

The nobles hurried to bow.

“How is she so beautiful?”

“Where does she get dresses like that? She looks like she’s from another world.”

Her elegant dress revealed her shoulders, highlighting her white neckline and collarbones.

The short sleeves embraced her arms gracefully, and the fitted waist emphasized her slender figure. The skirt was layered with soft chiffon, giving it a feminine yet refined atmosphere.

It did not have flashy jewels or frills like the other noblewomen’s dresses, but that only made its elegance stand out more.

“I hope everyone enjoys the evening.”

She smiled warmly and exchanged greetings with familiar faces.

Then—

From inside the theater, a man in a splendid robe appeared.

With striking golden hair and an appearance impossible to ignore, he walked straight toward the Grand Duchess.