#032. I Only Want Purple
“Good. This is the catalog from Heptide’s dress shop, so you can go there. Now, if you’ve made your decision, let’s get up.”
“Huh?”
I blinked at the incomprehensible words. But instead of a direct explanation, she offered kindness.
“Hmm? Why? Are you a little tired? Want to stay for tea before we go?”
We had already been drinking tea. My surprise wasn’t because of that—it was because she said we were going to the dress shop.
Go to the shop? Weren’t clothes supposed to be ordered by summoning someone, who then made them and delivered them?
I’d seen people buy fabric at textile stores and make clothes at home, but buying a fully made outfit at a shop? That was hard to wrap my head around.
“No, that’s not it.”
Yet Lady Martina looked completely unfazed, like this was the most normal thing in the world.
Hmm… maybe that’s how it’s usually done here. In the imperial palace, people still summoned tailors, like in my previous life, but nobles and commoners probably had different customs. If I planned to participate in society, it wouldn’t hurt to learn how noble households did things.
“I just suddenly got worried about which carriage I should take.”
“What’s there to worry about? We’ll send the imperial carriage back and take mine. I’ll drop you off at the palace later.”
“Then what about the escort knight who brought me here…?”
“Our family will provide an escort too, so we’ll just send him back with the carriage.”
“Hmm, that works.”
Whether it was the thought of shopping or something else, Lady Martina’s voice sounded unusually excited.
“While we’re out, let’s stop by a café too. It’s my treat.”
Letting a child younger than ten treat me… it felt so wrong. But I was six years old right now. If I offered to treat instead, Lady Martina might feel just as uncomfortable.
“Oh my, how generous. I’ll gladly accept.”
So I forced down my reluctance and smiled sweetly.
While riding the duke’s family’s carriage into the city, I learned how clothes shopping worked in this world.
Tailors opened their own shops and sold clothes there. Ready-made pieces, lightly altered handmade ones, and full custom orders were all available at one place.
“Tailors who just started out will sometimes visit your estate, but once they become well-known, they grow too proud to do that. Heptide is a long-standing boutique, so even a duke’s family like ours can’t just summon them at will.”
Apparently, what I would be ordering was a semi-custom dress, based on a design from the catalog with my personal preferences added. That was how most children from affluent families did it.
Full custom orders were more expensive and special, but because they stood out too much, people usually avoided them.
The details may have changed, but just like in the past, people still wanted to stand out while also not standing out too much. Some things never change.
“We’ve been expecting you, Lady Fania. Lady Blanche. Right this way, please.”
When we arrived, a well-dressed staff member greeted us and led the way. As the people inside turned to look at us, Lady Martina whispered to me:
“Normally you choose clothes out here and request alterations, but since our family’s so distinguished, they’re giving us a private room. Because your face isn’t well-known yet, I pulled a few strings.”
I didn’t quite grasp just how distinguished her family was, but seeing her puffed-up pride was cute, so I played along exaggeratedly.
“As expected of Lady Martina. I was worried about how to go about this, but I’m glad I asked for your help.”
My answer seemed to please her immensely, her face lighting up like sunshine. She was so young, it was a little concerning how easily she was swayed by a few kind words.
Should I be teaching her that no good deed should be done without expectation of return? While I was worrying about someone else’s child, the same clerk who guided us returned with a tray of refreshments.
“Do you have any particular design in mind?”
“I’d like to look at this type.”
Lady Martina, familiar with this sort of thing, confidently pointed out the design I had chosen earlier. The staff member smiled kindly and nodded.
“Excellent taste, Lady Fania. That’s actually one of our most popular styles this season.”
Whether it was flattery or not, it was reassuring to know others were wearing it. At least I wouldn’t stand out too much.
“Can it be made to fit her size?”
“Of course. We’ll tailor it to her measurements and adjust the details so it won’t look awkward or sloppy.”
“Great. Show us the sample.”
After the clerk bowed and stepped out, Lady Martina whispered to me again.
“Don’t worry just because it’s a popular design. Kids aren’t invited to Her Majesty the Empress’s birthday celebration, so you’ll be the only one wearing it there.”
…Lady Martina probably meant well, but to someone like me—who had been glad the dress wouldn’t stand out—this was actually bad news.
“Wait, kids aren’t invited to the Empress’s birthday banquet? I heard that for parties the Grand Duke attends, children can join too.”
“Yeah, but too many kids cry when they see Her Majesty, so they don’t invite any to her birthday celebration.”
Ah, right. That’s true. Kids and animals cry when they see the Empress. Since I didn’t personally feel the pressure when facing her, I kept forgetting. If only she had a visible facial scar or something to remind me…
“Then… Lady Martina, you won’t be attending either?”
I deliberately let my anxiety show. Maybe that worked, because Lady Martina melted instantly and hugged me tight.
“Oh no, poor thing. But seriously, I can’t. They don’t even issue permits—people are worried kids will ruin the celebration.”
“I understand… Sorry for causing trouble.”
So I would be spending the whole day with the Grand Duke, alone. The mere thought made it hard to breathe, but there was no point in whining.
“I’ll visit the palace the next day then! Let’s spend the whole day together, okay?”
Maybe she felt bad for me because I gave up so easily—Lady Martina immediately offered a new plan. Had I overplayed the part?
Just as I was about to tell her it was fine and she didn’t need to worry, the door opened again.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve made a few sample adjustments to the design. Since we’ll be tailoring it anyway, please just look at the color and silhouette.”
As the clerk said, he rolled in a rack full of colorful dresses. Since we were planning to go to a café afterward anyway, I could cheer her up later. Quickly making up my mind, I spoke.
“I only want purple. Please remove everything else. If you have other dresses in different designs but with purple tones, bring those instead.”
Maybe it was because I had been silent this whole time and suddenly spoke up, but the clerk looked a bit startled. Only for a moment, though—he soon regained composure and bowed.
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
After he left, Lady Martina, still hugging me, looked at me in surprise.
“You liked the color, not the design?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
I didn’t tell her that all the designs looked the same to me.
Usually when you say something like that to a fashion enthusiast, they start explaining every little detail. Even after hearing the explanation, I never understood, and then they’d try to test if I really got it.
Better to just keep quiet from the start.
“I didn’t know you liked purple! Haven’t you never worn it before?”
That’s because to me, purple was the Emperor’s color. But when I saw those purple dresses, I was struck by the realization that there were no such restrictions anymore. And so, for some reason, I wanted to wear purple on important days.
Maybe, like His Majesty once did, I wanted to carry myself with dignity too.
“I just didn’t have any purple clothes.”
Of course, I couldn’t say that to Lady Martina, who didn’t know I was reincarnated. But since I really hadn’t owned any purple outfits or accessories, she seemed to accept the answer.
“Ah, I see. Then let’s buy some accessories too! Like ribbons or handkerchiefs—you could add a touch of purple even when wearing a different color.”
I didn’t particularly like purple, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a few accessories. Especially a handkerchief—it might make a good gift.
“Sure, sounds good.”
Just as I nodded agreeably, the clerk returned with the rack. This time, it was filled with nothing but purple.
“Let me first show you the design you mentioned earlier.”
I had already given up on trying to distinguish between the different styles. So instead of enthusiasm, I put all my energy into looking enthusiastic.
