<CHAPTER 22>
For the First Time, He Showed Motivation
The merchant looked at the Crown Prince with pleading eyes, asking for mercy, but gave up in the face of the unyielding atmosphere and ordered his workers to pack up.
The remaining merchants gathered their composure and checked the displayed goods again.
Then, they began competitively filling the empty space left by the departing merchant with items that had previously not made it onto the tables.
Evelyn carefully examined the various fabrics.
She couldn’t make a decision easily, and people assumed it was because the Lady of the Winter Palace lacked knowledge.
At a signal from the merchants, designers stepped forward holding design books.
An official from the Imperial Household stepped in to assist.
“If you choose the color that suits you best, they will recommend a fitting design. Or would you prefer to look at the designs first?”
The earlier condescending attitude had completely disappeared.
Now that they had confirmed she was not someone to be taken lightly and that she was deeply favored by the Crown Prince, the only choice left was submission.
He spoke as politely and gently as possible, but the master of the Winter Palace did not respond.
The official grew frustrated, unable to understand the cause of her hesitation.
Just as he was about to order new items to be brought out, a small voice was heard.
“…Has Your Highness decided?”
The hesitant voice carried regret the moment it was spoken.
What did I just do…?
Loving couples sometimes coordinated their outfits.
Not just matching colors, but even similar designs made them look especially affectionate.
It was something Evelyn had never done.
And something she deeply wanted to try.
“…Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”
Flushing, Evelyn tried to cover it up.
But Rexfail, who had already understood her intention, did not allow retreat.
“That won’t do.”
Suppressing a rising smile, Rexfail called the official.
“What was decided for my formal attire?”
“It was decided to modify Your Highness’s usual uniform into a banquet-appropriate design, using dark tones with gold embroidery.”
“I see.”
Since he had no interest, his outfit had been decided early.
A neutral color that would match any dress had made the choice simple.
“Cancel it.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll have a new one made.”
For the first time, the Crown Prince showed enthusiasm for tailoring his attire.
But the official turned pale.
Even if it was worn only once, the Crown Prince’s outfit was made with the finest materials, and canceling now would waste a large sum.
Before he could say anything, Evelyn spoke.
“That’s not necessary.”
Sensing his dilemma, she tried to de-escalate the situation.
But Rexfail remained firm.
“I’ll decide what’s necessary.”
Then he called the merchants and asked if they had designs for men’s formal wear.
Seeing his willingness to pay out of pocket if needed, Evelyn regretted her slip of the tongue and asked the official.
“What color is His Highness’s attire?”
“…A navy very close to black.”
The official assumed she was choosing her dress to match his.
A black dress is for mourning.
He inwardly criticized her shallow thinking.
If she wanted to match, she should have persuaded him earlier.
Thinking about the wasted budget, he began wondering if there would be another opportunity to use the already prepared outfit.
At the same time, seeing how much the Crown Prince favored her, a chilling thought crossed his mind.
He might order all the outfits to be remade as a set.
“If it’s a modified uniform, you’ll be wearing a cape.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The official replied absentmindedly, but Evelyn ignored it and turned away.
“Rexfail.”
She called him by name out of habit.
The onlookers assumed she had been granted permission and were amazed by the level of favor she held.
“Please stop and let me decide on my dress.”
“Yours will of course be made as well. Something that suits me.”
Seeing that he had no intention of backing down, Evelyn swallowed a sigh and placed her hand on a fabric the color of a fading evening sky.
“Let’s go with this.”
The official’s face brightened, then darkened again.
The purplish fabric would match his attire, but it didn’t evoke a winter feeling.
“Expose the shoulders, and make the skirt full but not puffed.”
Her confident instructions made her seem experienced with banquets.
The merchant in charge began to wonder if the rumors that the Crown Prince’s lover was a commoner were false.
“Do you have white fabric of the same material as this?”
Pointing to the tablecloth, she asked.
The merchant Orlando answered with confusion.
“It can be obtained.”
It wasn’t difficult to acquire, but it wrinkled easily and wasn’t suitable for dresses.
“I told you there’s no need to match me.”
Rexfail spoke with irritation, thinking she was trying to match him.
But Evelyn ignored him.
“Can you process the fabric?”
“We also run a workshop, so of course we have processing techniques.”
Orlando thought she might dye the fabric, but then why choose the earlier one?
Unable to understand her intention, he answered nervously.
“It would be good to layer the fabrics. Make it gradually darker toward the hem.”
Orlando’s mouth fell open.
There was already a technique to make fabric translucent using chemicals.
But it had only been used for decoration or to partially cover skin.
No one had layered it with other fabrics like this.
Nor varied its density this way.
“C-Could you explain in more detail what you want…?”
Orlando lowered his voice as he called the designer.
His instincts as a merchant told him this could become a massive success.
“Is this the design you had in mind?”
With trembling hands, the designer began sketching.
“The silhouette… is correct.”
“Since it’s for the Winter Palace, I want it to feel like ice. Like a cocktail, with the color changing toward the bottom.”
She added that natural wrinkles could become a feature.
The merchant and designer’s eyes widened.
The designer quickly refined the sketch and added color.
A design gradually fading into white at the bottom was completed.
This is a hit.
They both thought the same.
“Ivi,”
If it hadn’t been the Crown Prince interrupting, they would have kept her longer.
But no one dared ask him to wait.
“The neckline should be simple. Exposed shoulders would look clean.”
Evelyn envisioned Raven and proposed a dress that would suit that image.
The designer eagerly wrote down every word.
“I told you to make something that suits you.”
“It will suit you, Your Highness!”
Before Evelyn could answer, the designer shouted confidently.
Seeing that certainty, Rexfail turned his gaze to the merchant.
“It will definitely be a splendid dress.”
“Good. Then let’s talk about my attire now.”
With sighs, the fabric merchants stepped back.
But the designer was troubled.
This new idea would suit a dress, but not men’s formal wear.
Transparent fabric wasn’t used for men.
As the designer hesitated, Evelyn spoke again.
