Chapter 62
Sabrina nervously looked at the clock.
Today was the day of the Clina Salon fashion show event.
She was also going to walk in the show because Lilianne had insisted, and she was starting to feel anxious.
Her shift with “the villain” (Theobald) was from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
But the Clina Salon event started at 10 p.m.
Still, considering travel and preparation time, the schedule was tight.
Seeing Sabrina glance at the clock repeatedly, Theobald, who was reviewing some documents next to her, spoke in a calm voice.
“Do you have another appointment?”
Even though he knew she worked at the salon, he still asked. Sabrina frowned and didn’t answer.
Theobald put the papers down and continued.
“There’s a fashion show event at Clina Salon today, isn’t there?”
Sabrina was surprised that he even knew about the event and looked at him with wide eyes.
Theobald calmly asked, “Are you participating?”
Sabrina didn’t know what he meant by that, so she answered coldly.
“You’re not supposed to care what I do outside of work hours. That was part of the contract.”
Theobald had nothing to say after that sharp reply and stayed quiet.
Sabrina looked at the clock again, nervous.
She wanted to ask if she could leave early, but she had just mentioned the contract, so she couldn’t bring it up first.
Then she heard Theobald muttering quietly.
“I can’t just gouge out everyone else’s eyes…”
“Huh?”
Sabrina didn’t hear him properly and asked again, but Theobald just checked his watch casually and said,
“It’s almost time to leave.”
He usually stuck to the two-hour shift strictly, but today he let her go 10 minutes early.
“Thank you!”
Sabrina quickly stood up to leave but then turned back in surprise.
Theobald was following closely behind her.
“Are you going somewhere too…?”
When she asked curiously, Theobald replied in his usual calm way,
“I’ll take you in the carriage.”
“You really don’t have to…”
“I’m also heading to Clina Salon.”
Sabrina swallowed hard and screamed inside her head.
Why was he suddenly so interested in social events?!
He even took out a formal invitation to the event from his pocket.
“I was invited.”
Sabrina decided to stay positive.
Well, catching a carriage at the mansion gate was a hassle anyway.
“How long are you going to stand there?”
Startled, she quickly opened the door and stepped out.
They naturally walked side by side toward the carriage of the Duke of Valerian.
The front of Clina Salon was filled with fancy carriages as always.
Claire, who had been anxiously waiting at the entrance, was surprised to see Sabrina stepping out of the duke’s carriage.
“Oh, you’re here? Everyone’s waiting. Let’s go in.”
She glanced at Theobald, but he stepped back slightly as if to say, “Don’t mind me.”
As Claire and Sabrina entered together, Theobald stared at their backs with a stiff expression.
Is this what it feels like to leave a child by the water?
No, maybe it’s more like watching a cat on the edge of a windowsill…
Looking at the crowded salon with a displeased face, he sighed and followed them inside.
***
Meanwhile, backstage behind the curtain, Lilianne nervously wrung her hands as she looked at the VIP section filled with guests.
I gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry. You worked so hard on this. It’s going to go great.”
Lilianne, who had been full of confidence before, now looked timid and mumbled,
“If the fashion show fails… it could hurt Claire’s business too.”
Hearing her say that, I smiled and replied with confidence.
“I chose to invest in you, Lilianne. It was my decision, so I take full responsibility.”
I winked and added,
“But I truly believe your fashion show and boutique will succeed.”
Lilianne finally smiled, seeming more relaxed.
“Thank you. I’ll do my best.”
She clenched her fist, and I playfully bumped it with mine.
“We’ll all do our best. You’re not alone in this.”
I looked out through the curtain at the dark and silent audience.
“This stage is something we all prepared together.”
Lilianne’s expression became much calmer.
At that moment, Sabrina rushed over, slightly out of breath.
“What are you two doing here? The show is about to start!”
Her cheerful voice made me and Lilianne smile at each other.
“We’re coming!”
Since I had already changed into my dress, I stayed behind while Lilianne ran to the dressing room.
I looked out toward the stage through the curtain she had just been watching.
The stage lights were turning on, and music started to play.
The Clina Salon orchestra was playing a soft and elegant symphony, perfect for a classy fashion show.
The runway space in front of the stage was also lit up.
It was time for the models to begin their walk.
The runway stage was set up with audience seats on both sides, so people could enjoy the fashion show from up close.
In the very front row sat the true VIPs — famous socialites and powerful high-ranking nobles.
Among them was Lady Simona.
Just seeing her sitting there elegantly with her maids made the fashion show feel more luxurious.
It was a good thing I personally asked Simona to attend.
Everything seemed to be going well right from the start, but for some reason, I still felt a little empty inside.
Come to think of it, Crown Prince Mikael and Mathieu were nowhere to be seen.
They usually showed up even when they weren’t invited.
Now that I think about it, the Crown Prince said he’d wait for my answer.
Honestly, I already know what my answer is — there’s nothing to think about.
I should probably give him a proper reply soon.
And Mathieu…
When I remembered how he looked, soaked and defeated in the rain, I quickly shook my head.
Who cares if that guy shows up or not?
While I was lost in thought, the first model finally stepped onto the runway and began walking.
Then, one by one, more models followed at set intervals.
They all wore elegant, high-end dresses, and their graceful walks naturally drew everyone’s attention.
“I’ve seen models wear dresses in the fitting room, but this is the first time I’ve seen them walk like this.”
“It’s nice to see several dresses all at once.”
“And from different angles too — that’s helpful.”
“The music goes well with it too. It’s a treat for the eyes and ears.”
The audience’s reactions to the fashion show were mostly positive.
But then…
“Still, the dresses don’t seem all that special, do they?”
“They’re nice and fancy, but any famous boutique could probably make something like this.”
“It’s convenient to see the dresses worn on people, but I don’t really feel like I have to buy one.”
“I kind of wish they had just done a band performance like before…”
To my surprise, people were quickly losing interest in the dresses.
But — it was too early to judge. We hadn’t shown everything yet.
Smiling confidently, I walked toward Sabrina and Lilianne, who were waiting for me.
Just as the audience started to grow bored of the walking models, I, Edith, Lilianne, and Sabrina, dressed in our own gowns, naturally stepped onto the stage and blended in with the others.
The audience, who had no idea what was happening, started to murmur as the music suddenly changed.
“Wait… this song is…”
All the models on the runway stopped moving at once.
We looked at each other between the gaps in the models and all reached for the hems of our skirts.
At the very moment the band played the powerful intro —
We tore off our skirts.
