Chapter 81
Yudis took a sip of tea from the table before beginning her explanation.
“Duke Berdin is famous for leading the protection of shapeshifter rights. He has a strong voice in the House of Lords. He’s known for having an honest and upright character. Oh, and he’s the adopted son of House Alred.”
“Duke Berdin was adopted?”
“It’s well-known in social circles. The two sons of Duke Alred died suddenly at a young age, and the Duke quickly brought Berdin from a branch family as an adopted son. Later, Duke Alred also died from illness. But when Berdin became the head of the family, he revived the ducal house that was failing in the pharmaceutical business.”
Duke Berdin, whom I saw in the library, seemed like a scholarly young master who loved books, so it was surprising to hear he ran a pharmaceutical business.
“A businessman? That’s completely different from the image I had.”
“Right? When I first saw Duke Berdin, I thought he was like a flower in a greenhouse. Wait a moment, let me show you House Alred’s flagship product.”
Yudis called a boutique employee and asked for Rococo perfume.
Shortly after, the employee brought a small perfume bottle. It was an elegant perfume bottle with a blue glass exterior decorated with silver rose embossing.
“This Rococo perfume is a product made by House Alred. It’s famous for being elegant with a deep fragrance. Moreover, it’s made with natural herbs so it’s good for the skin, making it extremely popular among noble ladies.”
Yudis sprayed the Rococo perfume on my wrist. It was a perfume that gave a comfortable feeling just from being sprayed on the body.
“It smells nice. And unique too.”
“Right? House Alred’s main products are herbs and medicinal plants. They monopolize the herb-related business, from ointments to sedatives and painkillers made with natural herbs as the main ingredient. The quality is excellent. Even the Royal Medical Center receives supplies of medicines from House Alred.”
“That’s impressive. To manufacture medicine, you need both equipment and substantial medical knowledge.”
When I nodded in admiration, Yudis raised one eyebrow in surprise.
“Hmm, Shushu really does have quick understanding. I thought you wouldn’t know much about human society being a shapeshifter.”
Oh no, I was supposed to be an unworldly fox. In the northern castle, I lived leisurely without needing such conversations.
I was slightly afraid that Yudis, with her sharp intuition and perceptiveness, might discover my true identity.
I awkwardly smiled and twisted my hair with my fingers.
“I studied while staying in the northern castle. When the Ulpes tribe succeeds in becoming human, they go to live in villages or cities. Studying is essential to adapt.”
“Ah, I’ve heard about that. Shushu, you’ve been through a lot. Even studying.”
Yudis held my hand tightly, looking distressed and not knowing what to do.
“Why go through all that difficult studying? Now that Shushu has come to the capital, your big sister will take care of everything so you won’t have any inconveniences. Our Shushu just needs to live happily and joyfully like a princess.”
Feeling Yudis’s sincerity, my heart was deeply moved. I once wished for a sister who would care for me so generously.
Do I deserve to receive such affection?
At that moment, memories of that day when I was attacked flashed through my mind.
That moment when everything turned red before my eyes and I lost my reason.
If something like that happens again, could I control myself?
Could I protect my precious people from myself?
“By the way, tell me more about Duke Berdin. I find it interesting.”
I forced a smile and changed the subject. Yudis nodded willingly and continued the conversation.
“Where was I? Right. Duke Berdin studied medicine abroad. As soon as he became the head of House Alred, he jumped into the pharmaceutical business. Our merchant guild is also planning to contract with House Alred’s pharmaceuticals.”
“That’s amazing.”
I nodded along while pondering about the original story.
Duke Berdin Alred. He wasn’t in the original work. Perhaps he wasn’t mentioned because he had no direct connection to the main characters.
Yudis slightly furrowed her brow, seemingly deep in thought.
“Although Duke Berdin is righteous and impressive, be careful.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I thoroughly investigate the nobles I deal with. But from my investigation, Duke Berdin is clean. Surprisingly clean to the point of being astonishing. Usually, when you dig, you find at least a speck of dust, but not with him. That’s why it’s suspicious.”
Could Yudis’s words be true? The Berdin I briefly saw in the library didn’t seem like a duke but rather a modest person who genuinely cared for the shapeshifter race.
Yudis smiled refreshingly and stroked my hair.
“Anyway, our Shuvelia is so pretty and lovely that Duke Berdin seems to have his eye on you.”
“What? No, no. He just helped me pick out a book.”
“This won’t do. I should go with you wherever you go. I left you alone in the library for a moment, and flies started swarming.”
I couldn’t help but laugh seeing Yudis anxiously holding my hand tight.
“Yudis, do you know you resemble Grand Duke Karden at times like this?”
“If it were my brother, he’d be even more frantic than me. No one can match his possessiveness over Shushu.”
Yudis burst into hearty laughter and called an employee to dress me.
I had no chance to refuse and was dragged away by the staff to have my measurements taken and was forced to try on dresses.
I thought choosing a dress would be easy, but I was greatly mistaken. I didn’t know Yudis’s standards were higher than the sky and so particular!
By now, the table was piled high with dresses that Yudis had coldly rejected. They all looked pretty to me, but she firmly pointed to the next dress.
By the time I tried on the seventh dress, I wanted to collapse right there.
I want to express my respect for the stamina of noble ladies. How can they change into such complicated, heavy, and cumbersome dresses over and over again?
“Now, just pick any—”
“No. We need to buy as many dresses as possible that highlight Shuvelia’s loveliness.”
“Aren’t the dresses we’ve already chosen enough? I like this sky-blue dress the most.”
The sky-blue dress I was wearing had five tiers of pleated decorations below the waist that danced and fluttered with every movement.
It was an off-shoulder style revealing the neckline and shoulders, surrounded by multiple layers of lace, creating a mystical feel. The silver lace ribbons that ran neatly along the back line were also abundant.
Yudis still examined dozens of dresses with a dissatisfied expression.
“Hmm. This is good too, but you should try on a few more…”
You want me to try on more?
No, please, someone save me from this dress hell!
As if my desperate cry was heard, a boutique employee entered the drawing room just in time.
“Lady Yudis, there’s an urgent message. It’s from the Helleon Merchant Guild.”
“What? From the guild?”
Yudis frowned with a troubled look as she rose from her seat.
Such an expression sometimes startled me because it was so similar to Karden’s.
“I instructed not to look for me until I finished choosing all of Shushu’s dresses. Seems like something has happened again.”
“Ah, is the guild very busy?”
Yudis sighed lightly and swept her black hair back.
“In a month, it will be ball season, so there are many orders. Our guild deals in high-priced jewels and accessories. Nobles are rushing to place orders.”
“That’s serious. Shouldn’t you go quickly? Work is important.”
“Spending time with Shushu is important to me, too. Will you really be alright alone?”
“I’ll be fine, so please go. I’ll choose clothes and return home by carriage.”
I smiled to appear reliable, but in Yudis’s eyes, I must still look like a baby fox.
Yudis held my hand tightly with tears welling up in her eyes.
“It would be good if my brother could escort you at times like this. But he gets dragged to the palace when most needed. No practicality. None at all.”
“Haha, of course he must go when His Majesty the King summons him.”
“Shushu, thank you for understanding. I’ll have a carriage and soldiers waiting. I’m sorry I can’t stay with you.”
“Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll see you at the mansion.”
Yudis looked back at me several times like a mother leaving her baby alone by the water before finally leaving the boutique.
Only after she left did I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Whew, I survived. I was about to suffocate buried in dresses.”
I walked with light steps toward the drawing room. I’ll just quickly choose a dress and go home to rest.
At that moment, I heard a commotion from the opposite drawing room. It was the sound of young women arguing.
Were they fighting over who would get a dress? It’s human nature not to be able to pass by a fire or a fight without looking.
I quietly approached the opposite drawing room and peeked through the slightly open door.
A vicious voice, seemingly very angry, echoed through the drawing room.
“Why is someone like a healer occupying this drawing room? Madam, how are you managing your customers? I’ve repeatedly told you that this is my exclusive drawing room.”
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.