When That Door Opens - Chapter 8

“Do you remember the name of the family?” Jerome asked.

It was the first time he had shown this much interest in her work, which made Yvonne unexpectedly excited despite her initial intention.

“I think it was the Montmark Barony…”

“Ah.”

Jerome nodded and resumed buttoning his shirt.

“They’re a noble family from another country. They’re still establishing their foothold in the empire, but they have a solid foundation.”

“You know a lot about noble families, Jerome.”

At her casual remark, Jerome’s smiling face stiffened. However, it was such a fleeting expression that by the time Yvonne looked at him again, his smile was even more pronounced.

“Because of my work.”

“…I see. But I turned down their request.”

The butler from that family had been quite surprised when Yvonne declined. It seemed he never expected someone like her to refuse a noble family’s commission.

“Why?”

Jerome asked, puzzled.

“Just because. It felt too burdensome.”

Yvonne answered as she brushed her long hair back. She didn’t think she was up to the task of making such a precious dress. However, saying that out loud felt too revealing, so she gave a vague excuse.

“Nobles have very picky tastes. They say even a small mistake can cause big problems.”

It wasn’t just the dress but also the expensive materials required to make it. The dress commissioned by the Montmark Barony was one such example. Even the embroidery threads were twenty times more expensive than what Yvonne usually used. She thought her hands would tremble too much to do the embroidery properly. She reassured herself that it was the right decision.

“That’s a shame.”

“…What?”

Her gaze, which had been wandering over the crumpled bed sheets, turned to Jerome. Fully dressed by now, he gently ran his fingers through her red hair and spoke kindly.

“I think your skills are exceptional, Yvonne. I can tell just by looking at the clothes you’ve made for me so far.”

Yvonne’s cheeks turned red at his words. Since the day Jerome had walked into her shop to buy a shirt and they became lovers, she occasionally gifted him clothes. They weren’t grand gifts.

At first, it was simply the desire to dress him in shirts tailored to his body. Then, she wanted him to think of her even when they were apart. Eventually, it was a faint sense of possessiveness, a wish to leave a trace of herself with him.

“I wish more people knew how beautiful the clothes you make are, Yvonne.”

“Jerome…”

Yvonne’s eyelashes trembled. It was as if he knew all her hidden feelings. Though she had started making clothes to make a living, it had become much more than that to her.

She had never spoken about it, but creating beautiful clothes brought her joy. She often dreamed of running a larger boutique under her name, though she kept this ambition to herself, fearing it might be an unrealistic dream.

“If you receive another commission, why not give it a try?”

“Do you think… I could?”

“It’s up to you, but I’d like to see you take the leap.”

Jerome, smiling like a dried rose, kissed her on the forehead.

“Sleep well and have sweet dreams, Yvonne.”

Just as she had done earlier, Jerome lightly tapped the dreamcatcher with his fingertips before turning away. With his hood pulled low, he stepped into the predawn darkness.

“Goodbye.”

Yvonne whispered a farewell he wouldn’t hear, then collapsed onto the bed. Her curly red hair spread out messily. With him gone, she felt empty. Yvonne’s eyes slowly closed.

“I’d like to see you take the leap.”

His voice echoed in her ears, making her chest burn as if it had been seared by fire.