IHDOE Ch 88

[Madrin] "I am suffering a grave injustice! I am the Empire's premier tailor! Why would I copy the design of a newcomer like Laura? This is undeniably her scheme to frame me!"

Despite her protests, the cold stares directed at her didn't soften.

Lady Luton fired back.

[L. Luton] "You keep repeating that you are wronged. If you suffer such an injustice, explain what Thistle fabric is, just as Lady Satina asked!"

[Madrin] "I never attempted to purchase Thistle fabric!"

[L. Luton] "Ha! Didn't you ask what the issue was with trying to buy it?"

[Madrin] "That was... well, I was flustered!"

[L. Luton] "So you admitted the truth because you were flustered?"

Lady Saville glared at Madrin.

[L. Saville] "How dare you deceive me and sell me such trash?!"

[Madrin] "Th-That is a misunderstanding! Please listen to me...!"

[L. Saville] "The truth is exposed, so what is there to listen to?!"

Madrin threw herself at Lady Saville's feet, weeping and pleading.

[Madrin] "I had no such intention! It was all concocted by Laura in league with Lady Satina...!"

[L. Saville] "Do I look so easy to fool with such shallow lies?!"

Lady Saville erupted in fury and kicked Madrin away.

She tumbled across the floor, but she immediately crawled back to cling to Lady Saville again.

Unwilling to hear another word, Lady Saville shouted toward the hallway.

[L. Saville] "Is anyone out there?! Escort this woman out!"

A guard entered from the hallway and dragged Madrin away.

[Madrin] "My Lady! My Lady! Please listen to me!"

Even after Madrin was gone, Lady Saville stood panting, her rage still boiling.

[L. Saville] "What? To work in the capital, everyone must obey her? Ridiculous! I shall inform my mother at once and ensure that woman never sets foot in the capital again!"

After fuming for a moment, Lady Saville glanced awkwardly at Lady Luton. Having treated each other with mutual disdain for weeks, reconciling felt embarrassing for both of them.

Satina noticed the awkward tension and stepped in.

[Satina] "How could either of you be at fault? It is entirely the fault of Madrin, who deceived you both."

[L. Saville] "Right?"

Lady Saville nodded eagerly at Satina's words.

[Satina] "Indeed. Who could have known that she, hailed as the Empire's premier tailor, would commit such a terrible act as stealing another's design? Furthermore, rather than begging forgiveness when caught, she tried to deceive you both again. You must have suffered such an injustice, Lady Saville."

Satina skillfully shifted all the blame onto Madrin, easing the burden on both noblewomen. Madrin would end up in prison shortly anyway, never to be seen again.

Thanks to Satina's mediation, the two ladies reconciled smoothly.

[L. Saville] "Indeed. We are not at fault! We were deceived by that woman."

[L. Luton] "I intend to demand financial compensation for damages as well."

[L. Saville] "I owe you an apology as well."

Lady Saville turned to Laura as she spoke. Laura bowed humbly.

[Laura] "Not at all. I apologize for causing you such distress. Should you visit my shop in the future, I would be honored to craft bespoke dresses for both of you as gifts."

The offer of complimentary custom gowns naturally intrigued both ladies. They nodded and promised to visit Laura's shop soon.

Satina watched with satisfaction.

She speaks well, just as we rehearsed.

If both ladies became regulars, Laura's reputation would be fully restored. With Madrin out of the picture, she could even claim the top position in the Empire.

After concluding their conversation with Laura, the two noblewomen approached Satina.

[L. Saville] "In any case, thank you for helping resolve this matter. I had no idea you possessed such thoughtfulness."

[L. Luton] "Thanks to you, I was not further deceived by that wicked woman. If you don't mind, would you attend a party at my estate next time?"

Both ladies looked at Satina with newfound warmth, deeply appreciative of her decisive intervention.

---

After seeing both ladies off, Satina prepared to head home, but the Marchioness stopped her.

[M. Riermont] "Do you have plans after this?"

[Satina] "No, my schedule is clear."

[M. Riermont] "Is that so? Then stay for dinner with me. Someone wishes to see you."

[Satina] "Me?"

Before she could ask who, a familiar face peeked around the corner of the corridor. It was Max, the Marchioness' nephew whom Satina had rescued.

[Max] "S-S-Sister."

He stepped forward and called out hesitantly. Satina tilted her head at the unfamiliar title, prompting the Marchioness to explain.

[M. Riermont] "I told him to call you that. He needs to learn proper etiquette and social standings."

[Satina] "I see. Hello, Max. Long time no see. Have you been doing well?"

[Max] "Mm!"

He nodded vigorously, giving a goofy grin as he clutched Satina's skirt in high spirits.

His plump, healthy cheeks proved how devotedly the Marchioness had cared for him since returning to the capital.

Max pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket and held it out to Satina.

[Max] "Present."

[M. Riermont] "Look at him. He saved his favorite chocolate last night, and I wondered what he was planning. It turns out he wanted to give it to you, Miss Satina."

His face flushed crimson at his aunt's gentle teasing.

[Satina] "Thank you. I'll enjoy it. How do you like your new home?"

[Max] "I-It's great! Lots of food, and no... no beatings!"

The Marchioness' smile faltered for a moment as she remembered the abuse he had suffered, but her gentle expression quickly returned.

[M. Riermont] "This child takes to you immensely. When he heard you were visiting today, he waited so eagerly."

[Satina] "Is that so? I am delighted to see him as well."

Max babbled excitedly at Satina's side.

[Max] "Y-Yesterday, I went out with... with Aunt and bought things."

[Satina] "Really? What did you buy?"

[Max] "C-Clothes. Bought clothes to wear today because Sister... was coming. And I tried... tried pudding, too!"

[Satina] "It must have been delicious."

[Max] "Yes! Living here is... um, truly like heaven. I can eat lots of sweet things like the ones Sister gave me, and um..."

[Satina] "The Marchioness takes wonderful care of you."

The Marchioness looked down at Max softly.

[M. Riermont] "He is my nephew. Since I am the only family he has left, I must cherish him. My goodness, your nose is running again."

She pulled a handkerchief from her dress and gently wiped his nose.

[M. Riermont] "We must see a doctor tomorrow. Your pollen allergy is worse than I thought."

Perhaps due to the bond of blood, Max had quickly grown comfortable with the Marchioness, despite finding her unfamiliar just days ago.

As Satina watched them, a memory of her own mother suddenly surfaced.

[Duchess] "Stop sniffling like a pathetic creature!"

[Duchess] "I have to see the Duke, and you ruined my dress! Keep crying, and I will abandon you here!"

A painful tightness squeezed her chest, but she hid her reaction completely. She was used to suppressing such feelings.

[M. Riermont] "Ah, do you like clams, Miss Satina? This child tried them for the first time two days ago and became completely obsessed. Lately, our table features them every single day..."

Satina offered her usual serene smile, answering the Marchioness without betraying a hint of turmoil.

---

A few days later, Satina attended a party hosted by Marchioness Riermont, wearing a dress meticulously crafted by Laura.

Mattrans, once the most prestigious in the Empire, had collapsed completely. Conversely, Laura's shop experienced a sudden surge in popularity. High society was fascinated by a tailor whose creations were so exquisite that Madrin herself had stooped to stealing them.

[C. Sorwen] "Is this the dress crafted by that tailor named Laura? My word. Every single embroidered detail is remarkably delicate and lovely. Calling it a work of art is no exaggeration. They say booking an appointment with her lately is like plucking a star from the sky."

As Countess Sorwen marveled at Satina's gown, the Marchioness of Riermont chimed in proudly.

[M. Riermont] "Miss Satina is the tailor's benefactor, so securing a reservation is no trouble for her! Aside from uncovering the truth about the dress, she even found my nephew! She is clever, deeply devout..."

[C. Sorwen] "And possesses a kind, sweet heart? I have heard you sing those praises over ten times already."

The Marchioness smiled sheepishly at Countess Sorwen's playful scolding.

[M. Riermont] "Did I repeat myself that much?"

As promised, the Marchioness introduced Satina to Countess Sorwen, the second noblewoman whose recommendation she needed.

[C. Sorwen] "Although the Marchioness speaks highly of you, I have no intention of writing a recommendation letter immediately. I have yet to judge what kind of person you truly are."

Though Satina had hoped to secure the recommendation on the spot, she knew better than to expect such easy fortune. Still, thanks to the Marchioness' endorsement, Countess Sorwen looked at her with clear favor.

[C. Sorwen] "In any case... you are far more beautiful than the rumors suggest."

Satina smiled gracefully at the compliment.

[Satina] "Thank you. Coming from a lady of your refined artistic taste, it is an even greater honor."

[C. Sorwen] "Mm... Yes. You resemble Sabrina from the classic tales."

The Marchioness interjected hurriedly.

[M. Riermont] "Even as a compliment, why bring up such a figure...?"

Sabrina was legendary for her matchless beauty across endless tales. However, her true fame stemmed not from her looks, but from her notorious scandals, having married nine times after divorcing her first husband.

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