TL NOTE:

Hello~

Someone mentioned about what Raymond’s title really was before, and I guess to clarify this, He’s a Duke. He lives in the crown prince’s palace because he’s the crown prince’s son, but he’s not the crown prince at the moment. Also, Dukes are also princes, most third generation members of the imperial families are dukes, but it depends ‘coz some Ducal titles are also awarded through merit. ^^

Happy Reading~

***

Dresses and jewelries were on display on each storefront window.

Each dress was colorful, and dazzling.

So each glass cases were glistening with all sorts of clothes and jewelry.

“Everything looks good.”

Erin glanced over at Calix.

‘Did he ask me to come with him, to buy clothes?’

The truth is, she doesn’t know much about these shops, and neither does he.

He’s always had his attendant take care of his clothes, and I doubt he’s ever gone shopping for them himself.

“So which do you think is good?”

“You actually asked me to come with you to buy clothes?”

Erin’s question made Calix pause for a moment, then smiled.

“Uh… Yeah. That’s, right.”

So he’s really here to buy clothes.

“You asked me to go to the city center out of the blue, so I thought something was going on. It turns out you just wanted to buy some clothes.”

She was nervous thinking that he had some big secret.

“I was afraid that my sister-in-law would refuse my request.”

Erin found the look on Calix’s face when he answered nonchalantly, as both cute and a little condescending.

“I’m sure there are many people who can help you better than me…”

Wouldn’t it be better for him to ask a servant or an attendant or someone…

Who would know better?

‘So Why me?’

Erin didn’t understand why Calix would ask her help.

Even when he was just a child, he’d constantly pester her to do anything, even if it was odd.

A 14-year-old Calix, would often ask Erin, who was then engaged to Raymond, to go and eat desserts with him, go for a walk with him, or even for her to share classes with him.

He can be seen around Erin most of the time, compared to Raymond who was Erin’s fiancé.

Well, he didn’t just ask her to come out to buy clothes.

If it was just clothes, he could have asked a servant to do it.

Why did he ask her to accompany him then?

Erin stifled a laugh.

Calix looked extremely cute today.

She turned back to looking at the shops through the carriage windows.

She started scanning the dress shops around.

All of them were large shops, mostly aimed at nobles and people with huge amounts of money.

Some shops would even take up entire buildings with several floors.

“They all look good.”

“Which shop do you want to go to?”

“I don’t know.”

Erin was about to suggest that they take a leisurely tour off one or two of the shops first, when Calix suddenly stopped the carriage and gestured for his attendant.

“What is the largest dress shop on this street?”

“Howenloff’s Costume Shop, two blocks over on Lisworth Avenue. It’s the largest shop in this area.”

“Let’s go there.”

The carriage passed through the center of the street and stopped in front of a large building.

“Sister-in-law.”

Calix dismounted first and held out his hand to Erin.

Erin took his hand and they stepped off the carriage and into the shop.

The shop was very large.

It could have been the foyer of a small mansion. It was large and spacious, with high ceilings.

The floor was made of smooth marble and the walls were made of dark mahogany.

The store was decorated in a sophisticated, and elegant way, as if it were a place that sold only the finest goods.

A clerk hurried out and bowed deeply before Calix.

“Your Highness.”

To one side was a dress, sealed on a glass case, ready for anyone to try on.

There were so many dresses for soirees.

One can see different colors and shapes of evening wear, from luxuriously lustrous forest-green velvet to a brilliant silver satin, and honeyed golden silk.

In addition to evening wear, there was also casual wear, and a few evening outfits in velvet and silk.

All of them were luxurious.

They seemed to be more expensive and sophisticated than Serena’s dresses.

Erin looked around in amazement.

But after looking around, again and again, she still didn’t see any men’s clothing.

‘Why are there only women’s dresses?’

“What about men’s clothing?”

The clerk replied with a puzzled look,

“Lady. We only sell ladies’ outfits.”

“What?”

“So you’re a clothing store for women?”

Erin looked back at Calix.

He was a few steps away, looking at a dress embroidered with light blue petals on a white background.

Erin walked over to him.

“Excuse me, Calix this must be a clothing store for women…”

She was about to suggest that they go somewhere else, but Calix looked back at Erin and smiled.

“I know.”

“You know?”

‘No. If he knew, then why did he come here?’

As Erin looked at him curiously,

Calix pointed to a dress, which was bunched over at one side, with a rare look of seriousness.

“What does sister-in-law think? Do you see anything wrong with it? I don’t know about this stuff.”

“What?”

Erin blinked.

Calix examined the dresses with a serious cool gaze, there was no signs of his signature smirk on his face.

Erin felt confused.

‘No, this can’t be—?’

“Are you planning to give that… As a gift to someone?”

Calix touched the sleeve of a mauve colored dress, then turned his gaze back to Erin.

“Of course. Did you think I’m actually interested in wearing these?”

…Well, maybe not.

Erin suddenly understood the situation.

That’s why he asked her to accompany him.

Apparently, he needed help to pick out a dress for a woman and needed her advice.

When she thought about it, she finally understood why he asked her favor.

‘Is this for a woman he liked?’

Calix is 24 years old, well past the age of majority.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he had a woman in his heart.

‘Is this his first love? I hope he doesn’t have his heart broken.’

Erin looked back at Calix with concern.

He was a sturdy, and handsome young man.

Of all the men Erin had ever seen, he was definitely the most handsome.

It was unlikely that a man this handsome could fail, but was he interested in someone of the same age as Lady Caterina?

… Then Who?

He didn’t tell her anything, and it’s not like she can just casually ask him about it…

Still, she wondered who it was.

Erin asked as she examined a dress,

“What’s the recipient like, and do you know his or her preference?”

“Umm. I don’t know.”

Calix’s blue eyes suddenly sparkled as he pondered the answer.

“Unlike most noble ladies, I want to choose something that suits her. I can just choose the most expensive thing on the continent, but if it’s not to her liking, she’ll definitely refuse it.”

She seemed to be a very demanding lady.

She only wears the best, and she’s so picky about what she wears…

Erin looked at each of the dresses Calix had pointed out.

They were all ready to wear.

Each one was luxurious.

They were expensive and refined enough to be worn by an empress.

“I think they all look good.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Whatever you choose, they’ll all be fine.”

If she’s discerning enough to only want to wear the best then it would be easier to choose, but if she’s a picky one who can’t be satisfied with anything less than the most expensive, it’s definitely hard to please her.

‘Then he had no choice but to only give her the best he can.’

If he can’t impress her with money, he can try to impress her in other ways.

For example, put a lot of effort into preparing a gift, or give a gift with a special meaning.

‘He can try to win her over through his thoughtfulness and sincerity.’

After a moment’s thought, Calix finally gave an order to his staff.

“Bring the owner here.”

John bowed politely and ran to the back of the shop.

“Why are you suddenly calling for the owner?”

Erin asked curiously, and the owner came running out to greet them.

The owner of the dress shop was a middle-aged woman with an ordinary-looking face.

Although her appearance was plain, she was wearing an expensive smile fit for a dress shop owner.

She greeted Calix with a nervous low bow.

“I’ve seen his Highness and Lady.”

Ordinarily, it would have been rude for someone to ask to see the owner without stating their purpose.

But since the man was an archduke with an imperial status, the shopkeeper wouldn’t dare show their own displeasure.

She was afraid, and was sweating profusely, she thought that she had incurred the Archduke’s wrath.

“I, Your Highness— If there’s something you don’t like about m—”

‘What’s going on?’

As Erin watched the whole thing nervously, Calix had already spoken nonchalantly to the owner.

“I will buy every dress in your shop. Put them up for sale right now.”

“Bring me the most expensive dresses.”