/
Then Ethan smiled and explained the ‘postal code’ and ‘stamp’ that Dorothea had envisioned.
Initials and numbers for each large region, sub-region, and neighborhood should be used to distinguish mail at a glance.
Also, purchase and affix postage stamps to all mail serviced by the post office.
The price of postage is the same in all regions, and the postage required to be affixed by distance and size should be systematized.
Not so great in a way. However, this simple systematization would eliminate a significant inconvenience.
‘Before the return, we were in the process of implementing…but Theon Fried is dead.’
After Theon Fried’s death, even the little things that Dorothea had managed to accomplish were thwarted, and the light never came.
However, even after returning, Dorothea improved the idea a little more concretely and efficiently and didn’t let go of her thoughts.
Ethan loved Dorothea like that.
“It would be so much easier to sort mail if we had initials and numbers for each region.”
The young girl of the post office also listened intently to his words.
“Ethan Bronte didn’t even appear in Episteme, but he has such a clever side.”
The nobles nodded and praised him.
‘If only they hadn’t mentioned Episteme.’
The nobles began to praise Ethan every inch again, and Ethan wished he could go see Dorothea over tea.
* * *
One day, about a week before Dorothea’s birthday and the Empress’s death anniversary.
“Princess, Your Majesty the Emperor is holding a banquet for the princess on her birthday!”
“suddenly?”
“It seems like they’re trying to set up a place for you because you haven’t had a proper greeting with the ministers since your debut!”
Dorothea scoffed, thinking that Carnan was doing something wrong again.
Until now, Carnan had never held a birthday banquet for her.
After she came to Lampas, he sent her birthday gifts, but he didn’t hold a banquet.
It’s because it is against the etiquette to hold a pleasant banquet on the Empress’s death anniversary.
Therefore, Dorothea thought that this year, of course, Carnan would only send gifts quietly.
“Look at this! He even sent you a dress to wear that day!”
Clara pointed to the blue dress the servants were carrying.
The dress in a color resembling the southern sea was lavishly decorated with jewels, lace, and frills.
A dress that emphasized a narrow waist looked quite cramped. He must have told her not to eat anything throughout the banquet.
“He even sent necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to wear with it and of course shoes!”
The servants opened a large accessory box and displayed the accessories and shoes that Carnan had sent in front of Dorothea.
Jewels that sparkle so dazzlingly. And even shoes with ribbons. At a glance, it seemed like the price of a few houses.
‘It’s luxurious.’
‘I’d rather spend the money you’re sending me on something more productive.’
Dorothea muttered to herself.
An unwelcome gift, an unwelcome event.
He’s been lovingly for the Empress for the rest of your life, but now He was suddenly putting Dorothea’s birthday first. It’s probably because of the spirit.
But Clara looked so happy and happy.
“I am so happy that the princess is doing well!”
Clara was thrilled that the emperor had sent Dorothea such a huge gift and even held a banquet.
Because she was one of those people who knew very well how much Dorothea had been neglected.
Clara assured Dorothea that a glamorous and voluminous dress would look good on her.
That was then.
“Oh, my God, the princess has opened a dressing room.”
At the sound of Ethan’s voice, Dorothea’s sullen face brightened.
“Oh, Master Ethan! There are no lessons today, but what made you come here?”
Clara asked, surprised, and Ethan smiled.
“I brought the sheet music I promised the princess.”
He slightly lifted the sheet music on his side.
‘Sheet Music? Did you make such a promise?’
When Dorothea blinked, he signaled with a slight wink towards Dorothea.
‘You can’t say ‘I miss you so much’.’
Knowing the meaning of his words, Dorothea nodded, hiding the smile that leaked out.
“Yes, I asked.”
“By the way, did the princess get a new dress?”
Ethan naturally came in and asked, standing next to Dorothea.
“The Emperor sent it to her as a birthday present. He said he even held a banquet for the princess!”
“Ah…I guess they’re not honoring the late Empress this year?”
At Clara’s reply, Ethan hid the ‘that’s interesting’ that was about to burst from his lips.
“It has been nearly 20 years since she passed away, and the princess has made her debut, so I think the Emperor will take care of the princess more.”
As Clara explained that to Ethan, Ethan, and Dorothea looked into each other’s eyes and smiled awkwardly.
“He must have thought that the princess needed a fancy dress to wear to a banquet.”
“It’s such a beautiful and wonderful dress, but you won’t be able to get a slice of bread in your throat when you wear it.”
‘Are you trying to torture her?’
When Ethan murmured so that only Dorothea could hear, Dorothea burst into laughter.
‘You thought the same thing as me.’
‘I felt good because I felt like we were connected.’
“Would you like to try on the dress?”
“Then will you take a look?”
It was Dorothea who was dissatisfied with the dress because it looked flashy and cramped, but she thought it would be okay to try it on in front of Ethan.
‘The dress is pretty, so I want to show it to Ethan…’
Ethan nodded happily, and Dorothea asked Clara that she wanted to try it on.
The three moved into the dressing room, and Dorothea let Ethan sit on the sofa outside the dressing room and then went inside with Clara to change.
It takes a long time to change the dress, so the servant of Renascor Palace gave Ethan a light refreshment, but he didn’t touch them.
He only fiddles with his hands, waiting for Dorothea to come out.
Waiting for Dorothea to come out in her dress made him feel like a bridegroom preparing for his wedding.
‘It’s nothing, but why am I nervous and my heart is pounding?’
Then, the door to the dressing room opened and Dorothea came out.
At that moment, Ethan couldn’t even stand up from the sofa and stared blankly.
Her white arms and shoulders were exposed over a sea-blue dress, and dazzling jewels sat down like stars on her collarbone.
The blue jewel-studded earrings contrasted with Dorothea’s platinum-blonde hair, further highlighting her splendor.
Dorothea looked at Ethan with her head lowered somewhat shyly, as if it was awkward to wear a fancy dress she hadn’t been wearing for a long time.
“What do you think? Does it look good on me?”
As Dorothea’s voice flowed into her ears, Ethan wanted to hug her and kiss her.
‘I wanted to propose to you here to marry me right now.’
If Clara and the other servants were not watching, he would have done so.
It was also because the clothes were beautiful, but what made his heart flutter more was Dorothea wearing a dress for him and shyly asked if the dress would fit her.
‘Wouldn’t it be right to get married while wearing an expensive dress?’
“Ethan?”
It was only after Dorothea called his name one more time that he managed to regain his soul.
“The princess looks good no matter what she wears.”
As Ethan spoke, Dorothea pouted her lips slightly.
“That’s not a very good judgment, Ethan.”
So, should he just tell her he wants to marry her?
Ethan held back what he wanted to say and stood up to take a closer look.
He came close to her and made eye contact with her, pretending to examine her clothes closely.
He ran his hand over her bracelets, pretending to examine her necklace, and bit the tip of his lip as he watched her neck and her lips.
“I guess the Emperor didn’t send you just any clothes, because you really…… beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
At that moment, a smile appeared on Dorothea’s lips.
“Then change into comfortable clothes and go out.”
Ethan pushed Dorothea’s back.
“Already? Are you done watching this?”
“You’re pretty, but that clothes are cramped.”
No matter how pretty the clothes are, he refuses if Dorothea is uncomfortable.
‘Besides, if I kept watching, I thought I would do something in front of Clara and the servants.’
“Because I love you no matter what you look like.”
Ethan whispered a small whisper in her ear, and Dorothea’s face turned slightly red.
‘You shouldn’t say that at a time like this, people will hear you.’
“I’ll go change again then.”
Dorothea hurried into the dressing room.
Ethan thought as he looked at Dorothea, who was disappearing into the dressing room.
‘Maybe we shouldn’t have a secret relationship after all.’
* * *
“Then you two can talk.”
When Dorothea changed her clothes again and came out, Clara prepared refreshments for the two of them in the parlor and walked away.
As soon as Ethan saw Clara leaving, he grabbed Dorothea’s hand.
His fingers pressed densely between hers.
“Can I kiss you?”
Ethan asked, looking closely at Dorothea’s face.
“Ethan…!”