I Became a Clothing Designer in Another World - Chapter 137

Since returning from prison, William had seemed somewhat hasty and absent-minded, unlike his former self. But whatever happened over the weekend, he regained his spirit.

I was wondering if I should offer a word of advice or encouragement to cheer him up, but he managed to sort things out on his own, and his eyes, once again full of confidence and madness, returned.

Clearly, this was the very reason I became interested in William, so it's only natural that I should like it.

"Tsk..."

Strangely, I didn't like that side of William.

No, rather than disliking his appearance, the fact that I wasn't the reason he cheered up was grating on my nerves.

I'm well aware that this is an arrogant thought.

I've only known William for about four months.

Not a long time at all.

So, it's not strange that I wasn't the reason.

Rather, this is closer to a normal relationship.

Even so, I felt bad.

Even though my mother is openly helping him.

And even though he doesn't deny that I'll be by his side in the future, I bitterly felt that I wasn't yet among the people he trusts.

I felt terribly awful.

"Hehe..."

Though my mood was plummeting to the worst, I didn't break my smile as I watched Emily standing demurely near William as always.

She maintained a calm expression and calm movements even during William's eccentric behavior.

It wasn't that Emily couldn't understand William's eccentricities; her level wasn't that low.

As a commoner with a high level of education and knowledge, she probably vaguely understands what William's eccentric behavior entails.

Yet, she's calm.

Perhaps, it's because Emily is the reason William regained his spirit and is displaying such unique behavior.

It could be that she pushed William forward, or that William relied on her, which led to this.

It bothered me.

I knew from our first meeting that the relationship between Emily and William wasn't just that of a normal employer and employee.

The trust and affection evident in their gazes couldn't come from just anyone.

William's actions of unconsciously taking care of Emily whenever something happens.

Emily's actions of always watching William and paying close attention to his behavior.

These couldn't come from an ordinary relationship.

Nearly 10 years.

A position where they can be together from morning to night.

The vast experience and information gained while working as his exclusive personal attendant.

This is her own weapon that I can't have no matter what I do.

"......"

My lips and molars tighten.

A thick, dark energy congeals within my heart.

This is the emotion of base jealousy.

I never felt this even towards my sister, yet I'm feeling it towards a commoner who's merely pretty.

I want to get rid of her, but if I do, William won't stand still.

Even if he does, I won't be able to see the William I want, the William I desire, for the rest of my life.

I'm not foolish enough to make such a stupid choice that would make everyone unhappy because of a petty jealousy.

In the first place, Emily would show the consideration to step back before the competition intensifies.

Even if my pride is hurt, I must acknowledge what I must.

I can't beat her alone.

And Emily can't push me away either.

If that's the case...

"Elizabeth."

William's voice shatters my thoughts.

My gaze, which had been fixed on Emily, reflexively turns to William, and I feel my heavily sinking heart floating up a little.

"Can you come here for a moment?"

A sharp glance looking at me sideways.

But a vague fatigue is mixed in with the sharpness, giving it a decadent feel.

"Annoying..."

I muttered quietly, not loud enough for William to hear, and stood up.

If her face was ugly, I wouldn't even have these worries...

Yes.

It's all William's fault.

Emily is also a victim of that wicked criminal who seduced her and then neglected her, and I'm also a victim who got caught up in it by bad luck.

"Hoo-"

Blaming William without any logical basis made me feel much better.

It was nothing more than a forced argument, but if Emily heard my true feelings, she would sympathize and give William a cold stare.

"What's wrong?"

Having armed my mind with such forced arguments and sophistry, I approached William with a gentle smile on my face.

_

The sun sets, and the deep evening when the moon rises in the southern sky.

"Tsk..."

I glanced down at the object in my hand and lightly clicked my tongue.

The object I'm holding is a plain wooden box about the size of a human head, covered in velvet, commonly used by nobles for gifts.

It's a suitable item even for a princess to hold.

But this is not mine.

I didn't prepare it.

It was a box containing a gift that William had prepared for my sister.

Yes.

That William dared to use a princess as a servant to send a gift.

It's not that I don't understand why William made such a bold, daring, and rude choice.

Rather, it's because I understand it that I feel uncomfortable.

Why does a man who can display such delicacy thoughtlessly commit such clumsy acts towards me and Emily...

He's a very detestable and bad man.

He's an inconsiderate man who sends gifts for other women through a woman.

I will definitely take revenge someday.

"Princess Victoria?"

As I walked through the palace corridor, unable to hide my discomfort, a maid who was waiting near my sister's chamber to attend to her at any time discovered me and quickly bowed her head.

"Your Highness, what brings you to Crown Princess Alexandrine's chamber at this late hour?"

"I'm sorry, but I'd like to talk to my sister for a moment. Would that be alright?"

"Please wait a moment."

The maid, who politely bowed her head and asked me to wait, immediately turned around and knocked on the chamber door.

- Knock knock

"What's wrong?"

In response to my sister's answer, the maid opened the door just enough for her voice to pass through and spoke with her face close to the crack in the door.

"Princess Victoria wishes to speak with the Crown Princess."

"Elizabeth? Tell her to come in."

"Understood."

The maid, bowing even though she couldn't be seen, listened to my sister's order and whispered quietly, only slightly turning her head.

"Your Highness, she says it's alright to come in."

"Thank you."

"......"

The maid, smiling brightly at my expression of gratitude, bowed her head and pushed the doorknob as it was, opening the door wide and gesturing me inside.

"I'm going to have a personal conversation, so everyone, please wait outside for a moment."

""Understood.""

I left Sir Rachel and Sera, who had come with me, to wait outside the chamber with the maid, and as I stepped inside, my sister was sitting on the bed in a light chemise, as if she was about to go to bed.

"I'm sorry for the late hour, sister."

"No, it's always a pleasure to have my cute little sister visit. More than that, don't just stand there and sit down somewhere quickly. It would be even better if it's next to me."

My sister, who greeted me with a carefree smile despite the sudden visit, patted the spot next to her with her palm, gesturing me to come closer.

"Hehe~ Then I'll be intruding."

I giggled at my sister's gesture, not refusing her offer and willingly accepting it, gently sitting on the edge of the bed following my sister's lead.

"What brings you here at this hour? And what's that box you're holding?"

"I came to see you because of this box. It's a gift for you."

"A gift? My birthday is tomorrow. Aren't you giving it to me too early?"

"It's not from me, it's something William asked me to deliver. He said please accept the small token of sincerity from the new noble."

"Sincerity, huh..."

The smile on my sister's face, which had been wearing a smile at the word 'sincerity', slightly contorted.

Since sincerity from a noble usually meant a bribe, she seemed to have reacted sensitively.

"Don't worry, it's not the kind of dark object you're thinking of."

"Then why would there be a reason to give it secretly? He could have given it to me through Count Hume tomorrow..."

"He has his own reasons. He asked me to deliver it, saying he hoped you could fully enjoy the gift."

"Enjoy it fully? I don't know what it is, but it's making me anticipate it."

"You can expect a little."

"Really?"

As I handed the box to my sister and said something to strengthen her expectations, the corners of my sister's eyes softened.

"Then, let's see..."

Placing the box on her lap, my sister fidgeted with her hands and moved them to the box, lightly licking her lips with her tongue and opening the box with light movements.

Then, she picked up the two lumps of fur inside and narrowed her eyes, examining them carefully.

"This is a muff, and this doll is an animal... oh, wait...?"

My sister's eyes widened as she carefully looked at the small dog doll the size of her palm that was inside with the muff.

"Thi, this... could this be..."

Then, breathing roughly and unable to hide her excitement, my sister looked at me and said in a trembling voice.

"Is this Nix?"

"You recognized it right away."

"How could I not recognize it? It looks like Nix to anyone!"

"Haha..."

I gave an awkward smile to my sister, who was stomping her feet and rejoicing like a young girl, and slightly averted my gaze.

It didn't look like Nix to me, but rather just looked like a Samoyed, but if my sister thought so, then so be it.

"How did William know about this? Only a servant who has worked in the palace for a long time would know about it."

"We were talking about whether you would like the muff, and the story of Nix came up. I said that since you liked Samoyeds, you wouldn't dislike the muff either, and it seems he put in this small gift along with it."

"Oh my..."

Hugging the doll tightly in her arms and lightly covering her lips with her left hand, my sister looked at the empty air with moist eyes and let out a small exclamation.

"I almost fell for Howard a little bit..."

"......"

And in response to my sister's words, my face twisted horribly without even thinking.

It was clearly a joke, or at least it should be a joke, but my body unleashed an emotional reaction rather than such a rational reaction.

"Oh my oh my, look at those evil eyes? Does this sister look like she's crazy enough to steal the man her sister has her eyes on? I'm getting engaged next year."

"Even so, don't make such jokes."

"Alright, alright, Howard isn't my type anyway."

"Don't say that either, it makes me feel bad."

"......"

My sister, looking at my appearance of getting annoyed at this and that, shut her mouth tightly and looked at me as if I was pathetic.

"...To think that such a cool-headed and rational child has really fallen apart because of a man."

Following that, my sister closed her eyes tightly and muttered quietly.

"......"

Unable to think of anything to retort, I also shut my mouth tightly and stared at the wall opposite my sister, fidgeting with my skirt for no reason.

Really...

This is all William's fault.