Volume 1 Chapter 94

Volume 1 + Chapter 94: Securing Benefits For Family

The shop assistant at the side was dumbfounded. Could this dress possibly not be beautiful?

This was the everyday dress custom-made for Princess Luojia. Don’t be fooled by its seemingly plain white design—its details and materials, even the unseen inner lining, were all extremely exquisite.

Its total value definitely already exceeded ten gold coins.

But judging from Miss Roland’s posture, she was planning to sell it to Miss Eve at the price of ready-to-wear.

How could this be allowed…? Not to mention that the cost of the dress itself was already a sky-high sum far beyond ten gold coins, the delivery deadline demanded by Princess Luojia was already headache enough.

If, when Princess Luojia came to the shop to collect the dress, she discovered it was missing, then probably every single staff member in the shop—including Miss Roland—would suffer.

“Miss Roland, this won’t do, it absolutely won’t do.”

The shop assistant grabbed Roland’s arm, trying to persuade her to reconsider. They couldn’t all be dragged down together just because she fancied Miss Eve.

“What won’t do? This dress has been sitting here long enough. Now that Miss Eve needs it, it is only right that we sell it to her at the most favorable price.”

“Do you remember what I said? Customers are our family, and we must treat them as kindly as we would treat family.”

Hearing Roland’s words, the shop assistant felt her cheek twitch.

Family?

Everyone knew Miss Roland rarely showed her face. Unless it was one of the imperial family’s three giants, or the young lady of House Lorine herself, she would not appear.

Even a prince wouldn’t make a difference. Never mind a princess—Roland probably wouldn’t even show up personally to greet her own mother.

After all, good fashion designers have their personalities and their pride. It was precisely this pride that the young lady of House Lorine, the major backer behind the clothing shop, valued.

Art, after all, had to have personality.

But…

The way you wag your tail and fawn over Miss Eve is truly unsightly.

“Miss Eve, since you understand fashion design, I don’t need to say much about this dress.”

“Whether it’s the material or the appearance, even the size seems as if it were tailored specifically for this young girl.”

“As for the price… naturally it will be a little higher.”

Roland pursed her lips. Seeing the hesitant expression on her face, the shop assistant couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Wonderful. This was Miss Roland’s “spotted a fat piece of meat, about to open her lion’s mouth” expression.

We’re saved!

So Miss Roland wanted to sell it for a good price. After all, Princess Luojia usually didn’t even pay for her clothes.

She always said, “Put it on the account, I’ll settle at the end of the year.” But how many years have been “settled at the end of the year” now? Did she ever pay?

Shameless.

Anyway, Miss Roland had already offended plenty of people recently. Offending one was a mistake, offending a crowd was just her personality.

They had even publicly declared Miss Roland unwell, extending the delivery deadlines for clothing. Meanwhile, they sold off the clothes that might not be paid for anyway, to recover some costs. They couldn’t always let the young lady of House Lorine subsidize the shop.

“It really is lovely. Do you like it?”

“L-l… like.”

Pipim had originally wanted to say she didn’t like it. She didn’t want to trouble Eve, and she didn’t want Eve to spend money on clothes for her.

But the dress was simply too beautiful, and she couldn’t help blurting out the truth.

“No problem, the price doesn’t matter.”

“As expected of Miss Eve, so straightforward. Roughly… one silver coin.”

Hearing Roland’s price, Eve didn’t even blink. If it had been before, she might have cried out in shock.

After all, one silver coin wasn’t a small sum. But now, she only felt calm.

A mere single gold coin—that was all. Now Eve had the confidence. Having been brought into the imperial family’s circle, the saying “the end of the universe is the civil service exam” applied even in another world.

“One? Silver coin?”

The shop assistant nearby felt as though she had misheard. She rubbed her ears, then her eyes.

Once she confirmed her senses were working fine, her legs gave way and she nearly collapsed.

One silver coin—for something that couldn’t even buy the thread used in the dress.

“If the child likes it, I don’t mind. But… is this really the price?”

Though Eve carried herself with the slightly slow-witted air of a natural housewife, that didn’t mean she was truly a fool.

Whether Miss Roland was taking care of her or not, she could feel it clearly.

“Of course it’s the price. I’d even give you a discount.”

Roland said this as she took Pipim’s dirty, skinny little hand without the slightest distaste.

“It’s fate—there just happened to be a ready-made in her size. I’m only charging a cost. Otherwise, I’d have wanted to give it to you outright.”

Hearing this, the shop assistant’s heart leapt wildly, nearly fainting on the spot.

To give it away… that would be even worse.

“Thank you, you’ve helped me so much. I really don’t know how to thank you, Miss Roland.”

Eve gave a shy smile—and that smile was like an arrow, piercing Roland’s heart instantly.

“Not at all, don’t be so polite. Since Miss Eve understands fashion design, the two of us are like a match made in… I mean, kindred spirits…”

“Miss Eve, when you have time, do drop by more often. We can exchange insights into fashion design.”

“Someone, take this young girl to tidy up and change into a dress.”

Roland ordered her staff to take Pipim to get cleaned up, while she herself enthusiastically brewed tea for Eve.

Watching Roland bustling about for her, Eve felt a little unaccustomed.

She was curious—Miss Roland wasn’t after her money, and clearly didn’t know her true status. Why then was she treating her with such warmth?

Could it really be just because she was a good person?

“Please, Miss Eve, try this—it’s this year’s new tea.”

“Thank you.”

Eve accepted the teacup, softly expressing her thanks.

“No need to fuss. I’m troubling you too much.”

“It’s no trouble at all. This is what I should do. By the way, Miss Eve… forgive my boldness, but what exactly is your relationship with that young girl?”

Roland pushed a few delicate pastries toward Eve.

Looking at the pastries in front of her, Eve couldn’t help swallowing. But then she lowered her gaze to her own toes, completely hidden under her dress, thought for a moment, and held back.

The housewife persona was true enough, but if she overdid it, she’d turn into a “fat housewife.”

“She’s a little girl I picked up.”

“I’ve seen her before.”

Roland nodded.

“Back in a little alley by the commercial street. She was clinging to a tall, gentle-looking lady, calling her the Crimson Witch.”

“She nearly drew the patrol knights over…”