Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi

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Chapter 18 – Blooming (1)

The first time he met Dandelion was at the Royal Academy entrance ceremony.

He was a friend with a bit of a quirky side.

Despite being overly mature for his age, his taste was infinitely childlike. What was more unusual was that, even though he was young at a marriageable age, he had no interest in women at all.

Despite his outstanding looks and skills, he always kept a distance from the young ladies.

So, he got even more attention.

He was the only friend Jad thought was a good fit.

When Jad met other academy classmates or family-connected people, they only bragged about money and women.

This time, they hit the jackpot on a mine as they went on a date at the opera house with the young girl of a Viscounty, dating several naughty people at the County at once.

Another day, there was a secret, and erotic gathering in a salon in the capital it and they bragged about it like it was a piece of high-level information.

Jad was just bored and fussy when they talked about it.

On the other hand, he always enjoyed spending time with Dandelion. Neither of them has a very talkative or funny personality, but when they met swords or rode horses together, they laughed.

And, it was the same with Dandelion. He seldom smiles, though when he was with Jad, he would smile at least faintly.

Jad could say that he was Dandelion’s closest friend.

Thus, now this situation is more surprising than anyone else. Who is the woman in the sky-blue dress hiding behind Dandelion’s back…?

His curiosity was aroused.

But, Jad, who came closer without realizing it, was stopped by Dan.

“Jad.”

Dan covered Sienna with one hand and blocked Jad with the other.

“I don’t think it’s today.”

Sienna was shaking.

“I will cover another day.”

“…Really? That’s a pity,”

“I’ll see you soon.”

“Ah, I’ll see you at the debutante.”

Dan switched the topic for her. However, it was the wrong choice.

“There are rumors that you are going to marry the princess soon.”

Sienna pricked her ears at her story.

“Ah, I still have a headache because of that.”

“Why?”

“That crybaby, what did she eat wrong? She changed.”

“No matter how it is, she’s still the princess.”

“Such a man of integrity. Yes, I’ll correct it. The princess is getting a little weird. She suddenly said she doesn’t want to get married and made a big fuss. Anyway, it’s weird.”

“It’s said that before you get married, your heart will be shaky.”

“Are you making fun of me now? I’m not getting married. No, I can’t! You know it, too. Who’s in my heart.”

“Jad, let’s talk about this later.”

Dandelion interrupted the conversation, conscious of Sienna behind him. It was rude to put people in front of you.

Jad also realized it late.

“Then, I’ll excuse myself.”

He lightly bowed his head and turned around.

“Well, I’ll see you in three days.”

Of course, he didn’t forget the confirmation shot.

After confirming that Jad was moving away, Dandelion turned and looked at her. Though she was already out of her mind.

‘Why are you doing this to me?”

She wanted to ask anyone.

‘What kind of crap drama is this…?’

What kind of supporting actor’s life has so many hardships and adversity?

‘Why now…’

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m all right.”

‘I’m not okay,’ but the words went out of her mind.

He gazed at Sienna’s condition and asked cautiously. “Why did you hide?”

“Why did I hide? Oh, right.”

The last mistake was embarrassing.

Also, it was difficult to pretend to know Jad first because she wanted to reveal her identity to Dandelion with her own mouth.

‘Still, why did this happen?’

Jad was obsessed with Eleanor, so she figured it was time to end this engagement amicably and go their separate ways. Because it is impossible for a marriage to happen when both parties do not want it. She wanted to finish it well and approach Dandelion with ease.

“A friend?”

That Jad Valencia…

“Yes. I’ve known him since the academy.”

“…Are you very close?”

“Yes?”

She tried not to do this, but she became childish.

“Even more than me…?”

***

Sienna, who had been resenting everything last night, was completely exhausted.

‘Now, what?’

It’s too much for the king to push this marriage, but Dandelion is her fiance’s best friend.

‘This isn’t love or war.’

How will Dan see herself…

If the two were friends, they couldn’t have not known that the princess liked Jad. When she thought about it, it was surprising that Dan didn’t recognize her when she revealed her name.

‘Perhaps he used to call me by my nickname or just sarcastically called me Princess.’

Maybe he never mentioned her in his private life…?

Sienna even skipped breakfast, snuggled up on the bed, and hugged Shushu.

Nonetheless, Shushu had been protesting since last night for leaving it alone in the library yesterday, so it dared to rebel by throwing its fist at the owner’s cheek with the cotton bat hand.

— How could you leave the Shushu?

“Sorry…”

— I was alone in the library yesterday! How embarrassing!

“I’m really sorry…”

— A strange grandfather came and pulled my ear! Ear!

“Right.”

— Master? Are you listening to me?

“Yeah. I’m listening.”

— Ah, I really don’t feel like getting angry anymore.

“Sorry.”

She now had very little defense. Sienna was in such a fragile state that she would roll over if she was hit.

Friend’s fiance, fiance’s friend…

“Is this relationship promising?”

Her sigh only deepened.

Anna, who was watching her, found Arthur, who was guarding the door.

“Why is she sinking all of a sudden? She’s going to fall to the ground soon. Sir Mackenzie, do you know anything?”

“I think I saw Sir Valencia go to the library yesterday.”

“Sir Valencia?”

‘Did he say anything to the princess again?’

Concerned, Anna felt a sense of oddness and turned to Arthur.

“Wait, but why did you say ‘I think’?”

“Well, I always take her to the entrance of the library. After that, I was having an in-depth conversation with Xeon Howard at the Princess’s command.”

“So, you didn’t see him?”

“Well, sort of.”

What happened in the library?

Anna took some special steps for Siena, who was soon on the verge of digging a tunnel for herself.

Hoot! When you’re depressed, you go shopping.

“Helen!”

Thinking so, she hurriedly called Helen and ordered to deliver a letter to the designer who was supposed to come today with further requests.

***

At lunchtime, Sienna filled her lunch with a cup of warm milk and went back to her bed.

“Princess.”

“Why, Anna?”

“Today is the day the dress arrives to wear on the last day of the ball. The designer is waiting outside the door.”

“Really? Let them in.”

After a while, a face she had seen briefly before appeared.

It was a middle-aged woman with platinum hair and voluminous hair curled up.

“Greetings, Princess.”

“Madam Lang, long time no see.”

Lang was the owner of the Capital’s hottest boutique.

She was wearing a dress that showed off her ankles, which fell snugly off her waist, which was also the latest trend. Not long ago, dresses dragging on the floor swept the Capital. The point was to wear accessories gorgeously to match the simple dress.

Madame Lang, like a trendsetter, was also wearing big, shiny earrings.

“Madam, you look great today.”

She had a royal tailor, but there was no law prohibiting her from wearing outside clothes. Though Anna insisted that she must wear Madame Lange’s clothes as Sienna takes her first steps into the social circle.

She was the best.

She struggled to greet with her back upright.

‘You should choose quickly and go to sleep…’

However, the procession of clothes was endless.

“Madam?”

She widened her eyes when she thought the Madam would only bring three or four extra dresses with her, who is not picky in taste. “What is all that?”

“Mrs. Miller requested it.”

“Anna did?”

Sienna turned to look at Anna, startled.

“I think it would be better for the princess to choose the last dress herself. It’s good to buy a few more at this point.”

“Anna…”

It seemed that she made the people around her worried.

“I don’t shop when I’m depressed…”

She knew herself well.

Perhaps, today a shortcut will come.

“Yes. Let’s pick one.”

Sienna slammed the bed and stood up, examining the endless amount of hanging dresses one by one.

“Oh, look at this color.”

“This lace decoration is so fantastic!”

She even tried on a few herself.

It didn’t match, but surprisingly it fits perfectly.

“I brought a few unpublished new pieces for the princess.”

At that, Sienna’s hand stopped as she looked at the rest of the clothes with a smile.

“This…”

It was a white dress with a large bow collar, ribbon, and cute pearls on the front. The skirt was embroidered with yellow flowers.

“It’s like a forest fairy.”

“Oh my!”

Madame Lang was moved by Sienna’s sentiments and covered her mouth.

“The name of this dress is Forest Fairy.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I was inspired to go on a picnic in the woods and design clothes. It’s an honor that you recognize it right away.”

“I like this.”

“Yes? It looks like it would suit the princess, but wouldn’t it be a bit modest to wear in a debutante?”

“It’s okay.”

Her mind was already set. Once she had made up her mind, she never returned.

– Shushu likes it.

She ended up ordering Shushu’s clothes and accessories as it was constantly whispering at her. This was the first time for Madame Lang to dress dolls, though she is willing to try and challenge it.

— Master, the third ring from the left, over there.

— Okay.

— And, the necklace on the far right.

— Yes.

— And, then…

— More?

There were a lot of orders from the spirit.

What kind of spirit is so materialistic?

Sienna glared at Shushu, who was sitting innocently, and said, ‘I don’t know anything.’

‘Well…’

Nevertheless, it would be cute if Shushu wore clothes and carried a bag.

‘Yes. Let’s spend some money.’

Finally, her desire for shopping was properly ignited. Choosing a few outfits to wear on an outing, as well as accessories and shoes to go with them.

How many hours have passed?

After shopping, the three went to the table. They sit around and enjoy afternoon tea.

Madame Lang’s eyes were great, and they also matched Siena’s taste.

“Madam.”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Are there any accessory stores you can recommend? Oh, jewelry stores and up-and-coming artists.”

“Just a few places and people that come to mind.”

“Then, I’ll ask you a favor.”

Madame Lang went back, and Sienna crawled back into bed.

She hugged Shushu tightly, and she soon fell into a deep sleep.

***

The next day was the same.

Sienna put a dazed look on her face and chewed her food mechanically. Her head was full of thoughts on how she would confess to Dandelion.

But, no matter how much she pondered, no answer came to mind.

The sound of sighs continued regularly in the room until the blue dawn.

“Sigh…”

In the end, the morning of the first day of debut dawned without any conclusions being drawn.

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