Kapitel 77: [Chapter 77] Happenings in the Dressing Room
Most of the clothes Neris had were modest. While she always wore clothes that felt the best within the limits of not standing out, Diane didn't find them appealing.
Therefore, when Diane suggested going to buy jewelry, Neris eventually agreed. She knew from experience that Diane would never give up until she agreed.
Even if she lied about not having money to buy jewelry, it wouldn't matter. Diane was planning to take Neris along under the pretext of going to buy jewelry herself and then subtly match Neris's items while they were there.
Although the intention was clear, Neris simply raised both hands.
"Here!"
Due to the preparations for the graduation ball, Carten City was now bustling with people looking for jewelry or ribbons. The place Diane and Neris visited was a newly opened large store in front of Carten Station.
The word 'Morier' was prominently displayed in bright letters.
"Here it is, the place run by the Morier sheep you helped before, right? Isn't it amazing? When it was at our house, I just thought it was a pity that it was in trouble, but in reality, she was a remarkable person. Even our brother praised her."
The fact that someone who used to work at her house had become a rival in the industry and achieved tremendous success didn't make the siblings resentful but genuinely admire her.
Neris, who had been left at the McKinnon estate due to the lack of a foundation, then brought back because of the sale of medicinal herbs, felt a bit awkward.
Diane's admiration was not exaggerated.
The massive three-story Morier store was revolutionary in that it sold different items on each floor.
Considering that most stores sold only one type of item per building, this was a remarkably clever idea.
Moreover, not only did they sell products made by the Morier upper echelon, but they also imported products from other upper echelons, making it quite revolutionary.
As customers came to see products from other upper echelons and ended up seeing Morier upper echelon products as well.
As Diane and Neris explored the luxurious store, especially the first floor selling jewelry and cosmetics, Diane was captivated by the jewels displayed on the shelves without even realizing it.
One emerald brooch in a color similar to her eyes caught her attention.
While Diane was engrossed in the brooch, Neris discreetly went up to the second floor, where accessories and clothing were handled.
It was Diane's way of trying to beat her to the punch before she ordered an outrageously extravagant dress for Neris's graduation ball dress.
As they ascended the lavishly decorated staircase like any noble mansion, a well-dressed footman greeted her at the entrance to the second floor.
"Welcome, Lady. How may I assist you?"
"I'm looking to get fitted for an evening gown."
By general standards, Neris, who had no jewelry on her, was not suitable for ordering clothes at the Morier store, which only dealt with luxury items.
However, the footman bowed respectfully without a hint of disdain.
"Allow me to escort you inside, miss."
Well-educated. Neris judged silently as she followed him. He didn't ask who she was looking for.
He would probably take her to the person selling slightly higher-priced clothes based on the customer's attire. Since evening gowns were meant to be better than everyday clothes.
The second floor looked like a street lined with small dressing rooms.
About half of them were large and luxurious dressing rooms where Morier upper echelon employees worked, while the other half consisted of small dressing rooms sent from other upper echelons.
The footman led Neris to one of the shops.
"Madam Croix, miss. Do you need anything else?"
"No, thank you."
The footman bowed once again before returning to his place.
A lady sewing a high-pitched pink dress in the dressing room greeted Neris with a wide smile.
"Welcome, miss. What are you looking for?"
"I need to get fitted for an evening gown for the graduation ball. I know it might be fully booked at this time, but is it possible?"
Madame Crua replied kindly.
"Of course, miss. I'll show you the designs. Iz, please escort the lady."
The staff promptly guided Neris into the dressing room. They seated her in a guest chair and served her tea.
Madame Crua, who had stopped sewing the pink dress, gathered the sketches of the clothes she had designed and spread them out on the table in front of Neris.
"As you may know, it's a trend to expose the shoulders from court gowns this year as well. Since you exude an elegant and noble aura, instead of plunging necklines, how about a square neckline? If you like green..."
Madame Crua's suggestions were about to continue when someone abruptly entered the dressing room.
"Madame Crua, the sewing..."
The girl who entered, calling out the designer's name, was a familiar face to Neris. Following her was a maid, of course.
"Alecto."
Neris greeted her lightly, raising an eyebrow. Alecto Islaani mumbled through her lips.
"...Ner... ris."
"Long time no see. Is that your dress?"
Neris pointed to the dress Madame Crua had been working on earlier.
The pink dress was likely to clash with Alecto's red hair in an unflattering way. However, Neris didn't feel the need to point that out.
"Yeah."
Alecto sat down next to Neris, eyeing her with a sneer.
Ever since being bullied in her first year, she had been somewhat afraid of her peers. And at the same time, she disliked them greatly.
Among them, she detested Neris the most, who was of lower status and dared not to confront her.
Unfortunately, there were no peers around to mask her disdain. Alecto snidely remarked,
"Isn't it a bit difficult for you to shop for clothes here? Have you saved up enough money?"
The staff's eyes flickered momentarily. Madame Crua inwardly clicked her tongue.
In a place that provided genuine service, staff should not show any signs of eavesdropping on customer conversations. It seemed they still lacked proper training.
On the other hand, Neris, the recipient of such blatant sarcasm, responded without batting an eyelid.
"Not at all. These clothes aren't woven with gold thread."
Clothes woven with gold thread were only permitted for direct royal lineage. Alecto's anger flared up. How dare she comment on her attire?
"You're quite confident. I'm curious about what you're buying. Can I take a look?"
"Sure."
Alecto plopped down next to Neris.
Accompanied by her maid, Lena, who had become rough in character after witnessing her mistress being mistreated for years, she irritably addressed the staff.
"Is our lady a servant? Aren't you even offering her a drink?"
"Apologies!"
The staff quickly brought a drink. Madame Crua felt a bit embarrassed.
"Lady."
"Which lady?"
Both Neris and Alecto asked simultaneously. Madame Crua sensed that there was a solid issue between these two girls.
Moreover, it seemed that Alecto harbored more significant ill feelings. The blonde lady seemed polite, so even if she had negative emotions, she wouldn't likely cause harm to others.
However, Madame Crua had dealt with students who could go in any direction for over a decade. She quickly spoke clearly.
"Miss Islaani, the Viscount's daughter, will you see the dress later?"
Alecto arrogantly nodded in response to the cautious question.
"Let's start with this."
With that statement, she pierced Neris with her gaze. Neris pointed out a few designs from Madame Crua's sketches in a flash.
"For the neckline in this sketch and the sleeves to match this design. The skirt would look good in this design. Show me the fabric that goes well with it."
Madame Crua inwardly sighed as she imagined the combination of designs Neris had chosen. Alecto Islaani, the owner of the pink dress, and this girl were of the same age, so this girl was still quite young.
Yet somehow, she seemed to know what suited her well.
Meanwhile, Alecto had nothing to complain about when she saw the designs Neris had chosen, feeling upset that there was nothing to criticize about the beautiful choices.
If she had to nitpick,
"Who dresses like this nowadays? Do you have a wound on your neck?"
Royal women tended to wear deeply cut dresses that exposed both shoulders and chest as court gowns. Therefore, noblewomen diligently followed suit. The neckline Neris chose covered everything from the collarbone.
Neris didn't respond.
Several fabric samples were brought out. Madame Crua was about to explain the pros and cons of each fabric when Neris made her choice promptly.
"Let's go with this green one."
"An excellent choice, miss."
Impressed by her swift decision as if there were no other options, the staff enthusiastically put back the fabric they had taken out.
"Liz!"
A mournful cry was heard from somewhere. For the first time since entering the dressing room, Neris's face twisted slightly.
Neris stood up and quickly handed Madame Crua a business card with her name and address written on it.
"I'm sorry, but something urgent has come up. I'll have to come back for the fitting later. Please send the contract details here."
"Yes, miss."
The sense of urgency and awkwardness that arose on her perfectly refined face made others find it quite endearing. Madame Crua smiled as she received the business card.
As Neris hurried to leave the dressing room, Alecto abruptly spoke.
"Are you happy?"
Neris stopped and turned around. What? Neris didn't ask, but Alecto seemed to have heard such a question and continued speaking.
"You're really unlucky. But how does someone like Diane manage to charm and accompany you so well?"
Someone like Diane?
Neris decided to abandon her usual practice of ignoring Alecto and crossed her arms. Diane charming and accompanying her? ...The choice of words was just like her.
Alecto tightly grasped the sleeve of the pink dress she had been eyeing.
"Don't you feel that way? That's why you're pretending to ignore me, right? I feel like I'm going to die of fear whenever I see kids my age. I haven't done anything wrong, but if I say a word, they laugh behind my back. Even if I speak the truth, they still do it."
Neris narrowed her eyes.
Alecto had been bullied by kids in her first year. That was a fact. However, as Alecto had occasionally mentioned before, was Islaani Viscount's daughter treated the same way as Neris in the past? Were the kids who were so sensitive to the logic of power the ones who had also treated Alecto the same way? Even when Neris and Alecto reached their second year, the overt animosity towards Alecto from the kids seemed to diminish at some point.
Alecto was frequently invited to events organized by the opposing kids and was not openly excluded from any gatherings.
Neris knew who held such power. Especially after realizing that Alecto Islaani was moving as a pawn for 'that girl,' her speculation turned into certainty.
Despite that, Alecto Islaani continued to feel miserable.
If it felt refreshing to see that, it wasn't. Neris had always been like that.
'No one should go through such things.' That was the phrase Neris had uttered long ago in the library.
Even at this moment, it was sincere to the point of cruelty.
"I understand."
That was why. Not engaging was actually better, responding to the pouring criticism without knowing where to go. Alecto's eyes sparked with anger.
"Lies!"
"I wish it was a lie too. How convenient it would be to laugh and shout, making up reasons why the other person deserves to be hated without knowing the fear and irreparable wounds, and then forget everything. How comforting it would be to be able to laugh and forget everything, even if I speak the truth."
The pain I endured was terrible, but fortunately, I didn't have to stoop to such low behavior, thankfully, right?
When we eventually go to hell together, at least I'll know why I'm there, the reason will be clear to me.
The words that followed lingered forever in Neris's mind. She left the dressing room without looking at Alecto's bewildered face.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein