I Tried To Be Her Loyal Sword

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38th Chapter

“I’ve been waiting, Young Ladies of Crisis. I am Catherine Fatalite, the head designer of Catherine’s Tailoring Shop.”

Catherine bowed as she introduced herself. In her thirties, she wore a blend of fashionable clothing that perfectly mixed current trends with ahead-of-their-time styles, fitting for the head designer of the capital’s top tailor.

“Nice to meet you, madam. I am Aria Crisis.”

“I am Kashmir Crisis.”

After briefly bowing, when Catherine lifted her head, her eyes gleamed ominously. They were the eyes of a predator staring at its prey.

Her blatant gaze swept over Aria and me. It felt like we were being stripped bare. After a lengthy observation, she pulled her gaze away and gave a frightfully bright smile before clapping her hands twice.

People burst forth from inside the tailor shop, surrounding Aria and me.

“Then, shall we start with your measurements?”

From then on, it was a frenzy of measuring various lengths.

Measuring every inch of our bodies took a full thirty minutes. Certainly, my body, which had felt fine even after battling monsters for days, was worn out in that short span. Sitting on an excessively soft sofa with a similarly exhausted-looking Aria, Catherine approached, carrying catalogues and various other things.

“You two Young Ladies truly seem like opposites. Young Lady Aria has a pure impression, with little muscle and lovely body lines, so I think a subtly revealing frill dress would suit her, while Young Lady Kashmir has a cold impression, sturdy muscles, and a perfect physique, making a clean satin dress the best choice for her.”

As expected of a head designer, Catherine had quick judgment and a good eye for detail.

“These days, tunic dresses are in style, but who cares about trends? The bodies of the Young Ladies really make me excited to dress them up! I assure you that you will be the most beautiful sisters at this debutante ball. You two will be trendsetters!”

I could even catch a glimpse of madness in Catherine’s sparkling eyes. Feeling a bit unsettled, I set my tea cup down. The warm lemon tea sweetened with honey filled my mouth with a zesty lemon flavor.

“Before we formally start making the outfits, there are two things I want to mention.”

After plenty of discussion with Aria in the carriage, I brought up the matters we decided upon. As I began earnestly speaking, Catherine adopted a serious expression as well.

“First, Aria’s dress must be one that can be worn without a corset.”

Currently, the most popular item in the social circle was the corset. Thus, most dresses sold on the market required one to be worn.

However, I had no intention of placing such a waist-slaying tool onto my lovely sister.

Seeing Catherine’s face turn pale, I smiled gently.

“Second, the outfit I will wear must be a uniform.”

No matter how much I had become a noble of Crisis, my everlasting and sleepless identity was undoubtedly that of a ‘swordsman.’

After being registered in the Crisis family, I had pondered countless times.

As a noblewoman now, did that mean I could no longer wield a sword? Should I bid farewell to my comfortable pants and wear a dress instead? Should I abandon being a swordsman and instead become a flower?

Last night, filled with overflowing anguish, I impulsively went to visit Caesar’s adjoining room to ask if, now that I had become the nobility of Crisis, I had to abandon my old life. Did the Duke expect that of me? Caesar had gazed at me for a while and answered this way.

“That’s right. You are now the noblewoman of Crisis. At the same time, you are Kashmir, who grew up in the back alleys, and Mir, the sword master hailed as the king of mercenaries. You don’t have to abandon all those identities and remain only as a noblewoman of Crisis. Of course, I don’t want you to risk yourself while continuing as Mir. However, if that’s what you desire, I won’t stop you. I wish for you to do what you want. That’s what I want.”

The uplifting words and a cool hand brushing through my hair, a warm gaze meeting my own, helped put my heart at ease.

“I have no intention of compromising.”

I am a noblewoman of Crisis, a Kashmir who has endured a hard life, and Mir, who has fought monsters. I do not wish to abandon any of those identities.

Catherine’s face turned pale.

What is the most powerful and enduring force in the social circle?

High rank? Of course, it can’t be dismissed either. However, that only serves as secondary power; it cannot be said to dominate the social scene.

Beautiful appearance? That’s important too. However, to prioritize that feels lacking. Beauty can simply and quickly fade.

The greatest power that governs the social circle is the power to set trends.

The nobility are people enchanted by luxury and sophistication. They cannot bear the thought of falling behind compared to others, of not keeping up with fashion.

“Those leading the trends cannot be overlooked by anyone.”

Trends in the social circle greatly influence the financial operations of the Empire. The money that flows from the wallets of young ladies in the social circle has catapulted the Empire’s market.

Money is also inherently linked to politics, so even the Emperor or Pope cannot ignore the social circle.

“And I will make a way for Aria to lead the trends.”

This was a decision I made since being properly registered in Crisis.

The best testimony that social status does not significantly influence the social circle is myself, Kashmir. Despite being the only daughter of the Empire’s sole Duke, I had been marginalized in society.

“If Aria were to experience such a thing…”

I did not even want to imagine it. I wanted to ensure Aria wasn’t ignored in the social circle.

Of course, I knew that Aria could do well on her own, perhaps even much better than I could. However, as her older sister, I wanted to help her start smoothly; thus, I wanted to give Aria a solid item in her hands.

Aria and I were ripe targets for being torn apart as the illegitimate daughter and adopted daughter. To survive with this penalty, we certainly needed to grasp power in the social circle.

“This debutante ball must become the event that establishes Aria in the social scene. I, too, need to secure my position without being marginalized.”

The debutante ball was so important that it could determine the success of one’s future endeavors in society. I could absolutely not afford to be mocked for my outfit; rather, I needed to stand out and be admired.

“However, a lady in uniform at a debutante ball has never happened before! Surely, the young lady will be the subject of gossip for a while!”

Catherine exclaimed. I calmly sipped more lemon tea amidst the surprised gazes.

Catherine was indeed right. In the Solarit Empire, a male-dominant mindset still persisted. A woman wearing a uniform instead of a dress at an official event was bound to raise eyebrows.

That was exactly what I wanted.

“Notoriety and distinction.”

You cannot lead trends by imitation. There must be something that can capture attention and gather the tongues that love to gossip.

“It’s going to be hard to make uniforms a trend. The noble ladies with enough courage to break the established mold will be few.”

Trends should be something everyone can follow. Changing the perception of uniforms among noble ladies would be challenging, considering how deeply entrenched those biases were.

Because of that, wearing a uniform would be less about leading trends and more a declaration that I am a knight who wields a sword.

“I must not appear as only a noble lady concerned with social circles.”

Given the future trajectory I planned, I needed my first image to firmly establish me as a powerful knight.

“What I will trend is something else.”

“Madam, could you take a look at this?”

Handing a piece of paper to the rambling Catherine, it was an item I had come up with after a night of deep contemplation.

“…What is this?”

Catherine’s previously gloomy expression suddenly brightened like a flash. I leaned back, enjoying her reaction, and took another sip of tea.

“It’s an item to wear over a shirt. It’s simple, but wearing it enhances an intriguing ambiance significantly. What do you think, madam with broad horizons?”

“…Indeed, it’s simple yet revolutionary. Its simplicity seems to allow for drastically different vibes in styling. It seems it will first trend with gentlemen who often wear shirts, but with a slight alteration, it could also trend among young ladies.”

“I’ve already sketched out something suitable to wear over a dress as well.”

I pulled out another piece of paper to show her. Catherine’s eyes sparkled with what seemed like mania.

“This will undoubtedly become a trend.”

With the composure of a cold-hearted businesswoman, Catherine was assured. Her eyes shining as they looked up at me felt almost overwhelming.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but mischievously raise one corner of my mouth.

“Young Lady! How about collaborating with me on this idea?”

‘As planned.’

I had tossed out the bait and Catherine had bitten it hook, line, and sinker.

“Sister, where did you come up with such an idea?”

As we finally escaped from the fervent Catherine and hopped onto the carriage, Aria asked. Her sparkling eyes filled with respect felt a bit burdensome.

“Um, it just happened?”

‘Well, it’s just copying memories from my past life.’

I awkwardly smiled and mumbled. The item Catherine had enthusiastically praised and proposed to work with was none other than a fashion item that had been trendy in my past life.

“You really looked good in it! Wearing it over a dress was lovely! I feel like it will sell like hotcakes when we start selling it. Are you really going to work with Madam Catherine?”

Aria looked at me with sparkling eyes filled with excitement. I shrugged.

“I have no money, so I need to ask the Duke for an investment. I don’t know if he will agree, though.”

“That gentleman can’t possibly refuse your request.”

Aria snickered. I let out a chuckle at Aria’s cynical attitude. A comfortable silence hung between Aria and me.

“…Is there anything you’re curious about, sister?”

Looking out at the darkening capital, where people were thinning, I cautiously asked. Aria’s earnest gaze landed on me.

‘Everything must be bewildering for Aria.’

I knew the original story. Because of that, I understood all the overwhelming events that had occurred these past few days, but Aria was different.

‘She fainted and woke up in the Duke of Crisis’ mansion. The sister she had spent her life with was actually the daughter of a Duke, and the rumored mad Duke wanted to adopt the two of us. Before even receiving a proper explanation, she was told to prepare for a debutante ball.’

From Aria’s perspective, everything must be utterly absurd and hard to believe.

‘It must feel like there are no connecting bridges between the events.’

We needed to have a serious conversation, but I had been too busy to speak properly. As I felt both regretful for not providing a proper explanation and grateful that she followed along without complaint, I patiently waited for her to gather her thoughts.

“…Can I ask three questions only?”

With a cautiously spoken request, I nodded. This time, I was ready to answer whatever was truthful.

“I heard from the Duke’s physician that I’m half-fairy.”

I slowly nodded. Aria smiled sadly.

“Did you know about this all along, sister?”