Chapter 19
In the recurring flow of time, Paul Charlo’s dresses were always beloved. Paul himself, however, was not. Throughout her life, his name remained virtually unknown. In its place, it was the Empress’s impeccable sense of fashion that rang through the halls.
The most beautiful and precious jewel in the Empire.
The day Paul Charlo’s first dress was unveiled to the world, the Empress gained a new moniker. Thereafter, every time she appeared at an official event, a new trend reflecting her excellent eye spread like wildfire among the Empire’s tailors.
His designs consistently exceeded the imagination, leaving onlookers spellbound; ladies—and even the gentlemen—praised his creations.
His dresses swept through the Empire, yet Paul Charlo remained a ghost. No boutique bearing his name ever opened its doors.
And it seemed Paul could not endure that reality.
At times, his name appeared in the obituary column of a newspaper; at others, in a belated article titled ‘The Tragic Tailor the Empire Loved.’
Inès, who had planned the business with Paul, also suddenly liquidated her assets and left Luthes with her children shortly after Paul entered the Imperial Palace.
Excessive talent is sometimes a curse. Especially for those who lack the power to protect it.
But how could one be convinced of a future that had yet to come to pass?
“Spare me the roses and the thorns, and stop beating around the bush—what are you trying to say? If you’re spouting nonsense thinking I don’t know any better because I’m a commoner, it won’t work. I’m going to get the Empress to wear my dress, no matter what it takes.”
Though he stopped short of cursing or pointing fingers, Paul glared at Freya, his face reddening and his teeth gritted.
He had merely failed to make his name known; he had already secured a certain level of wealth and honor as the Empress’s tailor. The reason his end was always so tragic must have been that he was a man filled to the brim with pride and self-assurance.
To him, the idea of having his designs stolen by the Empress was likely akin to having his own life stripped away.
Watching him, Freya spoke calmly.
“That is exactly what will happen. Even the Empress will eventually seek out your boutique. If you sign with me first, I will ensure it happens under the name of the Blanc family.”
“So, you want me to abandon the Imperial Palace and choose you instead? Are you being serious?”
Paul looked at Freya as if she had lost her mind, then let out a sharp, incredulous scoff.
“Madam Russell, I don’t know much about the affairs of the nobility, but I hear the rumors. Especially about you—they’re whispered everywhere, so I hear them even when I don’t want to.”
Unable to suppress his agitation, Paul flicked his gaze between Freya and Inès.
“What on earth gives you the right to claim it’s better for the Empress to wear your dress rather than mine? No, you intended this from the very beginning, didn’t you? Inès, don’t tell me you’re in on this, too?”
To Paul, who looked as if he might storm out at any moment, Freya said in a low, steady voice.
“Charlo, do you remember what I said at the very beginning?”
“What about it?”
“Both of these proposals are options. Even if you refuse, our relationship will not change. If you don’t want it, you only have to say no.”
“Then I’ll answer right now—no…!”
“Paul, please, stay still!”
It was Inès who covered the agitated Paul’s mouth. Having listened quietly to Freya, Inès asked with a composed expression.
“Freya, I’d like to know what Paul and I stand to gain if we accept this proposal.”
“Inès!”
“Paul, it’s not too late to decide after hearing the conditions.”
At Inès’s intervention, Paul raised an eyebrow. He clearly didn’t like it, but he eventually turned his head toward Freya, signaling for her to continue.
“If you contract with me, I will exclusively wear dresses made by Charlo at official events. You will become the first luxury tailor of the Blanc family. And as your patron, I intend to open your first boutique.”
“Asking me to give up a contract with the Imperial Palace for that alone seems like an unreasonable demand.”
“Why? Didn’t you say that this was your ultimate goal? For Paul Charlo to open a boutique as a luxury tailor.”
“Yes, but that is why the Imperial Palace…”
Paul cut in with a sneer, but Freya interrupted him.
“Will they really support you? I can open the way for you to the Imperial Palace, but even I cannot intervene in your contract with them.”
The expression on Inès’s face grew subtle as she listened. Freya continued in an even colder voice.
“I admire your courage and ambition, but there is one thing you are overlooking. The territory you are trying to step into is home to the greediest family in this Empire. They want many things, and they possess the means to take them.”
She was the only one who knew how the future would unfold. Telling them of events that hadn’t happened yet would only cement her reputation as the mad noblewoman.
“I only wish to broaden your range of choices.”
In the end, that was the best she could offer.
“If the goal of this business is solely to have the highest woman in this Empire wear Paul Charlo’s dress, you don’t have to accept my proposal. But if you want Paul Charlo to become the first luxury tailor to open a boutique in this Empire bearing his own name… I assure you, I am your best option.”
Paul was not used to aristocratic rhetoric and possessed a ferocious temper, but he was not unintelligent.
“Ha, this is even more malicious than a direct threat.”
As Freya alluded to the darker aspects of the Imperial Palace, Paul eventually scratched the back of his head with a troubled look.
Inès was more cautious.
“…Madam Russell, give us some time to think before we decide.”
She had hoped for a definitive answer today, but she knew that pushing them further wouldn’t yield a good result. Freya decided to be bold instead.
“Very well… think it over until my dress is finished. Depending on your decision, I will determine my moves at the Imperial ball.”
“Thank you for understanding our position. Since we’re here, why don’t we take your measurements?”
Thanks to Inès’s suggestion, the atmosphere softened significantly. After the meticulous measurements were finished, nearly an hour had passed.
“I’ll be in touch when it’s time for the fitting.”
As they exchanged pleasantries and prepared to leave the boutique, Paul asked as if something had just occurred to him.
“How can you be so sure my dress will please the Empress? You’ve never even seen it.”
No, she had. And she hadn’t just seen it—she had worn it herself. Back then, she simply hadn’t known it was his handiwork. Freya lifted her lips, a meaningful look in her eyes.
“Be wary of the eyes and ears on the walls.”
Just as she was about to turn away, Freya added with a curled smile.
“And… whatever you decide, my dress must be the most beautiful at the Imperial ball.”
Paul scoffed.
“There’s no need to state the obvious!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Watching the carriage carrying Freya pull away from the boutique window, Paul asked Inès.
“What do you think? To hear her talk, it’s as if we’d be eaten alive the moment we stepped into the Imperial Palace. If she’s just trying to scare us, it’s certainly effective.”
“Well… I think I’ve been a bit naive. I only thought about realizing our business. I didn’t think about the risk of having the business itself stolen.”
They had worried about the difficulty of establishing the new concept of a ‘luxury tailor,’ but had overlooked the possibility that the Imperial Palace or a third party might covet their enterprise.
While their ambition for the business was great, they didn’t think it was objectively highly profitable. Above all, this business could not exist without Paul Charlo’s unrivaled talent.
“To be precise, it’s the risk of having Paul’s abilities extorted.”
Was that not exactly what Freya had said?
If the goal was only to have the highest woman in the Empire wear his dress, they didn’t have to accept her offer. Conversely, it meant that all other plans—save for the Empress wearing his work—might have to be abandoned.
“We have about a month, so I’ll gather more information about the Imperial Palace in the meantime.”
Inès, like Paul, had staked her life on this business. She had no choice but to be cautious.
“Paul, for now, focus on making the dress.”
“Ah, that goes without saying. I have no intention of doing a half-hearted job on a dress coming from my hands, no matter the situation.”
With a serious face, Paul stood up, waved his hand, and stepped out of the boutique door.
“In that sense, I’m off to work. I’ll leave the affairs of the high and mighty to you, Inès, so I’m counting on you.”