Life As A Tower Maid: Locked Up With The Prince

“We’ve emptied out the entire boutique for you today, Lady Rosé!”

Crowell smiled as she stepped inside. Her hair was in an updo that resembled an ice cream swirl. I couldn’t help but be impressed.

She reminded me of a model, given her 170cm height, high updo and nude-tone lipstick, which was completely different from the style of make-up commonly seen in this world. It suited her well.

“Now then…”

She pulled a pair of glasses out of a drawer. Holding a notepad in her hand, Crowell soon began to observe me closely.

I didn’t notice this earlier because she had a smile on her face before, but she actually had quite a cold impression when she was expressionless. There seemed to be a reason why she smiled like that.

She reminded me of Leona, too.

“Shall we get your measurements first?”

Feeling myself get pulled in, I quickly nodded as Crowell said this. She led me to the next room. Meanwhile, Mercy and Blanc waved at me.

“We’ll be waiting for you in the drawing room, so take your time, Sister!”

With Mercy’s encouragement, I followed Crowell into the fitting room. It was neat around us, and there were several mirrors.

“May I start?”

“Yes.”

Bringing over something that looked similar to a tape measure, Crowell started taking my measurements. It was a completely new experience for me. After all, I used to just buy ready-made clothes and wear those.

“Is there a style of dress that you have in mind? Perhaps jewelry or lace design as well.”

Was this what it felt like to be a VIP at a department store? Crowell considered my physical features carefully.

“I don’t have anything in mind yet.”

“Then I shall get the catalogue for you right away. Would it be alright if I ask for you to wait just a moment?”

Crowell smiled as she responded to me, continuing to treat me in a relaxed yet courteous manner.

Seeing her act like this immediately reminded me of the first time I met Albert, back when I was treating him like my boss.

“We’ve prepared tea for you inside.”

With a round grin, she led me to a drawing room, which was connected to this fitting room.

The walls of the drawing room were neat and had a modestly colorful design. In my eyes, it wasn’t just fancy—rather, I could see the care that went into the design.

As expected, people at the top of the industry were just different. Thoughtfully, there was a connected drawing room like this, and the sense of customer service was just great.

“Sister, back so soon?”

With an open catalogue in front of her, Mercy was already looking over different types of cloth and lace.

Every time she turned a page, I saw that there were sketches of dress designs onto the pages, and next to those sketches were actual lace and frill samples.

It was a catalogue of pre-designed dresses so that the customer can envision them easily, and so they could decide right away.

Blanc stared at the teacup in front of him, then he took a sip.

“Ptheeew…”

However, he soon frowned and stuck his tongue out, as if he didn’t expect that it was going to be that bitter. So adorable. I put a cube of sugar into Blanc’s tea.

After stirring it with a teaspoon, I recommended Blanc to try out the tea again.

There was a half-doubtful look on his face as he eyed it, but the moment he took a sip once more, his eyes went round. Blanc beamed brightly.

“Yummy.”

His wide smile made my mood so light. Blanc really had the power to cheer me up just by being who he is.

I met many people before, studying their tone, their voice, their expressions and how they all changed. But Blanc was still Blanc.

“Here you are.”

Back in no time, Crowell handed me three thick catalogues.

The first one contained cloth samples, the second one contained lace and frills, and the third one was much like what Mercy had—a catalogue of full-fledged dress designs.

“When I heard that you will be visiting us, I tried to imagine your atmosphere and appearance and designed accordingly. Please give your feedback comfortably.”

While turning over the first page of the catalogue of designs, Crowell explained like so as she poured a cup of tea.

“…All these thick books?”

“His Royal Highness specifically ordered them. And I really like my job. Haha, I enjoyed it.”

“Crowell, I liked the dress you made last time,” Mercy commented.

“Yes, we’ve also prepared a sketch to match that design since you liked it.”

Crowell then took out a pile of papers. I don’t know where she got those.

The sheets of papers were filled with her sketches. Mercy took those designs with a big smile.

“Please go ahead and take a look, Lady Artius. Let me know anytime if none of these catch your eye.”

With a smile the whole time, Crowell said this with a genuinely giddy expression. I was worried that Albert coerced her into forced labor somehow.

I thought of this before, that if Albert were to fall in love, the receptor of that love would be the only one who wouldn’t see how he’d turned into a tyrant. Was it possible?

Still though, even if there would be times when I’d feel a little sad that he couldn’t put me first all the time, I wanted him to be the kind of king who’d be loved by everyone.

Mercy seemed to be thinking along the same lines as me. While looking over the designs, she spoke up.

“Even if you were commanded by His Royal Highness, aren’t all these a little too much?”

But as Mercy pointed it out, Crowell’s eyes widened and she shook her head. And more than I would have expected, there was a determined light in her eyes.

“Not at all. I made all these because I wanted to. That’s why I’m also very grateful to you, Lady Artius.”

“…You know me?”

Crowell’s words were unexpected. Today was the first time we’re meeting.

…Or was she someone who was acquainted with the original Rosé Artius? I’ve never met anyone who knew her before I came to possess her body.

“Yes.”

Crowell nodded as if it was obvious. I gulped heavily. I felt a bit conflicted about whether or not I could ask.

But what Crowell said after this evaded my expectations yet again.

“I heard that you helped my younger sister.”

“…Younger sister?”

As she gave some instructions to her assistants, Crowell faced me again and nodded.

“Don’t tell me, it’s…”

I recalled the person who gave off the same atmosphere as Crowell.

“That’s right, it’s Leona.”

“I didn’t know you have a younger sister?”

Mercy stepped forward from the side. Crowell readily admitted it.

“I didn’t mean to hide it, but it’s rare for anyone to notice since we don’t look all that similar. And we’re practically estranged from our household. Anyway, I heard that my younger sister owes you a favor.”

“I’m the one who owes her. On the way back out of the prison, she was the one who carried the other people with me.”

“Regardless, she made it out of there because of you, Lady Artius. Otherwise, she might be locked up in prison with the other knights. That’s why I prepared my designs more diligently.”

Certainly, Crowell and Leona had such similar atmospheres. Both strong and relaxed.

The last time I talked to Leona was at the dungeon. It was nice to hear about her here at an unexpected place.

“How is Leona doing? We met for the first and last time back then…”

“She’s doing very well. Actually…”

Crowell took the pile of sheets out of my arms and raised it up high, laughing jovially. Then, she lowered her head and whispered into my ear.

“I was told that she’s going to be the interim Knight Commander. You’re the only one I’m telling this to, Lady Artius.”

“Interim Knight Commander?”

“Most of the positions in the knighthood are inherited through nepotism, it’s possible for her to take the spot because there’s not many people after the clean-up.”

Crowell scratched her head a bit awkwardly, then she took out a notepad and a pen.

“Please take your time and tell me what you want, Lady Artius. In the meantime, I’ll be sketching the design. I’ve prepared about thirty garments beforehand for you to try out, and I’ll have them ready while you eat the refreshments.”

“…Thirty garments?”

“As expected of you, Crowell.”

“Ohoho, it’s my duty.”

No, it’s not normally your duty to do this. I listened dazedly to her and began to look at the designs one by one.

The sketches were much more detailed than I thought, and there were various types of dresses.

“I thought that it would be good to have a ballgown in advance because you’ll be making your debut in high society at the upcoming banquet.”

And there, I saw the dress that was adorned with diamond-like gems. The sketch alone already told me just how glamorous it would be.

“I believe that you will dominate high society as soon as you debut. With me beside you, there’s absolutely nothing to fear!”

Crowell smiled confidently. Her words soothed me, especially with how I got a bit nervous earlier as I received those people’s wary gazes.

Crowell was really thinking of my well-being. I couldn’t believe how kind and friendly she was being to me just because I helped her younger sister.

Honestly, I wasn’t thinking all that much about it when I did it, but the aftermath was significant.

It came to me as a realization, that little acts of mine could cause butterfly effects.

Since so much had been prepared for me, it’s only right that I review them all properly.

I started looking through the design sketches, choosing which designs I liked.

I admired how Crowell thoughtfully sketched all these with me especially in mind. Someone who gets so passionate in their work would inevitably make beautiful things.

Looking through her work, a thought popped into my mind—that I should give Albert a suit as a present.

I’ll ask Crowell about it later.

Her assistants came into the room with all sorts of hats in their hands. Then, Crowell set down her pen and notepad, rubbed her palms together, then smiled at Blanc, who was sitting beside me.

“I’ve also prepared many kinds of hats that will suit cats well.”

Crowell held out two hats to me.

“You can match, too.”

The first hat was small, its size looking as if it would fit Blanc perfectly. And the second hat was larger and would fit me.

The moment he heard that he and I could match hats, Blanc’s eyes began to sparkle.

And so, it wasn’t long before a mini fashion show began.

* * *

Choosing dresses took much longer than I thought. Still, it was thanks to Blanc that I didn’t feel as exhausted as I would have been.

“I like this one.”

With a swagger in his steps, Blanc walked around while wearing the hat that fit him perfectly. He was so cute, even with the way that he fiddled with the little hat.

“Then, next stop, His Royal Highness’ gift?”

“Yes.”

I asked Crowell about it earlier, and she recommended a place to me. It was on the third floor of the building next to her boutique.

“Honestly though, he’s going to like anything that Sister gives him.”

Mercy muttered as we climbed the steps. And I agreed with her. Whatever it was that I’d prepare, I couldn’t imagine Albert making a frown in response.

Even so, I want to buy something for him that’s useful and easy to use once he receives it.

“I think it’s a good gift anyway.”

After she said this, Mercy opened the shop’s door.