DYBAR - Chapter 34 < Permission To Call You By Name >

DYBAR - Chapter 34 < Permission To Call You By Name >

Do Your Best And Regret It

"How about a dress like this? This dress is designed with the motif of red tulip petals."

As soon as Madame Pluto finished speaking, the staff brought a new dress. It was a beautiful dress that looked like watery red petals were blooming.

"I'll buy that too."

Edwin said as soon as he saw the dress. Madame Pluto's face brightened, while my face became a little whiter. There were plenty of dresses already lined up for purchase. These are all Madame Pluto's premium works. 

I knew best that the premium line was five times more expensive than the regular dress line. Sometimes I had the dresses sent from the imperial palace tailored at Madame Pluto's boutique.

"Your Highness."

"Are there any other dresses?"

Despite my call, Edwin pretended not to hear and spoke to Madame. Madame smiled her big smile. But I couldn't do it anymore. I called Edwin as if to issue my ultimatum.

"Edwin."

Edwin froze for a moment at the soft call. I took advantage of that gap and spoke to Madame Pluto.

"Madame. I think I need a little more tea. Is it okay if I ask for some hot tea?" 

"Sure. I think it will take some time to make hot tea. Please take your time and look at the dress."

Fortunately, Madame Pluto was quick to notice. In the luxurious parlor where all the staff had taken their seats, only Edwin, me, and Winster were left standing as if guarding the doorway. 

I glanced at Winster. His grinning face quickly hardened like that of a knight, as if looking at the interesting work. He tried to distract me as if he had never thought of anything else, but he didn't let Olivia go.

"Lord Calter, could you please step aside for a moment?"

When his name was called cut, Winster looked at me with a look of regret on his face. Surely something interesting is about to happen from now on! But even putting aside the wide-eyed Grand Duke next to me, the words of that little girl had a strangely irresistible power.

"... Yes. Then I will wait outside"

Only when he left the drawing room, did I turn to Edwin. I called Edwin softly as if I were soothing him.

"Edwin."

"... Why, Miss."

Unlike his usual friendly tone, his voice was a bit sulky and grumpy. But apart from that, the corners of his handsome mouth slowly turned up. Even though Edwin cleared his throat and tried to control his expression, he was already caught. 

I chuckled.

"If you're going to laugh, just laugh. 

"Why are you looking so scary? You have a scary expression."

"I'm just showing that I'm a little disappointed."

Edwin made an aggrieved expression.

"If I'm disappointed one more time, I'll buy the entire boutique."

"Is that a good idea?"

Edwin's eyes sparkled as if he had finally realized something. Edwin's expression was so sincere that I quickly shook my head.

"I made a mistake. I don't need that many dresses."

Especially if it's such a bright and beautiful dress. From a pink dress with rose-colored frills, a navy blue and silver dress with a motif of the Milky Way in the night sky, and an elegant white dress sprinkled with pearl powder. After that, there were more than a dozen dresses lined up. 

But despite my words, Edwin shrugged his shoulders.

"Where has the spirit from earlier to choose only the best things gone?"

"Oh, that's..."

"Even when I ask you to tell me what your tastes are, you don't even pay attention."

Edwin said sullenly. My conscience prickled. It was just as Edwin said. Unlike Edwin, who was excited as soon as he came in, I was half-hearted and didn't even look at the dress properly. It's really not easy to visit Madame Pluto's boutique without a reservation, and even look at dresses half-heartedly. I was at a loss for words when I remembered that I had just nodded my head until Edwin asked to see the premium line. 

Feeling sorry for myself, I wiggled my fingers. What should I say first? 

In fact, as soon as I saw Madame Pluto's boutique, I thought of Ethella and couldn't concentrate. The thought that the tailor must have gone to the Duke's residence kept lingering in my head. But before I could open my mouth, I heard a sleepy laugh.

"I can't even give the Young Lady a hard time. Why do you look so sorry?" 

"... I'm really sorry. I didn't intentionally distract myself, but I kept thinking about other things and couldn't concentrate on the dress."

I confessed as if confessing. Worry spread across Edwin's face as he tilted his head for a moment.

"Is something troubling you? You weren't lying when you said you weren't tired, right?"

"Oh, it's true. I'm not tired. Just..."

I hesitated for a moment. I thought it would be funny to think about my younger sister even after leaving the duchy. But to me, Ethella was special.

"If you don't want to talk, you don't have to. Should I even choose a dress?"

I slowly opened my mouth as I watched Edwin change the subject as if he were being considerate.

"... Before I left the Duke's residence, I reserved a dress for my sister at Madame Pluto's boutique. I suddenly remembered that."

"... Just like last time, you seem to think very much of your younger sister."

I smiled faintly instead of answering. I had to stop thinking about Ethella now.

The bitter feeling of not being able to do the things I had always done in my daily life was overwhelming to me. Edwin must have seen that expression and spoke more playfully.

"... How about paying more attention to me now? You see. I almost felt really sad because you kept not seeing me. This is how it gets resolved just by saying one word."

Even though Edwin was stern, his eyes softened and he smiled. His red eyes looked warmly at me. It was at that moment that I, who had been laughing unconsciously, opened my eyes wide.

"Now that I think about it, Edwin, you're the one who doesn't call my name?"

I said casually and blinked. The man who asked me to call him by his name did not actually call my name. Where is this? 

I narrowed my eyes and looked at Edwin. But Edwin shrugged his shoulders and spoke with a calm face. 

"That's because the Lady lady didn't allow or ask to be called by your name."

"When did I...?"

I, who had been speaking reflexively, paused for a moment. Come to think of it,  I have never given such permission. Until now, no one has asked for permission to call me by my name. Strangely, my cheek felt itchy. 

No, I didn't know it was just a part of my heart itching.

"Well, it was okay if you just called me by my name."

Despite his humble words, Edwin looked at me seriously. And he smiled sweetly and shook his head. 

"It can't be like that. I told you. I'm ready to do anything for you. But to put it another way, if you don't tell me what you want, I can't do anything."

"You're mean."

"You're so mean too. I'm not a mind reader."

Edwin shrugged his shoulders and narrowed his eyes. I avoided my gaze with an alluring smile that seemed to captivate me. Tenaciously he followed my eyes, his red eyes filled with anticipation.

"I think there's something you want now. Aren't you going to tell me?"

The end of the drowsy voice stretched out as if it was begging me. What you want.

I pursed her lips. What I wanted didn't always come true. It was easy to press hold and wait for the next time. But strangely enough, in front of Edwin, I wanted more. 

I said I had never felt the wind as strong as it did now. It seemed that the more times my expectations were met, the more I wanted more. Even when I didn't want to go back to the Duke's residence I wanted someone to see the carefully decorated Tiase Palace and recognize my efforts, and even now. 

My heartbeat got stronger. It felt like I could hear a strong beating sound in my ears.

I clenched my fists and pressed my knees together. I said slowly, making eye contact with Edwin.

"Edwin, I wish you would call me by my name. That too... "

Is it okay to say something like this? But on impulse, he raised his mouth as if provoking me and said,

"Very precious."

The people I hoped for called my name very easily. When giving a warning or drawing a line. He even called me by my nickname carelessly, as if we were a friend. But I also had a time when I was called very precious by someone.

"Olivia, Live. My baby."

Just hearing it reminded me of my mother who would call me out to me in a way that made my heart pound. And that moment

"...Olivia."

I held her breath for a moment. Edwin smiled sweetly as if even pronouncing it was endearing and very precious to him.

 "I really wanted to call you. I'm finally calling you. It's a really pretty name. "Olivia."

The sound of my name being called softly has never felt so precious.

"It's a pretty name. Olivia."

I suddenly realized that memories of Leopold, who had made me suffer from love for a very long time, were gone. But I wasn't upset or hurt. Because I was confident that many more precious memories would accumulate one by one than the ones that flew by.

So I  smiled brightly.

"Edwin too. It's a good name."

"My name?"

Edwin blinked as if he was hearing this for the first time. And it was at this moment that I knew it was time to share what I had found out.

"Yes. When I call Edwin's name, the corners of my mouth go up like this. It's a name that makes me happy every time I call it."

Edwin heard those words and smiled as if he was slowly blooming like a flower. A sweet smile made the corners of my eyes brighter. 

*** 

As he looked through the carriage window, it became increasingly dark. Edwin quietly knocked on the coach seat twice. The coachman noticed the sign and slowed down the carriage. 

Edwin smiled and looked in front of him. Olivia must have been so tired that she began to doze off as soon as she got into the carriage. Little by little, her upright posture became looser. 

What is she dreaming about? 

Olivia wrinkled her nose. The smile on Edwin's lips deepened as he looked at her face, which reminded him of a ponytail.

"Olivia."

Edwin muttered Olivia's name. Olivia seemed to understand her name and let out a small sigh. Edwin immediately shut his mouth. Then Olivia started dozing off again. 

He was thrilled to be in a relationship where he could show his cracks instead of showing off his sharp thorns. If he gets permission from the Emperor, he should go down to Vikander's territory with Olivia right away. He wanted to enable her to laugh more freely and hope more.

"Um, Your Highness the Grand Duke."

A small voice spoke as Winster came closer to the window.

"There is someone at the front door."

Edwin's eyes sharpened at Winster's words. Is it Jade again? 

This time he wasn't going to send Olivia away gracefully as she was asleep. 

However, the identity of the person standing in front of the gate was unexpected. Cool silver hair just like Olivia's, and a familiar pink diamond necklace. Even without saying her name, Edwin knew who the young girl was. 

Ethella Madeleine. Olivia's younger sister, whom Olivia said she cared for so much, was standing in front of the Grand Duke's residence with a swollen face.

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