Odette left the mansion before dawn and headed to the capital's central station, Edelweiss Station. She had a place to stop before going to the detention center.
It was too late and there were no carriages. After walking for a while, she stopped in front of a small clothing store located between a flower shop and a coffee house near the station.
[Madame Sarah's Clothing Store]
'It's still very early, but Madame will probably open the door quickly.'
As the clock struck 7 o'clock, the madam opened the door to the shop and was surprised to see Odette standing in front of the door.
“Oh my, this is a surprise!”
“Nice to meet you, Madam Sarah.”
Odette smiled at her and said hello.
“I came to your store because I wanted to buy some clothes for going out.”
Madam responded to her request with a tone of absurdity.
“You seem to be a noble person, my lady. Our house is not a high-class clothing store. We do not custom-make dresses for the nobility.”
“Wouldn’t there be a dress made by Madame’s daughter?”
“Huh? How do you...”
Madam, who was momentarily surprised, hardened her expression and then spoke with a determined face.
“Miss, those clothes were made by my daughter as a gift, not to be sold.”
“Madam.”
“These are clothes that have a separate owner, so no matter how high your status is, you can never sell them! Even if you torture me-”
“Really, Madam. I’m not trying to steal it. I own those clothes.”
“Huh? What is that-”
“I am Young Lady Albrecht, the master of Lise.”
Madam, whose eyes widened at Odette's words, ran upstairs while urgently calling her daughter's name.
“Lise, Lise!”
Soon, Lise, wearing only pajamas and a robe, came down the stairs with a surprised expression.
"Miss...?"
“Did you sleep well, Lise? I feel embarrassed for suddenly coming to visit you after giving you a vacation.”
That's what she said, but in reality, from her perspective, it wasn't something that came out of nowhere. The reason she sent Lise to her parent's house for vacation in the first place was for today.
“I know it’s rude to come to you on a holiday, but I really need your help so I came to you.”
Fortunately, Lise reacted happily.
“What are you talking about? You’re always welcome here, young lady! Come inside.”
“Thank you for saying that. Once I put on your dress, my standards have skyrocketed. I can’t stand wearing anything else. I need a fancy dress to go out in. Can you help me?”
Odette asked Goetz to bring me a pouch of silver coins that she had brought with her.
After receiving the wallet and checking the amount, Madame's face turned pale.
'I put it in so much that it was almost explosive.'
Madame Sarah grabbed Odette's arm and said as she closed the shop door.
“Yes, Miss! My daughter will make you the perfect going-out outfit today!”
“I like it because we can communicate well, Madam.”
“Oh ho ho! I really like the pouch you gave me. Oh! I’ll make the accessories myself. I’m better at making things like hats and gloves than she is!”
It was a well-known fact.
'It was Madame Sarah who made the ribbons that Charlotte would later make popular in high society.'
In <Redemption>, Charlotte, a brilliant but poor pharmacist, barely manages to buy a single hair ribbon at a small clothing store near the station.
And the freshness and delicacy of that ribbon became all the rage in social circles.
'By that time, Lise had already died, and Madame Sarah, heartbroken, sold the miscellaneous goods like they were scrap goods.'
So don't I know her skills?
After being lost in thought for a moment, under Madame Sarah's direction, Odette soon entered the costume room and put on the two-piece dress that Lise had made.
'Oh my. Lise's talent is always amazing.'
A neat yet gorgeous white puff blouse and a lavender high-waisted skirt.
Overall, it looks neat and uncluttered, but the details add to its extravagance.
The blouse was made of high-quality silk, so it hugged her body softly, and the delicate embroidery that sparkled over it made her face look even more radiant.
“Young lady, you are truly a great beauty. It’s not for nothing that Lise says she feels inspired by you.”
Madame Sarah was impressed as she carefully braided Odette's hair and tied it up into a bun. She was wearing a rather large ribbon, and it looked quite stylish.
From head to toe, it was scary how much money had been spent.
Anyone who saw it would see that it was the attire of a nobleman overflowing with gold coins. It was the perfect outfit for today's goal.
“Yes. My daughter’s performance is over, and it’s my turn to show off my skills. Now, raise your face. I’ll put on some makeup for you.”
“The makeup is done. This is enough.”
“Oh my, Miss. You can come in as you please, but you can’t go out as you please?”
“It’s really okay. It’s not like there’s anyone I can look pretty with.”
But Madame Sarah's eyes had already rolled back.
“Oh ho ho. Miss, you’re wrong. Why isn’t there anyone you can look pretty on? Miss! To yourself! Isn’t it important to look pretty?”
“Madam, I appreciate your kind words, but-”
“This is why I hate overly pretty people. They have no sense of urgency! They were born with such beauty, yet they don’t worry about beauty. I say their philosophy is shallow.”
“Madam. Hey, calm down a bit, and let’s talk-”
“Do you know how amazing it would be if you just added a little color to this balanced face? Beauty is valuable in and of itself. Who to look at? Oh, really! Is it really that important that you were born with this face and have no one to look at?”
"Ha-"
“No! You shouldn’t live with that kind of attitude! Why did God give us beauty? To please others? Of course not! Because beauty itself has value! Just that attitude of endlessly pursuing beauty! Aesthetics! That attitude itself is already a kind of beauty! What is beauty? Why do humans pursue beauty? The attitude of contemplating that is the philosophy of beauty itself! Do you know how much it makes humans noble and elegant?”
“Please put on makeup, Madam! After hearing you say that, I want to put on makeup right away. I beg you earnestly.”
Odette eventually gave in to the voice that continued to grow more and more agitated without stopping. Madame suddenly stopped as if to cut off her excitement and smiled kindly.
“Thank you for your permission. You are very communicative, young lady.”
The somewhat quiet voice, which was in contrast to what had just been said, sounded strange.
Odette was so nervous that she just stared at Madame.
'Yeah, right. It'd be better to be pretty if I want to impress the kids. There's a saying that kids cover their faces, not their faces. And there's still time left until the train leaves anyway.'
Unable to admit defeat, Odette rationalized it in her head.
After a moment, Sarah let out a sigh of admiration.
“It’s ecstatic.”
It was the greatest masterpiece she had ever created. A face that was truly the pinnacle of beauty.
She was proud. She had already polished and elevated the status of the best beauty in the empire, so she could truly call herself a genius.
“Wow, Madam Sarah. You’re really talented.”
The girl who blinked while looking in the mirror also seemed surprised.
'Ahem. This is my craft.'
Of course, she had a pretty face even before makeup, but the young lady didn't seem to know what her face was good at.
It means that she has not had time to explore herself and develop her tastes.
But Sarah quickly realized just by looking at her clothes that this girl had lived a very fierce life. Perhaps there was something wrong with her heart.
The makeup Sarah had applied was meant to make the girl look her age, with her worn-out expression. It was meant to bring out the best in her face.
But her admiration soon faded and she quickly returned to her original expressionless face. Sarah felt a little sorry for that bleakness.
“Oh, Madam. I’d like to buy some ready-made clothes too.”
Sarah nodded. Madame Sarah's main product was actually ready-made clothes for the wealthy common people.
Odette bought a lavender one-piece dress for children, two navy suits for children, and a set of men's suits for adults.
While Lise was packing it into the trunk, Sarah placed a mesh fedora on Odette's head.
So that her platinum blonde hair, tied up in a bun, is neatly hidden under the hat.
“Lise. Then I’ll see you again after the vacation.”
“Yes, Miss! I’ll be back with all the dresses I made, so you have to wear them diligently!”
"Goodbye!"
Odette walked to Edelweiss Station carrying her trunk bag, greeted by Sarah and Lise.
The very image of a splendid and wealthy noblewoman. She seemed accustomed to lording over others, but Sarah somehow thought that her back looked lonely and tired.
'Is it because it's National Foundation Day? There are a lot of people on the train.'
Odette thought as she closed the first-class door. She could feel how different her situation was compared to her memories of her last life on the train.
'In my past life, I hid on an empty train at dawn and barely managed to get on a freight car, feeling very nervous.'
There were such comfortable seats on the train.
A steaming train, the scent of blooming flowers, and a gentle spring breeze coming in through the open window.
Thanks to the flowering trees around the railroad tracks, even the flower petals are coming in one by one through the window.
'It feels like I'm on a leisurely trip.'
But as time passed, the scenery gradually became more desolate. Even more so as she approached the final destination, the 'Penrir Foreigner Detention Center'.
[ Fenrir Foreigner Asylum ]
And when they got off at that last station, the only passenger left on the train was Odette.
It was too late and there were no carriages. After walking for a while, she stopped in front of a small clothing store located between a flower shop and a coffee house near the station.
[Madame Sarah's Clothing Store]
'It's still very early, but Madame will probably open the door quickly.'
As the clock struck 7 o'clock, the madam opened the door to the shop and was surprised to see Odette standing in front of the door.
“Oh my, this is a surprise!”
“Nice to meet you, Madam Sarah.”
Odette smiled at her and said hello.
“I came to your store because I wanted to buy some clothes for going out.”
Madam responded to her request with a tone of absurdity.
“You seem to be a noble person, my lady. Our house is not a high-class clothing store. We do not custom-make dresses for the nobility.”
“Wouldn’t there be a dress made by Madame’s daughter?”
“Huh? How do you...”
Madam, who was momentarily surprised, hardened her expression and then spoke with a determined face.
“Miss, those clothes were made by my daughter as a gift, not to be sold.”
“Madam.”
“These are clothes that have a separate owner, so no matter how high your status is, you can never sell them! Even if you torture me-”
“Really, Madam. I’m not trying to steal it. I own those clothes.”
“Huh? What is that-”
“I am Young Lady Albrecht, the master of Lise.”
Madam, whose eyes widened at Odette's words, ran upstairs while urgently calling her daughter's name.
“Lise, Lise!”
Soon, Lise, wearing only pajamas and a robe, came down the stairs with a surprised expression.
"Miss...?"
“Did you sleep well, Lise? I feel embarrassed for suddenly coming to visit you after giving you a vacation.”
That's what she said, but in reality, from her perspective, it wasn't something that came out of nowhere. The reason she sent Lise to her parent's house for vacation in the first place was for today.
“I know it’s rude to come to you on a holiday, but I really need your help so I came to you.”
Fortunately, Lise reacted happily.
“What are you talking about? You’re always welcome here, young lady! Come inside.”
“Thank you for saying that. Once I put on your dress, my standards have skyrocketed. I can’t stand wearing anything else. I need a fancy dress to go out in. Can you help me?”
Odette asked Goetz to bring me a pouch of silver coins that she had brought with her.
After receiving the wallet and checking the amount, Madame's face turned pale.
'I put it in so much that it was almost explosive.'
Madame Sarah grabbed Odette's arm and said as she closed the shop door.
“Yes, Miss! My daughter will make you the perfect going-out outfit today!”
“I like it because we can communicate well, Madam.”
“Oh ho ho! I really like the pouch you gave me. Oh! I’ll make the accessories myself. I’m better at making things like hats and gloves than she is!”
It was a well-known fact.
'It was Madame Sarah who made the ribbons that Charlotte would later make popular in high society.'
In <Redemption>, Charlotte, a brilliant but poor pharmacist, barely manages to buy a single hair ribbon at a small clothing store near the station.
And the freshness and delicacy of that ribbon became all the rage in social circles.
'By that time, Lise had already died, and Madame Sarah, heartbroken, sold the miscellaneous goods like they were scrap goods.'
So don't I know her skills?
After being lost in thought for a moment, under Madame Sarah's direction, Odette soon entered the costume room and put on the two-piece dress that Lise had made.
'Oh my. Lise's talent is always amazing.'
A neat yet gorgeous white puff blouse and a lavender high-waisted skirt.
Overall, it looks neat and uncluttered, but the details add to its extravagance.
The blouse was made of high-quality silk, so it hugged her body softly, and the delicate embroidery that sparkled over it made her face look even more radiant.
“Young lady, you are truly a great beauty. It’s not for nothing that Lise says she feels inspired by you.”
Madame Sarah was impressed as she carefully braided Odette's hair and tied it up into a bun. She was wearing a rather large ribbon, and it looked quite stylish.
From head to toe, it was scary how much money had been spent.
Anyone who saw it would see that it was the attire of a nobleman overflowing with gold coins. It was the perfect outfit for today's goal.
“Yes. My daughter’s performance is over, and it’s my turn to show off my skills. Now, raise your face. I’ll put on some makeup for you.”
“The makeup is done. This is enough.”
“Oh my, Miss. You can come in as you please, but you can’t go out as you please?”
“It’s really okay. It’s not like there’s anyone I can look pretty with.”
But Madame Sarah's eyes had already rolled back.
“Oh ho ho. Miss, you’re wrong. Why isn’t there anyone you can look pretty on? Miss! To yourself! Isn’t it important to look pretty?”
“Madam, I appreciate your kind words, but-”
“This is why I hate overly pretty people. They have no sense of urgency! They were born with such beauty, yet they don’t worry about beauty. I say their philosophy is shallow.”
“Madam. Hey, calm down a bit, and let’s talk-”
“Do you know how amazing it would be if you just added a little color to this balanced face? Beauty is valuable in and of itself. Who to look at? Oh, really! Is it really that important that you were born with this face and have no one to look at?”
"Ha-"
“No! You shouldn’t live with that kind of attitude! Why did God give us beauty? To please others? Of course not! Because beauty itself has value! Just that attitude of endlessly pursuing beauty! Aesthetics! That attitude itself is already a kind of beauty! What is beauty? Why do humans pursue beauty? The attitude of contemplating that is the philosophy of beauty itself! Do you know how much it makes humans noble and elegant?”
“Please put on makeup, Madam! After hearing you say that, I want to put on makeup right away. I beg you earnestly.”
Odette eventually gave in to the voice that continued to grow more and more agitated without stopping. Madame suddenly stopped as if to cut off her excitement and smiled kindly.
“Thank you for your permission. You are very communicative, young lady.”
The somewhat quiet voice, which was in contrast to what had just been said, sounded strange.
Odette was so nervous that she just stared at Madame.
'Yeah, right. It'd be better to be pretty if I want to impress the kids. There's a saying that kids cover their faces, not their faces. And there's still time left until the train leaves anyway.'
Unable to admit defeat, Odette rationalized it in her head.
***
After a moment, Sarah let out a sigh of admiration.
“It’s ecstatic.”
It was the greatest masterpiece she had ever created. A face that was truly the pinnacle of beauty.
She was proud. She had already polished and elevated the status of the best beauty in the empire, so she could truly call herself a genius.
“Wow, Madam Sarah. You’re really talented.”
The girl who blinked while looking in the mirror also seemed surprised.
'Ahem. This is my craft.'
Of course, she had a pretty face even before makeup, but the young lady didn't seem to know what her face was good at.
It means that she has not had time to explore herself and develop her tastes.
But Sarah quickly realized just by looking at her clothes that this girl had lived a very fierce life. Perhaps there was something wrong with her heart.
The makeup Sarah had applied was meant to make the girl look her age, with her worn-out expression. It was meant to bring out the best in her face.
But her admiration soon faded and she quickly returned to her original expressionless face. Sarah felt a little sorry for that bleakness.
“Oh, Madam. I’d like to buy some ready-made clothes too.”
Sarah nodded. Madame Sarah's main product was actually ready-made clothes for the wealthy common people.
Odette bought a lavender one-piece dress for children, two navy suits for children, and a set of men's suits for adults.
While Lise was packing it into the trunk, Sarah placed a mesh fedora on Odette's head.
So that her platinum blonde hair, tied up in a bun, is neatly hidden under the hat.
“Lise. Then I’ll see you again after the vacation.”
“Yes, Miss! I’ll be back with all the dresses I made, so you have to wear them diligently!”
"Goodbye!"
Odette walked to Edelweiss Station carrying her trunk bag, greeted by Sarah and Lise.
The very image of a splendid and wealthy noblewoman. She seemed accustomed to lording over others, but Sarah somehow thought that her back looked lonely and tired.
***
'Is it because it's National Foundation Day? There are a lot of people on the train.'
Odette thought as she closed the first-class door. She could feel how different her situation was compared to her memories of her last life on the train.
'In my past life, I hid on an empty train at dawn and barely managed to get on a freight car, feeling very nervous.'
There were such comfortable seats on the train.
A steaming train, the scent of blooming flowers, and a gentle spring breeze coming in through the open window.
Thanks to the flowering trees around the railroad tracks, even the flower petals are coming in one by one through the window.
'It feels like I'm on a leisurely trip.'
But as time passed, the scenery gradually became more desolate. Even more so as she approached the final destination, the 'Penrir Foreigner Detention Center'.
[ Fenrir Foreigner Asylum ]
And when they got off at that last station, the only passenger left on the train was Odette.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment