* * *

As soon as Ian saw me, he started looking me over from head to toe, just like Yigang always does, asking if I was alright.

Thanks to that, I managed some casual physical contact, but….

[SYSTEM: The current “Affection Rate” of “Ian Dirzio” for player Cheong Dowoon is 36%. This value is updated in real-time, though there may be slight delays in reflection.]

It hasn’t changed, huh?

Contrary to my expectations, Ian’s affection rate hadn’t budged at all. It was exactly the same as the last time I checked.

Even when I held his hand, patted his head, or sat close to him, the number didn’t change.

So physical contact doesn’t affect his affection rate. But then, why does Yigang’s rate increase?

Is he just an exception?

Well, given how atypical Yigang is, it wouldn’t be surprising.

And so, with nothing significant to show for my efforts, time passed until the day before the engagement party.

It was an ordinary morning, no different from any other.

As usual, Yigang had risen at dawn and gone to his office, while Asel and Anna were helping me get ready, albeit later than him.

“Hmm, the Emperor seems quieter than expected. I thought he’d make a fuss about the poisoning incident.”

“Sir Philip reported everything to His Majesty.”

Asel provided a brief explanation when I tilted my head in confusion.

Considering Philip’s knack for smooth-talking, it made sense.

Whatever he’d said, it seemed to have effectively put the princess’s poisoning attempt to rest.

“What about Arthe’s side? Since the princess could’ve been the victim, I doubt they’d let it slide easily.”

“I heard the princess managed to appease them herself.”

This time, Anna answered.

But as soon as she finished, voices from outside the window caught my attention.

“What’s that noise?”

“Arte’s envoys, I believe. With the engagement tomorrow, they must be busy.”

Peeking out, I saw a group of officials in matching attire murmuring amongst themselves as they passed.

But they all looked pale and drained, as if the princess hadn’t soothed them but intimidated them instead.

Well, with the crown prince of Arthe siding with Delcia, the envoys likely had no choice but to heed her words.

Right.

Everything’s been resolved, save for one monumental problem.

A problem so colossal, it makes my head spin.

“Oh my! Are you going to check out the wedding dress?”

Anna clapped her hands, beaming, having somehow caught my mumbled remark.

Asel’s blue eyes sparkled as they both turned to me.

“Uh… I’m not really that curious, but I guess I should, just in case.”

After all, I’ll be the one wearing it.

It’s better to check beforehand to avoid any disasters, like the dress tearing to shreds before the ceremony starts.

To be honest, I’ve been repeatedly hearing complaints about “tight around the chest” during previous fittings.

I’m worried the dress might suffocate me again, so I’m just making sure it’s safe.

For my own peace of mind. That’s all.

“Great idea! The wedding dress fitting is such a crucial moment for a bride. I’ll help with everything!”

“Anna, sorry… but I’m letting Asel handle this one.”

“…What?”

Anna’s glowing face crumbled, her jaw dropping in utter shock.

“I’ll do my best.”

Meanwhile, Asel clenched his fist with a determined expression.

“You really don’t have to go all out. Just… do it casually, okay?”

Waving him off, I left Anna behind with her world clearly shattered and headed to the atelier with Asel.

“Asel, should I inform His Highness? You’ll be trying on the dress at the atelier….”

“Forget it. I don’t particularly want to show it off.”

Besides, I doubt it would make much of an impression.

He’s surrounded by women wearing dresses as glamorous as wedding gowns all the time.

A plain white dress isn’t going to astonish him.

Asel glanced back with a strange expression but said nothing further.

Quietly, he followed behind me.

Thanks to the heads-up I’d given, the doors to the boutique were already wide open.

As I stepped inside, the designers greeted me with eager eyes that sparkled with anticipation.

“Finally, are you going to try on Master Rata’s masterpiece?”

“We’ve been so excited! Master Rata worked on this dress without sleeping, eating, or even breathing—it’s a legendary wedding dress!”

“Oh my, it already suits you so well! The pearls we procured all the way from the northwest were worth every effort!”

Their murmurings echoed faintly in my ears as they buzzed around me.

Something feels ominous about this.

What on earth did Rata make?

Just the thought of seeing the dress is making me uneasy.

“Welcome, Wizard. We’ve been expecting you.”

Lata appeared shortly thereafter, looking like he hadn’t slept in days.

His dark circles had grown noticeably deeper, yet his eyes gleamed brightly, almost feverishly.

“Please, follow me this way.”

Following his lead, I entered a room at the back of the boutique.

It was the same private room that only Baek Yigang had entered during our first meeting with Delcia.

The moment I stepped inside, the room’s opulence hit me.

It was instantly clear this was a space meant for royalty.

Gold and jewels adorned every corner, even the mirrors were encrusted with rubies and sapphires.

Selling just one of those decorations would allow an average citizen to live worry-free for life.

“Rata… is it really okay for me to be here? This seems like it’s reserved for royalty.”

Rata smiled amiably at my question and nodded.

“Why wouldn’t it be? You’ll soon be royalty yourself, Wizard. And more than that, His Highness the Crown Prince specifically ordered us to treat you with the utmost care—so loudly that my ears nearly fell off.”

…So that’s the real reason.

Once again, Baek Yigang’s influence is frightening, enough to have them offer me a room like this without hesitation.

A luxurious sofa and gold-plated table took up one corner of the room, while a broad, pristine curtain was drawn across the opposite side.

The dress must be behind that curtain, right?

When my gaze lingered on it, Rata stepped forward with a confident expression and grabbed the curtain.

“This is the wedding dress you’ll be wearing tomorrow.”

Whoosh!

With a crisp sound, the curtain was pulled back.

“…!”

I’d never thought a dress could be beautiful before.

And to be honest, I still don’t.

But this one was undeniably different from anything I’d ever seen.

“How do you like it? Isn’t it stunning?”

Rata asked proudly, watching me gape at the dress.

“Yes… it’s beautiful.”

The dress was adorned with pearl embellishments arranged like a starry sky, with layers of intricate lace making up the voluminous skirt.

Originally intended for Delcia, it had been modified to be even more extravagant after being assigned to me.

…Why?

“Of course it is! I poured my heart and soul into this!”

Please don’t pour your soul into things like this…

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Rata grinned with satisfaction.

“But it looks… really small.”

This was exactly why I came to check.

How was I supposed to fit into something that looked like a child’s dress?

Relieved I’d come to see it in advance, I was about to express my concern when Rata said something utterly shocking.

“Oh, no need to worry about the size. We had help from the Magic Department.”

“…The Magic Department?”

What does magic have to do with a dress?

“Yes, Lord Reggie personally assisted in its creation, ensuring it will adjust to your body perfectly. It may look small now, but once you wear it, it will fit like a glove.”

Why him of all people?

There’s Blue, Cedric—anyone but that eccentric!

“Did it have to be Reggie?”

“He offered to help enthusiastically, and thanks to that, everything went smoothly.”

Lata smiled smoothly, praising Reggie’s “helpful” nature.

I couldn’t even laugh in jest.

This is a disaster.

If Reggie had a hand in this, there’s no way the dress is normal.

Who knows what sort of nonsense he’s added?

“Wizard, shall we have you try it on now?”

Mistaking my horror for excitement, Rata gestured warmly toward the dress.

* * *