* * *
Convinced by his wife, hope began to flicker in the Viscount’s eyes.
The Viscountess boarded the carriage with her usual confident demeanor.
“Head to Viola’s Boutique.”
Throughout the ride to the marketplace, she carefully rehearsed what she would say to the madam.
“Madam, I’m here to inform you that there’s been a slight issue with today’s payment.”
No, that sounds like an excuse. It feels wrong to personally tell the madam we can’t pay.
“I should have sent a maid.”
She thought, angrily.
She should have sent a servant to deliver the message about the delayed payment.
The Viscountess, with eyes the same shade of green as Sylvian’s, glanced around, irritated.
A mere seamstress, so haughty that she won’t even look at the servants—how is that acceptable?
Despite her frustration, she felt she had to go in person, yet she fumed with anger.
Sylvian’s worth wasn’t that low!
Her husband had deemed it enough, but she regretted not demanding more.
Raising an omega for over twenty years deserved a higher price.
To her, Duke Graham was no less than a thief.
Though he was her son, Sylvian, as an omega, was incredibly beautiful.
His shoulder-length blonde hair gleamed like gold in the light, and at night, his noble aura was as striking as fine jewelry.
And his green eyes!
Inherited from her, they were gentle and innocent enough to melt hearts.
How could they have let such a gem go for so little?
The Viscountess’s anger toward her husband grew, seething at the thought of selling her son for a mere 500 gold coins.
She had followed her alpha husband’s lead in raising the children, only for him to squander their hard-earned wealth through reckless gambling.
“Madam, we’ve arrived.”
“Wait here; I won’t be long.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Clutching her fan tightly, the Viscountess approached Viola’s Boutique.
“Shall I announce your visit inside?”
The maid, who had followed her to the carriage, cautiously asked while gauging her mistress’s mood.
Judging by her sharp gaze, it seemed that today, any misstep could lead to severe scolding.
“Are you telling me to just stand here idly?!”
Knock knock.
The maid, alarmed by the sharp tone, quickly knocked on the shop door, fearing the repercussions.
“How may I help you?”
“The Lady of Viscount Nerthian is here.”
“There are guests inside at the moment―”
The staff’s hesitant words ignited a fire in the Viscountess’s eyes.
“I’ve come in person today to settle my account, yet you’re dismissing me because of other customers?”
She could not tolerate being disregarded, no matter who the distinguished lady inside might be.
Although it was merely in name, she had become in-laws with a ducal family, raising her status significantly.
“The Duke and Duchess of Graham are here, so even if it’s you, Viscountess, I―”
The Duchess of Graham?
Sylvian is inside?
At the staff’s words, the Viscountess grabbed the door firmly.
“I am the Duchess of Graham’s mother. Surely, they wouldn’t turn me away. Inform them that I am here.”
“Viscountess, the Duke specifically instructed that no one be allowed in.”
The staff member spoke earnestly, trying to dissuade the Viscountess.
Madam Viola had emphasized caution to the staff several times today, citing the importance of the day.
“Madam, please don’t cause a disturbance.”
“All I’m asking is to be announced. How is that causing a disturbance?”
The Viscountess held her chin high.
There was no way Sylvian would ignore the news of her arrival.
That child had always been eager for her attention.
Though they hadn’t contacted each other since the wedding, Sylvian must have missed her family, suppressed under the cold demeanor of the Duke.
“Go and tell the Duchess that her mother has arrived.”
The Viscountess imagined the delighted reception she would receive from her son and hurried the staff.
“What is it?”
Zeroth asked Sylvian, who suddenly turned his head.
Staff members were busy measuring Sylvian’s arms and legs.
“It seems a bit noisy outside.”
After the bustling preparations since morning, the shopping district they entered felt like another world.
The boutique they entered at Zeroth’ suggestion to conduct business first was undeniably the best.
The luxurious and exquisite fabrics displayed throughout the store captivated Sylvian, who had loved shopping in a past life.
Even just selecting materials and designs that suited him from the ready-made garments on display filled him with excitement.
“Madam.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll find out right away.”
At Zeroth Graham’s displeased gaze, Madam Viola gestured to a staff member.
“There’s already enough clothing…”
“With the party season approaching, a variety of clothes will be necessary.”
When Sylvian asked, hiding his excitement while flipping through Madam Viola’s design book, Zeroth shook his head.
“There are still many clothes you haven’t worn yet.”
“I will wear them all, so don’t worry.”
Good!
Madam Viola secretly cheered as she listened to the conversation between the Duke and Duchess.
She felt she could significantly boost sales by charming the kind-looking Duchess.
Though the shop operated under the Duke’s alias and lacked nothing, she couldn’t miss the opportunity to make more money.
Even if the money ultimately went back into the Duke’s pocket, the Duchess, who was essentially a walking pile of cash, was a prey she couldn’t afford to lose.
“Of course, madam. You should order new outfits for each season and something special for the social season.”
The Duke frequently ordered clothes for the Duchess.
Initially, he only sent measurements to pick up a few ready-made garments, but eventually, he began sweeping up all the clothes that suited his taste for the Duchess.
Although Madam Viola was seeing the Duchess for the first time, the honeyed gaze of the Duke revealed that he was utterly smitten.
“Madam…”
The staff who had gone outside cautiously called her.
Viola, who had been watching the Duchess being measured, excused herself briefly.
“What is it?”
“The Viscountess of Nerthian is here.”
At the staff’s words, Viola’s eyes sharpened.
“I told you we weren’t receiving customers today.”
“She probably came in person to check on other dresses since it’s the day for settling accounts.”
‘What should we do?’
The staff looked troubled, but Viola did not let her stern expression falter.
The Duke had mentioned that the Viscountess wouldn’t have the money to pay her debts, so how had she come?
Viola was well aware that the Nerthian Viscount’s family was on the brink of bankruptcy.
If the Viscountess couldn’t pay for her dress, Viola was prepared to hold her accountable.
“Inform her that the Duke is inside and we will receive the payment later, so she should return another time.”
“I already told her the Duke is here.”
The staff member, frustrated, clutched their chest.
“Then she claimed to be the Duchess’s mother and said she hadn’t seen her child in a long time, asking to be announced.”
Viola’s lips curled into a crooked smile.
The audacity of a mere Viscountess demanding to see the Duchess amused her.
“Wait here. I will inquire inside.”
She spun on her heel and went inside.
“What is it?”
“Um… The Viscountess of Nerthian is here, asking to see the Duchess.”
Viola, closing her eyes briefly and bowing deeply with her hands folded respectfully, informed Sylvian, who blinked in surprise.
“Who. Is. Here?”
* * *
