Time passed, and one day at the end of July when the heat was in full swing.
The commercial district of the capital, Lunten.
At the end of the street of clothing stores lined with flashy signboards of famous designer shops, there was also a small and rustic Becky’s building.
<Blanc de Ruby>
Becky, the owner of the clothing store, who was looking outside the shop with only the newly replaced signboard, sighed with a depressed expression and recalled a certain memory.
That was about a month ago.
***
That day, Tailor Becky visited the duke’s residence after being called by a regular customer, Princess Rubette.
Rubette had always been timid and reticent, but the atmosphere around her was different that day.
“We have a lot to talk about today.”
She said with a smile at first.
“Becky, it may feel strange, but thank you so much for making my clothes every time I call you without a sign of annoyance.”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that, Princess? There is nothing more honorable for me than making clothes for a princess, right?”
Becky, who was genuinely flustered, hurriedly waved her hand.
“You know it, don’t you, Becky? No one wants to make my dress.”
“Ah…”
Becky, who had nothing to say, scratched her cheek.
Yes. There were many skilled ‘named’ tailors in the capital, but Rubette had never worn their clothes.
The reputation of the wearer was the value of the clothes, the tailor who made the clothes, and the brand they ran.
So, of course, named tailors wanted to make clothes for ladies who were in the spotlight in the social world.
Rubette had been dealing exclusively with Becky, who had agreed even though Rubette was fat and unpopular, for a long time.
“If Becky becomes famous, will you pretend not to know me?”
“…”
At Rubette’s question, Becky’s heart ached.
‘How upset she must be…’
Becky chose her words for a long time so as not to hurt Rubette’s heart.
“That… Princess.”
“Mm.”
“It is unlikely that an incompetent tailor like me will become famous, but if such a dream happens, I would rather be so famous that no one could order clothes from me.”
“Oh, really? Unexpectedly, you’re full of ambition.”
“It’s not like that. I want to live comfortably, only making dresses for Princess Rubette. Didn’t you hear about Madame Susan?”
Becky stretched out her hand, slightly covering her mouth, and secretly whispered to Rubette.
“… She barely managed to make the dress the young lady of Pelkan County had ordered after modifying it for a week. In the end, the young lady said she didn’t like it and threw it over her head while cursing.
“Oh my, compared to your personality.
“I mean. I thought we just needed to make clothes in this line of work, but we had to do emotional labor as well.”
Becky shook her head and smiled brightly.
“So what if Madame Susan is famous and makes good money? I’m not jealous at all. Unlike Susan’s guests, my guest is this kind and friendly.”
Rubette, who paused for a moment, soon smiled brightly.
“Thanks for saying that, Becky.”
“Haha… Anyway, I don’t want to be famous. I will only take orders enough not to starve, and live by making small clothes.”
At Becky’s thought, Rubette snorted.
“Hmm, who knows? I understand that you don’t want to be tired and annoyed, but it’s a life you only live once, right? And as far as your name is concerned—”
Rubette smiled and added, tapping her head with her index finger.
“Shouldn’t you put it in people’s heads?”
“… Pardon?”
“As Becky wishes, let’s not be a clueless tailor. It will only tire you out. If want to be famous, let’s be famous.”
“What do you…”
Smiling at Becky whose head was tilted, Rubette crossed her arms and spoke with a more confident look than anyone else.
“I’ll make you a famous tailor so that no one can order clothes from you.”
***
Becky, who had escaped from the flashback, stared blankly at the mannequins displayed through the shop window.
“You have a contract with me. I’ll design the clothes. And you’re my personal tailor, so you only make clothes with my designs.”
Rubette made an unconventional contract as if she didn’t want to lose a great tailor.
First, she bought this dilapidated building for 200 million marks.
“Now I am the owner of the building.”
And to Becky, who had been paying 650,000 marks a month to the former owner of the building,
“So you don’t have to pay monthly rent from now on.”
Of course, Rubette allowed her to do business for free.
“The contract period is three years. The ratio is 5 to 5 of total sales. And I’ll pay you a deposit of 30 million marks and an advance payment of 20 million marks. The down payment is entirely Becky’s share, and the advance will be deducted from future profits.”
Becky only needed to sew, but Rubette paid a down payment equal to her annual income and even said that she would give away half of the sales.
“You can think of the advance as a kind of investment. Becky’s probably not sure about selling new designs. If we fail, you’ll still be able to hold 20 million marks, right?
She reassured Becky, who was hesitant, by guaranteeing a minimum pocket of food.
What could Becky say…? She felt like she was being treated very well.
Becky signed the contract on the spot. Aside from feeling grateful for the money, she was happy for Rubette’s desperate feeling of needing her, an unknown tailor.
As if Rubette had never thought of a “failure,” she was trusted by Rubette’s confident eyes.
… But!
‘Princeeeess… What should we do? I think we’re screwed.’
Becky, who was staring through the window, covered her face and wept.
The mannequin had a short-sleeved dress tailored for the summer season. It was designed by Rubette.
The usage of lace had been cut to the maximum.
To emphasize the luxurious and unique neckline without much decorating.
Remove all the bulky pads that went into the shoulders and pelvis, making it elegant without being childish.
‘I was surprised when I first saw it. It’s so classy and atmospheric. I didn’t know that the princess had such a talent.’
However.
‘There are many reasons why new and unusual designs don’t sell.’
It was a design that was far from the trend these days, emphasizing splendor with lace-filled, magnificent shoulder pads, and a pointed ribbon that drew attention to the front.
It was quite obvious, but customers who were accustomed to familiar designs did not easily try new things.
Regardless of the fact that Rubette’s design was really good, it didn’t mean it would sell.
Wiiiing—
A fly flew in front of Becky as if to tease her.
“Ough! What fly—”
The little boy’s hand that popped out in front of Becky caught the fly.
It was her younger brother Orland.
“Hehe, sister. Why are you out there looking like you’re going to die? It’s sunny, so go inside in the hot weather.”
“Mmmh…”
Becky was embarrassed to see her brother’s face.
In fact, she had three more younger siblings under her Orland. To cover them all, the income from the clothing store alone was far from enough.
So her brother Orland went out to deliver newspapers every dawn and clean the chimney.
Her good brother always said.
“My sister will surely see the light someday! So, don’t worry about anything, just relax and make whatever clothes you like!”
‘But I’m not talented. When will I see this light?’
Entering the clothing store, Becky sighed.
Becky was well aware that her design sense was a bit lacking. So, she had been attracted to Rubette’s dignified suggestion, ‘I will design it myself!’…
‘But Princess, what should I really do?’
Becky choked up as she looked around the shop filled with only flies.
‘After putting on the princess’ design, all the customers who were sneaking around disappeared. 0 customers for 9 days since the mannequins were replaced.’
I’m screwed. This is terrible.
‘But the princess said she’d send a guest today.’
Rubette, who had come to check the condition of the store yesterday, had said with a casual look when she saw the store that was filled with only flies.
“Tomorrow we’ll have an important guest. It’s a big customer, so please welcome them. Oh, I’ll pay for their purchase. Give them for free.”
“What? You want me to make clothes for the customer for free?”
“Yes. Everyone is hesitant because it is their first time seeing such a design. Someone needs to start wearing it first so that the buyers can see it.”
So the point of Rubette’s words was to promote the customer by dressing them up for free.
It was a pretty good idea, but honestly, Becky didn’t expect anything at all.
‘Princess, I’m sorry, but this unconventional design is far from the trend…’
Looking at the back of the mannequins, Becky shook her head.
‘I don’t think there is an answer unless the great actress Sarah Hugo wears it and walks through the capital…’
At that moment.
As soon as she sat down in a tattered corner, the clothing store door swung open.
“S-S-Sister!”
Orland, who was cleaning outside, shouted out with an excited face.
“What? What’s going on?”
“N-N-N-N-Now…!”
“What is it? Calm down and tell me.”
“I-I can’t calm down! L-L-Look who’s o-o-outside right now!”
As Becky frowned with frustration, a carriage stopped behind Orland.
Neeeigh—
“Wow!”
It was a pretty luxurious carriage.
‘What’s this?’
As Becky wondered, two neatly dressed men got out of the carriage first. They escorted the woman who got down the carriage next.
As soon as the woman in the wide-brimmed hat got off, she immediately walked into Becky’s store under the escort of the men who spread out their parasols.
Clack, clack.
The woman’s face could not be recognized because of the strong sunlight and the hat, but her slim body and tall height naturally caught Becky’s attention.
‘Ah, is that the guest the princess was talking about?’
Becky, who had been staring blankly at the woman, hurried up to greet her.
The moment the woman stepped into the store and took off her hat.
“…!”
Becky’s eyes popped out as if they were about to fall out.
“W-What… What is…”
Was there anyone at the bottom of this capital, regardless of age or gender, who did not know that woman’s face?
“S-S-S-Sarah Hugo…?”
Yes, Sarah Hugo.
It was the real Sarah Hugo.
The great actor of the capital, who appeared with gorgeous blonde hair, tilted her head and asked.
“Is this <Blanc de Ruby>? Madame Becky’s clothing store?”
Even a light nod was like an angel’s movement.
“S-S-Sarah… Hu…”
In place of Becky, who had lost her soul, Orland, who had barely come to his senses, answered vigorously.
“Yes! You’re right! This is Madame Becky’s clothing store <Blanc de Ruby>!”
“I’ve come to the right place.”
Sarah approached Becky and shook hands.
“I heard that you are a good tailor. I want you to make my dress.”
“Pardoon? M-M-Me? I’m Sarah’s—”
“Yes.”
Sarah smiled and added.
“From today onwards.”
“…”
A moment of silence.
“Oh my goodness! Are you okay, Madame Becky?”
Becky, an unknown tailor, was so surprised that she fainted in happiness.