Chapter 427

Words : 2267 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

The dress draft, which I thought would take a long time, came out quickly. It came out so fast that Rene was dumbfounded. “This quickly?” Violetta responded with a cute smile. “Usually it’s not this fast. But maybe because the model is good, I got inspiration the moment I saw you. You can feel proud.” “Ah, no. Not that much...But, I have a question.” “Yes. Ask anything.” “The dress is one piece and it’s a draft, so why are there three drawn?” Violetta had drawn a total of three dresses in her notebook. Moreover, the designs and colors were all different. At those words, Violetta pondered what to answer and then showed a peculiar smile. It was the smile of an older person, full of secrets and experience. “You’ll know when you try them on. Of course, until then, it’s true that even I can’t be certain.” “What do you mean you’re not certain...?” “This dress I’m going to make is my first attempt at something. So everything is unknown territory. Don’t worry too much though. It’s not dangerous. I’m doing this because I see the possibility that I can do it. Ah, would it be okay if I took your measurements for a moment?” “Yes.” “Teacher Rudger. Is it okay if I borrow this cute young lady for a moment?” Rudger, sitting on the sofa provided inside the store, silently nodded. The action was so natural that it made him look like the owner of the place. At least that’s what Rene thought. “Now. Let’s go upstairs. There’s a separate room for VIPs.” Following Violetta’s guidance, Rene headed to a room on the second floor. There, Violetta took various measurements of Rene. “Hmm. I’m really envious. Such a body without any excess fat. You really don’t do any special management? It’s hard to believe.” “Eh, hehe. Thank you.” “Thank your parents. It seems like you were born with it.” “Oh, well...” “Is there a problem?” “I don’t know what my parents look like.” At those words, Violetta’s expression slightly stiffened. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” “No, it’s fine. I don’t even remember, so it seems I’ve forgotten even the sadness.” “...Sometimes it’s better not to know.” Violetta said while measuring the length of Rene’s arm with the measuring tape. “Still, you’re much better off. You’re a student at Theon, right? Once you graduate, you’ll be sought after everywhere.” “Yes. I’m very grateful for that too. I know I’m luckier than I deserve. Others might not even get such opportunities.” “You’re a mature young lady.” “Really? I think this is normal.” “No. Even objectively, you’re very upright. Usually, Theon students are all full of arrogance.” Rene opened her eyes wide as if she didn’t know. “Really? I didn’t know.” “It seems that way. You know what? Living in this street, we hear various news and we hear stories about Theon students too. They’re all minor disturbances. Looking down on or ignoring staff, demanding credit without reason. Quite the troublemakers, aren’t they?” Violetta measured Rene’s waist circumference with the measuring tape. Rene unconsciously held her breath. “But you know what’s surprising? Most of the students who cause such incidents are commoners.” “Is that really true?” “We have ears too. We know how much commoner students are looked down upon by other noble students at Theon. Even though it’s better now, those remnants still remain.” “That’s not exactly...” Rene was about to say that but closed her mouth. She remembered the students who had picked fights with her. Most were nobles, either envious of her or approaching her because they were attracted to her appearance. Because of that, she had almost gotten into dangerous situations but not everyone was like that. Right away, Princess Erendir wasn’t, and neither was Freuden from the duke’s family. There were good people even among nobles. However, she couldn’t deny that they were an extreme minority. More surprisingly, the commoner students who received such discrimination would, in turn, flaunt their authority as Theon students outside. “People usually think. If they experience something unpleasant, they won’t repeat such things. But that’s wrong. People who say that haven’t risen to high positions themselves. In reality, it’s the opposite. Everyone wants to feel superior to others. Commoners who are looked down upon by nobles find comfort in feeling superior to commoners below them. And they get drunk on it. Like drinking cheap beer because they can’t afford expensive wine.” In the current era, developing society advocates the abolition of class. The main point was that all humans are born with equal rights and are equal. In fact, the Liberation Army’s slogans were similar to this, but was the Liberation Army really equal to everyone? They oppressed other commoners under the pretext of liberating them. In the end, it only created a new class called the Liberation Army above the commoners. Even if nobles disappear, complete equality won’t come. Thus, complete equality was nothing more than a vain ideal. “It’s common for wealthy entrepreneurs to kick away their old fiancées. Saying they’ll meet women more suitable to their status now that they have money. There are cases where once-close friends cut ties because one was discovered to have talent as a magician. Even among those from the same back alley, those with natural beauty look down on others. Such things are more common than you’d think. Even standing in the same place, people think they’re better than others.” “So that’s why you called me mature.” “That’s right. Because you didn’t get drunk on it.” “Why are you telling me all this?” “I wanted to check. If someone wearing my dress is a better person, it makes me feel better too, doesn’t it?” Violetta said with an undisguised smile while retrieving the measuring tape. “Besides, what I do isn’t much different from what I just talked about.” “In what way?” “Superiority.” Violetta took out a dress from the hanger on one wall and lightly held it against Rene. “Tailors and designers are ultimately people who sell desire. We’re the ones who help realize people’s desires to be more beautiful, more splendid, more eye-catching, at a higher level. Of course, most people who want this are wealthy ladies. But I think a bit differently.” Violetta’s eyes were very serious as she compared while holding up the dress. While trying her best to steady her breathing and not move her body, Rene didn’t stop questioning. “What do you think about it?” “Revolution.” “Revolution?” “It’s not quite that grand, but this is how I think. By wearing a splendid dress, you elevate your inherent beauty much higher. You can look down on people you couldn’t have dreamed of before, like a change of class. If this isn’t revolution, what is?” Hearing it, it did seem that way. “In that sense, I really love this job. Even if I can’t rise up myself, I can give wings to someone else. Just like now. I’m satisfied with just that.” Violetta nodded satisfactorily as if that was enough, then hung the dress back on the hanger. “So I’ll make you the protagonist. Thoroughly, so that neither nobles nor royalty can compare. A commoner taking the highest place. What could be a more delightful rebellion than that?” Rene finally realized what kind of person Violetta was. She loves her work and has strong pride, yet she also has clear convictions. “Then I have another question.” “Yes, ask away.” “How do you know Teacher Rudger? And what’s your relationship?” At Rene’s question, Violetta’s eyes narrowed as if this was unexpected. “My. You’re shrewder than I thought.” “Ah, no. I didn’t mean it that way...” “I’m joking. Well, as for how I met Teacher Rudger, it was as a patron.” “A patron?” “He helped me open this House of Verdi. The people of this street also received a lot of help from him. Did you know? This Royal Street was originally a slum where people didn’t set foot.” “I heard that it had poor security and was practically abandoned by Leathervelk City.” “Such a place could change like this thanks to helping hands. Teacher Rudger is one of those who helped. Even though we were poor, they didn’t look down on others. Should I say they treat everyone equally?” “Hmm. I understand. Definitely.” “Is it like that at Theon too?” “Yes. Even noble students don’t dare move in front of Teacher Rudger. He doesn’t show favoritism to anyone.” “I think I understand why. In some sense, he’s a person who’s equal to everyone.” Perhaps Rudger was the embodiment of the ideal. After finishing the measurements, the two came down to the lobby on the first floor. Rudger was sitting there quietly with his eyes closed. He seemed to be meditating, or perhaps dozing off from fatigue so the two unconsciously lowered their footsteps. “Are you done?” Then Rudger asked without opening his eyes. “Yes, yes.” Rene somehow felt like a child caught doing something wrong. Finally, Rudger opened his eyes. The faint bluish light scattered in his pupils was like watching morning mist dispersing under the morning sun. “Good work. Let’s go now. I’ll escort you to the dormitory.” Rudger said as he stood up. Rene was about to follow Rudger’s words, but turned back and bowed her head to Violetta to say goodbye. Violetta smiled and waved her hand. -Ding. Coming out onto the street, there were many people walking around. Royal Street was splendid at night, but quite a lot of people visited in the early morning too. And among the crowds, there were also some Theon students mixed in. ‘Oh, oh?’ Cheryl Wagner was one of them. She too was looking around for a dress for the upcoming ball. Of course, considering her family, shops were lining up begging her to wear their dresses. In fact, Cheryl had already chosen her dress but she came out like this for Flora. Flora, her best friend, was the daughter of Duke Lumos, but wasn’t receiving proper treatment. Designers who didn’t know anything were getting rejected after sending requests to the Lumos family. Flora herself wasn’t very interested in dresses, so Cheryl, as a friend, was thinking of having one made for her. ‘That was definitely...I saw something I shouldn’t have!’ She witnessed Teacher Rudger coming out of a shop with a female student. Moreover, the place was House of Verdi, the most famous in the area. Why on earth was Teacher Rudger coming out of there? And Rene, who was with him, was also well known to Cheryl. Rene was quite famous. It was natural since she was close with Freuden Ulburg despite being a commoner, and stuck together like best friends with Erendir von Exilion. Her appearance was also doll-like pretty, making people wonder if she was really a commoner. ‘I thought it was suspicious that she had quite a few connections with Teacher Rudger before, but I never imagined this!’ Cheryl worried whether she should tell Flora about this or not. She was concerned that Flora might get hurt if she delivered unnecessary news. ‘Ugh. Why am I faced with such a trial...’ Her head was already starting to hurt. * * * Like midsummer wildfire, time passed while the contained heat remained unextinguished. Time was equal to everyone, and people prepared in their own ways. “Hmm. Is this okay?” Aidan muttered while looking at his reflection in the mirror. The perfectly fitting suit felt quite stuffy, perhaps because he had never worn one before. Do nobles go to banquet halls wearing such stuffy things every time? While Aidan was having such idle thoughts, a gruff voice came from outside the door. “Hey. If you’re done changing, come out quickly.” “Okay! Coming out now.” Going outside, Leo looked Aidan up and down with his arms crossed. “What took so long?” “I’m not used to clothes like this.” “Whatever, let’s go. The others are waiting.” “Okay. Ah, right. Leo.” “What, what?” “The clothes suit you well. You look cool.” “Don’t be silly.” Aidan and Leo came out of the dormitory. Usually, female students were forbidden from entering near the male dormitory, and vice versa but today was the ball, which was like a festival, so it was the only day when exceptions were allowed. At the dormitory entrance, there were already female students waiting for their partners. Among them, what caught Aidan and Leo’s eyes was a pair each wearing dresses that suited them. One wore a red dress burning like flames, and the other wore unique attire that refined traditional beast-folk clothing. “Why are you coming out so late! Don’t you know you shouldn’t keep ladies waiting?” “Ahaha. Sorry, Tracy.” “Hi, Leo.” “Oh. Hi.” Leo glanced at Iona who greeted him and said. “Pretty. The clothes.” “Yeah. You look cool too.” “...Don’t be silly.” -Pop pop bang. Even though it was daytime, fireworks burst over as colorful hues scattered like flower petals and anyone could tell that place was the center of the event. The four headed to the ballroom with their own swelling expectations.

Chapter 427

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