MPBAGS Chapter 75

Raphaela sighed as he watched Artemisia diligently selecting fabric.

Artemisia had suddenly brought up the topic of leather, sending chills down everyone's spine, and now she was stepping forward herself, smoothly rattling off designs that would suit Lady Rohanson while showering her with praise. Just like siblings should be—she was exactly like her younger brother.

"Lord Gabriel, how about this fabric? Doesn't it suit the young lady perfectly?"

But why is that Misha trying to create the perfect couple between the captain and Lady Rohanson when she thinks her younger brother has a one-sided crush on Lady Rohanson?

I'm not sure if that should be called having a thorough professional spirit or not. Just then, a familiar face approached Raphaela.

"Sir."

"It's been a while, Sister."

Daisy handed Raphaela a letter.

"Please deliver this to Lord Gabriel."

"A love letter?"

At the joke that came out of habit, Daisy sent a sharp look without a trace of laughter.

"You're welcome to read it first."

Well, can't even make a joke. Raphaela grumbled and unfolded the letter.

'Bishop Jabanya...?'

After being puzzled by the familiar sender's name for a moment, Raphaela, having read the entire letter, cursed inwardly. Sending spies to the Rohanson estate? That damned old man, is it time for him to die? If he dies, we'll naturally hold his funeral, but he's digging his own grave.

"Is Mrs. Phonor safe?"

"What do you mean by that? She came to teach just yesterday. Why? don't you believe it?"

"Because Sister has now completely become Lady Rohanson's person."

The nun who had once reported on Evangeline Rohanson had completely converted to being Lady Rohanson's faithful servant after the orphanage incident. Someone who had been helpless and trapped in fear could now even bare her thorns for Evangeline.

"Your captain is also completely smitten with the young lady, so is there a law saying I can't be the same?"

Daisy shot back sharply. She was saying that Gabriel was the same—clinging to her despite having some idea of Evangeline Rohanson's true nature.

Since it was true, Raphaela couldn't even refute it and kept his mouth shut.

I don't know what the captain is really thinking. It's definitely not some warm, soft emotion like affection.

But just the way he thoroughly concealed matters about Lady Rohanson in meetings clearly revealed how much Gabriel cared about Evangeline.

What was even more ridiculous was that Raphaela had done his best to help such a captain. Raphaela looked at Evangeline, who was wrapped in the fabric Misha had given her. She looked fed up with being forcibly recruited into this doll-playing.

Her red eyes blinked and then looked at Raphaela. Just from their eyes meeting, his heart sank from the intimidating aura Evangeline gave off. Ah, this is it. Raphaela found himself muttering unconsciously.

"That's right... It seems we're already bewitched by the demon."

Misha, Daisy, the captain, and even Raphaela himself.

What are those guys doing?

Daisy and Raphaela were sitting suspiciously close together. The atmosphere between them was strange... My romance reader instincts were tingling. Raphaela, don't tell me you have feelings for Daisy?

Wasn't Daisy supposed to end up with Jelly as the sub-couple? After thinking about it, I wondered if Raphaela was like some eternally single romance expert who's bad at his own love life but only succeeds at making his superior's romance work. Yeah, sometimes you see that kind of character in novels.

As I was watching suspiciously, Daisy handed Raphaela a letter. What, what is it? Don't tell me it's a love letter? I thought it was unrequited love?

Daisy opened her mouth. What is she saying? I focused as hard as I could to listen.

"—I've fallen hard for you, is there some law saying I can't?"

What? Daisy made a direct confession. She's saying she's fallen for you, so why can't it be me! My heart pounded wildly at this unexpected romance.

So Raphaela wasn't the one with unrequited love! What with giving him the letter and all, it was Daisy who liked Raphaela! Come to think of it, when I first saw Daisy, she was with Raphaela too.

I must have been thinking about their roles backwards from the start. Jelly... you must be the one with unrequited love. Are you like everyone's second male lead or something?

I was so curious about what they were saying that I kept glancing over, and ended up making eye contact with Raphaela. Caught! I quickly looked away, pretending not to see, pretending not to be interested. I'm curious about what happens next, but why did I have to get caught now?

"How about this one?"

"I like it."

Pretending it was just an accidental eye contact, I made a big show of being completely focused on choosing fabrics with Artemisia.

"Right? I thought so too! My lady, how do you have such excellent taste? It will definitely suit you well. And it will match perfectly with Sir Gabriel's formal wear too!"

Artemisia wound the fabric around my body tightly. T-teacher, I can't breathe. Before I could complain, the fabric slipped off smoothly. Phew, I almost died.

"Now I need to take measurements..."

Artemisia glanced at the men with her eyes. Ah, to take measurements I need to undress. So she's telling them to leave. At this eviction order, Gabriel rose from his seat.

"Since my lady must be tired from entertaining guests, I shall take my leave now."

Looking at him, Gabriel really is straightforward. When told to leave, he actually leaves. Well, he must be busy, so it wouldn't be polite to keep him here.

"I'll trust you completely with my lady's outfit."

"Even without Sir Gabriel saying so, I'll do my best."

Artemisia rolled her eyes.

"Ah, my lady. About the chaperone I mentioned before."

Come to think of it, Gabriel said he'd find a chaperone too. But why? Don't tell me he couldn't find one? Did everyone refuse because the rumors about me are too bad?

Evangeline's mother passed away and she's cut off from her maternal family, and the count only provided a tutor but didn't care about things like chaperones, so there's no way to find one from my side.

"Marchioness Toten has graciously agreed to serve as your chaperone."

"Lady Toten?"

"Yes. She's a deeply faithful person who frequently visits the temple. Lady Toten has one child, but the child is weak in health. When she heard about my lady's situation, she said it reminded her of her child."

There was someone! I'm relieved there's at least one person. Maybe Lady Toten only heard about Evangeline being weak in health and didn't hear the other strange rumors.

"She's well-connected, so she'll definitely be helpful."

No, helpful? That's just like the male lead who's only warm to his woman. Gabriel also treats people like tools, doesn't he?

"Lady Toten asked if she could meet separately before the Crown Prince's birthday banquet. Would that be alright?"

Of course it would be fine. Lady Toten? Just from the name, she sounds like she'd be very gentle and kind. I'm confident about this - without her, there would be no one in the world who would serve as my chaperone.

"Please tell her to let me know a convenient day and I'll come then."

"I'll arrange for you to visit."

No, she's already doing me the favor of being my chaperone, I can't tell her to come to the Rohanson estate. My already bad image would be completely ruined.

"Tomorrow is too soon, so please tell her I'll visit in two days."

"Wait a moment. Three days! Please go at least three days from now. Even if I can't make a dress, I'll bring ready-made clothes tomorrow and alter them!"

I was going to go tomorrow right away - strike while the iron is hot - but Artemisia pushed the date back. Can't I just wear clothes I already have? Artemisia shook her head.

"I'd like my lady to wear clothes I've made when you go."

"Won't you be busy making debut dresses?"

"No! It's totally fine."

"Well then."

Since I wouldn't lose anything, I gave permission to do as she pleased, and she was visibly delighted. Artemisia must have excellent craftsmanship pride. Her customers must only wear clothes she's made. Something like that?

It's not even a week, I can wait about three more days. It's not urgent either. So reflecting Artemisia's opinion, we decided I'd visit in three days. Gabriel said he'd send a letter ahead of time.

"Sir Gabriel."

"Yes, my lady."

"Could you visit me once more before the debut?"

It's not that I have any ulterior motives, it's just that there's no one to teach me dancing.

I've only learned the movements but haven't practiced once yet. But among the people I know, Gabriel is the only one who could play the male role.

By the way, is this really a romance novel? How is it that Gabriel is the only noble male character I've met so far...? Does Gabriel lack charm? Is the plan to reduce competition and leave only the male lead route?

"If my lady calls for me, I'll visit anytime."

Gabriel promised with a shy smile. He has enough visual impact that he doesn't need to monopolize...

Artemisia, who heard this from the side, made a fuss going "Oh my, oh my." Was I exactly like that when I was watching Raphaela and Daisy earlier?

After Gabriel and Raphaela left, Artemisia carefully recorded my measurements with her assistants. Despite being chatty just moments ago, she was very serious when taking measurements. She was indeed a craftsman chosen by Gabriel.

"Artemisia. If it's not too presumptuous, could you also make clothes for my maids? It's not urgent, so you can take your time."

I'm still bitter about how the kids were completely ignored because of their clothes before. So I bought a lot of clothes, but custom-made is different. Besides, Artemisia is said to be a famous dress craftsman, so now's my chance. Let me use my connections too.

"Of course. I don't understand why such rumors spread about someone who takes care of even her servants."

Artemisia readily agreed. Not even hesitating and just saying yes - that was really cool. Good, I'll pay double.