"What should we do…"
Several hours after a notice came from a messenger of Lionel to attend a party from a neighboring country, Tinaria and Maria, who both woke up from their surprise, were confronting this pressing issue.
"I cannot simply go out to the hosting country with the dress I wore at the tea party…"
"That"s right. If it were to be an evening party, you must wear an evening dress."
"… I wonder if I could make one if I have the fabric…?"
"… Even if it"s you Tina, making an evening dress from scratch…"
"You are right", and Tinaria dropped her shoulders.
She never thought she would be able to attend to a party as Keith"s wife. The conversation was too dreamlike, it didn"t feel real yet. However, Tinaria hit her cheeks with both hands and confronted the problem seriously. I didn"t care about being looked down on, but I could not make Keith lose his dignity while accompanying me.
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"Is there a problem?"
It was the director Sarah that called out to both who were doing the laundry while looking serious even after coming to the orphanage. Maria, who didn"t pay attention to her since she was preoccupied with the budget to make a dress, started to explain the situation to make it up to Sarah who was venting out her acc.u.mulated anger with a "Please listen to me!".
"This morning, a notice came stating that Tina must attend a party held by the neighboring country next month. But we were completely lost in thoughts because she doesn"t have a dress to attend… Spending money… I am not able to spend even 1 penny freely, what on earth can I do!"
Maria grasped tightly the laundry she held in her hands, feeling indignation as she spoke.
"That"s… It is a terrible situation. Did you consult his Highness?"
"Keithfalt is very busy, so I cannot cause him trouble with my circ.u.mstance. However, I will try to negotiate once more with the head maid, and if I cannot obtain a dress after all, I will try asking him directly."
Tinaria said so while laughing, visibly embarra.s.sed, and skillfully completed drying the laundry right after. Sarah, who had a serious look, suddenly called out to Tinaria from behind, as she was stepping inside the house to put away the basket she was holding.
"Tina, maybe I can get a dress ready!"
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"A person who rents costumes…?"
Tinaria soflty tilted her head to the side as it was the first time she heard about this.
"Yes, recently, there are many merchants downtown dealing with goods intended for the n.o.bles and many merchants of larger stores also partic.i.p.ate in parties to expand their network. For those people, I have an acquaintance who rents costumes, especially dresses. I will ask this person in question."
"But I don"t have any money or possessions to give in exchange… I don"t want to trouble you any more, director…"
To Tinaria who said so apologetically, Sarah nodded as if she understood.
"I knew you would say that. ——— It"s all right! We will show them Tina"s skills for embroidery!"
"Embroidery…?"
Her warm lapis lazuli eyes blinked in surprise at her unexpected words.
"Yes, honestly, Tina, you could make a living with your ability for embroidery alone, you know? If you were to show it, I"m sure the merchants" eyes would light up and start negotiating for goods. That being the case, you could borrow a dress in exchange for your embroideries."
She felt a small hope at Sarah"s confident words, if she could do that… Tinaria asked to meet this intermediary.