The Flower Dances and the Wind Sings

9.

They soon arrived downtown after riding the carriage. Vicente got off first and reached out his hand. Ercella hesitated but held his hand and got off the carriage. She felt like she was back as a young lady being escorted by a gentleman.

But something was different. The level of joy was different from when she was the Marquis’ Young Lady. Something unfamiliar filled her heart than when she loved music and parties.

“May I ask why we’re here?”

Had it not been for Vicente’s question, she would not have escaped from the influence of her baseless thoughts. Erasing the undefined emotions that filled her heart, Ercella calmly said.

“I’m going to buy clothes.”

“Are you just buying clothes?”

“No, I’m going to buy a hat, too.

“And?”

“I want to buy a handkerchief, too.”

“And?”

“Shoes, too.”

“Is that so?”

“I hope they have something that suits you…”

Stop.

Vicente stopped walking, perhaps feeling something strange. His straight head tilted slightly. Ercella gave a playful wink as if she had known.

“You didn’t know? I’m here to buy your things today.”

* * *

Ercella decided to prepare Vicente’s clothes for the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony of the Princess Garten. She thought that it wasn’t bad as Vicente’s debut stage because he had to participate in the social world.

A banquet could be held at any time in Bernhardt but Harsen was busy recently, and most of all, he hated strangers visiting the Duchy. He seemed to be bothered by dealing with people.

Actually, Clifton would have prepared some clothes even without her. As always, Harsen was not interested in such things, and since Ercella also did not care, such trivial work naturally went to the butler or the lady-in-waiting. Ercella felt sorry and headed to the haberdashery first.

“Welcome, madam. Is there anything you’re looking for?”

Madame Roselina welcomed them with a bright smile.

“I’m thinking of fitting my son’s clothes.”

“Oh, really? What design are you exactly looking for?”

This was Ercella’s firt time buying men’s clothing. She didn’t know what kind of design was popular. Harsen was too lazy to go out, so he often called in tailors or bothered Clifton for that. Roselina began to explain this and that with the look of an expert.

“Noblewomen are usually more interested in these suits than these. Everyone is into them. Nobody cares for other people’s clothes more than their own. All the ladies are like that. So don’t worry too much.”

“Really?”

Ercella smiled softly.

“Of course. Then, should I explain one by one?”

“Please, do.”

“First of all, this style of suit is the most popular in Grania. The Conrad-style is on the rise these days but Grania costumes are still refined and stylish. Would you like to take a look at this? The front of the lapel-jacket’s reclined collar is smooth and two-buttoned. Black and gray are the most popular colors… Is this good for your son?”

‘Son’. My heart is pounding like a wave in a calm lake. I guess we look like mother and son to other people.

Ercella replied with a smile, “Yes, that’s good.” Madame Roselina also smiled brightly and returned.

“Then black would suit you better. Actually, I don’t think Grey would be bad either, but… I think navy blue would also look good on you. Why don’t you try it on instead? As you know, you’ll have to try them on to find out.”

“I think that’s a good idea…How about you?”

Ercella said, sneaking a glance.

You have to try on clothes. If I could, I’d like to dress you up in this and that, but…

I can’t force him.

No more coercion. Instead, Ercella decided to appeal with an earnest face. He nodded reluctantly, as he looked at her.

His eyes were so uncomfortable that she felt that he did not want to wear them. However, Ercella tried to dress him up one by one.

“Oh, this is good too. What do you think, madam?”

Roselina gracefully touched her face with her palm. There was a small gasp sound. Vicente was wearing a black suit in a different design than before. It was a fine design that fit him neatly as if measured with a ruler. Personally, she thought it looked the best. Ercella smiled small and agreed with Madame Roselina.

“It looks good on you.”

Vicente looked somewhat sullen by her praise. The current situation felt uncomfortable to him. Ercella noticed that it was her first time visiting a haberdashery, and so was the case for Vicente.

It’s the first time for the both of us.

Thinking that, Ercella smiled brightly.

“You look good in black.”

He had such a handsome profile that he looked good in anything. He is tall and has long legs for his age, so he looks great in anything he wears.

Ercella was having fun choosing clothes because he looked good in everything he wore but decided to finally quit because she felt bad for him. That’s because she no longer could ignore his persistent stare.

“Second, third, sixth. Let’s just go with these three.”

“Yes, madam. Please wait a minute.”

She felt it was not enough to buy only one, so she roughly picked up a few more, but gave up after seeing Vicente’s cold eyes. Roselina smiled brightly and went into the room inside the store. While waiting, Ercella wondered what else she could buy.

Well, why don’t we just find something that matches the clothes?

It would be nice to call a designer tailor next time. He can look at the catalog and choose more comfortably.

Or would he like it if I bought him a sword?

This time, she thought about what Vicente would want and not what she wants to buy. She thought it would be nice to buy a sword for a kid who wanted to be a knight, but she groaned when she thought Harsen would already have prepared a good sword on his own.

I think he’d like to get a sword the most… I wanted to bring the sword which was granted to the Marquis by the king, but obviously her brother Caron would drive her out, treating her as a traitor to his family.

Then what would he like me to buy?

She suddenly felt a gaze when she was agonizing over one thought after another. Vicente was staring at Ercella again. Ercella met his eyes with a friendly smile.

“Why?”

“No.”

The answer was insufficient.

Hmm, I think he had something to say.

What she learned from her interaction with Vicente was that he didn’t reveal his thoughts very well. He never speaks recklessly and never gets ahead of himself. He is always reserved and polite, never crossing the line.

It may be simply due to his inability to trust her or being cautious of her, but Vicente seemed to be that kind of person himself. Ercella laughed for a second because he looked like Harsen.

“What are you laughing so hard about?”

Her laugh must have bothered Vicente. Ercella said with a haggard look.

“You take after your father, Harsen, a lot.”

“Do you not like it?”

“No way.”

You don’t look like me.

Ercella couldn’t bear to say that. Even though he inherited her blue eyes, she was sad by the contrast of its color. They don’t resemble hers.

It was not Vicente’s fault, but her own. She herself made Vicente like that. Fortunately, he moved on without saying further. He seemed to know that she would not answer even if he asked.

“Madam, all done.”

“Would you wait here for a minute?”

“Okay.”

At her call, Ercella approached the cashier leaving Vicente behind. Roselina presented the carefully packed suits in front of Ercella.

“How would you like to pay? Should I charge it to the family?”

“That would be better.”

Ercella said so, signed the paper in front of her and stamped the seal of her family. Roselina was checking the documents carefully when her eyes grew round.

“You’re from Bernhardt! Are you the Duchess?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, my God! Actually, I was a bit unsure when I first saw you. It would be better to call you brother and sister, not mother and son! I must be getting old. You’re as beautiful as I’ve heard.”

“That’s too much praise.”

“It’s not too much!”

As Roselina was ecstatic, Ercella smiled humbly.

I always get embarrassed when I’m called beautiful, but I didn’t hate it, so if it’s polite, I don’t mind it.

Roselina looked at Ercella carefully and smiled meaningfully.

“You look younger with your hair down.”

“Oh….”

Ercella’s cheeks were flushed. She didn’t have to be wary of Madame’s attitude, but she was worried.

“Soon a lot of noblewomen will be arriving at the capital.”

Roselina’s small lips went up smoothly, drawing a line. It was a faint smile that yearns for something, not a business smile like before.

“Excuse me, can I touch it once?”

“Sure, madam.”

Roselina, upon her permission, slowly began to brush her hair away. The gentle touch reminded Ercella of her mother’s touch.

The loving Marchioness used to brush Ercella’s hair when she was a child. Ercella seemed vaguely aware of how Roselina was looking at her. Roselina smiled dully.

“…I had a daughter. She’s dead now. That child was such a brat, but got calm after marriage. The child that became someone’s wife, supported him and smiled brightly in people’s memories felt unfamiliar to me. She was always my little girl to me.”

“…….”

It is not a look longing for what Ercella has, but the mother’s affectionate and sincere gaze toward her child. It was strange. She could feel the age on Madame’s face, which looked young with heavy makeup until a while ago.

The old lady looked her age now. Ercella unconsciously thought she looked better now. The thought was opposed to her old idea of pursuing youth and beauty, but she did not notice.

Just then Roselina smiled, raising the corners of her mouth even more.

“It looks good on you.”

They were simple words without any exaggeration, but the words tickled Ercella’s chest as if a cool breeze blew through the depths of a valley into a river.

* * *

She left the clothes she bought with Lianne and went to buy some more. She chose gloves made of a lightweight material, a woolen hat, and shoes that match with the suits. Most of the items were picked from Ercella’s perspective, that’s why they were bought.

“Should I buy this?”

“Okay.”

“How about this?”

“It’s all right.”

“Which do you prefer, black or green?””

“I don’t really care.”

His stern answers made her feel cold.

Although Vicente didn’t reject Ercella’s excessive gift showering, he seemed to have no intention of using them.

Ercella pouted her lips but tried to buy him earrings he can always wear, just as Lianne suggested. However, it was the first time that Vicente had refused.

Vicente’s schedule ended earlier but the sun already went down, even though she just shopped for a bit. The sunset cast the evening sky with yellow and red colours.

Vicente’s black hair that always looked ebony, briefly showed a warm hue. As his impression softened a little, Ercella laughed again.

Today, I laughed a lot.