I Don't Know the Original, I'm Too Busy Trying to Make a Living

Chapter 81

“It doesn’t seem necessary to wear a coat. The dress is already heavy and thick.”

“Please don’t catch a cold and wear it anyway,” Giselle insisted.

The weather in the central continent was much milder than in Halo. Nevertheless, Giselle appeared concerned about Penelope’s health.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

“It’s me. Can I come in?”

“Come in.”

Ahwin opened the door and stepped inside. Dressed in a fresh spring suit, he looked so impeccable that he could have gone straight to the banquet hall as he was.

Ahwin cast a serious gaze at Penelope’s dress before clearing his throat belatedly.

“Breakfast is ready. Let’s eat quickly and get moving. We’ll be busy all day.”

“Understood.”

Penelope hurried to follow Ahwin.

After a simple breakfast, they left the house to find the city bustling with activity.

As befitted the imperial capital, people and carriages moved in a constant flurry. True to its reputation as a place where one might lose their wallet if they blinked, the expressions on people’s faces were cold and harsh.

Penelope’s entourage consisted of Giselle, two escort knights, and Ahwin.

The first place Penelope visited was Lirot’s Atelier, located in the heart of the city. Known for its exclusivity, the atelier had a two-month wait just to make an appointment.

When the carriage stopped in front of the atelier, Ahwin said something unexpected to Penelope.

“I’ll wait in the carriage.”

“Oh... Really?”

“I’ve made the reservation under your name. Just inform the staff when you arrive. Don’t worry about your safety—I’ll be keeping an eye on everything.”

“Oh... Alright.”

Penelope nodded hesitantly, realizing belatedly why Ahwin preferred to stay behind.

‘He probably doesn’t want to risk running into someone he knows.’

Since arriving in the capital, Ahwin had been avoiding attention quite openly. As the Tower Master, he had essentially disappeared from the public eye, and he likely wished to avoid any official appearances.

‘It’s probably because he doesn’t want to deal with those so-called followers of his.’

Though Penelope felt a bit uneasy about Ahwin not accompanying her into the atelier, she wasn’t so faint-hearted that she couldn’t choose a dress on her own.

“Well, I’ll be back.”@@@@

“Take your time.”

With that, Penelope resolutely opened the door to the atelier.

“Welcome.”

“I have a dress appointment under the name Penelope.”

“Ah, of course. Please, this way.”

The attendant greeted her warmly and led her inside.

Penelope left her two knights at the entrance and brought only Giselle with her. Understandably so, as the atelier was filled only with delicate-looking women.

Penelope replied indifferently.

Lenny’s lips curled ever so slightly into a smirk.

‘A noblewoman acting this petty?’

Lenny’s intentions were so transparent that Penelope found herself surprisingly calm. She didn’t even feel that it was worth responding.

Giselle, on the other hand, bit her lip in frustration, struggling to suppress her anger. Penelope turned away and entered the fitting room, with Giselle following behind.

Giselle’s practiced hands helped Penelope change into the new dress.

“What do you think?”

“She’s just awful. Someone like that deserves to have her mouth yanked shut.”

“I mean me, not her.”

“Oh! You look absolutely stunning, my lady! The most beautiful in the world!”

Penelope beamed at Giselle’s praise.

“That’s a relief. I think I like it too.”

Giselle bit her lip before nodding slightly, realizing that Penelope wasn’t planning to engage in a war of words with Lenny.

The two stepped out of the fitting room together.

But the atmosphere in the atelier had shifted. The noblewomen, who had been whispering and laughing at Penelope moments earlier, were now all staring at one spot.

“...!”

Penelope was taken aback. Ahwin had entered the atelier, his robe casually draped over one arm.

With every step he took, his fine golden hair swayed gently. His broad shoulders, long legs, and lean physique drew attention effortlessly, his presence exuding perfection. It was undeniable—he had been born to command people’s gazes.

Penelope quickly grew concerned.

‘He was so eager to avoid attention earlier—why is he here now?’

She hastened over to Ahwin, covering her mouth with her hand as she whispered to him.

“You said you’d wait outside. Why did you come in?”

“I just... wanted to see if the dress suited you.”

Ahwin’s eyes briefly met Penelope’s before dropping to the floor. He lowered his head awkwardly and then raised it again to look at her face. As time passed, the tips of his ears grew noticeably red.

“You’ve already changed into it?”

“Yes. Giselle picked it out for me, and I love it. After wearing a winter dress for so long, switching to a spring one feels so much lighter.”

“It... suits you well.”

Ahwin avoided her gaze as he spoke. The redness that had started at his ears spread to his face.

Feeling a bit flustered herself, Penelope wondered if she was reading too much into his behavior.

“...”

She suddenly became aware of the eyes fixed on her. Turning her head, she saw that the noblewomen who had been picking out dresses were now staring at her in astonishment. Lenny, in particular, looked almost shocked.

‘This is actually a bit fun.’

Penelope looped her arm through Ahwin’s and looked directly at Lenny with a bright smile. Lenny’s face flushed a deep red in response.