CHAPTER 52 - LIAM WANTS TO INVEST IN FASHIONLiam sat in a boutique with tea served before him. His eyes saw the broken cane in his hand and felt so annoyed. His cane's handle was gone, and his body ached all over. He didn't want the man from the empire to see his weakness, so he immediately left.
Luckily he still had the energy to reach the boutique near the city roundabout and rest here for a while. However, it was clear that he troubled the shopkeepers with his presence.
It was a women's boutique, but he sat here shamelessly amid the other female customers. After gathering the energy to speak, Liam pointed to some long skirts and white blouses, as well as some jackets for women.
"Send it to Almandine Castle and collect the money under the Old Duke's name," Liam said flatly.
The boutique employees shuddered to feel the presence of the only man in the place. He seemed to be in a very bad mood, but some of them recognized him as the man walking the streets this morning with a woman. Of course, they automatically want to know the identity of this handsome and aloof long blonde-haired man.
"Sire, is there anything else you need?" asked the boutique owner, an old woman with a slightly bent back. It was almost sure that this old woman was used to working in front of the sewing machine, looking at her flat shoes and all the items she carried on her body.
"Tell me which boutiques down this street need money," Liam said then.
The boutique owner blinked in confusion.
"Spread the notice that Almandine wants to invest in any boutique in town that requires financial support under certain conditions. Madam Almandine will request custom fashion designs in her spare time, and she also wants some talented designers to come under her leadership," explained Liam.
"M-Madam Almandine?" asked the boutique owner.
Liam just nodded.
"Madam Almandine," the man secretly smiled.
Liam had gathered his strength and slowly got up from his seat, causing everyone to immediately stop their work.
"Look for a man named Daniel from Almandine Castle. He will explain the details," Liam said and walked out of the boutique.
He was satisfied, but he really still wanted to make things easier for the already busy Harriet. Daniel alone was not enough because he had also assigned the man to help him find medical books from the east.
Who could help Harriet?
***
"Eh?"
Miriam blinked her empty eyes in confusion. Those navy blue eyes stared at the varied dresses in front of her. Harriet sat next to her with a sweet smile.
"Miriam, me and your brother-in-law, Young Lord Almandine, were shopping in town. I can't go home without buying you anything, so I secretly asked them to pack something that fits your size," said Harriet softly.
The petite young girl looked at Harriet with a headache. Her beautiful sister-in-law kept on buying her dresses and sending her jewelry, and lately, it seemed like there was no end to it. Miriam was helped by her maids, already busy sorting and storing everything in her closet room, and Harriet was still adding more work to them.
"I'm sure everything will suit you. Yes, everything," said Harriet, nodding in satisfaction.
"Sister… uhh…" Miriam was unsure how to express her concern. It was not that she was ungrateful, but…
"Yes, Miriam?" Harriet's smile shone brightly in Miriam's eyes, dazzling the young girl.
"I… feel uncomfortable accepting all of this. To suddenly give me all these things is really a shock to me, even now, Sister," Miriam said quietly.
"Ah…" Harriet looked at Miriam with concern. "Tell me, what makes you uncomfortable?"
"Ummm…" Miriam looked doubtful. She explained, "You know, after I arrived here, I didn't do anything and I felt like a useless person… and accepting all this without doing anything, I feel guilty, Sister."
"Oh..." Harriet nodded in understanding. She replied, "But I give gifts and presents not because you've done anything to get them. It was because I want to buy my beautiful sister-in-law beautiful things.".
Miriam tilted her face in confusion.
"You know how happy I am to have a little sister? My little brother's fashion sense is very different from mine. He only wants to wear two colors, black and white, and refuses to wear any other color. But, my dear sister, I can see you fit in any color and you will look beautiful in all of them," said Harriet with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Ah…" Miriam laughed blandly after that. She was actually shocked at how extravagant Harriet had been for her. It didn't matter if Harriet bought things for herself, but if Harriet bought Miriam this much, she felt uncomfortable.
"Actually, Miriam, you helped me," said Harriet. She added, "By watching you wear all these dresses, I can see different sides of fashion in different body types. See, our body types are very different, right?"
That was true. Harriet was tall with sensual curves that were clearly visible. Full and plump chest, slender body, plump hips and thighs, long legs, angular shoulders. But Miriam was small and short, with a petite face, although her chest and buttocks were indeed quite full, in proportion to her height.
"I want to take you to the capital so we can shop together…" Harriet muttered under her breath, and her piercing eyes gave Miriam goosebumps. "With your body shape, you can wear a lot of pretty lace and flared sleeves. Even colorful floral prints would suit you very well.".
"Ah… am I really helping you, Sister? Do you own fashion business?" asked Miriam innocently.
Harriet chuckled.
"I don't have one, but I have many good acquaintances. The fashion business takes a lot of time, and unfortunately, I haven't had time for all of that," explained Harriet.
Miriam nodded slowly and understood. "Sister, if you are busy with your work, you can ask me to help you with whatever I can. I will study, so don't worry," said the young girl.
Harriet stroked Miriam's head affectionately.
"Of course, I'll ask you to help me," said Harriet then, and the light in Miriam's eyes sparkled even more at that.
Just as the two finished talking, Miriam's bedroom door opened, and Heath appeared.
"Oh, good afternoon, Sister, Miriam," said the young man.
Harriet smiled, and Miriam stood up to greet her husband.
"Old Duke?" asked Harriet.
"He's waiting for you and Miriam in his room," Heath replied.
"All right," Harriet stood up and smoothed her skirt. She had changed into a very beautiful dress decorated with jewels in every inch. Miriam had been the same way all along, and Harriet was still adding another hair ornament to the young girl's temple.
Only then, do the two of them walk side by side following Heath who was leading the way.
It was time for them to talk about the problem of the West Continent.