Inside the carriage.
Aier kept her head down in silence, while Ailei, though sitting properly the whole time, couldn’t stop glancing at her.
When the silence grew so heavy that even the sound of horse hooves outside became jarring, Ailei finally broke it.
“Want to know how to please the Duke?”
“Eh?” Aier lifted her head stiffly, clearly not understanding why Ailei suddenly came out with such a question.
Ailei always gave off the impression of being quiet and reserved, so this directness was unexpected.
Compared to her demeanor in the castle, Ailei seemed less rigid after leaving it, her expressions a little more lively.
Maybe she wasn’t a cold person after all—maybe Aier had just been judging her by her appearance, stuck in her own stereotypes?
At this moment, a faint smile appeared on Ailei’s face. “As her personal Butler, I know more about her habits and preferences than most people. For example, her personality, or how to cater to her likes.”
“Then, may I ask what kind of person… the master is?” Aier pushed down her embarrassment and asked the question she truly cared about.
Honestly, calling Xie Yier “master” in front of others felt like she was openly admitting, “I’ve been kept as a pet.”
It was just too shameful, something she’d rather not let anyone see.
But this Butler Ailei would find out sooner or later anyway… She might have already guessed that Aier was someone Xie Yier brought back as her pet, so what was the point in pretending?
Aier felt helpless. Aier wanted to cry.
Thankfully, Ailei didn’t say anything about the “master” topic. She just asked calmly, “How old are you this year?”
Aier thought: Don’t answer a question with another question!
Ailei explained, “I need to know this. It’ll affect some of my suggestions.”
Despite her complaints, Aier answered honestly, “Se-seventeen.”
A look of surprise flashed across Ailei’s face. She hadn’t expected Aier to be older than she’d guessed—she thought Aier was only fourteen.
Maybe it was because Aier looked so petite that she’d misjudged.
But this was good. Seventeen… that’s legal~
Ailei narrowed her eyes slightly, as if she’d just learned some important information, leaving Aier dumbfounded.
“Listen.” Ailei lowered her voice. “The Duke has a serious cleanliness obsession and OCD. Last week, a maid touched her dressing table without permission…”
She paused meaningfully, then continued, “That maid is still lying in the hospital.”
Aier sucked in a cold breath.
Th-this is too much, isn’t it?
“Th-then what should I…”
Ailei raised her finger. “Remember three things. First, always get up earlier than her—don’t let her think you’re lazy. Second, don’t offer her any opinions unless she asks. Third…”
She suddenly leaned in and whispered, her breath cool against Aier’s ear, “When you two get intimate, you can pretend to resist a little, but not be able to escape. It satisfies her desire to conquer.”
Ailei gave her advice.
“Mm…” Aier nodded stiffly.
Actually, there was no need to pretend—whenever Xie Yier wanted to bully her, she instinctively resisted.
So, her resistance actually had the opposite effect, making that woman even more excited?
Aier: “……”
As the sound of hooves on the stone-paved road grew clearer, the carriage jolted less as they entered a new area.
They had arrived at the Royal Capital’s “Central District.”
The carriage rolled over the Central District’s polished stone roads, the sound of the wheels echoing between the grand buildings.
Through the carved carriage window, Aier saw the golden sign of the “Golden Scissors” tailor shop sparkling in the sunlight.
“We’re here.” Ailei got out first, her silver hair fluttering gently in the breeze.
When the shop door opened, the brass bell chimed crisply.
Aier was immediately dazzled by the walls of silk—the fabrics flowed across the display racks like rainbows, each bolt shimmering with the unique luster of nobility.
“This Miss needs several sets of everyday wear tailored.” Ailei showed the Old Tailor the gilded seal. “Use the highest standards.”
A flash glinted on the Old Tailor’s spectacles as he arranged for his female assistant to take Aier’s measurements.
The so-called female assistant was actually the Old Tailor’s daughter, a big sister who looked to be in her twenties.
When the big sister took out her tape measure, Aier unconsciously took half a step back, her back pressing against a cold marble pillar.
“Please relax, Miss.” The big sister’s voice was gentle. “Just taking your measurements.”
Like I’d believe that! Your eyes are obviously sparkling!
When the cold tape touched her skin, Aier bit her lip.
When the tape reached her waist, the big sister suddenly tutted, “A waist of only sixteen inches? I’ll have to alter so many patterns… And your bust…”
“Is there a problem?” Ailei asked.
“No, not at all.” The Old Tailor smiled and explained, “It’s just that her frame is so petite, even the standard petticoat frames won’t fit…”
Aier’s ears burned with embarrassment.
Especially… her flat chest, with only the slightest rise.
She wasn’t completely flat, but definitely had little to show—a pitiful A-cup, with no feminine assets at all.
Even her sickly younger sister was bigger than her.
She felt a little inferior—seventeen already, and still this “small.”
Aier couldn’t help thinking of Xie Yier’s boing-boing grandeur. Compared to her, Xie Yier was a veritable giant.
Damn it… I could use padding too!
Aier couldn’t help letting her imagination run wild!
Now it was time for padded daydreams!
But, no matter how much she padded, it would never look natural or in harmony.
That beautiful silhouette, whether viewed from the side or the front, needed to be natural.
Damn it! It must be because of women like her that, when the goddess molded the next person, she ran out of clay and had to skimp on the chest.
That’s right! Aier was the victim of this skimping.
“Please hurry…” Aier whimpered, her voice barely audible, sneaking a glance at Ailei, who was jotting something in her account book.
On the paper was written “Corset requires special order” and “Petticoat frame two sizes smaller.”
Why are you writing that down? And where did you even get that notebook?
Even in her shame, Aier couldn’t help complaining inwardly.
When the tape measure circled her ankle, Aier finally couldn’t help but protest softly, “Shoes… do you have to measure those too?”
“Of course.” The Old Tailor didn’t even look up. “Since this is a custom order from the Duke, even the sock fasteners must be made to fit.”
This torment lasted quite a while.
When they finally left the tailor shop, Aier dove into the carriage like a startled rabbit.
“So cute and silly.”
Ailei’s teasing made Aier even more embarrassed, burying her face deep in the soft seat.
“Next stop, ‘Star Tear.’” Ailei tapped the carriage wall and gave the order to the driver.
As the carriage started up again, only the soft rumble of the wheels remained inside.
Ailei’s gaze fell on Aier’s tightly twisting fingers clutching her skirt. “Nervous?”
“A-a little…” Aier’s voice was barely a whisper. “Those jewels… what if I break something…”
For once, a hint of a smile tugged at Ailei’s lips. “I’m less worried about you paying for damages than about you being dazzled by the sparkling gems.”