TEOGDA Chapter 7

“Your Grace, I apologize for the late greeting.”

“Forget the formalities. Where are you going?”

“I’m going to the boutique over there. If you’ll excuse me.”

There was only one option.
Run—run with everything she had.

As she turned, Kaithan removed his cloak and draped it over her exposed shoulders.

“If you run now, those men will follow.”

“But…”

“Stay still, and I’ll take you there.”

With Kaithan’s hand gently guiding her like an escort, Raina had no choice but to go with him.
As he walked beside her, the men who had been watching quietly slipped back into Laorde.

Once they reached the door of the boutique safely, Raina handed the cloak back to Kaithan.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

Even after Raina offered her polite farewell, Kaithan didn’t move.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“I have business here too.”

Raina looked around, flustered.
Of all places, he had business at the same boutique?
If they went inside, he’d see her without her mask.
Worse than that, he’d find out she was the eldest daughter of the Rosebird family.

Pale-faced, eyes fixed on the floor, Raina heard his deep voice.

“Ladies first.”

Kaithan gave an exaggerated bow and gesture, and Raina hurried inside.

“Welcome! Oh my, this is unbelievable!”

The boutique owner gasped dramatically upon seeing Raina.

“What brings you to such a humble place?”

“Pardon?”

Despite Raina’s confusion, the owner gave no reply.

“Your Grace, just say the word.”

Only then did Raina realize the owner was addressing the man behind her.

“Never mind me, help this young lady first.”

“Oh, yes.”

Finally, the owner looked directly at Raina.

“Miss, how can I help you?”

“Well…”

Raina spoke in as quiet a voice as possible.

“I’m here to pick up a dress I was supposed to collect today…”

“May I have your name?”

“I’m Raina, eldest daughter of the Rosebird family.”

She whispered, making sure the Grand Duke couldn’t hear her.

“Oh, Rosebird family?”

The owner spoke loudly, and Raina’s face crumpled with embarrassment.

“That’s strange, I don’t have any reservation under that name.”

“What?”

“That can’t be! I was supposed to wear that dress to attend the Debutante Ball tonight!”

“The Debutante Ball? Hasn’t that already started?”

“Exactly. That’s why I’m here to change quickly and head there. A carriage will be arriving soon.”

“Let me check…”

The owner went to the back and brought out the order book.

“Yes, the Rosebird family did order two dresses. But we’ve already sent both. One was returned for a refund.”

“Which one?”

“The pink frilled dress.”

“Yes, that’s the one I’m supposed to wear tonight.”

“Well, it was returned. They claimed it didn’t fit. They made such a fuss about it too, demanding a refund, shouting and blaming the boutique for everything — never mind that it didn’t fit their daughter.”

Raina stomped her feet in frustration.
She had expected difficulties in attending the Debutante Ball, but she never imagined she’d face something like this.

“My mother clearly told me I was to wear that dress tonight. Maybe it was a last-minute decision, and she didn’t explain it properly.”

“Even so, I can’t give you that dress.”

“Why not?”

“I already told you — it wasn’t paid for.”

“My mother will pay for it tomorrow. Please, just give me the dress.”

“That’s not my concern.”

The shop owner, as if Raina were no longer worth his attention, stepped forward and bowed deeply to Grand Duke Kaithan.

“My apologies, Your Grace. I was being far too loud. This young lady must have misunderstood something. Now, please tell me what you desire.”

“Shopkeeper.”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

“Give the lady what she wants.”

“But the dress hasn’t been paid for—”

“You dare to talk money in front of me?”

“O-of course not!”

The shopkeeper quickly bowed low again, then suddenly lifted his head in realization.

“Oh my! Are the two of you… acquainted?”

His eyes widened.

“Stop with the pointless talk.”

“Ah… Yes, of course.”

Raina looked up at Kaithan, startled.
It was unexpected, but she wasn’t in a position to question it.
For now, it was best to thank him.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“You’re welcome.”

Earlier, he had seemed terrifying, but with a smile, he looked… different.

“Please, follow me, Lady Raina Rosebird.”

“Yes.”

Raina followed the shopkeeper inside.
There had been some trouble, but she could bear this much.

The pink dress the owner brought from the back was beautiful.
Raina’s face lit up as she removed her mask.

“Oh my, with the mask off, you’re a true lady. At first, I thought you were some odd person. Why did you come dressed like that?”

“There were… circumstances.”

“What kind of circumstances?”

“……”

“Alright, none of my business. So, will you be changing into the dress now?”

After Kaithan had spoken, the shopkeeper’s demeanor became noticeably polite.

“Yes.”

“Let me help you.”

Raina quickly removed the red dress.
It was torn in several places.

“What should I do with this dress?”

“Please throw it away.”

Raina hated the fact that she had even worn such a dress.
She hurried into the pink dress.

“My goodness, so lovely. The true beauty of this country is indeed the eldest daughter of the Rosebird family.”

Fully dressed in the pink frilled gown, Raina looked stunning.

“Your hair could use a little tidying.”

Her beautiful, thick blonde hair flowed down past her waist, but it was slightly tangled.

“There’s no time.”

“True, but even as you are, you look wonderful. Let me brush it just once — it won’t take long.”

“Alright, thank you.”

The shopkeeper gently brushed Raina’s hair with a soft brush.

“Just look at this shine. Are you attending the Debutante Ball tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Once the noble sons see you, they won’t know what hit them.”

The shopkeeper continued to pile on the compliments, clearly trying to make up for earlier.

“After you marry, you must continue using our boutique.”

“Yes, I will.”

“There, all done. You are absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful.”

Dressed in her pink gown, Raina paused at the door, hesitant.

‘Is His Grace still out there?’

She fiddled with her mask for a moment but decided against putting it on.
Her identity was already exposed—there was no point in hiding now.

As expected, when Raina stepped outside, Kaithan was still standing there.

His gaze swept from the top of her head to her feet, then he gave a small, amused smile.

“You look much better than before.”

Ignoring his gaze, Raina anxiously checked the time.
It was already quite late.
She turned to the boutique owner.

“The carriage from the Rosebird family hasn’t arrived yet, has it?”

“No, I haven’t heard any word of it.”

“How much longer until the ball ends?”

“It should be over soon.”

Raina bit her lip, anxious.
Then, a smooth voice came from above her.

“Lady Raina, shall I take you to the ballroom?”

Kaithan spoke with a surprisingly kind smile, as if trying to ease a wary prey’s guard.

Raina hesitated.
To attend the Debutante Ball in the Grand Duke’s carriage… It was overwhelming.
But turning him down was just as difficult.
Even the dress situation hadn’t gone as Charlotte had promised.

She couldn’t keep waiting for a carriage that might never come.
If the ball ended, the Debutante Ball would be over.

‘Can I really accept this much help…?’