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The next morning, Aleksei set off for the Imperial Palace, carrying the glass pens Ekaterina had given him.

.

The previous day, he had examined the Empress’ glass pens after receiving them from Ekaterina. He, too, was utterly amazed by this masterpiece.

“Your craftsmen seem to have improved their skills even further.”
“Do you think so too, Onii-sama? I’ve been so lucky to have met Lev!”

Saying this in a cheerful voice, Ekaterina suddenly had a thought. Wouldn’t the glass pen she’d given Aleksei pale in comparison to Her Majesty the Empress’? As his proud brocon younger sister, was that really acceptable?

“…I’d like to remake your glass pen as well, Onii-sama. I’m sure it would turn out even more magnificent now. I want you to have the very best.”

At those words, Aleksei smiled.

“I already have the very best. It’s the gift my dear sister gave me to celebrate my birthday. …Before that, I thought celebrating birthdays was foolish. Just another day, nothing more. But you taught me that what brings joy isn’t the day itself, but the fact that there are people who celebrate it with you.”

Aleksei reached out and touched Ekaterina’s indigo hair. He gently ran his fingers through it.
Aleksei’s glass pens come in two colors: his own hair color, light blue, and Ekaterina’s indigo.

“Every time I look at your glass pen, I remember that, and my heart warms. No matter how magnificent Her Majesty the Empress’ glass pens may be, the one you gave me is my most precious treasure.”

Looking up at her brother, Ekaterina’s large eyes filled with tears.

“Onii-sama… hearing those words makes me truly delighted.”

Waaah, I’m so happy!
He said seeing my gift warms his heart!
I guess it’s only natural since Onii-sama is a late-stage siscon, but I worked really hard and put my heart into that present. It makes me so happy to know he treasures it so much!

“I’ve spoken foolishly; please forgive me. The value of a thing is determined by the heart of the one who receives it. Knowing that my gift warms your heart makes me happy.”
“Please always be happy, my dear Ekaterina. For my greatest treasure, greater even than a glass pen, is your happiness.”

Saying this, Aleksei smiled faintly.

“It will be a little while from now, but I’ve invited a certain painter to dinner. He’s the artist who painted the portraits of Grandfather and I. I’d like you to join us for dinner and entertain him as well.”
“Yes, I’ll do as you wish, Onii-sama.”

Although she felt the topic had shifted abruptly from the present, Ekaterina replied enthusiastically.

.

After seeing Aleksei off, Ekaterina welcomed the guest she had promised to receive.

“Milady, thank you so much for inviting me!”

The guest who greeted her with high spirits was Kamila Croce, a dress designer.
She seemed to be riding a wave of incredible success right now. The dresses featuring Celestial Azure—the color Ekaterina had asked her to promote—had become all the rage, and since she was the first to introduce them, she was reportedly swamped with orders. Even the dress she was wearing seemed, if anything, more elaborate than before.
Even so, she seemed eager to come running whenever Ekaterina invited her.

“I’ve heard all about your success. Thank you so much for helping to promote our dyes.”
“Oh, please, that’s too kind… I’m the one who should be thanking you. Thanks to you, I’ve been able to expand the scope of my designs.”

Kamila’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she spoke. Ekaterina smiled.

“There were some of my grandmother’s dresses left in the estate as well.”
“I knew it…! Ah, no, well then—”
“I’ve had them sent here. They’re on display in the Dress Hall; please do take a look.”
“Thank you so much!”

Kamila bowed deeply.

That’s right. Ekaterina had sent the numerous dresses, which had been stored in the northeast wing of Jurnova Castle—where her grandmother Aleksandra had lived—to the Imperial Capital.
When she first discovered them, Ekaterina had wondered what to do with them, but she knew there was someone in the Imperial Capital who would definitely find them useful.

That person was the designer, Kamila. She would show them to her so she could use them as reference material for her designs.

In fact, she had previously shown Kamila the dresses her grandmother had kept at the imperial residence before having her classmates take them home.
Apparently, in the Imperial Kingdom, designers rarely have the opportunity to closely examine dresses other than their own creations. Come to think of it, designers aren’t allowed to attend evening parties where noblewomen in their finery gather. Exchanging information among designers is something business rivals would never do.
Apparently, dress designers typically apprentice under a master and inherit their mentor’s designs to some extent. But Kamila had made it on her own, relying solely on her own sensibilities without a mentor. Consequently, she said it was incredibly difficult until she finally found her footing.

When Ekaterina heard that, the image of the shaggy-haired violinist strumming the theme song from *The Passionate Continent* popped into her head.
Stories like this really hit a chord with her—it’s something that’s resonated since her past life.

Kamila has already established her own style, so if she were to outright rip off another designer’s work, it would only raise suspicion and do her no good. She simply absorbs it and uses it as fuel for her own sensibility. Logically, that’s how it works.
And improving her skills as a designer will also lead to increased sales of “Celestial Azure,” the product she uses. It’s a chance to expand Ekaterina’s advertising reach for free.

That’s why, before the garden party she hosted for her classmates, she invited Kamila over to show her the dress.
Kamila was so moved she was nearly in tears; she sketched the dress with incredible intensity and examined the construction of the parts that caught her interest. And that’s how she successfully broadened her design horizons. That likely contributed to her current meteoric rise.

This time, Kamila had the foresight to bring along two apprentices to serve as her assistants. For them, too, seeing so many dresses created by various designers would surely be a valuable learning experience. It might even contribute to the future of the Imperial fashion world.

“If there’s anything that catches your eye, feel free to take it home. I think it would be wonderful if you could use the materials to create new dresses.”
“No, I couldn’t possibly…!”
“Please, don’t be shy.”

To be honest, I’m at a loss as to what to do with them, so if the pile gets smaller, that’s a bonus.

“I’ve heard there are some in there that my grandmother never even tried on. They’re all so beautiful and crafted with such care—it’s such a pity. If even a part of them could be put to use and bring joy to someone who wears them, wouldn’t the dresses be happy too?”
“Oh, my lady…”

At Ekaterina’s words, tears welled up in Kamila’s eyes.

“To think of the dress and its maker in such a way… Every time I see you, my admiration for you only grows!”
“Oh, no, not at all.”

No, honestly, my real motive is just that I want to recycle unwanted dresses. I figure Kamila’s success will benefit my business, too. So when you get so moved, it just leaves me feeling flustered.

“Please, let me continue to design your dresses. I will devote my entire being to perfecting my craft so that I may be recognized as the designer who best brings out your beauty!”
“W-well, I look forward to it…”

Despite that little incident, Kamila and her apprentices energetically sketched dresses and returned home beaming with satisfaction.
And Aleksei returned from the imperial palace right on schedule.

“The glass pens were, as expected, very much to His Majesty’s liking. He was truly impressed.”
“Oh, how wonderful!”

In the lounge where they had spoken that morning, hearing those words the moment they sat across from each other, Ekaterina was overjoyed.

“Her Imperial Highness the Empress will surely be delighted as well. Since His Imperial Majesty was so certain of it, there’s no mistake.”

If her husband—who had always been so thoughtful in giving his beloved wife the finest gifts—was certain of it, then it must be true.

“His Majesty specified the elements to be incorporated into the glass pen, but apparently left the detailed design up to us. He remarked that the original design was wonderful, and that he hadn’t imagined such exquisite craftsmanship was possible with glass of this size.”
“Is that so? I am delighted that His Majesty has recognized Lev’s talent.”

To receive such high praise from His Majesty… a glass pen praised by the Emperor of the Imperial Empire, a major power in this world. This will be a tremendous selling point when the merchants who approached us assess its quality. Let’s have the royalty and nobility of various nations promote it.

Ekaterina was clearly inspired by the merchant Khalil.

Aleksei watched his delighted sister with a gentle gaze, but his expression suddenly grew serious.

“And I reported to His Majesty what happened in the domain.”
“……”

Ekaterina instinctively shifted in her seat.
What had happened in the domain must surely be the encounter with the Black Dragon—the Demon Dragon King Vladforen—a colossal dragon whose strength rivals that of an entire nation’s army. The encounter, and then—the marriage proposal.

“I compiled what I heard from you, along with the reports I received from Oleg and Mina, and presented it to His Majesty. He listened in silence, and then said this.”

*“Forming a bond with a dragon of such might would surely benefit the Empire. We could strengthen our military without effort. Even if we cannot actually command the dragon, it would serve as a deterrent to foreign nations.*
*“However, in my opinion, if I were to order Ekaterina to marry him, the Black Dragon might actually take offense. He likely meant that he has no intention of keeping a woman by his side whose heart does not belong to him.*
*“Therefore, should Ekaterina’s heart turn toward the dragon, so be it. If it does not, however, I shall not force the issue. It depends on Ekaterina’s heart—and that is fine.*
*“…To place the responsibility for our military defenses on a single young girl would be a stain to the Empire’s honor. The Empire is protected by my forces. That is how it should be, in my view.”*

“So that’s what he said…!”

So refined!

Well, it’s a judgment call. If we do something foolish and anger the Black Dragon, it’ll backfire—so it’s a cautious and sensible way of thinking. Relying on dragons, which are an uncertain factor, for military defense is something a ruler should avoid, I suppose.

And the Demon Dragon King would definitely tell me to go home if I showed up all shamelessly, claiming it was His Majesty’s order. He might even retort, “What the heck!”—a pretty standard kind of comeback.

A foolish monarch in the same situation might say something like, “Become a human sacrifice to win the Demon Dragon King over!” or “Let the dragon conquer our neighboring countries one after another!” Then the Demon Dragon King would get angry and destroy the Empire… Eek! I’m so glad His Majesty is such a wise emperor.

Still, the way he put it was so cool!
A stain on the Empire’s honor”… Ugh, my emperor is so cool. I’m so glad I’m a child of the Empire!

“I have renewed my loyalty to His Imperial Majesty. What generous words, and what a sound judgment!”
“Yes, I am of the same opinion. Once again, I wish to be the Imperial Family’s most loyal subject.”

Narrowing his neon-blue eyes, Aleksei smiles.

…Surely, depending on His Majesty’s decision, you weren’t planning to turn against him along with Jurnova, were you? Even for a brother who’s a total siscon, that’s going too far.
What’s scary is that I can’t tell for sure…

“By the way, about that…”

Aleksei cleared his throat softly.

“The Black Dragon… What do you think of him? From what I saw the other day, he certainly had a handsome appearance…”
“Oh dear, but you’re much more handsome, Onii-sama. You are the most handsome gentleman of all.”

Without a shred of hesitation, Ekaterina replied. No matter how exceptionally handsome the Demon Dragon King might be, for a total brocon that she is, could there be any other answer?

“I-I see.”

Aleksei visibly relaxed.

“You’re still such a child when it comes to things like this. If you ever find someone you want to marry, just tell me. You don’t have to worry about the dragons or anything else—I’ll grant you every wish.”
“Yes, thank you very much. I’ll do just as you say, Onii-sama.”

“Though that day will probably never come,” Ekaterina replied casually with that thought in mind.