“That’s a servant’s job, I’ll make the arrangements. Just think about what you want to wear, young lady.” (Mina)
Oh, really? I thought, however, when I think about it calmly, I had many beautiful dresses made for me during the six months I lived in the main residence of the dukedom after I was freed from the imprisonment, but I didn’t do anything by myself. I just wore the new dresses that were made before I knew it.
And as far as I can remember…… it didn’t look very good on me. I’m not sure what kind of challenger put me in a bright yellow dress with lots of frills when my hair was indigo, and I looked mature for my age.
The way it should be done is that when I need a dress, the maids and butlers call the designer, and I tell the designer what kind of dress I want, and if I like the design, then I will order it.
After serving us dinner, Mina went out for a while and made an appointment with a popular designer in the imperial capital. He’s coming to the Duke’s residence tomorrow.
Isn’t it great that I can get an appointment for the next day the night before? Our beautiful maid is too talented.
Well, maybe it’s also the prestige of the Duke of Yurinova.
And so, I immediately had a meeting with the designer. The designer was Camilla Croze, an up-and-coming young woman in her thirties with greenish-silver hair that was intricately tied up in a slender bun.
When I suggested that she sit on a chair, she was very surprised, so I wondered if a duchess was supposed to have a meeting with a designer standing up, and I didn’t feel comfortable with something like that. So, I suggested it again, and we sat across the table in front of each other.
Camilla was relieved when I told her that the costume was for welcoming the royal family and that I wanted the design to be simple enough not to be inappropriate.
“If it is your lady’s beauty, it would be better to keep it simple. The current trend is to use the beauty of the fabric in the design, which is exactly what you need. I have some wonderful fabric samples that I think will suit you, silk fabric of the highest quality, imported from the far east. I’m sure you’ll like it.” (Camilla)
“About that. Actually, I have some fabric I’d like to use.” (Ekaterina)
As if on cue, Mina quickly spread out a few pieces of cloth on the table. These were given to her by Halil this morning.
“I wonder if you’ve ever heard of the Heavenly Blue.” (Ekaterina)
All the cloths are a variation of blue. The darkest color is a deep blue, or lapis lazuli. The color is deep, yet transparent, as if the most beautiful moment of the dusk was captured.
I fell in love with it at first sight! The lighter blues are also very beautiful, like the sky in spring or the zenith of the summer sky, where the highest universe can be seen through!
The heavenly blue is produced by crushing lapis lazuli from the duchy of Yurinova and using it as a dye or pigment. This is why this cloth is so expensive. The cost of making a dress in the most expensive and darkest color would probably exceed the average annual income of a commoner.
I knew that lapis lazuli was used as a dye for cloth and pigments for paints in my past world. The blue name means “ultramarine” in English, which could also mean “something that came from across the ocean”. Lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan, thus in Europe, it was a blue that would come from beyond the Mediterranean Sea.
In our world, this blue has a name that directly translates to Heavenly Blue. I don’t know who named it, but it’s beautiful, so good job!
“I know the Heavenly Blue, but……” (Camilla)
Camilla’s eyes were glued to the fabric.
“This is the first time I’ve seen such an even and stunning coloration. Is there something special about it?” (Camilla)
“Yes, it’s dyed not only with lapis lazuli, but also with an alternative dye found in our territory.” (Ekaterina)
