[Check Out My P4treon For +50 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! And get chapters before publishing them here for free on my p4treon][https://p4treon.com/roooaaa]
===
The moment Allen and Hilda's eyes met—
Before anyone realized, Philip had already lowered his gaze back to Hilda. Her gentle smile and the genuine happiness in her expression reflected in his pupils.
He fell silent for a moment.
Then turned his head.
Glanced at Allen again.
A flicker of confusion flashed in his eyes.
Philip blinked.
The confusion vanished—
As if it had never existed.
Raising a hand to massage his temples wearily, he spoke.
"Since you're awake, I'll take my leave first. There's still some city affairs to handle… Should I call Lilia back for you?"
"No need~ Arefa can manage. Dear, you should rest if you're tired, or tend to your duties if you must."
"Mm. Understood."
Philip's voice was soft. He tilted his head slightly, casting one last glance at Allen.
Then turned.
Nodded at Arefa, who stood bowing behind him.
Crossed the parlor, reached the door, and stepped outside.
Pivoted, gripping the handle.
The door slowly closed with a quiet click.
His field of vision narrowed as the gap between the door and its frame shrank—
Until only a sliver remained.
Within that sliver—
Two figures stood.
Hilda.
And Allen.
The door shut completely.
Philip stared at the wooden barrier he had just closed, silent for a beat.
Then walked away, heading toward the reception room he often used as an office.
"Mother! I've gotten much better at the foxtrot! I'm still improving!"
The moment Philip left, Eris immediately spoke up. Her tone wasn't her usual boisterous shout—though her face was bright with excitement, her demeanor felt unnatural.
Stiff, even.
She was clumsily trying to cheer up Hilda, who still seemed unwell.
Edna had been on paid leave for a long time now.
Ever since Hilda took over as their etiquette teacher in late October, she had grown fond of this "new" role. She arrived half an hour early every evening, sometimes even before dinner, waiting in the classroom for their lessons.
At first, Hilda had been stern during these sessions, often frowning as if fully immersed in her duty as an instructor.
But as time passed—
Her smiles became more frequent.
And after she fell ill—
Their etiquette lessons naturally moved to Hilda's bedroom.
Why did she insist on teaching despite her condition?
As she put it—
"Eris' tenth birthday banquet is just over a month away. To think she mastered the foxtrot in just two weeks… How wonderful. Now I don't have to worry, but make sure to practice daily to maintain it."
Her voice carried a trace of exhaustion. As she tried to sit up, Eris' eyes widened, and she hurried to Hilda's side, carefully supporting her.
"Okay~"
Once Hilda was settled, Eris suddenly grabbed Allen's hand beside her, raising it high in a triumphant gesture.
"Then will Mother inspect my progress today?! I've been practicing every night!"
Hilda chuckled, glancing at Allen—
Only to find him staring at the sofa.
The thick blanket that had been covering Hilda had shifted when she sat up, revealing scraps of fabric and sewing needles underneath.
Noticing his gaze, Hilda smiled.
"No need for a review today. You were already perfect yesterday."
Eris froze, momentarily at a loss. She didn't know how else to lift her mother's spirits.
Just as her face twisted in frustration—
Hilda's eyes curved into crescents as she looked at Allen.
Then she said:
"I was worried about time, so I started preparing your banquet attire long ago. Last night, I finally finished. So today, instead of dancing, let's have a fitting."
"That way, if adjustments are needed, there's still over a month to make them."
As soon as the words left her mouth—
The sound of rolling wheels echoed.
Everyone turned to see Arefa pushing a wheeled clothing rack toward them, a white dust cover draped over it.
The rabbit-eared maid bowed, then slowly pulled the cloth aside.
On the rack—
Four outfits hung.
A pure white evening gown, like clouds, with a silver pendant necklace and a low-cut design.
A fiery red dress, vibrant as the sunrise, adorned with ruffled collars and elegant tassels.
A deep blue short suit, its herringbone stitching meticulous, styled like an academy uniform.
A sleek black tailcoat, dignified and refined, with a silver chain adorning its chest pocket.
Eris' mouth fell open. Her earlier uncertainty vanished.
Without hesitation, she stepped forward—
Completely bypassing the low-cut gown.
Instead, she grabbed the red tasseled dress, holding it up against herself and turning to show Hilda.
"Is this mine?! Mother, you're amazing!"
She wasn't particularly interested in clothes—her enthusiasm was purely to make Hilda happy.
As for the revealing gown?
Eris generously decided to leave it for Sylphie.
If I choose fast enough, that restrictive dress won't catch me!
A lady shouldn't wear something so hard to move in!
Meanwhile, Sylphie—who had been anxiously glancing between Hilda and Allen these past days—widened her eyes as Eris instantly claimed the red dress, leaving her "no choice."
Hilda had already informed her two weeks ago, with a smile, that she would be wearing the white gown (specially adjusted in certain areas).
So she was mentally prepared.
But—
R-Right now?!
H-Here?!
Beside the rack, Rudeus naturally picked up the navy-blue short suit. He didn't need to deliberate—the size difference between him and Allen made it obvious which was his.
Running his fingers over the fabric, he marveled at the fine stitching, genuinely impressed.
To think Lady Hilda, the mayor's wife, has such skilled hands…
"The needlework is exquisite. Did you sew these yourself, my lady? That's incredible."
Hilda nodded with a smile, then glanced at Sylphie.
"I originally planned a white dress for Eris, but since Sylphie's gown is also white, I made this tasseled dress instead. I assumed you wouldn't like the constraints of an evening dress either, right?"
"Thank you, Mother!"
At those words, Sylphie stiffened further.
Her eyes darted to Allen.
By the rack—
Allen's hand rested on the garment unmistakably meant for him: a long, double-breasted tailcoat befitting nobility.
His gaze lowered.
No one had ever handmade clothes for him before.
Let alone something this intricate—
Just touching the stitching told him it must have taken considerable time.
How long did she spend on this?
And when did she even measure my proportions?
Yet somehow—
It looked like it would fit perfectly.
===
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 260 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 60 power stones I will publish the next chapter.