Chapter 102: the day before III

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: the day before III

The girls exchanged puzzled glances.

"Another one?" Claire asked.

At the seamstress’s signal, one of the assistants quietly stepped forward carrying another garment bag.

With practiced care, she unzipped it before drawing the cover aside.

Inside was another emerald gown.

The color was identical.

The silhouette remained unmistakably Vivienne’s.

Yet this version featured elegant embroidery sweeping gracefully across the bodice, delicate crystal embellishments that shimmered beneath the morning light, and refined beadwork woven delicately throughout the skirt.

For a brief moment...

The room fell silent once again.

Claire’s eyes widened.

"...Oh."

She took an unconscious step closer.

"Now this..."

"...This is stunning."

Amelia smiled almost immediately.

"This is exactly what I pictured."

Even Eleanor’s usually reserved expression softened.

"It certainly feels more like a traditional Founders’ Ball gown."

Claire slowly circled the mannequin, admiring the craftsmanship from every angle.

"The detailing is exquisite."

"The crystals catch the light beautifully."

Amelia nodded in agreement.

"I think this is more what I expected for tomorrow."

Only then did Vivienne’s head seamstress speak.

"Her Grace requested that we prepare a second gown as a precaution."

"In case Lady Vivienne wished to reconsider before tomorrow."

A quiet understanding settled over the room.

That...

Sounded exactly like the Duchess.

She had respected Vivienne’s decision without question, yet had quietly prepared another option should her daughter have a change of heart.

Claire looked from one gown to the other before turning back to Vivienne.

"...Vivienne."

"...Are you sure?"

Amelia smiled apologetically.

"I have to admit..."

"If it were me..."

"I’d probably choose this one."

"So would I," Eleanor admitted gently.

No one spoke after that.

Even Vivienne’s own attendants remained silent, waiting patiently for her decision.

Vivienne stepped toward the second gown.

For several moments, she simply admired it.

The embroidery had been executed beautifully.

Every crystal had been placed with remarkable care.

The craftsmanship was impeccable.

She smiled.

"It really is beautiful."

A few members of her household team exchanged relieved smiles.

"I’m glad you think so, Lady Vivienne."

Vivienne nodded.

"You’ve all done wonderful work."

The compliment drew quiet smiles from every member of the Beaumont team.

Then...

She turned.

Her hand came to rest lightly against the smooth emerald silk of the original gown.

No hesitation.

No uncertainty.

She smiled with quiet certainty.

"But..."

"This is still the one I want."

The room fell silent.

Claire looked from Vivienne...

...to the gown...

...then back again.

Finally, she let out a defeated little sigh.

"...All right."

She folded her arms before breaking into a grin.

"I sincerely hope you know something the rest of us don’t."

Amelia laughed.

"I was just about to say the same thing."

Even Eleanor smiled.

"I suppose we’ll have our answer tomorrow."

Vivienne’s smile widened ever so slightly.

"I suppose we will."

The head seamstress bowed respectfully.

"As you wish, Lady Vivienne."

At her instruction, the assistant carefully returned the second gown to its garment bag.

It was carried away just as quietly as it had arrived.

Before long, only the original emerald gown remained standing beside the others.

The senior stylists exchanged understanding glances before one of them clapped her hands together lightly.

"Very well."

"If the young ladies are ready..."

"Shall we begin?"

Almost immediately, the salon came alive once more.

Each family’s attendants moved gracefully toward their assigned preparation stations, while the four friends remained together, excitement gradually replacing the earlier uncertainty.

The final preparations for tomorrow had officially begun.

--

At once, the atmosphere shifted once more.

Dressmakers gently wheeled the four mannequins aside, making room for the preparations ahead, while attendants gracefully uncovered the first styling station.

Rows of velvet trays shimmered beneath the morning light.

Diamonds.

Pearls.

Emeralds.

Sapphires.

Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooches, and delicate hair ornaments rested upon dark velvet cushions, each family’s selections arranged separately but displayed side by side across the long polished tables.

Rather than standing apart, the four girls naturally gathered together before the display.

Claire’s eyes sparkled.

"...Now this is my favorite part."

Amelia laughed.

"I thought choosing the gown was your favorite."

"It was."

Claire nodded solemnly.

"Now this is my new favorite."

The room chuckled softly.

Mrs. Aldridge smiled as she stepped forward.

"Miss Claire."

"Shall we begin with your selections?"

Claire nodded.

"Let’s."

One by one, the attendants opened their respective cases.

Claire’s collection glittered with white diamonds accented by delicate sapphires.

Amelia’s displayed soft pearls alongside brilliant diamonds.

Eleanor’s favored understated elegance, featuring finely crafted platinum settings with modest diamonds.

Finally, Vivienne’s jeweler opened the last case.

Inside rested several carefully arranged sets.

One echoed the emerald of her gown.

Another combined emeralds with diamonds.

The last...

Contained only diamonds.

Claire looked immediately toward the emerald set.

"Those seem obvious."

"They were our original recommendation," Vivienne’s jeweler admitted.

"The gemstones complement Lady Vivienne’s gown beautifully."

Amelia nodded.

"I thought the same."

Vivienne studied the trays quietly.

Then...

She reached for the diamond set.

Claire blinked.

"...Already?"

Vivienne smiled.

"I’ve already decided."

Mrs. Aldridge looked curiously toward the diamonds before glancing at the emerald set.

"No emeralds at all?"

"None."

Claire folded her arms.

"First the simple gown."

"Now plain diamonds."

She looked dramatically toward Amelia.

"I think she’s trying to give all of us heart attacks."

Amelia laughed.

"I’m beginning to think so too."

Even Eleanor smiled.

"I’ll reserve judgment until tomorrow."

Vivienne only laughed.

"I appreciate your confidence."

"There wasn’t any confidence in that sentence," Claire replied.

"There was hope."

The girls burst into laughter.

Even several of the attendants struggled to hide their smiles.

Vivienne’s jeweler carefully held a pair of diamond earrings beside the emerald gown before nodding thoughtfully.

"...I must admit."

"The contrast is rather elegant."

"So you see it now?" Vivienne asked.

The jeweler smiled.

"I believe I’m beginning to."

Claire looked suspiciously between the earrings and the gown.

"I don’t."

Vivienne laughed.

"You don’t have to."

"Not yet."

Claire narrowed her eyes playfully.

"I don’t like it when you say ’not yet.’"

"It usually means you’re about to prove me wrong."

"I make no promises."

"That’s exactly what worries me."

Another wave of laughter swept through the salon.

One by one, the final jewelry selections were placed into their respective velvet cases.

Each was carefully labeled before being set aside for tomorrow.

Nothing would be left to chance.

Every piece had already been decided.

Mrs. Aldridge gently closed Claire’s jewelry case.

"Next..."

"The shoes and evening bags."

Claire groaned dramatically.

"Oh no."

"I have to choose all over again?"

"You’ve already narrowed it down to two pairs," Mrs. Aldridge reminded her patiently.

Claire sighed.

"Which means I still have two."

Amelia smiled knowingly.

"I somehow feel this is going to take a while."

Eleanor nodded.

"I was thinking the same."

Vivienne couldn’t help smiling.

"...We’re never making it to lunch, are we?"