I Became the Master of the Devil

“The neckline is decorated with top-of-the-line pearls to emphasize the feminine atmosphere.”

“Tsk, pearls. A gorgeous sapphire is more suitable for the princess. Can’t you see her dazzling blonde hair?”

Legion, who was clicking out his tongue at Lierra, stood in front of the mannequin. His madness could be felt in the dark circles that ran all the way down to his chin.

“We added wavy frills to the skirt and sleeves to emphasize a romantic and feminine beauty. This embroidery was also sewn by hand, stitch by stitch, using the applique technique.”

“Heeh, I would give it to the princess if it was her seventh birthday. It would be perfect because the design is very cute.”

Then, this time, Lierra sarcastically crossed her arms. The heat in the parlor felt not only hot but fierce.

That’s amazing. The dresses that the best designers of the time worked on were beautiful. Enough to satisfy even my discerning eye, which has penetrated the heavenly world through N lives.

“Everything is beautiful. As expected, the talented people whose names shine are different.”

I really meant it.

“But…”

Passing through the displayed dresses, I muttered regretfully.

“I would say it’s not practical.”

“Yes? Practical?”

The designers were buzzing for a moment.

In fact, dresses, especially evening dresses for parties, had to be pretty. The reason was that they used all kinds of methods to create a dress suitable for a body. But what is practical? Those were written on their facial expression.

“There have been many times when I almost splashed by water. If there are too many frills like this, it becomes dull and hard to avoid.”

“Ah, haha. Princess, no way. Who would do such a vulgar thing?”

Seriously? They’re like people who have never been splashed with wine on their faces. Living as various versions of villainess, being splashed with wine or black tea was a must.

“Um, you have to wear a corset and a crinoline to puff out the skirt.”

This time, I looked at the hoop skirt dress that Ayana made. The most popular design in the current capital was to tighten the upper body and puff out the skirt as much as possible.

“But Princess. To perfectly portray a dress’s beauty, you must endure the pain of having your bones crushed.”

Other designers nodded as if they agreed with her.

“Isn’t it a lady’s fate to endure pain and bloom into a beautiful flower?”

Lady’s fate? Well, it wasn’t wrong.

“Is there someone who has stood for eight hours wearing a corset, crinoline, bustle, three petticoats, a dress on top of that, and a fur even coat?”

“…”

“Are there any?”

The problem was that that wasn’t my goal.

This won’t do.

If I wanted a dress that was just pretty, all I needed was to choose a competent designer, just like now.

“These things are enough for me now. I expect more original and first-class creativity from you…”

My firm tone brought a tense silence to the parlor.

“Huh? This is a unique fabric.”

Naturally, I turned around and found the man stuck in the corner.

There he is.

Bergman Dietrich. Welcome, genius.

“This skirt maintains its shape perfectly even without any helper. What method did you use?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Bergman, who was standing like a coward, raised his glasses.

“I used a new material fabric that I developed myself.”

He didn’t expect me to talk to him.

“The fabric itself is stiff and firm, so it can maintain its shape without using any helper.”

“Oh, new material?”

I also like the new material. It smells like money just by listening to it.

“He probably developed new material because he didn’t have enough money to use expensive fabrics.”

“What would an architect who only deals with hard stones know about fabric?”

However, the designers’ gazes on the Bergman were harsh.

In fact, unlike them, Bergman was the top graduate of the Faculty of Architecture. It’s true that he’s working as a designer at a salon, but compared to these people, the salon he worked at was just a small shop.

“Even the design is extremely simple. An evening dress should naturally have abundant beauty.”

“It doesn’t have any jewels or any other embroidery.”

“It’s just like a slip you wear in bed.”

And certainly, his work wasn’t fashionable in the present empire. His simple design focused on emphasizing the silhouette of the body.

“I-I don’t think beauty necessarily requires extravagant puffiness and jewels.” Bergman glanced around and didn’t stop talking. “The more restrained the design, the more delicate and elaborate the tailoring it demands, and the elegant charm that comes from it…”

“Restraint? What do you mean by restraint?”

“Are you telling me you saved the fabric so much that you practically cut through the neck and back?”

In the end, Bergman’s eyes drooped. It felt like he was going to cry if you touched him.

“I like it. Especially, this neckline is very bold and elegant.”

“Princess!”

It was time to save this genius from his fragile mentality.

“Besides, I didn’t like my jewelry buried in the dress. You can’t tell if I wear a ruby necklace.”

I was more satisfied with the design because it was completely contrary to the current trend. The silhouette emphasizing the line would rather stand out among the young ladies who inflated their bodies like balloons.

“This dark red color is also mysterious.”

“Ah, you recognize it. I remembered Princess’s eye color and mixed the dye myself!”

“Really? I also like that you don’t have to wear a corset to wear this dress.”

“That’s right! How beautiful are the natural curves of the human body!”

They said that praise can make even a whale dance. Bergman’s tone became clear.

“Clothes need to understand the relationship between body and movement. I believe that we should make clothes that fit the body rather than making the body fit the clothes.”

As expected.

Bergman would later become a designer whose name will be remembered in history. This was thanks to the fact that his work, which was discovered after his death, caught the attention of the empress and caused a great stir. The dress that Luna, who became the crown princess in the original, would wear was also his.

Then what? He was having a hard time living, so he committed suicide.

But he died after suffering terrible hardships. In other words, he was an unlucky genius who was born in the wrong era and only saw the light after his death.

“What a talent. I also really like that belief. A genius recognizes another genius.”

“…Gasp.”

“You’re a genius.”

He froze as if he didn’t know he would be evaluated like this. His big glasses came down suddenly, revealing his cute eyes.

“What! I don’t understand!”

The designers protested, but it didn’t matter. Because I had already thought of a way to appease them.

“I can fit your dress right now, right? Because tomorrow is the welcoming ceremony.”

“Yes, yes, Princess!”

Bergman nodded his head vigorously. Seeing that, I smiled inwardly. Gotcha.

* * *

“Luna, you look great.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“You’ve never been in such a big social gathering before. Don’t be nervous and enjoy yourself.”

“Don’t worry, Your Grace. I will escort Luna by her side.”

“You’re very pretty, My Lady.”

“The dress suits you well.”

The servants standing around also praised Luna. Her bright pink hair and innocently designed dress made Luna’s vibe stand out even more.

“…Thank you.”

But Luna’s face darkened for a moment. In fact, she wanted to be escorted by the duke just like now, but she couldn’t. It was because she was invited under the name of Baron Lev.

“Anyway, my sister and I will take different carriages, so it would be better for us to move first.”

Irik thought as he glanced at where Siani’s room was. I’m curious to see how great her dress she’ll wear after all that fuss… It’s just going to be unpleasant to look at anyway.

“Then we’re going to go.”

“Wait a minute.”

But then.

“We won’t be able to say hello properly at the party, so how could you leave first, Irik?”

“…!”

Numerous eyes gathered in the central hall were focused on one place. Siani was walking down the high stairs.

“Oh my gosh! You’re so beautiful!”

“Oh my goodness! I-is she really princess?”

“But…”

No one in the room was able to speak. They just focused on Siani, opening their mouths wide.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

Everything was unexpected. The dark red dress, which emphasized her silhouette without any decoration, flowed along her delicate body line. The ruby necklace hanging around her fair neck gave off an alluring shine. The contrast between the blood-red ruby and Siani’s golden hair sparkles even more brilliantly.  

“You’re so beautiful, Siani.” Even the duke, who couldn’t empty talk, muttered like that.

Moreover, the ruby necklace that Siani wore was a gift from the duke when he proposed to Claude.  He didn’t expect to see it again like this, and the tip of his nose tingled because of his new emotions.

Wait, but it’s too… The duke, who had regained his senses, narrowed his eyes. It was because he realized that her dress was very bold. It’s pretty, but it would probably attract people who are worse than animals.

“…As expected, famous designers are different. You’re truly beautiful, Older Sister,” said Irik, who was just looking at Siani with his chin tense.

“But somehow, it’s a design I’ve never seen before. Who is it?”

“That’s right, Siani. It’s pretty, but who put so much effort into the fabric?”

“Ah, the designer? It’s him.”

Irik and the Duke’s eyes quickly turned to follow Siani’s fingertips. Then the man who was hiding behind the wall with only half of his face visible suddenly disappeared. From the moment Siani put on his designed dress, his eyes were red, and it looked like he was still crying.

“What’s that guy’s name?” The Duke muttered as if he was displeased.

“Father, I don’t think we’ll have time to delay any longer. It’s late, so let’s go.”

But Siani urged the duke.

“Hmm, let’s do that for now.”

She just needs to wear my coat. The duke held on tightly to his coat, which was as thick as his battle uniform. Then, out of habit, he tried to move ahead on his own.

“Father,” Siani called him.

“Huh?”

When the duke stopped, Siani naturally held out her hand.

“You need to escort me.”

“Ah…”

“It’s been a long time since Father and I went out together.”

Siani smiled softly. He didn’t know how long it had been since he had seen his daughter’s smile. 

Is that why?

“Let’s go side by side.”

At that moment, the duke felt his heart breaking.