Volume 16 Chapter 27: What Am I Supposed To Say?

Finishing their breakfast, they resumed their date.

Carolyn suggested, “The store should be open; let’s head there next.” The two walked a few blocks before arriving. Striking: that was the first word to come to Keith’s mind as he stared. It was beautiful and unusual.

Unlike the other stores, which used white or brick as the color, the primary color used was teal, making it striking compared to the others. This store? Keith glanced down to find Carolyn with a smile, understanding what she wanted. Entering the store, rows of clothes were lined up for customers to see; in the center was a man working.

“Welcome, Keith! It’s good to see you again!” The man looked up and offered a friendly smile.

“Francis, how is the store working out for you?” Keith glanced around, “It looks incredible.” The last time he saw it, Francis’s clothing store was still a work in progress. Now it had become a proper store.

“Thank you. With the Marquis’s assistance, opening my store became straightforward.” Francis couldn’t hide his happiness as his smile was about to fall off. Everything was dropped into his lap. With William’s influence, he could obtain this plot of land, plus the White Owl Merchant Company had supplied the necessary materials for him.

The steps were simple and straightforward.

Your hard work is also a factor. Keith didn’t say it as he glanced at his fingers: his fingers were riddled with bandages and scars. Influence and contacts were important to open a store. But having the will to succeed was more important. If they did not have the drive to make his store flourish, everything would be for naught. Francis’s drive for clothing made this store succeed.

“What would you like to try on?” Francis quickly acted as the clerk.

Carolyn’s eyes immediately locked onto the clothes, “Have you started a new collection?”

“Princess, you have a sharp eye for detail.” Francis grinned, “Mmhmm, I started a new line a week ago; I call it sunrise.” A summer aesthetic.

“Hmm? Are you sure you want to do a warm aesthetic here? We live in a cold region.” Some outfits had short sleeves; it was not appropriate in a cold climate like Eirendale.

Francis nodded, “I’ve accounted for the cold climate: I used unique fabric that allows the wearer to be warm even in cold weather. It was procured by the merchant company.” With new materials, he could create unique lines of work.

“Oh, then I have to ask you to make me a couple of shirts.” That was impressive fabric. While Keith conversed with Francis, Carolyn entered the changing room with a bunch of outfits in her hand.

“You got some amazing designs prepared.” Besides the sunrise collection, there were others. He did all of this in a matter of months?

“Besides setting up my store, all my time is focused on my designs.” He could draw designs with no restrictions on his freedom. Francis always had many ideas for designs he wanted to create. However, he was restricted because he was a noble. Making clothes was more of a commoner’s job.

But now, he had a place where he could let loose.

“Hmm, you could probably sell these at the royal capital.” Keith rubbed his chin, “How about you have Aunt Thalia wear a dress for a party?” That was one way to increase publicity.

“Keith, the queen was one step ahead of you. She already ordered a piece from my elegance collection.”

“Nice,” Keith chuckled, “Then we can expand to the royal capital when you want!”

“Keith, what do you think about this?” Carolyn came out in a beautiful orange dress; it gave off the feeling of sunshine. Keith nodded,

“Looks good.”

“What about this?” This time, she came out in a light green, long, frilled dress.

“Good.”

“This?”

“Beautiful.”

“...Keith, you have to say something else?” Francis sighed, “Can you not see you have angered the princess?” As Keith complimented Carolyn, a pout slowly formed when the compliments were the same.

“Francis, you don’t need to scold him. He’s like this, and I accept it.” Carolyn groaned; the person she fell in love with was horrible with compliments.

“But how can I? She looks good in anything. Saying something cheesy is difficult.” Keith stroked her cheek, “You’re really beautiful; it really doesn’t matter what you wear; you will always be beautiful.”

“...I’ll take them all, Francis!” Carolyn handed him the coins.

Francis grinned, “Thank you for the patronage!”

“Francis, are you free to make custom clothes?”

“For you, of course, boss. What kind of clothing shall I make?”

“It’s not for me; it’s for my child.”

“Ahh!” Francis’s eyes glimmered, “Do not worry! I will make the perfect clothes for her!”

“Thank you.” The duo headed out. As they headed to other stores, there was an increased number of people walking around.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Nothing,” Carolyn hugged his hands even more while she watched the stroller pass by, “Just wondering how cute babies are.”

“...” Don’t tell me…

“I still remember the time when Leon and Laura were born.” Carolyn would visit the Freed Estate multiple times, and she would meet with the children. She chuckled, “They didn’t like anyone at all except for you.”

“Yeah.” Leon and Laura would bawl their eyes out even in front of Sophia and William. Only Keith was the only person they would smile for,

“Don’t be happy about that. Do you know how sad Aunty and Uncle were?” William and Sophia were at their wits’ end.

“And you then made that to help the babies explore the city.”

“Anyone could have come up with that.” A baby stroller. Surprisingly, this world did not have a stroller; most noble children were kept at home for protection. But Keith was different; he wanted the two little ones to have fun. It made the two more spirited than normal.