Chapter 249

The Power of the Dress and the Birth of the McFarlane Duchy
The thrown knife flew straight at Princess Rodenlight’s chest.
However, instead of piercing her, it lost its momentum and clattered harmlessly to the ground.
Even the guards surrounding her paused in astonishment.
Yes, the dress did its job perfectly!

"What are you waiting for? Capture that rogue!"

"Ugh!?"

The would-be assassin attempted to blend into the crowd to escape, but was promptly subdued before they could make it far.
I wonder who sent this assassin?

"… Everyone, I apologize for the disturbance. Now, let us continue with the announcement."

Princess Rodenlight collected herself and resumed her announcement.
Although I had a vague idea of what was coming, hearing it confirmed made it feel more real.

"The Southern Noble Alliance has decided to pursue independence, centering around the Duchy of Macfarlane. We will establish McFarlane as our new capital and move forward in diplomacy with neighboring countries."

So, it’s finally independence.
It seemed inevitable, but hearing it announced formally made it sink in.
There’s so much to consider now.

Additionally, it was announced that Princess Rodenlight would be joining the McFarlane family by marrying the Duke’s heir, Lord Sharon.
However, there was no mention of Princess Annette’s future, which left me wondering.
As a former princess of a nation, Annette might potentially become a political rival to Princess Rodenlight.
What’s going to happen?

After the announcements, I followed Rumaja to Marquis Vardmoi’s residence, where the entire McFarlane family was gathered alongside Princess Rodenlight.
The atmosphere felt… tense.
Something seemed off.

"Tailor Lily, it was you who prepared the dress for this occasion, was it not?"

"Yes, Lord Sharon. Is there a problem?"

"Well, not a problem, per se. But how did the thrown knife fail to penetrate? The outer fabric was pierced, but the inner lining was entirely unharmed. Is this one of your specialty materials?"

"It's not exactly a specialty of mine, but I did use Ogre Spider Silk. It's a special fabric with elasticity and blade resistance."

"I see. So we owe you for this save, once again."

"Well, I merely prepared it as a precaution…"

"No, you saved her life. We owe you our gratitude."

Lord Sharon nodded in thanks, which felt a bit excessive.
I didn’t do that much, really.

"Changing the topic," he continued, "this Ogre Spider Silk—can it be mass-produced?"

"Yes, unlike Mana Spider Silk, it’s much less demanding to produce. But why do you ask?"

"Tailor Lily, we have an urgent request. I need you to prepare ten dresses for Princess Rodenlight, tailored for various occasions, all in soft red hues with different variations."

Whoa, a last-minute order!
But how many occasions are we talking about here?
I decided to consult Plum for clarification.

"Different dress purposes, hmm?" she mused. "There's everyday wear, attire for meeting lower-ranking individuals, attire for meeting equals or superiors, diplomatic attire, formal wear for banquets, ballroom gowns, and so on—it could go on and on."

"… Do we really need that many dresses?"

"If we’re concerned with Princess Rodenlight’s safety, then yes. However, ordering this many at once is excessive. Sharon, was it? Establish a priority list and start with five dresses per category instead. Currently, only Lily can handle Ogre Spider Silk, as regular scissors can’t even cut it. Overloading her with work is unwise."

Plum’s words held a subtle pressure that even Lord Sharon couldn’t resist, and he eventually agreed to begin with five everyday dresses as a priority.
Plum’s negotiation skills are truly reliable.
Alizée is talented, and Plum really knows how to get things done.

… Yeah, negotiation is definitely not my strong suit.