Chapter 519

Continuation: A New Kimono Design
“So that’s why you came to me.”

“My apologies, Marquis Vardmoi.”

Right after that, I made an appointment with Marquis Vardmoi and came to his mansion.
Rather than looking exasperated, Marquis Vardmoi seemed somewhat impressed.

“It’s fine. From now on, you’ll need that level of caution. Was it Lady Plum who advised you?”

“That’s right. I’m planning to use the spider, which is my symbol, and cherry blossoms from the Darshe Principality. If I only use those, people might start speculating, so I was told it’d be best to include something representing the McFarlane Dukedom as well.”

“Indeed. If it were just the spider, no one would think much of it, but adding the flower from the Darshe Principality could make people suspect you have deep ties there.”

“That’s exactly it. Do you have any ideas?”

“Let’s incorporate a flower that symbolizes the McFarlane Dukedom. This season, there’s a suitable one in bloom.”

Marquis Vardmoi stood up from his seat and guided us to his garden.
I hadn’t come here often, but it’s always full of seasonal flowers and absolutely beautiful.
He stopped in front of a certain flower in the garden.
It looked vaguely familiar—lily of the valley.

“Lily, this flower symbolizes the Vardmoi Marquisate.”

“Lily of the valley?”

“That’s what it’s called in your homeland?”

“Yes. The name comes from how the flowers hang down like little bells.”

“Include this flower in your design. Place it… yes, beneath your signature spider.”

Beneath the spider… wait, is that okay?
Wouldn’t that make it look like I outrank the Vardmoi Marquisate?
But Marquis Vardmoi seemed fine with it.

“In terms of actual influence and military power, you already surpass my house. You personally choose to respect me, that’s all.”

“Well, even so, I can’t see myself acting superior to you.”

“Then that’s fine. In any case, add this to your design. It’ll make it clear that the Vardmoi Marquisate supports you.”

This is complicated… who would’ve thought the placement of patterns could send such messages.

“Next, this flower. It symbolizes the former royal family, meaning it now belongs to Lady Rodenlight.
If possible, place it at the same level as or higher than your own symbol.”

“To show that I don’t outrank Lady Rodenlight, correct?”

“Exactly.”

The flower symbolizing Lady Rodenlight is a red rose.
Red roses are quite versatile in design, so it should work out.

“Lastly, that flower.”

“The one climbing along the wall?”

Where Marquis Vardmoi pointed, vines stretched along the wall with eerie white blossoms.

“That flower represents the Ducal House. Could you place it on par with your own symbol?”

“Hmm, that’s going to be tricky. Traditionally, a central motif is placed on a furisode, with the rest filling in around it in a decorative manner.”

“It’s best you get used to this quickly. Once the design is ready, bring it to me before finalizing it on the kimono. I’ll check it for any issues.”

“Please do. I’m still not confident in my political sense.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

I guess it all comes down to experience.
Looks like I’ll just have to keep learning step by step.

What do you think about this chapter?