For nobles, traveling long distances, especially to attend the Queen's birthday banquet, is no simple matter. Not only do they need to arrange affairs within their territory, but they also need to organize a travel party, not just for safety but also to display the noble's grandeur—essentially, to show off.
Of course, the most important task is preparing a birthday gift for the Queen.
In the past, even if they weren't invited to the banquet, nobles from various regions were required to send gifts for the King and Queen's birthdays. The Williams family, though not prominent in the empire and only distantly related to the royal family, had never been invited to the King and Queen's birthday banquets. The standard practice was to send gifts without attending.
But this year was different. Felix had gained the King's favor during his time as a knight, and with his recent achievements, it was natural for the King to invite him.
However, the gifts sent in the past when they didn't attend were different from what they needed to prepare now for the banquet.
If it were the King's birthday banquet, Felix would know how to choose a gift, as he had served the King and understood his preferences. But for the Queen, Felix had little contact with her and didn't have a deep impression of her. He also didn't want to put much effort into preparing a gift for a woman other than Wei Wei, so he openly delegated the task to her.
Wei Wei initially wanted to decline, as she had many things to arrange, especially the winter preparations for the plants in the garden. They would be leaving in November and returning at the end of December, during the coldest two months of the year. If it weren't for Felix's insistence that, as his fiancée, she needed to attend the King's invitation, Wei Wei would have preferred to stay and take care of her experimental fields.
Moreover, if the gift wasn't chosen well, it could affect the Williams family's reputation. A gift that was too extravagant might attract envy, while a poor one could be seen as disrespectful to the royal family. It was a troublesome task no matter how you looked at it.
But Felix, using her status as the (future) lady of the castle, insisted that the responsibility of choosing the gift should fall on her.
"Besides, look at how busy I am. I don't have the time. Also, would you want to see me carefully selecting a gift for another woman?"
Wei Wei wasn't too keen on that idea.
Seeing how genuinely busy Felix was, Wei Wei reluctantly agreed.
She called for Butler Barton and Madame Nancy to ask what gifts the Williams family usually prepared for such occasions.
The butler and his wife were very familiar with this, as they had handled it in the past: "Mostly jewelry, either custom-made or heirlooms from the Williams family."
Most ordinary nobles sent similar gifts, with the only difference being the value of the jewelry.
Madame Nancy suggested, "Miss Wei Wei, would you like to take a look at the Countess's jewelry collection?"
Wei Wei shook her head. Recently, every move in Sardinson County has been under scrutiny. If they sent jewelry like before, unless it was a priceless heirloom, it wouldn't please the King and Queen and might even invite criticism.
After all, their profitable business was no secret, and many were envious.
But sending an overly extravagant gift would not only attract unwanted attention but also make her heartache.
After seeing off the butler and his wife, Wei Wei took a sip of warm herbal tea, adjusted her posture to sit more comfortably, and began to think about what would be a more suitable gift.
Regarding the Queen, Wei Wei had inquired about her when she had Felix send perfume earlier.
Queen Mirabelle Bordo was a princess from the neighboring country of Bordo. She was the King's second wife, twenty-six years old, fifteen years younger than the King. She had been married to King Pradi for four years but had no children. If it weren't for the two princes left by the previous Queen, ensuring the throne had heirs, Queen Mirabelle might have already been forced into divorce.
As for why this princess became Queen at twenty-two, the story was even more complicated.
In fact, both the King and Queen had been married before. Mirabelle had been sent by her father, the King of Bordo, to Pradi for a political marriage at sixteen, marrying King Pradi's cousin. The cousin had joined the military to earn merits for inheriting his father's dukedom—a title usually reserved for the King's brothers or exceptionally meritorious military commanders. If the heir couldn't achieve sufficient military feats or make significant contributions to the country, they would be demoted to an earl (in the 13th century, noble ranks were only duke, earl, and baron). Unfortunately, he died on the battlefield.
At twenty-one, Mirabelle became a widow. To make matters worse, her husband hadn't earned enough merits before his death to inherit the dukedom and was only posthumously granted the title of earl. Since Mirabelle had no children, the earldom and its lands had to be relinquished. Thus, not only did Mirabelle fail to become a duchess, but the title of countess was also rendered meaningless.
This was a drastic fall from grace, and Mirabelle, unwilling to accept such a decline, used her beauty to seduce King Pradi.
At the time, the previous Queen had been bedridden for years, and everyone knew she wouldn't live much longer. The courtiers had already begun discussing candidates for the next Queen. After Mirabelle seduced the King, she leveraged her status and influence to convince him to marry her after the previous Queen's death.
Whether the previous Queen had already been on her deathbed or was angered by the news, she passed away a few months after rumors of Mirabelle and the King's relationship spread. Half a year later, Mirabelle became the new Queen.
The early days of her marriage were undoubtedly Mirabelle's most glorious period. However, the good times didn't last. After marrying King Pradi, Mirabelle still didn't conceive, reminding people of her previous childless marriage to the King's cousin. Soon, rumors spread through the court that the Queen was infertile, eventually becoming an open secret among the nobility.
King Pradi, known for his fickleness, lost interest in Mirabelle after a few years of marriage. With no children and the novelty worn off, rumors began circulating in recent years that the King was considering replacing her.
While it was unclear whether these rumors were true, their existence suggested that the Queen's current situation wasn't favorable.
Wei Wei had long heard that Queen Mirabelle was very concerned about her appearance, not only because she loved beauty but also because her looks were her only means of retaining the King's affection.
Clapping her hands, Wei Wei thought of the perfect gift.
For a beauty-loving woman, what could be more suitable than a set of high-quality cosmetics?
Wei Wei stood up and strode out of the room to discuss this idea with Felix.
"Cosmetics? Wouldn't that be too ordinary? The Queen probably doesn't lack such things, right?"
Common items like cosmetics, if sent as a birthday gift, might anger the notoriously temperamental Queen Mirabelle.
Thinking Wei Wei was at a loss for ideas, Felix advised, "If it's too difficult, we can just send jewelry again, along with a full set of essential oils. I'm sure the Queen would like that."
"Of course, not the toxic cosmetics sold outside," Wei Wei rolled her eyes, not expecting him to understand the importance of cosmetics to women—if he did, that would be concerning—and instead asked him a question: "Did you notice I was wearing makeup at the last ball?"
Mentioning the last ball, Felix immediately recalled how stunning Wei Wei had looked that night.
But when it came to makeup, Felix could only think of the other noblewomen with their pale faces and bright red lips. Wei Wei, on the other hand, had only looked slightly more enchanting than usual, with no obvious signs of makeup.
Finally, he hesitantly replied, "You mean the flower on your forehead? It was beautifully drawn."
"No, I was wearing makeup, but it was light makeup, so you didn't notice," Wei Wei muttered to herself about Felix's likely straight-male aesthetic, then explained, "My cosmetics are all homemade, completely natural, and unique. Their effects are far better than those of toxic lead-based powders. Given Queen Mirabelle's love for beauty, she couldn't possibly dislike them."
"But what if she mistakes your gift for ordinary cosmetics? Those things probably look similar. If she doesn't realize their value, she might get angry. Even if we explain later, it could still lead to resentment. The Queen's temper isn't the best."
That was a valid concern. Wei Wei pondered.
Felix continued, "Why not add something else to the gift? I think essential oils would be a good choice."
"Essential oils are too common. They're our product. If we send something ordinary, it might be seen as lacking sincerity."
Wei Wei thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What's the Queen's fashion sense like? Does she prefer simple or extravagant styles?"
Felix considered and said, "Extravagant. The Queen's outfits are always brightly colored and luxurious. Her country favors vibrant combinations, much more flamboyant than our local fashion."
Wei Wei nodded and asked, "Then what do you think about sending her a dress like Dolores's? Would she like that?"
Dolores's dress was the one she had shown Wei Wei earlier, which Felix had described as a child wearing adult clothes.
At the time, Dolores's dress didn't look good, but later, Wei Wei had a blacksmith make three thin, flexible iron hoops of different sizes. She then sewed them together with fine linen and covered them with a thin skirt of the same material, creating something similar to the crinoline skirts modern Lolita fashion enthusiasts wear. When Dolores put it on, the previously ill-fitting dress became very flattering and elegant.
Even Felix couldn't deny that this never-before-seen style of dress looked good. In fact, with the skirt properly supported, the young girl looked even more graceful.
"She probably would. The Queen's love for beauty is well-known. But we're leaving soon. Will there be enough time?"
"There's enough time. If I have the maid's help, we can finish before we leave. The only issue is getting the blacksmiths to make the hoops for the skirt first."
Felix had no concept of what a crinoline was, but he nodded, "That's no problem. We can have the blacksmiths take turns making the hoops. It won't take much time."
"Do you remember the Queen's body type?"
Felix hadn't interacted much with Queen Mirabelle, but he remembered her general figure. He called over a few maids and pointed out the one whose height and build most resembled the Queen's.
While it couldn't guarantee a perfect fit, making the dress based on a similar size would be close enough, especially since it was winter clothing. For warmth, additional layers would be worn underneath, so making it slightly larger would be better.
Wei Wei had already started preparing winter clothing. Rather than having a tailor make them, she preferred to do it herself. This way, she could tailor the clothes exactly to her preferences and save on tailoring fees.
She had already bought a lot of wool and cashmere fabrics, as well as various treated furs. However, due to her taste, both the fabrics and furs were in muted colors. The only bright red fabric she had was already patterned and ready to be cut, while the remaining fabrics didn't suit Queen Mirabelle's preferences.
Of course, besides fabrics, many materials for making cosmetics needed to be prepared. So, despite her reluctance, she had to go out shopping again.
After listing all the items she needed to buy, Wei Wei called Dolores and her two maids and headed out.
It had been several months since her last visit to Dingle, and the town had become very lively. Besides the locals, there were many merchants from various regions and villagers from other areas coming to work or sell goods. The streets were crowded, and there were more shops than before, with many stalls set up along the roadside.
When the Williams family carriage entered the town, it naturally drew everyone's attention. The carriage's design and the family crest indicated that its occupants were likely the castle's owners, whom they had long wanted to meet but rarely had the chance to.
However, the visiting merchants didn't immediately rush over to promote their goods, as those in the carriage could be the Count or his family. If it were the latter, approaching them recklessly might cause unnecessary trouble.
They quietly followed behind. When the carriage stopped in front of a tailor's shop, they had a good idea of who was inside.
Sure enough, only a few women stepped out of the carriage. First came two maids, followed by a young girl and a slightly older woman, both dressed as nobles. There was no one else in the carriage.
After the girls entered the tailor's shop, the footman who had been sitting next to the coachman stood guard at the door, making it clear that no one else was allowed to enter at this time.
A newly arrived noble's subordinate asked a local villager, "Who are those ladies? I heard Count Williams isn't married yet."
The villager replied, "Your information is outdated. The Count recently got engaged. The taller lady is his fiancée. I was fortunate enough to see her once—she's a stunning beauty. I heard the wedding preparations are already underway."
"Is that true?"
"Of course. The castle's servants have been making large purchases these past few days. Many merchants have sold their goods to the castle at good prices. The lady must be here to order her wedding dress."
"What a shame."
The noble's subordinate shook his head regretfully. His master had previously expressed interest in forming a marriage alliance with the Williams family and had repeatedly instructed him to find out Count Williams's preferences. He hadn't expected the Count to already be engaged.
The villager, unseen by the subordinate, rolled his eyes. What a shame! The people of Sardinson County vaguely knew that the recent changes in the county were largely due to the foreign lady. Everyone was delighted that the Count was marrying her.
After entering the tailor's shop, Wei Wei noticed a few other customers. However, the old tailor immediately approached her upon seeing her. "Welcome, Miss Wei Wei, Miss Dolores. I didn't expect you to come in person. How may I assist you?"
The old tailor was surprised by their visit, as in the past, any needs were communicated through him visiting the castle.
"Good afternoon, sir," Wei Wei greeted him. "I need to buy some fabric. Your apprentice can show me around."
She glanced at the other customers, who seemed a bit nervous due to their arrival. Judging by their attire, they weren't nobles but likely came from well-off families.
She smiled at them and signaled the old tailor to continue with his previous tasks.
Having interacted with her several times, the old tailor understood and nodded, calling over two apprentices before returning to his work.
Wei Wei said to the apprentices, "I need some high-quality, brightly colored fabrics and animal furs. Can you help me find them?"
"Please wait a moment. We'll fetch them for you."
High-quality fabrics were stored carefully and not displayed in the shop. The apprentices had to retrieve them from the back warehouse.
Wei Wei thought for a moment, then took out a folded piece of paper and a few silver coins from the pouch at her waist and handed them to Dolores's maid. "Can you help me find the items on this list?"
"Of course, miss," the two maids curtsied, took the shopping list and money hid the coins, and left with the list.
While waiting for the apprentices to return, Wei Wei took Dolores around the shop, asking if she saw anything she liked.
"The fabrics here are all quite good, and the prices are reasonable. If you like anything, feel free to buy more."
Compared to Wei Wei, Dolores had rarely left the castle, let alone visited Dingle. She looked around the shop with curiosity and a hint of timidity, her beautiful blue eyes scanning the fabrics on the shelves and occasionally glancing at the female customers being measured on the other side.
The young girl being fitted for a dress looked only a year or two older than Dolores, but Dolores overheard them discussing how this was for the girl's wedding dress.
She nervously gripped Wei Wei's hand tighter.
Wei Wei also heard this and comfortingly patted the young girl's head, whispering with a smile, "Don't worry, our Dolores is still young. If you want to get married, you'll have to wait until you're at least my age."
Wei Wei had once promised Dolores that she wouldn't let her marry too early. Back then, she had said that Felix wouldn't allow it, but now she could openly state that it was her decision.
Compared to her brother, Dolores trusted Wei Wei more. Hearing this, she calmed down, though her eyes still occasionally drifted to the side.
Fortunately, the apprentices returned with the fabrics, and Wei Wei led Dolores over to take a look.
The apprentice stammered as he explained that these high-quality fabrics were last year's stock, purchased from more prosperous counties, so their colors and patterns weren't very trendy.
If it were anyone else, they might have tried to pass them off as the latest designs from the capital, but since it was the Count's family, they didn't dare. These were the castle's people, and if they were caught lying, their heads wouldn't be safe.
Wei Wei wasn't familiar with the latest trends in Pradi's capital either. After looking through all the fabrics, she settled on a bright red woolen fabric and a fine linen fabric with golden patterns.
The apprentice explained, "This woolen fabric is made from the finest dyed cashmere, very comfortable and warm. The fine linen is woven with real gold threads, so the patterns are genuine."
The woolen fabric was a pure, vibrant red, while the fine linen's dense golden patterns almost completely covered the fabric's base color, making it hard to see the linen threads. The patterns weren't embroidered but woven into the fabric with gold threads mixed with linen, making the fabric stiff rather than soft, with a unique texture.
Both fabrics were richly colored and luxurious, and their high cost made them suitable only for nobles.
Using such fabric to make a dress for the Queen, even if it wasn't trendy, would be sufficiently precious.
Just buying enough fine linen woven with gold threads to make a dress cost six hundred gold coins. If European nobles wore such expensive fabrics, it was no wonder their clothes weren't replaced often. A dress made from such precious materials could be mended and worn for over a decade.
Although the price was indeed high, the craftsmanship and patterns were excellent, so Wei Wei didn't haggle and directly asked the apprentice to wrap both fabrics. With these two pieces, she could make two different styles of dresses—one as a gift and one for herself.
After all, she was getting married. Unless something unexpected happened, this would be a once-in-a-lifetime event, so her wedding dress couldn't be careless. Since she couldn't make a pure white bridal gown, a lavish Rococo-style dress like those in *Gone with the Wind* would be perfect.
—And after the wedding, she could even dismantle it to make other dresses. By combining it with other fabrics, she could create several different styles of banquet dresses.
Wei Wei, feeling thrifty and practical, nodded to herself in satisfaction, completely unaware that dismantling a wedding dress might be considered unlucky.
—Not to mention that neither Felix nor anyone else would likely allow her to do such a thing.