Chương 44: Purple Is the New Pink

As they walked through the castle corridors, Lira updated Sir Deren on her situation. She stayed close to the truth, or at least the version of it she had carefully constructed. From the fold of her apron, she retrieved the forged letter and handed it to him with both hands.

"This is the document I mentioned," she said.

"It states that I was hired by Lord Atropos shortly before his passing." Sir Deren accepted it and unfolded it, and Lira continued while he read.

"I only arrived after his death, which complicated matters," she explained.

"Lady Celene reviewed the letter and allowed me to begin work in the library." She paused, choosing her next words carefully.

"I have already made significant progress. The first floor is nearly complete, but the remaining work requires moving heavier things and clearing larger sections. That is beyond what I can reasonably do alone."

"Is Steward Harwin aware of this arrangement?" he asked without looking up from the page.

"He is," Lira replied.

"Though his approval was... indirect." He gave her a small, amused glance. Sir Deren finished reading the letter, then folded it neatly before handing it back.

"This is a well-prepared presentation," he said.

"I doubt you truly need my help. The facts are on your side." Lira nearly smiled at that. Even if she had managed to convince Sir Dalwin on her own, it would have been an uphill battle, and he might have resented her for it afterward. at least that was the conclusion she arrived at while she observed him with both her perception and meditation active. She did not need him as an enemy. It was better to speak his language directly. A man like him only understood power and prestige.

"I try to be organized," she said instead.

"You are more prepared than some knights on the battlefield," he grinned. Before she could decide on an answer to that, they arrived at Steward Dalwin's office. At least, that was what Lira had assumed it was. The moment the door opened, she found herself revising that assessment. The room looked less like an administrative space and more like a private dressing chamber that had accidentally been furnished with a desk.

A large standing mirror dominated one side of the room, while an open wardrobe occupied the other. Inside was an alarming amount of silk. Several colorful bow ties were arranged across the polished surface of the desk in careful rows, alongside cufflinks, decorative pins, folded handkerchiefs, and swatches of fabric. Dalwin himself stood before the mirror, adjusting a lavender cravat while studying his reflection critically. Lira blinked.

She thought Celene was vain, certainly, but her personal chambers at least still resembled working quarters. This man's office looked like a war zone between a noble's private bedroom and an administrative office. The office side seemed to be losing the conflict. Sir Deren cleared his throat. Dalwin turned toward the sound. From a man of his size, the movement was less a graceful turn and more a barely managed wobble. The moment he recognized Sir Deren, his expression brightened considerably.

"Sir Deren Valis, what a delight," Dalwin exclaimed, spreading his arms.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, my boy?" His cadence was rich and theatrical, the kind cultivated by someone who enjoyed the sound of his own voice.

"Steward Dalwin," Sir Deren greeted with a polite nod.

"I hope I am not interrupting."

"Never for you." Dalwin waved dismissively, then adjusted one of his cuffs.

"How is your training progressing? Are you still bruising the prince's ego? A true man needs a true challenge." Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Sir Deren allowed himself the smallest smile.

"We keep each other sharp."

"Excellent, excellent. And your health?"

"I am well."

"Splendid. As for me, I am suffering greatly." Dalwin sighed dramatically and gestured toward the spread of accessories.

"The season approaches, and apparently society has decided to betray me." Sir Deren glanced at the desk. Lira did as well. There were at least five shades of purple. Dalwin lifted a satin bowtie between two fingers as if it were evidence in a murder case.

"Can you believe this?" he asked.

"Pink satin is out." He dropped it with visible disappointment.

"Utterly dead." He then lifted a deep violet cravat with renewed reverence.

"But purple silk," he said, almost whispering the words, "purple silk is the new fashion." Lira just stared. This was not a conversation she had expected to overhear today.

"You should write to your sister," Dalwin continued.

"Her debut is this spring, is it not?"

"It is," Sir Deren replied, still somehow maintaining a perfectly straight face.

"Then you must warn her. If she appears in pink, it would be disastrous." Lira had to lower her head slightly to hide her expression. She committed every word to memory despite how ridiculous it all sounded. Pallan would absolutely appreciate this information. If purple silk was the trend of the season, stocking-related dyes and materials could prove profitable for the right people, and someone like Sir Dalwin would absolutely be an authority on the matter. The conversation continued for several more minutes.

Dalwin elaborated at length on seasonal palettes, fabric layering, sleeve proportions, and something about silhouette shaping. The current queen, who had no daughters, was apparently the major trendsetter in this kingdom, while Duke Istiban's first daughter had also contributed to the purple trend earlier this week. Lira learned more about noble fashion in ten minutes than she had in the last two months. Eventually, a natural pause emerged. Sir Deren seized it with the decisiveness of a warrior on the battlefield.

"Steward Dalwin, allow me to introduce Miss Lira Tenlan." Lira stepped forward and gave a respectful curtsy. Dalwin's eyes shifted to her for what appeared to be the first time, despite her having been standing beside Sir Deren from the start.

"Oh." He blinked.

"And who might this be?"

"The new caretaker of the old library," Sir Deren said. Dalwin frowned immediately.

"What caretaker? I was not aware one had been assigned." Lira stepped forward smoothly and presented the forged letter without a word. Dalwin accepted it with mild confusion.

"She was hired by Lord Atropos shortly before his death," Sir Deren explained, his expression softening slightly.

"May he rest in peace." Dalwin's face shifted. The mention of his late superior got a reaction out of him. He opened the letter and began reading. Lira remained silent, hands folded neatly before her.

"She arrived after his passing," Sir Deren continued.

"Which complicated the matter."

"Complicated," Dalwin repeated dryly as he scanned the document.

"She has been working in the library independently ever since." Dalwin lowered the paper slightly.

"Why was I not informed of this?" His irritation was genuine, and it was directed at Lira rather than Deren, his eyes pinning her sharply.

"I was assigned there by Lady Celene after she reviewed the letter," Lira said carefully, shifting the blame elsewhere.

"Of course." Dalwin inhaled through his nose.

"Lady Celene would naturally forget to mention an administrative development occurring under my authority." Technically, the library caretaker only answered to the head steward's authority, and Dalwin was not that. But Lira wisely remained quiet. Sir Deren stepped in again.

"I visited the library personally," he said.

"The improvements are substantial. Even Prince Aric remarked positively on its current state." That got Dalwin's full attention and his brows rose.

"The prince approved?"

"Yes." Dalwin looked at Lira differently after that. She was no longer invisible or a stain beneath his shoes. It was as if the association with the prince had rubbed off on her. Lira used the opportunity to push the conversation forward.

"The first floor is nearly complete," Lira said, allowing a slight hesitation to enter her voice.

"It only requires..." She trailed off deliberately.

"She requires assistance from the footmen for heavier lifting," Sir Deren finished for her, exactly as intended. Lira kept her face neutral, but deep down she wanted to smile. Dalwin looked between the two of them. With Sir Deren present, the prince's approval mentioned, and Lord Atropos invoked from beyond the grave, his available options had narrowed considerably. So he decided to be part of the winning team.

"But of course, my lord," he said at last.

"The library has always been a sore spot. Having it ready before the season starts is imperative. I often told the late Lord Atropos that." He placed a hand over his chest.

"I am glad he listened to me." Already trying to claim credit… What a shameless man. Still, relief spread through Lira, though she kept it carefully contained.

"Thank you, Steward Dalwin." He waved a hand.

"Do not thank me yet. I will be visiting personally to inspect things for myself."

"You will not be disappointed," Lira assured him.

"Very well, then," he said in lieu of a dismissal.

"I will see you tomorrow." Lira bowed again politely.

"I will probably visit as well," Sir Deren said.

"See you tomorrow." He nodded and turned to leave. Lira decided that was her cue as well and followed in his footsteps. Her mission was complete, and the library had manpower.