Julia walked beside Ethan as they began the tour of the Duchy.

The streets stretched wide and clean, filled with carriages and people dressed in refined clothing. Shops lined both sides, displaying silks, gems, and rare goods.

Julia pointed out each important place with a calm tone, her hand lifting slightly as she gestured toward them. Ethan nodded quietly at her words, his face serious as his eyes scanned everything with focus. His steps were steady and confident, his presence sharp like a noble who carried himself with pride.

Julia's heart, however, was not calm. While she kept her words composed, her eyes betrayed her.

Again and again, she stole quick glances at Ethan. His white hair caught the sun, his bluish eyes glowed faintly when he turned, and his shirt fitted his frame so well that it made her heart tremble each time she looked. She tried to hide her feelings, keeping her posture straight and cold as a knight should. Yet no matter how she forced herself, her gaze kept drifting toward him.

Ethan, unaware of her struggle, only nodded at her explanations and continued to observe the city with a calm face.

After some time, Julia guided him into a fine dining restaurant. The moment they stepped inside, the air shifted. The scent of rich spices filled the hall and chandeliers sparkled above polished marble floors. The waiters bowed deeply, their movements practiced and perfect. Ethan's calm expression faltered when he picked up the menu. His brows rose and his eyes widened slightly as he read.

"For God's sake," he muttered under his breath. "A meal costs one hundred gold coins?" His tone was quiet, but Julia caught it clearly.

She covered her lips faintly with her hand, her voice soft as she replied, "This restaurant only serves nobles and upper class. Such prices are normal here."

She paused before adding in her calm tone, "In the capital, meals can cost beyond one thousand if you look at luxury."

Ethan sucked in a cold breath, his chest rising slightly as his mind raced. He leaned back against the chair, and looked around with the sharp glow in his eyes

So the concept of brand and people going crazy for vanity still exists here, he thought.

His eyes narrowed slightly with a thought, but then his lips curled faintly at the edge. This only firmed his resolve. If such madness existed, then he could use it.

Julia, who sat across from him, lowered her gaze for a moment. She found herself staring at the way he leaned casually, the way his eyes carried such quiet strength. Even to his surprise, he looked composed and sharp.

Her chest felt tight, so she forced her face into calmness once again, trying not to reveal her thoughts.

They left the restaurant soon after, and Julia led him toward the next part of the tour. "My mother instructed me to bring you here," she said lightly, her tone steady though her hands brushed against her clothes nervously. She stopped before a grand clothing shop.

The doors were carved with intricate patterns, and the glass windows displayed fine garments that shimmered under the light.

When they stepped inside, Ethan's eyes softened slightly. He saw the designs he had worked on brought into reality.

Elegant coats, shirts with clean lines, and trousers with sharp cuts hung neatly on racks. The fabric quality was refined, the colors matched his vision perfectly. For a moment, his serious face shifted into one of quiet satisfaction. His hand brushed lightly across the sleeve of a jacket, testing its weight.

Julia watched him silently. She could see the faint glow in his eyes, the curve of his lips as he admired his own creation. To her, he looked even more handsome in that moment, not because of his clothes, but because of the quiet pride and calm strength he carried. Her heart beat faster, and she quickly turned her head, pretending to study another rack of clothes.

Ethan remained unaware of her stolen glances. He examined the shop carefully, nodding to himself. He could already imagine how his designs might spread, how people would rush for these clothes just as they did for overpriced meals.

His mind was running with a whirlwind of thoughts yet he tried to keep a calm face.

Julia finally spoke with a slight joy as she admired the pieces."These are your works. They came out better than expected."

Ethan turned his eyes toward her, the faint curve still on his lips. "Yes," he said simply. His deep voice carried no arrogance, only calm certainty.

Julia lowered her gaze quickly, her ears warming, and she hid her blush by turning to walk ahead. "Then let's move on," she said, her tone cold but her steps a little too quick.

Ethan followed at a steady pace, his figure tall and striking. His mind was already planning his next moves, while Julia's heart was struggling to stay calm.

The shop door opened with a light chime, and a middle-aged man with neat hair and a polite smile hurried forward. He bowed deeply with both hands folded in front of him.

"Welcome, welcome, Sir Ethan," the man greeted warmly. "I am Charles, the manager of this fine establishment. It is a great honor to finally meet the man whose designs have taken form in this place. I must say, your work is nothing short of brilliance."

Charles had already been briefed about Ethan.

The moment he got the designs,he was quiet about the man and had researched about him.

Julia stood calmly at Ethan's side, her cold expression unchanged though her eyes lingered on Ethan for a moment before moving away. "Sir Ethan," she said softly, "this is one of the finest clothing shops in the Duchy. My mother thought it would be best for you to see how your ideas have been brought to life here."

Charles clasped his hands together and nodded quickly. "Indeed, My Lady speaks the truth. Sir Ethan, your eye for elegance and precision is beyond compare. Look at the lines, the cuts, the balance of form. Such vision only belongs to geniuses."

Ethan could not help but laugh lightly at the man's endless praise. "You flatter me too much," he said, shaking his head with a faint smile.

Charles straightened and gestured toward the inside. "Please, allow me to guide you. The tailors are working even now to complete the latest pieces. You must see how carefully they follow your concepts."

They stepped deeper into the shop, the polished wooden floor gleaming under the light.

At the back, several women sat at long tables. Their hands moved quickly, threading needles and pulling stitches across fine fabric. The rhythmic sound of sewing filled the room, yet Ethan's eyes narrowed as he watched them closely.

The women looked drained. Their backs were bent forward, their shoulders stiff. Their fingers were red and sore having small cuts visible on their hands from needles and sharp fabric edges. Some blinked rapidly, struggling to keep their tired eyes open.

Charles, unaware of Ethan's silence, continued speaking proudly. "Marvelous, is it not? Such craftsmanship is rare. Every seam, every cut is done with devotion. They are fortunate to work here, in such a fine place, serving the noble class." He spread his arms as if presenting them like a treasure.

Ethan kept his calm face, but his chest tightened. After a moment, he asked in a steady voice, "How much do you pay them?"

Charles looked surprised by the question but quickly answered, "One silver coin a month. Quite generous compared to other workshops, where workers are given no more than fifty copper coins."

Ethan's expression froze.His heart leapt in shock and disbelief. One silver for endless hours of work?

It was outright pitiful.

Even the gardeners at his own estate earned ten silver coins working only four hours a day, five days a week. Yet these women here seemed trapped in a cycle of endless labor.

He turned his eyes toward Julia, his gaze heavy with unspoken questions. She looked back at him with her usual composed face but only tilted her head slightly in confusion. Julia had never thought about such things.

Her world was built on blades, shields, and war strategy. Clothes and wages were far from her knowledge.

Still, she noticed a subtle shift as Ethan's mood darkened. His jaw tightened, and his eyes flickered with restrained anger. The air around him seemed heavier, though he did not speak further.

Ethan looked around once more at the women before hiding his uneasiness behind a calm mask. He pressed his lips together unsure of what to say.

After a brief thought,he decided to remain silent for now.

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