The Love Potion 21 - 22

Pixiv - めりの

21 Lady and Lace:

‘It had been a while, Lady Iris.’

‘Hope you have been well, Mrs Macy.’

Mrs Macy was the owner of the tailoring shop; she ran one of the longest running tailoring shop on the main avenue of the capital city. Mrs Macy took them to the rear reception room and Iris sat in the comfortable sofa that had been proffered.

‘So shall we have a look at the new order, Lady Iris?’ Mrs Macy asked politely as she poured Iris a cup of hot black tea. On the tea tray was a plate of buttery and sweet smelling financiers and tart and lemony petite madeleines.

‘Of course.’

She received the cup from Mrs Macy and turned to Katri who was sitting beside her. Iris was visiting Mrs Macy today to deliver the finished filet lace^[1].

Katri carried a sturdy wooden chest that contained Iris’ finished lace. She handed it to Mrs Macy, who took out the lace and studied it.

‘As usual, the knots and seams aren’t visible and thread is unlikely to unravel.’ Mrs Macy said. She took of her spectacles and looked closer at the lace, ‘Such a delicate pattern...ah flowers; the combination of bloomed and budding flowers is simply wonderful. And the vines that connect them look very delicate and elegant. Lady Iris, this is truly wonderful work.’

Iris’ stomach was always in knots when she presented her finished lace to the buyer. Because of that, even if she was presented with such delicious pastries, she couldn’t eat. She was on tenterhooks waiting for the verdict.

‘It even has a three dimensional effect, how gorgeous.’ Mrs Macy said with delight in her voice as she spread out the lace, ‘It will shine well even with a light coloured dress.’

Iris’ basic premise was to make lace requested by the buyer. The types vary dependent on what was requested. Dependent on the knotted lace provided, their uses ranged from wedding dresses and ballgowns to shawls. It was up to Iris to consider and decide what kind of embroidery to create on the knotted lace. On a few occasions, she asked to see what the design of the dress she was making lace for to help guide her decision, but the design of the finished embroider was up to Iris. Because she had such a high degree of freedom, Iris was always nervous about the final evaluation.

‘It has a very lovely finish, Lady Iris.’ Mrs Macy said finally.

Iris’ face relaxed into a relieved smile, ‘Thank you, Mrs Macy.’

When she received her payment, she remembered what Ernest had said about her money,

‘The payment you receive is, of course, for you to do as you wish. But if you donate some of it towards charity, it will do well towards your reputation as Queen, killing two birds with one stone.’

After that, Iris was ashamed of herself that she had never thought of it. As a noblewoman, she had visited the churches and orphanages many times. However, the pervading thought was that they were funded on budget by the province.

Because of what Ernest had said, she realised it was alright for individuals to donate. And she realised she would like to use the money she earned in service to others. She had saved all the money she earned till date because she hadn’t required it. Since she didn’t use it, she might as well donate it.

She decided to donate the money to a worthy cause when she became Queen.

Thinking of her future made Iris feel strange; although, thinking of Ernest reaction when she told him, she knew he would be pleased. But that thought made her heart ache once more. Mrs Macy unaware of Iris discomfiture smiled at her as she put the lace into another box.

‘Lady Iris, thank you for your hard work.’

Mrs Macy took a sip of her tea, then she said, ‘I was still thinking of you as a young child, but now you are getting married. Congratulations.’

As a daughter of a noble family, she was about to be left on the shelf as it were. But to Mrs Macy, who had made Iris’ clothes since she was little, she would still see her as a young child.

‘Thank you, Mrs Macy.’

It was Mrs Macy who had recognised Iris’ talent at making filet lace and asked Iris to make lace for her. It was not an exaggeration to say that, Iris’ advanced skill was thanks to Mrs Macy. Thinking of the past filled Iris with nostalgia

‘It is ready now; would you like to try it on?’

‘...yes.’

While the main reason for her visit was to hand over the completed lace, there was also another reason. Iris knew it could not be helped so she rose from her seat and followed Mrs Macy to the fitting area. The large fitting room was lined with beautiful lavish dresses from left to right, but the one on the mannequin in the middle shook Iris’ heart. (Zuben: It is not hard to shake Iris’ heart)

It was a glorious dress of pure white. 

♔♔♔

22 The Lady and the Pure White Dress:

The dress emitted a glimmer under the lights of the fitting room. It was an off shoulder dress made of the finest silk that exuded an aura of sweetness. The neckline dipped and the back dipped lower; it gave of a feeling of elegance and maturity. In contrast the skirts were full and girlish, and it was made with a train behind it. There was a filet lace overlay covering the open back down the skirts over the train. A simple bow was placed at the lower back of the dress which trailed down to the hem. It was a dress that would flatter the wearer to the fullest.

Before the dress, Iris felt so guilty it strangled her, yet, as a woman she could not stop the thumping of her heart.

As she looked at the dress, something seemed familiar,

‘Mrs Macy, did I make the lace for this?’

‘Yes, you did. I decided to use your lace for this dress.’

Iris had thought the design looked familiar.

When she made the lace, she had always assumed that the item had been paid for already and what it was going to be used for was already decided before she was commissioned to make it. She rarely knew who the lace ended up with.

But something still niggled…

‘Mrs Macy, did it really only take a month to make this dress?’

Ernest and Iris had only been engaged a month. She would naturally have asked Mrs Macy to make her wedding dress, but to have done it so quickly; Iris could not hide her surprise.

Did she hire a lot of seamstresses to help?

While it wasn’t impossible, it would have taken Mrs Macy, who was also a designer, a lot of effort. She was as old as Iris’ parents.

Mrs Macy gave her a placating smile and said, ‘Yes, it did. On hearing that you were marrying his Majesty, and you wanted me to make the gown, I was so excited I got started on it right away,’

‘Oh really? Thank you, Mrs Macy.’

Iris had been working with tailors for a long time, making her lace so she knew how much time and effort was required to make such a dress.

Mrs Macy took Iris’ hand and encouraged her to try her dress on, while Iris was still worried about Mrs Macy’s well being.

‘Come Lady Iris, we need to see how it fits.’

Iris took off her day dress and put on the wedding dress. As she wore the dress, she found it a tad difficult to put her hands down the sleeves-

Hmm?

She wondered why. Mrs Macy should know Iris’ sizes for she had been making dresses for her for a long time. Hmm, what was happening? It felt a bit uncomfortable around her upper body as well. (Zuben: Remember Ernest is fattening you up for big boobies and babes)

Mrs Macy came up to check the fit, ‘Hmm, it looks like your bust has changed a little,’ she said.

‘Eh?’

‘Nothing to worry about, it is very easy to fix.’ Mrs Macy said reassuringly. She was probably trying to ease Iris’ mortification that she had gotten fat, but the thought of her bust made Iris flush.

It could not be.

It looked like it was as Ernest had said; her bust had grown.

Ernest never relented with fondling her from dusk till dawn making her very embarrassed. (Zuben: Will you allow him to do so now?)

Mrs Macy turned her to the large mirror and asked, ‘What do you think?’

Iris returned to the present and looked at her image in the mirror. Seeing herself, she leaked a gasp of surprise.

‘It...it looks lovely.’

Unlike the kind of dresses that unmarried ladies wore, there were neither frills nor an over-abundance of ribbons. It was a simple design that aimed to flatter the wearer’s features. Iris thought the dress rather suited her defiant features and nature.

Mrs Macy softly smiled at Iris who was blushing at her image.

‘Lady Iris, seeing you in this dress makes me realise that clothing without many frills will suit you better, don’t you think so, Mrs Katri?’

Katri came closer and nodded in agreement, ‘Yes, you look absolutely beautiful, milady.’

‘Thank you, Mrs Macy. Thank you, Katri.’ Iris said with a happy smile at the two women.

Mrs Macy clapped her hand happily, ‘Soon, you won’t be restricted in what you wear. I believe that your grace and beauty will be more polished than before.’

For unmarried ladies, they were fashion-fixed to only pastel coloured dresses that supposedly represented freshness. On the other hand, married women had no restrictions what colours or styles they wore. (Zuben: How does this make sense to restrict what colours young ladies trying to get married wear - I never understood the dictates of fashion)

‘Congratulations, Lady Iris. I am glad you were able to meet a good man like His Majesty.’

Iris gave a wry smile and replied, ‘Maybe…’

Mrs Macy and Katri fell into discussion about Iris’ future fashion after she was married.

With the help of a friendly seamstress, Iris began to take off the wedding dress. She had once heard from Mrs Macy that a bride wore white on her wedding day had meaning. The white denoted purity and innocence. She had thought it was suitable for a young lady without impurity to wear pure white, when she heard. But now, Iris has lost her purity. (Zuben: *roll eyes*) Although, in this case the person who took it was going to be her husband, so it would not be a problem if things were not happening in order. In truth, it was rather common for couples to get married and have a baby that came a bit early in the timeline.

That being said, she had used a love potion to get her husband. She did not feel as though she had the right to wear white. (Zuben: You should wear black and mope around)

When she looked at herself in the mirror, her heart was painful with guilt.

She sighed. The seamstress helping her tilted her head in askance, ‘Lady Iris, are you having wedding blues?’

‘Hm?...Er no...that…’ It was impossible to deny, so Iris did not say more. She realised if she said no, she would have to explain the reason for her glumness.

The seamstress smiled as she said, ‘You don’t have to worry; His Majesty the King loves you very very much. He even-’

‘Colette! Do I have to remind you to move your hands not your mouth?’ Mrs Macy said sharply.

Colette’s eyes widened at the admonishment. She cast her gaze down, ‘I’m sorry, Mrs Macy.’

She curtsied to Iris, ‘Pardon me, Lady Iris.’

Iris shook her head denoting she didn’t mind at all. Colette dutifully helped Iris take off her dress.

He even…?

What was Colette going to say?

Maybe that even though His Majesty was not good with women, he was only fine with Iris…?

That was likely. Even amongst the commoners, they would hear about the rumours that the King was not good with women, especially if they work in a shop frequented by aristocratic ladies.

Iris was convinced that was the case. She picked up her day dress to wear, when Mrs Macy stopped her.

‘Lady Iris, do you mind trying one more dress on?’

‘Mrs. Macy…?’

‘I’m sorry to trouble you, but I would really like you to try this dress on, Lady Iris.’

Ernest had sent her to try on the wedding dress, before it was completed. Nothing had been said about other dresses being ordered.

Mrs Macy smiled softly, ‘It is a bit sad, but I made a dress for a customer but due to spraining her ankle, she isn’t able to attend her fitting. She is of similar sizing to you, so I hope you will help me with this dress.’

Iris frowned. She wasn’t busy today. Rosemary could not have any embroidery tutoring because she had a whole day of lessons.

‘Of course,’ Iris said, ‘I am happy to help.’

‘Thank you, Lady Iris.’ Mrs Macy gave a relieved sigh.

Iris was more tired because of accumulated fatigue, so trying on the dresses was extra effort. It could not be helped that she was distracted. Yet, no matter how similar in size two women were, it was impossible to size a dress for one woman with another. (Zuben: Modern day clothing store do it)

Iris didn’t think much of it because she was so sleepy but she wondered; for whom, was such a wonderful dress that robbed eyes and hearts?

One night a week later...

[1] I did some research - more than I do for these novels, and found Iris makes a type of lace called Filet Lace which is actually embroidered on a lace net. See wiki hyperliked.

[2] Financier cake 

Wikipedia

[3] Madeleine cake 💖

Wikipedia

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