Rubica was quite nervous as she waited for Gabriel. The girls pride was as high as her cleverness. Maybe, after she went home, she had thought about it and decided to ignore what Rubica put her up to, thinking it was all useless.

Did she understand what I meant by it?

Gabriel could have done as promised, but it wouldnt guarantee that she learned something from it, just as Rubica had aimed for. This had been more of a half gamble.

When the maid, who carried messages came into the room, Rubica jumped to her feet without noticing it.

Has Miss Tangt arrived?

The maid replied by saying she had come to deliver a letter from Jackal Bank, but Rubica didnt have the time to be disappointed. She was worried and had hopes about Minos as much as she wanted to meet Gabriel. Therefore, she quickly opened the letter.

Minos wrote that he couldnt come right away as he was looking for something and said he wished to meet the duke later. He was asking for her understanding.

Well, Rubica had wanted to meet Minos tomorrow, but it wasnt like she could be mad at him. She had no choice but to write back to him and ask him to write to her when he got time.

Madam, Lady Tangt has arrived.

I will meet her in the sewing room, and I do not want anyone else to be there.

Yes, madam.

Ann had gone to meet the butler to discuss the delivery of rose candies to the queen. Rubica was worried that having anyone else in the room might make Gabriel say something she didnt mean out of embarrassment, so she went to meet the girl.

Good morning, Your Grace. The weather is as clear as your heart today.

Gabriel spoke with her wits as usual. When she raised her head, Rubica could see what she had asked for had brought more than she had expected.

You have done as I said.

Well, it was a bit embarrassing, but it wasnt that hard.

Gabriel lifted her chin high and boasted even though she had cried looking in the mirror every night. That exaggerated attitude combined with her freckles made her look cuter and lovelier. That was a charm that couldnt be seen when she covered her face with thick makeup.

Still, it must have been hard to come here bare faced.

True. When my parents saw me like this, my father stopped the carriage and my mother burst into tears.

He stopped your carriage? But whats wrong with not wearing makeup

Rubica was trying to compliment Gabriels courage, but then she was shocked to hear her answer. It was normal for a girl to not wear any makeup before her debutante. Gabriel scratched her head, a little embarrassed.

I never came out without wearing makeup since I was 12.

What? But that cant be good for your skin.

I know.

She shrugged. It looked quite foolish now but, at the time, she hadnt been able to take even a step outside without makeup.

Her parents scolded her at first, but they eventually gave up and bought her a bunch of cosmetics, just as she wanted.

We cannot always follow what we know. Everyone knows that getting up early in the morning is good, but only a few actually do that.

It was one of Gabriels old habits to prepare an excuse that sounded good in case she got scolded.

Why have you come barefaced even when your parents were so shocked?

Because you promised to teach me how to be pretty. So I thought it would be better to show who I really am, without any makeup. Its a quite a reasonable choice.

Even Gabriel herself though she was going too far with the last sentence. However, Rubica didnt point it out. She smiled and agreed with her.

Yes. Wearing makeup makes the colors of your face and lips look different, so I cannot tell you which cream you should use and which style is right for you.

Gabriel hadnt expected such a reaction, so she was slightly embarrassed. Those who are strong against criticism are weak to compliments. While she was stammering, not knowing what to say, Rubica called Jennie.

What is it, Your Grace?

Jennie was a little afraid that Rubica was calling her instead of one of her ladies-in-waiting since she was only a maid. Now she knew Rubica didnt punish her maids easily, but it still wasnt easy to get rid of an old habit.

Were going to transform Miss Tangt.

What? Lady Tangt? I heard she would be coming today, but where is she?

Jennie looked around the room even when Gabriel was standing right in front of her. In the end, Gabriel blushed really hard and raised her hand.

Here.

Excuse me?

Im Gabriel de Tangt.

Oh, oh. I am so sorry, my lady.

Jennie was really surprised and kept apologizing while Gabriel waved her hands.

No, its fine.

Gabriel forgave Jennie who thanked her. And the next moment, she brought a chair. Then, she made the girl sit down on it and started to check her thoroughly, from the hair down to her feet.

Was she the person who transformed Elise? Gabriels brown eyes sparkled with curiosity and hopes.

And which cream do you use?

I use Clara Cream from Coco Shop.

Gabriel was quite glad at being asked the question. Coco shop was where they made the most expensive cosmetics in the kingdom. Gabriels mother had ordered from there the moment she heard the queen used its products. However, Jennie looked a little troubled at hearing her answer.

Coco Shop? But its cream is a little heavy for you

Rubica brought Jennies cosmetics box and spoke as she opened it, That must be why her makeup did not look right.

Yes, the basic is the start of makeup. Hmm, this is a selection of cosmetics for you, so there isnt anything right for our young lady.

Then, she ran out of the room, not waiting for answers.

Before Gabriel could ask if the maid had been the one who transformed Elise, Rubica took out a bottle of hair oil from the box.

You would look prettier without the fringe, but I dont know how to get rid of already existing fringes.

Then, she started to put Gabriels fringe behind.

You should grow your fringe and put them back like this.

Rubica started to take out hairpins and put them on the girls fringe. Gabriel, in the meantime, glanced at the duchesss hair accessory box and exclaimed. It was full of wonderful and pretty things. One hair accessory that had been made with thin ribbons looked like a daisy flower.

Gabriel picked it up to take a closer look at it, but it hadnt been sewed.

Oh, this fabric is so amazing!

Yes, right? Edgar made it.

The duke?

Gabriel exclaimed in great shock, and Rubica had to quickly correct her imagination.

No, not by doing the needlework himself. He made a machine that can substitute sewing by applying heat to the edge.

What? He invented such a machine? Wow, thats shocking.

Gabriel took a closer look at it. Unlike ordinary ribbons, it was made of one layer instead of two. She rubbed its edges, but not even a single thread came out.

She was so impressed by it that it made Rubica proud. No other husband would make such a brilliant machine just because his wife wanted it.

She started to explain excitedly.

As it doesnt require any needlework, it can be made with thinner fabric and can be made into more varied accessories.

Rubica brought her sewing basket and took out the ribbons she had been working on. There were some in shapes of flowers like rose and camellia, and butterflies made of more than one layer of ribbons.

You cannot make these with thick ribbons.

You made all of these?

Of course.

Gabriel narrowed her eyes. She looked at Rubica and the ribbons again. Rubicas ribbons were more delicate than the ribbons in Khannas shop which her mother had ordered.

Each time Khanna was asked about the ribbons, she always said it had been Madam Berrys idea. Moreover, she had just announced Madam Berry was about to come up with more varied ribbon decorations, and everyone was so excited about it.

Then maybe she is Madam Berry.

However, Jennie came back before she could talk about it. Then, she started to apply the cream on the girls face without giving her a chance to speak. Rubicas maids were as fast as their mistress when it came to their work.