"You've met my unreasonable demands and produced results, as promised. This dress is no exception, just like the other two. Your craftsmanship is truly remarkable."
This world... at least in the period between when Gloria was born and when she was executed after being condemned at the graduation party, was based on the story of an otome game.
It didn't feel real to her. And after living, dying, and being reborn with no recollection, she couldn't truly come to terms with it. But by this point, Gloria had no reason to doubt A-ko's words and knowledge.
The dressmaker Gloria had commissioned in her past life had made beautiful dresses, but if this world was really meant for the "Heroine," then Gloria, the "Villainess," would only be a supporting character when it came to dressmaking.
The people who were now trembling on the floor, their faces pale as they pressed their foreheads to the ground, were some of the finest dressmakers in the country.
The latest fashion, beautiful dresses, had been the Holy Maiden's weapon.
Thanks to the dresses they had so eagerly created for their dear friend, the former orphaned baroness was able to keep the crown prince at her side at every party.
Thus, Gloria genuinely appreciated their skills in dressmaking.
Having lived just a bit ahead of where she once was, everything that had been a "fashionable" dress when she was ten now seemed outdated. No matter what dress she wore, to Gloria, it was all the same. As long as it reflected her dignity, it didn't matter.
So, having the dressmakers that the world had tailored for the Holy Maiden at her disposal seemed like a good decision.
"I want you to continue making dresses for me. It would be a waste for your careers to end like this."
Smiling, Gloria walked over to the owner, who was still bowed low, and crouched beside her.
Stopping Kyla and the doctors, who were about to intervene, she gestured for them to allow her to continue. Gently, she raised the owner's face.
"If Kate has called for a knight, then it's likely that the constables have already been notified. Our knights are diligent, after all. However... this injury..."
Gloria waved her finger, still wrapped in the white cloth.
"I was also careless."
The owner, her face regaining some color, looked up at Gloria, and their eyes met.
That fleeting look of hope was something Gloria couldn't ignore. With a calm voice, she continued:
"However, you made a mistake by leaving a needle in the dress. There must be consequences. My family's reputation is at stake. We cannot pretend that nothing has happened."
The owner, trembling, nodded fervently, her lips quivering.
"However, I have checked the list, and I know that none of you were in charge of the embroidery. Therefore, I will testify that none of you are to blame."
The seamstresses, who had been holding their breath, finally let out a collective sigh of relief.
They realized, just in time, that their lives had been spared.
"Now, who was responsible for the embroidery where the needle was?" Gloria asked, her eyes sharp.