Ascendance of a Bookworm

The day after the dyeing competition was for taking measurements and placing orders for the outfits. Today, it wasn’t Otto but Corinna who came to the castle, bringing the seamstresses along. They were here to make winter garments from the fabric chosen in the dyeing competition.

From the three candidates I had proposed, the final fabric selected by Brynhildr for the winter outfit was a gradient cloth that shifted from deep red to a warm vermilion red. The fabric was scattered with flowers of slightly varying intensities, dyed painstakingly again and again.

…Brynhildr said it would make the best use of Tulli’s design.

It was unfortunate that we couldn’t have Mother as the exclusive designer, but at least I wanted the clothes made using Tulli’s designs.

“Lady Rosemine, I sincerely thank you,” Corinna said.

According to her, yesterday’s dyeing competition was a great success.

When the noblewomen decided to place orders through their own exclusive trading companies to workshops and artisans, even the major shops that had feared the Gilberta Trading Company’s monopoly, as well as the Dyeing and Weaving Association, dyeing workshops, and artisans, gave high praise.

The fabrics dyed desperately by the artisans were accepted by the upper nobility, and this new style of dyeing took root in Ehrenfest. The artisans who earned the Renaissance title from both Foster Mother and Charlotte were looked upon with envy, and many other artisans were fired up with ambition, determined to succeed next time.

“Because Lady Rosemine did not decide on awarding the Renaissance title, it seems the artisans are now sharpening their focus for the next season. I’ve also heard that some young artisans have begun studying painting, taking inspiration from the fabric Lady Rosemine selected this time.”

Until now, dyeing artisans needed the skill to dye fabrics evenly and beautifully in solid colors. But to create any kind of pattern with batik dyeing requires an artistic touch.

“This time, some artisans painted their own designs; others had paintings of flowers drawn at art-focused workshops and then dyed; some artisans had seamstresses draw flower and fruit designs with embroidery as a base. The world of dyeing is changing significantly.”

It seemed artisans were eagerly challenging themselves with new dyeing methods. That was good and exciting, but I spoke up.

“Since single-colored fabric is still necessary for making clothes, please remind the Dyeing and Weaving Association not to let single-colored fabrics disappear from Ehrenfest.”

It would be problematic if important skills were lost chasing trends. Just like when the princess of Arensbach popularized single-color dyeing so much that Ehrenfest’s dyeing almost vanished, it would be pointless if the skill to dye single colors disappeared.

“I will inform the Dyeing and Weaving Association accordingly.”

While Corinna nodded at my words, her hands busily moved, taking measurements one after another. Listening closely, I noticed the numbers had changed a little—apparently, I had grown a bit.

…Yes! I’ve gotten a little bigger in one year!

Trying not to show it, I quietly trembled with emotion. Then Corinna smiled meaningfully as she draped the fabric Brynhildr had chosen over me.

“Lady Rosemine, your eye is truly discerning.”

“Huh?”

“This fabric was dyed by Eva. Even if her name was hidden and only the number was shown, it was still possible to find out. Otto was surprised too.”

…No, that’s not me. It’s not me.

I had narrowed down the candidates, but Brynhildr made the final choice.

…Ahhh! My family love has been totally defeated by Brynhildr!

If I had known this fabric was Mother’s, I would have given her the Renaissance title, but since I decided “no candidate this time,” it was too late to overturn it.

I was disappointed that I couldn’t choose it myself, but honestly, I’m happy to have winter clothes made from fabric dyed by Mother.

“I liked the summer outfit, so could you make the winter one with a similar atmosphere?”