Winter Fashion Competition; Bijoux

Having gathered enough research material, Yue once again start drafting for the Winter Fashion Competition.

This event was originally an annual company competition to determine the next Head of the Designing Department.

Kemara, the current Chief Designer, who did a little mischief on their side, had been sitting in the position for three years in a row. It could be said that she's really an absolute talent in this industry. Unfortunately, she had been too confident in her design style and refused to grow that's why Kiro took away her spot from the recent Fashion Festival.

Now, the upcoming Winter Fashion Competition does not only signify the position of the next Head of the Designing Department, it also means being the representative of the company for the Nationwide draft for the next Royal Designer.

The current Royal Designer was ready to retire. Usually, such position can be inherited by the disciple, but the man was unable to stumble upon a good seedling over the years. It's not that there are no good designers beside him, but no one can determine his standard for choosing a direct student.

And so, the Emperor decreed for all legible candidates to join the contest. Hopefully, they'd be able to find a potential disciple for the old man, if not, at least they'd be able to choose the best person to succeed his place.

Only true blooded citizen of Country C is allowed to join the competition.

But despite that, there's still bound to have many that would try to join, even nuisance candidates.

So several fashion competitions are organized around the country.

Those affiliated with companies and studios were given the right to decide on their representative.

This way, would be the first round of elimination.

Kiro wanted to provide an equal opportunity to his employees so he used the annual company competition to determine the most deserving person.

Well, he actually wanted to give the slot to either her or Ker but they declined such advantage.

Ker wasn't interested in serving the royal family.

Yue on the other hand, knew that she still lacks experience. Fashion Fest brought her the realization that there are lots that have the same talent as her, and that she needed more of this kind to sharpen her skills.

If she can't even win the company event, what right would she have to compete for the position of the Royal Designer.

The first round of the Winter Fashion Competition is freestyle. But one can't be too careless when passing an entry.

This would test the foundation of a designer. The techniques and style and how well one could understand the purpose of this competition.

Yue already passed her entry and just waiting for the result to be announced together with the new set of theme and instruction for the next round.

Yue was focused on her drawings when she heard someone approaching the studio.

At this point, it was usually her that was using the studio and Ker only goes to work if Kiro asked him. Besides the two, there's rarely anyone who come visit her in this place. Thinking of the small guy, a smile appeared on Yue's face.

Just as she looked towards the door, she saw it opened up and a small head appeared.

"Baby, you're here" sure enough it was Kil who popped up. Even if the child tried to lighten his steps, the footfall of an adult is still different than that of a child.

"Sister how did you know?" based on the tone of sister Yue, Kil knew that she expected his arrival, he doubts his brother to inform her.

"Isn't that sister and baby have the same thought at heart" Yue took Kil in her arms and gave him a hug.

"I knew it, sister always had Kil in her heart" Kil hugged his sister back, taking advantage of her care.

"Yeah yeah, but what is that in your hand?' the child had been keeping something in his back for a time now.

"Ahh!" the kid left her arms and stood straight.

Yue looked at him with mirth wanting to know what the little guy is planning to do.

"Ehem. Big sister, allow me to invite you on a date tonight" then Kil made a bow like a gentleman.

But his bravado got interrupted when a big hand smacked his head.

"Wuwu it hurts, who's the insolent one to hurt this young master?" Kil glared at the person who suddenly appeared on his back only to his eldest brother.

"Presumptuous brat!" Kiro gave his baby brother an eye.

"How dare you run away with an important invitation, daring to date your big sister even. I seriously don't know what's running on that small brain of yours" Kiro wanted to pull the hair off his head.

"You're the one with small brain, your family is the one with small brain!" Kil talked back with great momentum.

"You're my family!" then Kiro drilled his fist on his brother's temple but didn't really apply pressure as to not hurt the small guy, the same goes earlier when he "smacked" his head.

Kil was stunned with that realization, but his pride can't condone losing.

"Wuwu, you're mistreating me. Big sister, take me away. I don't want to lose my life in the hand of that beast" Kil suddenly pounced on Yue acting up.

"That's enough" Yue find it hilarious whenever the two brothers banter but she doesn't want Kil to utter horrible words.

Kil didn't know why his big sister suddenly became serious.

He looked confused as he stared at her.

"Kil, listen to big sister. It's not good to call you brother names. You may find it fun but those words are inappropriate and disrespectful. Do you understand?" Yue had to be stern as she wanted to let Kil realize the importance of the matter.

"I-uhn, sorry. I won't do it again" Kil knew he had gone overboard this time and had to be honest.

"That's good. I know Kil is a good kid" Yue patter his head gently.

"Sorry Big brother" Kil didn't forget his eldest brother.

"See, I told you not to play with those bear children" Kiro was comforted that Yue was able to tame his brother. The kid had been recently hanging around with the rotten kids from other family that he learned to curse.

Seeing that Kil learned his lesson, Yue proceed with the business.

"Do you need me to go to the opening of Bijoux?" Yue saw the symbol in the invitation. It was the same one she saw at her brother's study a few days ago.

"Well, I needed you to accompany me if that's alright" Kiro didn't hide his intention.

"What about Linn?" Yue frowned. Usually it was her friend that act as Kiro's partner in this kind of occasion.

"She had a sudden family emergency so she won't be able to accompany me" Kiro is also having a headache because of this. He didn't want just anyone to accompany him if not his assistant.

"Is she okay?" Yue was surprised that Linn hadn't mention anything to her when they were just talking the day before.

"Yeah, she mentioned it was a small matter and be back after a day or two. So, will you be able to go with me?" Kiro sounded urgent, Yue felt that he specially place some concern in this event.

"That's good, then, why can't you go alone?" Yue had a bad premonition about this.

"That- do me a favor on this one. My mother, she wanted me to match me with the daughter of the owner of Bijoux, I just wanted to discourage her" Kiro had no choice to reveal his predicament.

"I don't want to pretend to be your girlfriend" Yue knew it's going to be a big trouble if they pretended because they weren't just two ordinary people.

"You don't need to. You just needed to come with me and I'll handle everything" Kiro also couldn't afford to place Yue in trouble if he didn't want to be killed by Yyan.

"I'm still not convinced. Let me ask my brother about this" this time Yue just wanted to see how far Kiro can take this matter.

"Don't, don't, don't. Alright, I will try to ask someone else. But this is a good opportunity to gain connections and see if there's any jewelry that you can use in your designs. The Royal Designer might even come in this event" seeing that Yue won't take the bait, Kiro had to compromise. In the end, he still wanted to give the benefits to Yue.

"What's the background of the owner?" she knew that Bijoux is a luxury brand and the owner is a powerful woman, but she had yet to investigate about her information.

"Mrs. Levre is the niece of the Royal Designer. They provide and design the jewelry pieces that the Royal Family used in official gatherings. So I tell you, I'm giving away this piece of pie to you" Kiro provided a piece of information but this is enough to amaze Yue. It is hard to be able to gain the trust of the Royal Family. The official seal in their brand is enough to monopolize the market.

"Hmp, my brother was given the invitation as well" Yue was smug.

"You really-" Kiro was helpless. He didn't expect that Yue wouldn't even give him face.

"Well I really do plan on joining the event later. If you'll really be in trouble later, I'll try to help you out okay" Yue doesn't agree with Kiro's plan but she can't also turn a blind eye on him. She's sure there's bound to be another way for him to turn down the lady without using her or any innocent lady for this matter.

"You said that. You can't turn back on your promise. I'll pick you up at 9am tomorrow" Kiro didn't wait for Yue to respond and run along with his brother in tow.

"Hey, I only said I'll try!" Yue reminded even if she knew it's useless.