47th Dawn - Grueling Apprenticeship, Must Work Hard!

As I watch Alexander saunter away, I recollect my bearings and wonder why I went after him.

Perhaps, I find myself in him when Alessandra chastised him in front of everybody. Now that I think about it, these siblings are really different from Ruben and Madeline. They just look too hot under the collar, as if they're not family at all. Then again, I'm in no place to judge. I also shouldn't poke my nose in their business.

"I already have my hands full with the sister coming after my head..."

With that, I decided to put this incident in the back of my mind and just focus on my new endeavor. For the succeeding days, that's what I did or tried to do at least. Due to various reasons, things turn out to be easier said than done.

The backlashing continues inside the studio. Thanks to Tristant's initial warning about the apprentices scheming a comeback, I'm able to brace myself somehow. I always prepare my ears for any insulting blathers and insensitive remarks. Even then, however, I still find everything simply infuriating.

On my second day as a designer apprentice, the judging for the mini evening dresses is conducted by Baron Pierre and Alessandra. I'm already pleased enough for being given the opportunity to lay eyes on such exquisite garments, but then, the Baron has to ask for my opinions all of the sudden.

"Miss Lillian, please join us in rating the dresses," he suddenly voiced out in the middle of scoring the prototypes.

Though I don't want to appear a know-it-all, I have no choice but to accept since he insisted. I try my best to ignore everyone's searing gazes as I join the judges' table, but then, hesitation instantly weighs down on me as I realize that if I just run my mouth mindlessly, I might turn into a laughingstock. At this, I decided to come clean as early as now and confess my lack of knowledge and inexperience when it comes to dressmaking.

"How about commenting on their chosen themes instead? Surely, you have something to say," Baron Pierre offered, which I somehow find manageable.

At this, I begin poring over each prototype. As I do so, however, the apprentices are giving off such malicious vibes, giving me the impression that they're not really interested to hear an amateur out.

"They're all stupendous with how intricate and lavish they look. Every design perfectly fits the category of evening dresses - it brings forth a woman's elegance and graceful features," I started, much to others' indifference.

I think they're just being smug, though. They already expected that I'd say something like this.

"But when it comes to themes, I don't think they're groundbreaking."

At this, I finally caught their full attention. The apprentices all look dumbfounded that I almost let out a giggle. Baron Pierre just continues peering at me in silence while Alessandra attempts to taunt me by dropping a retort. Her doing that only makes me think that she's just backing her secret followers up.

"What are you talking about? These apprentinces have been learning the trends since day one. They have properly integrated what they knew and thoroughly visualized them through these dresses. What's your grounded reasoning for that?" she remarked pompously.

"Well, you see, Miss Alessandra... Yesterday, Baron Pierre talked about development and growth. He even made sure to say them first before giving the assignment, but as I can see, none of these designs really follow through that," I replied, confounding them even more.

"Just cut to the chase. Are you trying to say they're inaccurate?"

"As for the threadwork, they're all on point, but what I'm saying now is regarding the theme. In other words, they just didn't seem to think outside the box when coming up with ideas. Though the dresses certainly look grand and upscale, the concept is simply recurring."

I'm not sure what happens after that as momentary silence suddenly prevails. Since I'm the last one who spoke, I'd naturally feel awkward and a bit uncomfortable. That's until Baron Pierre cuts this sprawling quietude off with an applause. At this, my eyes only widened in surprise.

"Glad your observation yesterday paid off," he commended, much to my embarassment.

I don't mean to brag when I spout out those comments, but the apprentices seem to have taken them the wrong way. It's all nice and peaceful after the grading of evening dresses. They all passed, which I already expected since I witnessed their efforts with my own eyes. Yet, despite approving the fact that they deserve the fruit of their hard work, they still don't seem to be appreciative of me.

In fact, they never steered clear of me even after our previous confrontation.

For the following days after I judged the dresses, the apprentices condemn and shun me whenever the Baron's not around. They have become more expressive of their resentment. They display their bitter indignation in the open. Worst of all, they're not making me do any work.

Whenever I enter the room, chatters always ensue that it's now turning into some kind of a tradition.

"Well, will you look at that... The contract princess is here to lecture us today..."

At first, it starts with gossiping. Victoria, that red-haired girl who mocked me on my first day there, serves as the leader of this opposing cluster. When they realize how tolerant I am to such tittle-tattles, they step up their game and start getting physical.

"Oops...! I'm sorry! I didn't see you there."

It's one of Victoria's minions. She just shoved me by the shoulder and pretended not to see me.

At situations like this, I'd often fight back or at least retort, but I just zip my mouth. I know by now that fighting fire with fire won't solve anything after all. Also, if I respond to this, I'd only be giving them the reaction they want to bring about in the very beginning.

Then, this has become a cycle - them infuriating me, I getting infuriated silently.

This type of game I can deal with. I know I can manage. Since discussion week hasn't started yet, I'm still a mere observer here and I have to at least survive until then. However, these nobles are never satisfied that they even have their last boss join the party.

"Daffodil, you're still not allowed to participate right? Why don't you lend a hand in seaming for now?" is what Alessandra told me to do before the last day of practical application week.

At this, I already have a bad feeling.