Chapter: 337
I already knew what Joy was trying to make me do.
She had told me directly herself, but it was also one of the events related to Joy in the game.
We went out on the street to choose outfits for each other and then play while wearing them.
What seemed trivial on the surface was a fervent wish for Joy.
Joy may be a bit clumsy, but she’s not an idiot.
She understands well the position she holds as a Ducal Young Lady,
is aware of how her status is perceived by others, and
is fully cognizant of how her words can be interpreted by other Young Ladies.
Despite her villainous appearance, she was not the type of person to make others uncomfortable to fulfill her wishes.
Her desire, which she had dreamed of since she read about it in some book, remained just that, a wish, even after nearly ten years had passed.
Until she met me, the player in the game.
Knowing this background, I gladly decided to grant Joy’s wish.
What wouldn’t I do if I could bring a smile to the girl who had no choice but to feel lonely among the people surrounding her?
“Alright! Young Lady! You have to call me by my name today!”
My determination strengthened even more the moment I saw her playful smile as she came to meet me early in the morning.
Watching Joy, whose smile was rising at the corners, I realized once again why I made her my favorite character.
‘Is calling by name enough? Joy?’
“Hmm? You’re okay with just calling me by name? Joy? Really?”
“Of course! What more could I ask for?!”
‘For that, though…’
“Strange? Wasn’t it just the other day you were revealing tons of desire? Is my memory hazy?”
“Well, that was because I was still half-asleep.”
‘Sister Joy.’
“Sister Joy.”
“…Could you say that one more time?”
‘No, thanks.’
“Weren’t you saying it wasn’t necessary? Why did you suddenly change your mind? Hmm? I’m really curious.”
“Well… umm…”
After teasing Joy, who was hiding her blushing face behind her fan, I said,
‘Phoebe. Earlier…’
“Sloppy Saintess. You see, when I called Joy ‘Sister Joy,’ she got all shy. Isn’t she adorably innocent despite her looks?”
“Hehe. Maybe Young Lady was just thinking how cute you are and wanted to have a little sister like you?”
‘If that’s true, how…’
“Joy, Sloppy Saintess thinks like this; what do you say? Did you want a cute little sister like me? Is that it?”
“…Please, just stop it.”
After meeting with Phoebe and teasing Joy again about what had happened, I headed towards the teleportation stone to move to the capital city.
“Ah, by the way, Young Lady, can we bring Professor Karl along? I need someone to help carry the clothes.”
I couldn’t understand what Joy meant.
Why would we need someone to carry clothes when our physical capabilities far exceeded those of commoners?
And even if we bought an excessive amount of clothes, we could just put them into a space pocket.
When I voiced my confusion, Joy and Phoebe exchanged glances and looked down at me with warm smiles.
“You’ll understand when you see it, Young Lady.”
When we arrived at the capital’s street, the first shop we visited was a large clothing store that Joy frequently visited.
“Oh! Ducal Young Lady Partlan! Welcome!”
It seemed the owner wasn’t lying about being a regular; upon seeing Joy’s face, she rushed over with delight.
“Sloppy Saintess, it’s been a while. And… Allen Young Lady?”
The brightness in the owner’s face shifted to a fearful pallor as her gaze landed on me.
…How much trouble did the past Lucy cause for her to act so openly displeased?
Accustomed to disdainful looks, I shrugged it off, but the other two were not.
“Madam, there’s no way my friend would give you such a face, right?”
A chill settled on Joy’s expression.
This wasn’t the usual villainous glare; it was a truly intimidating gaze meant to pressure someone.
The shop owner, meeting that gaze directly, started sweating bullets, shaking her head.
“No! That can’t be! It’s just… um, previously Allen Young Lady…”
“Madam.”
The explanation about the past Lucy immediately got cut off by Phoebe’s voice.
Facing her soft eyes and resolute stance, the shop owner stammered, unable to continue.
“I don’t know what kind of person the Young Lady was in the past, but the Young Lady now would never do that. I can guarantee that.”
“I feel the same way. Madam.”
With both the Ducal Young Lady of the Partlan family and the Saintess of the Jushin Church expressing the same opinion, no one could counter their stance.
The shop owner could only nod with a pale face.
“Returning to the main topic, Madam. We’d like to gift clothing to Allen Young Lady, but do you have anything that suits her?”
“W-Well, of course! Ducal Young Lady! There’s no outfit that wouldn’t suit someone as cute and beautiful as you!”
The shop owner’s voice was almost a scream as she hastily led Karl deeper into the store.
“Not happy. Trying to judge the Young Lady for past events.”
“That’s unfortunate. No matter the past sins, people can change.”
Uh.
Hmm.
It’s great that you’re supporting me, but isn’t the shop owner the victim in this situation while I’m the perpetrator?
No matter how I look at it, it seems like they’re the ones who should feel wronged here.
I can’t bring myself to voice any complaints when I see the fear in your eyes watching the shop owner leave, but I feel like this is tyranny based on power.
If strange rumors start to circulate, it won’t be my fault, right?
If there’s a controversy about the Saintess’s overreach, it won’t be my fault either!
Before long, when the shop owner returned with Karl, I couldn’t help but gasp.
The amount of clothes in Karl’s arms exceeded his head!
Whoa. So that’s why she needed someone to help carry clothes.
It would certainly be difficult without a strong attendant to manage this.
“Madam, is this all?”
“No! No way! What kind of shop do you think this is?!”
Huh?
This isn’t all?!
There’s even more than this?!
Even if we three were sharing, isn’t this more than enough?!
Even if she’s a Ducal Young Lady, her scale is tremendous.
“That’s good to hear. Then please send over your strong attendant. I’ll have her try these on first.”
“Understood. Ducal Young Lady.”
…Wait a minute?
Did I just hear something strange?
You mean to say you’re going to make me try all these on?!
Not share the experience with three of us?!
‘Uh, Joy?…’
“Joy, you’re really planning to make me try on this mountain of clothes? Did you say that wrong, as befitting your clumsiness?”
“What kind of joke is that, Young Lady? You used to have an abundance of clothes, so can’t you try on this much? Oh, are you saying we won’t be trying things on? Don’t worry. That’s for later!”
No! That’s not it!
Don’t misunderstand!
Joy!
Are you really going to make me try on all these clothes?!
It would take a whole day just to change outfits!
“Joy, hold on a second.”
Yeah! Phoebe!
Please give that rich noble a sharp comeback for indulging in such extravagance like a Saintess!
“Aren’t you planning to check out just this store’s clothes, right?”
“Why would you even ask that? It’s common sense to check out different shops and designs, right?”
Watching the two chat with smiles, I realized something was seriously wrong.
Wait?! Aren’t we just supposed to try on a few outfits and buy one?!
So these people existed in just those few lines, huh?!
Ah. Thinking back, by the time the morning event ended, it had somehow turned to evening.
I thought it was just a description about playing all day, but it was actually about shopping for clothes all day.
Now I get it. This is the nobles’ common sense.
Led by Joy and Phoebe’s hands, as I arrived in the room filled with dozens of female attendants, I stared blankly at the chandelier on the ceiling.
…This is hell.
“How can every outfit suit you so well? You really are the Young Lady.”
“I’ve always known your beauty, but I didn’t expect this much. I might feel a bit jealous.”
An hour passed like this.
“Joy, what should we do? Everything suits the Young Lady so well, I can’t pick just one!”
“Phoebe, don’t worry. In such cases, you can just buy them all!”
Three hours passed.
“This place isn’t that great. Should we just buy this and that?”
“Joy, I saw something while we were passing by earlier…”
“You mean that store? Great, let’s go there this time…”
Five hours passed.
“Huff. What a fulfilling day it’s been.”
“I won’t forget today.”
Only after sunset did I escape my fate as a dressing doll.
How many outfits did I try on in just that one day?!
Even a fashion model wouldn’t be able to handle this schedule, right?
As I was replenishing my energy with snacks after getting back to the dorm, one fact suddenly struck me.
“Joy, something…”
“Absurd Joy, did you forget something?!”
“I did? Is there anything I should’ve asked for… oh! I should’ve asked for my clothes to be picked out!”
Joy, who had been lost in joy while dressing me up, suddenly frowned, deep in thought, before perking up.
What is it? What is it? Don’t tell me you want to go back to the clothing store now?
I’m really tired right now!
If I keep wandering around, I’ll be out of breath!
“Allen Young Lady, you have to promise you’ll grant me any request I make today. Got it?”
‘…Got it?’
“Why?”
“Promise! Later, pick dresses for me! No, for me and Phoebe! If you break this promise, you’ll have to come clothes shopping with us again!”
…This wicked noble!
To pull a stunt like this with a blank check!
You little rascal! Do you not fear the revolution my mace could unleash?!
Just a day from now and I could initiate a revolution!
“This is an order! Nod your head quickly!”
– Ding
Fine!
I just have to promise!
You noble’s lackey!
Is that what the Jushin is about?!
Just wait! When the revolution starts—
…Ah, then I’d just be the first to get my head chopped off.
I’m a complete reckless noble after all.
Reluctantly nodding my head due to the threat of punishment, I frowned as I watched a satisfied Joy.
Sigh. Damn it. Not having rights feels this sad.
‘Joy, where…’
“Joy, Sloppy Saintess, tell me where you plan to wear the clothes I choose for you.”
Even so, since I made a promise, I should keep it.
It has been ages since I applied my makeup skills; I wonder if I can still pull it off.
Certainly, outfits that would suit Joy are in the east…
“Of course, I’ll wear it to the Academy’s closing party. I’ll boast that it’s the outfit selected by the Young Lady.”
Ah, that? That’s easy. Just go for the most eye-catching option.
“Oh! By the way! You have to promise me that you’ll wear the clothes I pick out for you too!”
Got it. That’s no big deal.
It may have been exhausting to try on so many outfits, but the designs were all quite good.
…But Joy, with so many outfits you bought, which one should I wear?
Wasn’t there something specific chosen? I lost track halfway through, so I don’t remember very well.
“You forgot already?! How could you! I put so much thought into this! The Young Lady who was first in the first year will surely be on stage!”
Huh?
…
Uhhh?!
Stage?
What do you mean?! Joy?!
The speech representative in the first year was always Arthur…
Oh, wait! I beat him, right?!
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