“Oh my, how pretty.”
“Wow… Harang-nim, you’re looking really beautiful right now….”
I averted my gaze from the cheesy compliments between the two and looked into the mirror.
…Am I pretty?
Feeling awkward in a dress that wasn’t my usual outfit, I fidgeted with the folds, until the shopkeeper came over.
“Little lady, you’ll look even prettier on the day itself!”
Hmm… Even flattery like that isn’t going to improve my mood.
It feels a bit too sycophantic.
“Hmph…”
Wearing this, I can’t swing my sword properly, can I?
“Get in here.”
“…Okay.”
Here’s what the shopkeeper said next:
The dress I was wearing didn’t fit me perfectly since it wasn’t custom-made, and on the day itself, I would be wearing light makeup and a corset, which would surely have the menfolk falling for me as I pleased.
“…”
I couldn’t find a proper response, so I kept my mouth shut.
Just wearing a dress was already taking a toll on my spirit, so what more do they want from me?
And why are we talking about makeup and corsets?
Hearing that I would charm the men only left me feeling even more uncertain.
“…”
…Or maybe not?
When I recall how Nameless must be thinking the same, I…
“Hmm.”
Well, it wasn’t so bad.
At least it’s worth putting up with this discomfort, I suppose.
“Hmm.”
Imagining their reactions made my lips curl upwards for no reason.
“Looks like Harang-nim is a woman after all…”
“What are you talking about?”
I shot a look at Bell, who was spouting nonsense, before letting out a deep sigh.
“Ha…”
Being older… What am I doing? Bell’s words had deflated me.
“Stop standing around and help me take this off.”
“Ugh…”
What’s so complicated about changing clothes that I can’t do it myself?
Struggling, I extended my arms, and Bell pulled at my dress while speaking in a voice full of questions.
“Uh, Harang-nim.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Does Nameless-nim have a suit?”
I don’t know why she had to ask that while I was in the middle of undressing.
That said, it wasn’t something I couldn’t answer, so I thought to respond casually.
“None—”
“Excuse me?!”
If that brat hadn’t zipped my back just then.
“Ow! That hurts!”
“I-I’m so sorry…!”
Pouting while rubbing my red back, I glared at her.
…What’s wrong with that girl? Where’s her head at?!
As I turned to complain, Bell was looking at me with a dumbfounded expression.
“Y-You have to get Nameless-nim a suit!”
“…Really?”
I tilted my head, thinking it over.
Since he would be attending the banquet with me, it would be a bit odd if he wore his usual clothes.
“Y-You should match the dress code since he’s your partner!”
“Hmm…”
I don’t know what a dress code is, but judging by Bell’s expression, it definitely seems she’s right.
And the shopkeeper, who happened to be nearby, looked equally shocked.
“Oh my, you have a partner?”
“…What.”
Technically, it would be more accurate to say we were in a master-apprentice relationship, but I didn’t bother correcting her.
The shopkeeper patted my shoulder enthusiastically and continued.
“Then bring that man over! I’ll turn him into the star of the banquet!”
“…Okay.”
Seeing the spark in the shopkeeper’s eyes, I reluctantly nodded.
If she’s willing to help, I wouldn’t have a reason to refuse, and considering she picked out my outfit, she has some taste.
“…”
Above all, I also wanted to see Nameless in a suit.
“Harang-nim, your face is red…! Are you okay…?”
“…I’m fine.”
*
Dress code…? What was that again?
Bell seemed tired.
“Take care now.”
“Ugh… See you next time.”
I had nothing else to do outside, so I headed straight back to my dorm.
“…Master, you’re home?”
As I entered the room, I locked eyes with the dazed Nameless, who had apparently been waiting for me.
“Uh… Yeah.”
Feeling a bit scared from his intense aura, I nodded quickly and tried to pass by.
Nameless grabbed my shoulder abruptly.
“You seem to have taken longer than expected.”
Beads of sweat were trickling down my face as I forced my drooping lips to curve into a smile.
“D-Did I?”
“Yes, Master.”
As if to say, ‘Don’t try to deny it,’ his response came back quickly.
“Hmm…”
I couldn’t argue back since I had some guilt of my own.
They said I would be back in a moment, but here I was, out for over three hours.
…I really messed that up.
Honestly, I should have just said I met someone instead of going for a walk.
I hung my head and murmured.
“…I’m sorry for being late.”
“It’s fine, I think I spoke too harshly.”
Seeing Nameless add that softly made my heart feel heavy.
“Nameless…!”
When did he grow up so much, learning to forgive so readily?
I was about to shower him with some praise when suddenly—
“Ugh!”
Nameless placed a hand on my forehead to stop me.
“By the way, Master.”
His voice was lower than usual, almost wintery in tone.
Yet paradoxically, beads of cold sweat were still rolling down.
…What’s going on? Did I mess up again?
Nameless leaned in close and took a sniff near my neck.
“Eek! What are you doing?!”
I recoiled, shoving him back.
It was one thing for him to bury his face in my neck, but… it tickles too much.
“Indeed….”
Once he pulled back to look at me, I could see his brow furrowed in displeasure.
“Who exactly did you meet?”
“Ah…”
Could it be he smelled something unfamiliar again…?
I had forgotten that Nameless had a keen sense of smell.
…If I had known he would react like this, I wouldn’t have lied.
That said, with the situation laid bare, I couldn’t just brush it off, plus if I wanted to get him a suit, I’d have to eventually come clean.
With a deep sigh, I grabbed both of his hands.
“I met Arnold and Bell.”
“Is that so?”
Nameless opened his mouth in surprise.
He probably didn’t expect me to reveal the truth so easily.
“And I also met the owner of the clothing shop.”
“The clothing shop…?”
Nameless tilted his head in confusion at the sudden mention of the shop.
The sight was almost cute, causing me to chuckle as I continued.
“Yeah, you need a new outfit as well, so we should visit soon.”
“….”
“Hmm?”
Seeing the complaining look on Nameless’s face made me tilt my head.
“It’s just a new outfit, so what’s the big deal?”
He hesitated briefly, then quietly replied.
“…I prefer the clothes you made for me.”
“Hmm…?”
I widened my eyes at the unexpected answer.
Surely he was talking about the clothes he was wearing now…
What do getting new clothes and visiting a clothing shop have to do with one another?
Could it be…?
I lifted my hand to cover my mouth as I spoke.
“What are you thinking? It’s just for one day at the banquet.”
My eyes narrowed, taking on an almost mocking expression.
“Do you really hate the clothes I made for you that much?”
“….”
I couldn’t help but chuckle and give his back a pat.
“Looks like there’s no helping it! I’ll have to make clothes for you for the rest of your life.”
How long has it been since I jokingly teased Nameless!?
Filled with glee, I started spinning around him, casually tossing jabs in his direction, and Nameless nodded slowly with a red face.
“…Yes, I’ll be counting on you for life.”
Thud, I froze in place.
“…What?”
Turning to face Nameless, I was as red as a tomato.
The reason for my blush… was definitely out of anger.
Probably.
Think about it, which kid would stick to their mother and ask for help till they die?
Someday, they should be independent, but Nameless has just declared himself a leech.
But even that didn’t entirely annoy me, so I slyly turned my head and muttered.
“…I’m just glad that my efforts in making clothes for you are recognized.”
“…Yes.”
For a while, silence filled the room.
*
Time flowed swiftly, and it was the day of the banquet.
Riding in the splendid carriage that had come to escort my Master, I arrived at the royal palace.
Once there, I felt as if I had never been this busy before.
‘…This is uncomfortable.’
Nameless sighed as he adjusted his white suit and neatly groomed hair.
‘…When will she be back?’
With my Master saying she would just prepare for a moment, over half an hour had passed.
The Master who said she would be right back was nowhere to be seen, and all I could see were young ladies in dresses circling around me.
“Tch, I absolutely hate noisy places.”
Mimicking something my Master would say, Nameless continued to sigh heavily.
However, to these young ladies, Nameless probably looked incredibly handsome just standing there idly, and soon, people began to flock to him.
‘…I need to get out of here.’
Since I was certain my Master would throw a fit upon seeing this, I avoided the gazes of the ladies interested in me and made my way to a corner of the banquet hall.
Then suddenly,
Nameless sensed a shift in the atmosphere of the banquet hall.
‘What’s happening?’
Men and women clad in flashy attire were all gazing in one direction, whispering in awe.
Feeling the need to relieve my boredom, I headed that way, and—
“Ah.”
I finally encountered her.
“Um… Where did you go for a moment?”
My Master, who was anxiously waiting for someone.
Nameless completely forgot about searching for her, gaping like the other men nearby.
Seeing my Master’s appearance after just half an hour was simply dazzling and beautiful.
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