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“MY, oh my…! Lille, you’ve grown so much!”
The seamstress from The Three Needles looked Lille up and down with tears in her eyes, seeing her for the first time in six months.
“Goodness. You’re a fine young lady, through and through! I expected a bright future for you, but you’ve gone above and beyond!” she said, beaming.
“Thank you very much,” Lille replied brightly, fighting back tears herself. It was difficult to keep her emotions in check on the receiving end of such high praise.
“How can you boys just stand there with blank looks on your faces? You’re useless! You should compliment her more!” The seamstress clicked her tongue. While she and Lille were having their heartfelt reunion, Leo and Ark had just stared, bewildered. Leo jumped out of his skin when the seamstress pointed in his direction.
“H-Huh? Well, we see her every day, so…” he stuttered.
Ark grinned. “Good point,” he agreed. “Lille, you’ve been working really hard, haven’t you? Look at how much you’ve grown! Magnificent!”
“Hey, Ark!” Leo snapped. “That’s not fair!”
The seamstress appeared confused by their exchange, and flashed Lille a puzzled look. When Lille simply gave her an awkward smile in return, she giggled under her breath.
“Anyway, you’re here for Lille and Leo’s winter clothes, aren’t you? I’ll take Lille’s measurements first. This way, dear,” she said, guiding Lille to the small fitting room. Meanwhile, another seamstress sat Ark and Leo down on the sofa and brought them some tea.
“Sorry to rush you in here without even offering you some tea,” the seamstress apologized.
“No, it’s quite all right. I’m full, anyway,” Lille replied.
“Oh dear! I don’t think it’s very wise to eat and drink a lot just before getting your measurements taken…” She frowned.
Lille winced. “Oh. You’re right. I’m sorry…”
“No harm done. I’ll just keep that in mind while I’m measuring.” She smiled. “In my case, my belly sticks out whether I’ve eaten or not!” She chuckled, patting her stomach.
Lille couldn’t help but laugh as well, though she felt a little guilty about it. Then, with a mischievous smile, the seamstress leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
“But, I knew it. The moment I saw you, I could tell,” she said rather cryptically. “I had to bring you straight in here. I need to know what happened…”
Lille blinked. “What are you talking about?”
Even if they spoke at a regular volume, no one would be able to hear what they were saying from outside the room. Yet, the seamstress was whispering, as though sharing some sort of big secret. Was she talking about something private?
“You know! That thing I told you last time!” She grinned. “The fastest way for a girl to become a woman is to fall in love, remember?”
Actually, Lille did have a faint recollection of the seamstress saying that. Back then, however, falling in love was something that only existed in fairy tales, so she had quickly forgotten about it.
“Yes, I remember,” she said hesitantly. “…What about it?”
“So…you found someone you’re interested in, didn’t you? It’s as clear as day!” the seamstress exclaimed.
“I…found someone…?” she repeated blankly.
“I mean, you’ve grown, and your curves have filled out, but…how should I say this? There’s something strangely enchanting about you. …You have this dazzling feminine allure,” the seamstress determined. “Those passionate eyes of yours could only belong to a girl in love. That’s how I knew,” she said resolutely, scrutinizing Lille’s face.
Astonished, Lille felt a torrent of emotion tear through her body like a hurricane. She couldn’t remember how to breathe.
“Don’t tell me…you hadn’t even realized it yourself?” The seamstress gazed at her with concern and placed a comforting hand on Lille’s back.
“I…I’m…in love…?” she asked herself, trembling. “I…I think I am. How did I never realize…? I’ve loved him ever since we first met, but for some reason, it never occurred to me that…”
Tears began to cascade down her cheeks, and there was nothing she could do to stop them. She recalled the ache in her chest on the day they met, the night she couldn’t sleep after he caught her in his arms, and her discomfort the time Leo kissed her—all of it evidence that she was in love with Charles.
“It’s not either of the boys with you here today, is it? It seems like Leo’s very fond of you, but…would I be right to assume it’s Master Charlie?” the seamstress guessed.
Lille sobbed, her tears burning hot against her skin. She nodded.
“But… But I can’t. I can’t fall in love with him. He’s family,” she sniveled.
If both Leo and Ark went away one day, then Lille would be the only one left. And if she stopped thinking of Charles as family, he would lose all of them. He would be all alone.
“Master Charlie wants a family. I’m the same, so I understand his feelings completely. That’s why I have to make sure everything stays the same…” Lille blubbered.
“Nothing has to change, you know. Can’t you just tell him your feelings and leave it at that?” the seamstress suggested.
“But, he’s too kind. As soon as he knows my feelings, I don’t think he’ll see me as family anymore. Then, he’ll do his best to make sure I don’t realize…” Her bottom lip quivered.
The seamstress sighed. “I desperately want to say that’s not true, but I can’t deny that you know him better than I do…”
Lille wiped away her tears with the palms of her hands; there were too many to catch with her fingertips.
“Most people’s first loves end in heartbreak, but seeing how much he means to you, I really do wish I could help. I don’t want to pry, though…”
“Thank you, but I’ll be okay. I’ll find a way to make some good memories out of it instead,” Lille vowed.
So long as she put up with the pain in her chest and worked to get rid of her feelings, everyone would be happy. That was fine with her. To burden Charles with her own emotions was the last thing she wanted.
The seamstress peered into Lille’s eyes with a serious look on her face. Eventually, she opened her lips, and murmured quietly, “…Though, there is a way to fall in love and be a family.”
“Huh?” Lille looked at her blankly.
A light knock at the door interrupted them.
“Lille, can I come in? I’m opening the door!” Leo called, tumbling into the room before she even had a chance to reply.
“Guess what? The chocolates they gave us with our tea are so good. Lille, you’ve got to try these—” He stopped midsentence when he saw Lille’s red eyes and lowered the box of chocolates he had just tried to thrust into her hands. “Wait, have you been crying?”
“Oh, don’t worry, dear. She got a bug in her eye, that’s all,” the seamstress replied for her, knowing Lille wasn’t in a state to explain the tears away herself.
“A bug? Are you okay?” Leo’s brow furrowed. “Should I ask Ark to get rid of it?”
“There’s no need! Besides, what are you doing in the ladies’ fitting room, young man? Away with you!”
“W-Whoa!”
The seamstress ushered Leo out of the room, then slammed the door shut behind him.
“Goodness! You’re lucky he came in before we had you stripped down to your chemise,” she tutted.
“…I agree,” Lille said sheepishly. The seamstress let out a roar of laughter, and Lille found a smile on her own face, too.
“He’s going to get his heart broken, but to be honest, I think he’ll grow to be more handsome that way.”
“Really?” Lille tilted her head in curiosity.
“Indeed. That’s what happens with young boys. His love for you will become a stepping stone to greener pastures,” she pronounced wisely with a waggle of her finger.
She went on to tell Lille a funny story about a younger man who tried to woo her in the past. In the end, she finished taking her measurements without another word about Charles.
The seamstress gave Lille a hot towel to pat her face with, so by the time it was Leo’s turn to be measured, the redness around her eyes had subsided enough that nobody would ask any questions. She was grateful for that, but had hoped to ask for more advice about Charles.
Before they left, she gave the seamstress the potpourri and tea they had brought. Lille realized after the fact that she could have pretended to forget—that way, she would have had an excuse to see the seamstress again.