In that case, is picking a dress that I actually want a small act of rebellion against my great-grandmother? When Elysia realized that, she couldn’t help getting excited. She’d always been mature for her age, so she was usually quite obedient, but by all rights, she was in a rebellious phase.
I’ll choose whatever dress I like! She wouldn’t compromise.
These dresses were meant for rental, so they were all crudely made, but she thought to herself, That’s exactly why I should choose the highest quality one among them. She felt like this was a test of whether she had a good eye, and she was itching to rise to the challenge.
The employees were so incredibly kind (or maybe very passionate about their work?), and they told her to examine them to her heart’s content. They humored her, never looking displeased, speaking into her ear on either side with mischievous smiles.
“Just one dress can change the way men look at you.”
“This is the best chance to appeal to that special someone if you have one you’re eyeing.”
Should I have Sir Zen think I’m cute or pretty? Or should I be greedy and choose something that’ll accomplish both? Hmm... I must think carefully.
She was having even more fun. Although she was once again appealing to someone else’s tastes, the significance and the way it made her feel was completely different.
Elysia continued comparing the different dresses, thoroughly discussing with the employees about not wanting this or not wanting that.
Then she suddenly checked to see if she wasn’t making Mina wait.
But she saw that wasn’t the case.
“How about this dress? It’s the perfect length for your height, Lady Mina. And above all, it’ll certainly elevate your stylish presence to something even more elegant.”
“Ah...”
“Or what about this one? Your shoulders are broad, but with sleeves as puffy as these, you can go for a more girlish look, opening the door to another facet of your charms.”
“Umm...” Caught in the middle of the employees, Mina was completely worn down. Elysia could clearly make out what the female knight was feeling. Mina very much wanted to wear a beautiful dress, but she normally had zero interest in this field, so she couldn’t decide on one on her own. That being said, she was indecisive about leaving such an important choice up to the employees too, finding it questionable. That was why Mina had become a creature that could only respond with “Ah” and “Umm.”
Unable to suppress a stifled laugh, Elysia came to lend her a hand. “How about we take a break, Miss Mina?”
“Y-Yes!”
“In that case, please come this way, dear customers.” The employees readily led them to the back, and Mina and Elysia went together to the parlor.
In addition to the black tea the employees brought out, they even gave them a light meal since it was lunchtime. It was delicious, but the portions were small. Elysia didn’t have to worry about overeating and making her stomach stick out. The store was thoughtful enough to not ruin their figures.
Well, at any rate, the service was incredible. Rentals, compared to clothes that were tailor-made, were way cheaper, but they were still expensive. If a customer liked a dress or the store enough, they might think about having one made custom for them next time.
The store took that possibility into account and gave every customer a royal welcome. However, there was a lot the imperial princess still didn’t know about the world outside the imperial palace, so her analysis hadn’t gone that far. She was just deeply impressed, thinking about how this store was so friendly.
And as the two of them partook in the lunch and tea, they made pleasant conversation for a short while.
“It seems you’re fighting a tough battle...” said Elysia.
“To be honest, I’m clueless about fashion...”
“What about last year?” Elysia asked. “Was choosing a dress difficult then as well?”
“It went quick last year since I let the employees pick... Choosing a dress is a pain, after all...”
“So why are you so indecisive this year?” The answer was obvious, but Elysia asked anyway.
“Umm...” Mina hesitated.
This is a little too mean. Elysia immediately regretted asking.
Still, this could also be considered a good opportunity to speak honestly. She made up her mind and changed the question. “You’re worried about looking nice for father, right, Miss Mina? Just like me.”
“Umm...”
“I’ll come right out and ask—are you thinking about getting involved with him romantically? Maybe even marrying him?”
“Huh?!” She clearly hadn’t expected Elysia to throw a question like that at her. She was panicked, her face bright red. The imperial princess found herself thinking that this lady, who was a whole eleven years older than her, was cute.
“I promise I won’t tell father, so you can tell me,” Elysia said with a smile.
“Oogh...” Mina averted her gaze. Then, however, she seemed to strengthen her resolve. “I am thinking about it a little, yes...” she confessed. Even her ears were red, but she probably thought it’d be cowardly to lie to Zen’s daughter in order to get closer to him.
Elysia truly thought Mina was such a noble female knight.
And since they were already here, Mina seemed to figure she might as well go all the way. “I-I also want you to tell me how you really feel, Miss Elysia. In the one-in-a-million...no, hundred-million chance that Sir Zen and I marry, as his daughter, would you be opposed?”
“To be honest, I don’t really want to see my father eyeing women other than my late mother. However, if he wants to marry you, I’ll give you my blessing,” Elysia said. Despite the first part not being strictly true, she spoke from her heart in response to Mina’s sincerity.
Of course, just like she couldn’t reveal her true identity as an imperial princess, she couldn’t lay her feelings for Zen bare. Even so, she told Mina sincerely that she didn’t have to hold back in front of her.
Mina looked like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. With a broad smile, she expressed her gratitude and happiness. “Th-That makes me very happy to hear.” Her smile was so innocent, even Elysia felt her heart warming.
However, Elysia suddenly came to her senses, and with mixed feelings, she thought, Oh, if only Miss Mina were more of an unpleasant vixen, I could’ve driven her away from Sir Zen without holding back. The more time I spend with Miss Mina, the more I notice her good qualities. If anything, I might fall for her before Sir Zen does.
She put her right hand on her cheek, deeply troubled. That was why she couldn’t help wanting to tease Mina again.
Just as Mina put her cup of tea to her lips with relief, Elysia said, “Shall I practice calling you ‘mother,’ then?”
“Huh?!” Mina coughed and sputtered. She must’ve been terribly surprised.
But when the coughing subsided, she looked serious. The question had just been some evil teasing on Elysia’s part, but Mina was so sincere that Elysia felt bad.
Mina answered, emphasizing that “In the one-in-a-hundred-million chance Sir Zen and I get married, I don’t intend to become your mother.” She paused, then corrected herself. “Ah, no, I of course will work hard to become a wonderful stepmother to you. But the words you just said have made me understand very well how precious your mother still is to you. It would be presumptuous of me to act like your real mother, and you have no need to call me that either.”
“Well, Miss Mina, how should I put this... While I do still love my mother, I don’t dislike you either. I’m not opposed to calling you mother.” Elysia responded with sincerity this time, in part because she felt guilty.
However, Mina shook her head. “No, if we’re going to become family, it’s not good to force any part of our relationship. Besides, I just came up with a good idea.”
“And what’s that...?” Elysia asked, puzzled.
With a bright face, Mina responded, “I’ll become your friend, Elysia.”
Elysia’s heart started beating faster.
Meanwhile, as if satisfied with her own words, Mina nodded to herself. “Even putting aside our positions and family relations, I feel like acting like mother and daughter would be forcing it. However, I can put my all into building a friendship with you, and I can stay genuine. And above all, what makes this idea so wonderful is that—”
Elysia gulped. “Is that...?”
Even more confident, Mina finished, “Even if I end up not marrying Zen, you and I will still remain friends. Right?”
“You shouldn’t sound like you’re giving up on father already.” Elysia was unsure whether to smile.
The result must have been a strange expression, because Mina laughed loudly. “So, Miss Elysia, will you accept my friendship?”
“Hee hee. I can’t beat you.” Caught up in Mina’s enthusiasm, Elysia smiled, albeit a bit sheepishly.
At the same time, though, she thought to herself that she really did like Mina. And strangely enough, at the same time, she felt her resentment toward her great-grandmother begin to fade. She could finally forgive her.