Layla and Faisal were likely used to wearing these clothes. The garments suited them and didn’t seem at all odd. Mr. Julius was slender and tall, so the outfit suited him exceptionally well. The top was worn over one’s head, and a pair of baggy pants that was tied in the middle came as a set. The pants were a bit puffed out but tightly fit around the ankles. It was normal for the top and bottom to come in a set and have a matching design.
“I knew it! You’re so cute, Chloe!” Layla squealed, holding me in a tight embrace.
Though these clothes were loose-fitting, Layla’s voluptuous body made her curves stand out, accentuating her beauty. I, on the other hand, looked like flat terrain all the way around. Flat, and the sleeves are long.
It seemed I was more petite than the average Rasheedan woman. According to the store owner, the ladies here were tall and curvy, requiring larger clothes. If I were to make these clothes any smaller, I’d need to wear one suitable for children. Quite frankly, I was not willing to wear children’s clothes.
While I normally called myself a beautiful young maiden, I was twenty, and an adult. Wearing the clothes of a child was a bit too embarrassing for my taste.
“These clothes certainly look cute, but…” I started.
“Your shrimpy body looks even shrimpier now,” Mr. Julius said with a mocking chuckle.
When we entered the store, the owner, an elderly lady, had said, “My, you’re a handsome one! But your hair is a mess,” to Mr. Julius. And so, she offered to kindly tie his long hair back. It seemed even he was hesitant to coldly rebuff the kindness of an elderly lady. He obediently sat on a chair and had his hair tied in front of a mirror, reminding me of a meek cat. He looked precious and it was an enjoyable sight. I sensed that he knew that I was internally cackling at this scene, and he was currently striking back.
“You really are petite, Chloe,” Layla said. “You look so young, too—I still can barely process that you’re my age. I wonder if all the women of Astria look younger than the women of Rasheed. If so, I’m rather envious of that.”
“I’m envious of beautiful ladies like you, Layla,” I replied. “If I had your appearance, I could proudly call myself a real beauty.”
“So, a beautiful alchemist?”
“The greatest beauty of all time, unlike anything the world has ever seen! I’m the genius alchemist, Chloe! How does that sound?”
“You’re more of a beautiful maiden in my eyes. I think you’re perfect just the way you are.”
She kindly petted my head in consolation, and I felt like she was trying her best to make me feel better. What does she and Ms. Natalia have that I don’t? Is it chest size? Is it because they’ve got a full chest?
“Maybe I can use alchemy to turn myself into voluptuous beauty one day… Hopefully…” I muttered to myself.
“Chloe, Layla may have a full chest, but that has nothing to do with the beauty of a woman,” Faisal answered seriously, apparently hearing my mumblings. He used both hands to gesture how large her chest was, and it didn’t make me feel at all better.
“Prince Faisal, you lack tact,” Layla scolded, poking his side with her iron fan.
Mr. Julius, hair finally done, walked back to my side. Unlike me, the sleeves and hem of his clothes fit perfectly. He suited whatever he wore, and Rasheed’s attire was no exception. This wasn’t surprising, considering his noble birth, but Mr. Julius paid no heed to his appearance or mannerisms that it was easy to forget. Myself included, I suppose.
“Black and gold… The color of Helios,” I said to him.
“Yeah,” he replied.
“It suits you very well. And you look a lot cleaner with your hair tied up. Shall we go get you a haircut? I’ve got a person I frequent in Astria, and I get my hair cut about once a year.”
“Once a year?!” Layla gasped with wide eyes. She clasped my shoulders and started shaking me around. “Even commoners in Rasheed get a haircut at least once a month! What kind of life have you been living, Chloe?”
“E-Erm… About once a year, I ask the barber to make my hair shorter. My hair slowly grows out over the course of a year, and once it gets in the way again, I go back, and the cycle begins anew.”
“Both you and Julius were born with good looks! Why don’t either of you take better care of how you look?! I’ll polish you as much as I can for the banquet, Chloe. You’d best be prepared!”
Layla seemed determined. Mr. Julius gave an exasperated sigh. With his hair back, the brand on his neck showed—an unlucky omen of the skull of a beast with two horns. It was also easy to see the black string and lock tied around his neck.
I found the lock unnecessary now, but he wouldn’t let me take it off him. I quietly averted my gaze. I was used to seeing the scars on his body and the Slave Brand, but it still made me feel guilty when it was on full display.
He was suited for flying freely throughout the vast sky, but it felt like I was tying him down here. But once that lock was gone, I felt like he’d suddenly disappear from my side one day. I pressed a hand against my chest as anxiety started to well up. The debacle in Rasheed had come to an end, and we were currently enjoying our day shopping. Then why do I feel so anxious?
“We’ll take care of payment,” the prince said, snapping my gloomy self back to reality. “Thank you both for going along with Layla’s selfish whims.”
“No, thank you!” I replied energetically with my usual bright smile. I didn’t want to ignore his kind offer, and if he was willing to buy these clothes for us, there was no need for me to press the issue.
“Selfish?!” Layla gasped, pouting angrily.
Thank goodness. I was lost in some sorrowful thoughts for a second, but it seems they haven’t noticed. I didn’t want to rain on our parade—today was supposed to be fun.
“Chloe… Are you growing your hair out?” Mr. Julius asked, peering into my face. He took a lock of my hair and tucked it behind my ears.
“Well, not really,” I replied. “It’s just that I usually realize I need to go for a haircut when it grows out. The people of the royal capital always say that whenever I come in, they realize that another year’s passed. My appearance apparently really helps that fact sink in, and this custom is well-received.”
“So, in a year, I’ll cut my hair with you. Until then, I’ll stay as I am.”
“Huh? Yeah, sure!”
For a moment, I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but when I repeated the words in my head, I hastily nodded. This was a promise—a promise for the future. This means that I can count on him to be with me for at least a year, right?
I felt as though he’d seen right through my insecurities. He gently stroked my hair.
Since it’s a promise, I guess I’ll grow my hair out like usual, despite Layla’s surprise. In a year, my hair would be long enough to tie up. Perhaps by then, I’d become a voluptuous beauty. There was no doubt about it.