Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Silky Legs Assault
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“... Phew-”
Warm tea slid down my throat and into my body, melting away my tension like butter.
I didn't know what flowers they'd blended it with, but a sweet floral scent sharpened my mind.
In this state, I could probably muddle through even Hayes's daunting request.
I finally rolled my softened-up brain into gear, pondering the best way to help Hayes.
As I quietly mulled it over and the tea in my cup dwindled to half, I flashed a serene smile and called her name.
“Hayes.”
“Yeah?”
“Let's cleanly give up on changing the dress.”
“What?”
After a long silence, Hayes's face—brightened for a split second at hearing her name—twisted into a scowl.
“Hey, are you messing with me right now?”
“I've got a perfectly logical reason, so hear me out.”
I gently set my teacup on the table and posed a question to Hayes, who was glaring at me with a pout.
“How long until the ball again?”
“... A little over a month.”
“We could make a dress in a month, sure. But would a rushed one really dazzle Lord Lennox at first sight?”
“If you pulled off some genius creativity...”
“Even with an amazing design, we couldn't pull it off. You know beautiful dresses take heaps of money and time.”
“W-well, if I poured in all my own savings...”
“Your own savings?”
I smirked, gesturing to Hayes's current dress.
“That dress you're wearing right now? About five gold. And it's just comfy home wear. The one you want is a full-on heart-stealer for Lord Lennox. Think you can do it without Mother or Father's help?”
“Ugh...”
Hayes, who wore dresses daily, knew better than anyone how absurd a rushed 'sincere' gown would be.
That's why she bit her lower lip, unable to retort.
“So, ditch the dress idea and find another way.”
“Fine, what's this other way, then?”
“Tighten the corset to the max—cinch that waist and push up the chest. How about going for 18 inches?”
“Haha...”
The life drained from Hayes's face.
She stared blankly into space, murmuring in a deflated voice.
“I... already tried that...”
“And the results?”
“...”
“S-sorry...”
With no reply, I apologized and glanced down at her chest.
Sturdy for her age, but lacking by absolute standards.
“... Don't look.”
Hayes covered her chest with her hands.
A bit more growth, and it could be a real weapon. Couldn't she just wait?
“How about waiting a year? Looking at Mother or the older ladies, your future prospects seem promising.”
“But what if another girl snatches him up in a year?”
“Hmm...”
I wanted to call it needless worry, but considering the lord's age, there wasn't much wiggle room.
A 19-year-old imperial official with a bright future—decent family or not, he was prime husband material. From desperate marriage-minded ladies to girls just hitting puberty, plenty would be circling.
“No other options...?”
“Muster your courage and confess to him. If that's too hard, ask Father or Mother to formally set something up.”
“Confessing first might make me seem too forward... And arranged marriages feel like families strong-arming it. I want something natural...”
“You want it to grow into a real relationship, right?”
“Yeah...”
“Haa~”
I sighed, staring at the ceiling.
I got her feelings—no urge to argue—but it felt tricky.
A guy she was crazy for, and seduction methods doable in a month.
The lord seemed into her too, so one solid signal could clinch it...
Chest was a no-go, confession too scary—what about legs, then?
“Hey, are your legs pretty?”
“Legs? I think they're decent... Why?”
“Yeah?”
I picked up the bell on the table and gave it a light shake.
Then I pulled out my notebook, sketched a quick diagram with a few notes, and tore off the page.
As the paper ripped free, the door opened, and Emily and Miss Letisha entered from the next room.
“You called?”
“If there's something you need, please let us know.”
“Here.”
I thrust the paper at Emily.
Pointing at Hayes, I ordered them.
“You two, drag her to the dressing room right now and check out what's on this paper.”
“Y-young Master...?”
“What?”
“Isn't this too... intimate? Do we really have to take Lady Hayes to the dressing room for this?”
“Yes. Her life's on the line here—I'm counting on you.”
Hayes, who'd been sipping tea and watching us blankly, blushed faintly at Emily's hesitation. She shot me a puzzled look.
“Brother, what are you up to?”
“Dress is iffy, bold moves are tough—time to bet on those legs.”
“Legs? What does that even mean?”
“Flash some leg under a fluttering skirt, show off those stems.”
“Wh-what!?”
Hayes's face flushed crimson.
“Y-you pervert! How could you suggest something so slutty! Degenerate! Horny mutt! The lord isn't that lewd!!”
“Ha-”
I chuckled as she shot to her feet, wagging a finger and hurling insults.
“Hate it? Your call—not my problem. I'm done.”
“What? W-wait, Brother! Don't bail—help me out!”
“You nix this, nix that, no to everything—how am I supposed to help?”
“Legs are too sudden! Give me a sec to think...”
“Five seconds.”
“Five!? Too shor—”
I spread my fingers toward Hayes and folded one down.
Her eyes widened as she caught on.
“Eeeek...!”
She clutched her head, groaning.
I leisurely folded finger after finger, pressuring her.
When my fist was clenched, I waggled it teasingly.
“So, what's it gonna be? Do it or not? If not, scram...”
“F-fine! I'll do it! Happy!?”
Hayes yelled and stomped irritably toward the dressing room.
“Wise choice. Emily, Miss Letisha? I'm trusting you—be brutally honest.”
““Yes, sir.””
_
I sipped my tea leisurely, waiting.
Emily emerged first from the dressing room, ears beet red, and approached me.
“Young Master.”
“All done?”
“Yes...”
“How were they? She says they're decent—is that true?”
I took the paper she offered politely with both hands and scanned it slowly, questioning Emily.
“Do I really have to say it?”
“Should I check myself?”
“Haa...”
Emily sighed deeply.
Describing a lady's legs in detail must be embarrassing, but I couldn't dissect my sister's myself.
As I stared, she squeezed her eyes shut and steeled herself.
“... The Lady's skin is flawless, no blemishes or body hair. No flab either—long and slender.”
“Nice. Miss Letisha agrees?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm~”
Perfect—legs it is.
Just package them prettily and present to the lord. Done.
I pictured an outfit in my head, waiting for Hayes.
“Haa-”
“Good work.”
Moments later, Hayes and Letisha emerged.
Hayes locked eyes with me, glared fiercely, then opened her mouth, radiating displeasure.
“So, why'd you have Emily and Letisha ogle my legs? Better have a good reason.”
“Wanted to know if they're really pretty.”
“Are you insane?”
“Self-assessments aren't reliable. Others judge looks best.”
“Haa—total perv...”
Hayes covered her face with both hands, muttering irritably.
After composing herself, she peeked through her fingers and mumbled.
“... So, what'd they say?”
“Don't sweat it—they're lord-bait legs. Dress 'em up nice, and he'll fall hard.”
“Really...?”
Her lips twitched visibly between her hands.
“So, you've got a way to seduce him with these legs?”
“Of course—no man hates pretty legs.”
“I'm counting on you, Brother?”
“You got it.”
“How, then?”
“Gotta make 'em look even prettier first.”
Usually hidden under dresses, bare legs alone packed a punch, but for my sister dead-set on reeling in the lord...
I'd arm her with something to make them shine.
I grinned confidently and declared.
“Hayes, wear stockings when you meet the lord.”
“What?”
Silk sheer stockings, paired with a garter belt.
This would nail him for sure.