Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: The Battle Over Emily's Dress
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Naomi and Elizabeth's outfits for the banquet didn't take long to settle on, just as I'd expected.
After all, unless you're trying something wildly unconventional, banquet attire follows a rigid formula, like a recipe.
Of course, if we were going for something unusual, that'd be a different story—but this time, I wanted all eyes on the necktie we're gifting to Her Majesty, so we decided to play it safe and conventional.
The only room for experimentation within that standard framework was color and accessories.
So after five minutes of discussion, Elizabeth went with burgundy, and I chose navy.
For accessories, I settled on an amber necklace, while Elizabeth would wear only the one I'd gifted her.
With the big decisions wrapped up smoothly, I figured we'd all head home in good spirits. But unexpectedly, trouble brewed from an unlikely source, delaying our departure.
"Emily needs to go for a bright, girlish vibe this time."
"No, charcoal gray or deep green for a calm, sophisticated feel. That's Emily's real strength."
"What are you talking about? Something like pinkish red or light green to create a vibrant atmosphere."
"That wouldn't capture Emily's charm properly."
Out of nowhere, opinions clashed fiercely over what to dress Emily in.
If it had been a reasonable suggestion, I'd have gone along with it. But they were spouting nonsense like total Emily noobs and insisting on those choices, which really got under my skin.
"Are your eyes knotholes? Emily pulls off bright colors just fine."
"Ha~ You're so frustrating. I've known Emily for over ten years, and bright colors are like shackles on her."
"Definitely knotholes."
"Ha..."
I thumped my chest and squeezed my eyes shut.
Knotholes? Who's got knotholes...
"Emily is all about calm and sophistication, period."
"Do we have to be so extreme? If you want calm, use accessories. Bright colors for vibrancy, glasses for that refined edge—problem solved, right?"
"No, glasses cross the line."
Glasses came up out of the blue, and I couldn't hide my disgust—my face twisted, head pulling back slightly.
Among things I hate seeing on people, tattoos, piercings, and glasses top the list.
The one exception? Glasses with a suit.
They're a natural set, like light casting a shadow— the only glasses I tolerate.
But glasses in any other context?
For fashion, not vision?
Not even a monocle or sunglasses—just regular glasses?
That's an outrage against humanity.
If you're wearing glasses, a mask would be a hundred times better.
"What? Are you dissing glasses right now? A designer hating on glasses like that?"
"What kind of talk is that?"
"Who'd have thought the guy running an Atelier doesn't get the charm of glasses..."
"Ha, how many people actually suit glasses? Name one person who pulls them off perfectly."
"My mother."
One wrong word, and it'd escalate to 'You're disrespectful' or 'You bastard'—a massive landmine. I clamped my mouth shut.
I was ready to counter anything else, but pulling out the Emperor-and-mom double whammy? Brutal.
"That's cheating..."
"You asked for someone who suits them, so I told you."
"Guh..."
Neither Elizabeth nor I budged.
This was heading for a endless parallel lines debate.
Time for a different approach to settle it.
"How about we dress her up ourselves and see who's right?"
I threw out the decisive challenge right away.
Designers win with clothes, not words, after all.
Proving our senses right meant testing with the real thing.
This wasn't me dodging a verbal loss out of fear—not at all.
"Dress her up?"
"I've got a few dresses in the warehouse from idle tinkering. We try them on Emily and see what suits her best."
"Plenty of color options?"
"Of course."
"Fine, let's do it. But you have to admit it fairly—no cowardly denying something pretty. I trust you won't."
"Naturally."
Elizabeth bit the bait, diving straight into my trap. I grinned broadly and nodded.
Sorry, Elizabeth, but when it comes to clothes, I'm a rock-solid man.
I could swear bright dresses on Emily would never be the pinnacle.
"Heh heh..."
The stage was set.
Now for the helpers to tip the scales.
"Emily."
"Sera."
Elizabeth and I called our attendants in unison.
"Yes?"
In the corner, Emily and Sera had been watching us pitifully. Hearing their names, they jolted upright.
"Get ready to change."
"Prepare to change her clothes."
"Yes..."
"Sure..."
We rose and headed to the warehouse.
Brace yourself, Elizabeth. I'll show you who really knows Emily.
"Ha... Perfect." Emily in the deep green dress embodied exactly the calm, elegant charm I'd envisioned. No—beyond that. A solid 9.5 out of 10 on my personal bullseye. Nothing short of an office lady fit or maid outfit could top it, I was certain. Even the best alternatives would cap at 9. "The green dress wasn't bad, right?" Sensing my win without seeing Elizabeth's pick, I smirked and poked at her. "It was decent, but that's it. Made me think a maid outfit would've been better." "Maid outfits are the best, sure—but this bet's about our choices. Which suits her more?" "Obviously mine beats yours." "Wait till Emily steps out in the next one. You'll change your tune: 'The first dress was prettier!'" "Oh, that's your hope, William. Better watch you don't grin ear-to-ear the second you see her." "Ha—I could stare stone-faced all day." "Say that after you see her. Karma's a bitch." "Hmph." Seeing her refuse to concede, I snorted derisively. Karma, my foot. Wrong is wrong. "Ahem... Coming in." As we traded barbs, Emily returned in her new outfit. "The glasses feel a bit off... Do they suit me?" Emily clasped her hands shyly, tilting her head as she looked at me. Cheeks faintly flushed. Glasses perched low, framing her eyes. Collarbone exposed, but cleavage tastefully hidden. Slightly off-center bun, peeking from the front. Casually styled yet neatly groomed hair, exuding comfort and stability. The pale pink blouse dress felt fresh without overdoing it—vibrant yet serene. "Well? Pretty, right?" "......" Obviously pretty, the instant I saw her. A bolder red or vivid pink might've shifted the vibe, but this soft pink nailed vibrancy and calm in one. 9.9 on my scale. Without maid outfits existing, a perfect 10. And the worst part? The glasses suited her perfectly. They say glasses seal beauty, but overwhelming charm breaks through—no issue. "Damn." I wanted a flaw to nitpick, but there was none. I bit my lip and hung my head. "Hmhm~" Seizing the moment, Elizabeth smirked, leaning in with half-lidded eyes gazing up at me. "What was that, Mr. William? Glasses cross the line? Bright colors are shackles? Doesn't capture her charm? But look at the results. What have you been seeing for ten years?" "......" She wasn't the only one scratched up—she unleashed a barrage of mockery. My overconfident words boomeranging to stab my heart—it hurt. Me admitting glasses? Me, an Emily noob...? I couldn't accept it. Wouldn't. If not for Emily, if not my clothes—it wouldn't suit her. I fought with the handicap of perfect model and tailored design. "Stop..." Defeat meant this was my karma for overconfidence—ugly excuses, self-inflicted. All I could do was tremble and beg mercy from the victor. Frustrated. Annoyed. Unfair. "You boasted 'stone-faced all day,' but your lips twitched to your ears on sight." "Thmmghrgh..." "Why don't you declare it yourself, William?" "...What." "'Glasses are the best accessory.' Admit what you must, right?" "Guhk..." "Or are you backing out after promising? Two-faced man, huh?" "Fine, I'll say it..." I hated it, but a promise was a promise—results were results. "Hah... ha..." Panting, lips trembling. Just three phrases, but instinct rebelled against calling glasses best. "G... Glasses are... the best... accessory... I admit it..." "Hee hee~ Good boy." Biting my lip in humiliated fury, she nodded smugly, pleased. "Guhk..." I groaned, fists clenched, shaking. William swears: I'll never forget this humiliation...