Chapter 227
Chapter 227
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 227
Chapter Title: Emily's Witch Ensemble
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Witnessing the miracle of glass born from sand, and as the witches began acquiring etiquette—so vital to humans—and started cultivating their inner selves...
I had to craft clothes for them, outfits as beautiful on the outside as their blossoming interiors.
Something I'd done countless times before, now so familiar I could manage it with my eyes closed.
But this time, a minor yet vexing issue cropped up, different from the usual.
"So, who wants to model this one?"
"This one's a bit much for me."
"Huh?"
Caterina turned down the outfit.
"Why?"
"It feels too gloomy. Not really my vibe."
"Hmm..."
She had a point. Tailored for witches, the palette was mostly black, giving off mourning attire vibes.
Add the veiled hat, and the eeriness doubled.
I'd asked Caterina out of habit, but it didn't suit her at all.
Anyone could pull off a touch of decadent allure, but that concept clashed completely with Caterina—a woman whose very essence screamed fresh and vibrant.
Everything has its matchups. Someone else could nail that hazy, melancholic sparkle of decadence.
"If Caterina's not into it, can't be helped. Hmm~"
I glanced around, scanning the staff.
Among them, the best fits were Elin, Herbert Young Lord, and Elizabeth.
The catch? Each had a flaw.
Herbert Young Lord had the perfect vibe... but he was male.
Elizabeth had a decent aura and was female, yet she lacked that jaded, lived-in edge.
Elin carried the weariness of life and was female, but her vibe was too soft and pliant—more naive than mature.
Elizabeth came closest at 99 points, but dressing an imperial princess in witch garb felt psychologically off.
"No choice, huh..."
I turned toward the corner of the workshop.
"Emily, mind helping?"
"...Me?"
"Yeah."
"Will it suit me?"
"Narrow your eyes—like when you pity my dumb mistakes."
"...Like this?"
Emily's eyes narrowed slightly.
Just like that, glaring at me with disdain—it conjured a heavy, perfect atmosphere.
Her usual wide-eyed look gave an innocent air, but narrowed, it hit just right.
I hated piling atelier duties on Emily, but no one matched better.
"So, can I count on you?"
"Well, if it's what Young Master wants."
"Thanks."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With the model set, crafting the outfit was just a matter of time—not difficulty.
For repeat clients like Emily or Caterina, it was muscle memory now. No need for constant fittings.
Simply execute the pattern as drawn. Not much else to it.
The main tweak? The hat shape.
I'd planned a rounded crown, but testing showed flat worked even better.
So, flat it was this time.
Everything else was just scaling the design to Emily's measurements.
Cut meticulously, stack the fabric neatly, hand off to Adelaide—and morning work wrapped up cleanly by afternoon.
Accessories like garter belts or stockings could be repurposed from stock. No issue.
White peeking through black slits? Fine. Red? Also fine. Stockings in general suited it.
"Emily, try it on quick?"
"Yes."
I handed over the finished dress, hat, and belt. Emily nodded quietly and headed to the break room.
As she vanished, I pondered shoe colors while waiting for her to change.
"Howard Count?"
Ten minutes later, it wasn't Emily who emerged—but Sera.
She entered the workshop, calling cautiously as she approached. Her awkward expression hinted at trouble.
"Something up?"
"Could you come to the break room? Slight issue with the outfit. Needs fixing."
"Ah, got it."
I grabbed my sewing kit and followed her.
In the break room, Emily stood awkwardly by the window.
"Emily, what's the problem?"
"Ah, yes, Young Master."
"What is it?"
"Not major, but the hips feel a tad tight. Kinda pinchy."
"Hmm... hold on."
I unspooled the tape measure and wrapped it around her hips.
"Ah~"
The cause was obvious.
Side slits allowed a snug line, so I'd cut it daringly close—2cm short.
Usually I added 1-2cm buffer, so it fit, but no wiggle room. Movement impossible.
Explained the stiff pose.
"Emily, for now..."
-Riiip!-
As I started to say take it off for adjustments, an unwelcome tear echoed from the dress.
"...?"
Before I could process, Emily's right hip and thigh flashed into view.
The dress couldn't withstand her dangerously curvaceous figure. From hip to thigh, it split, baring exquisite, flowing curves and supple pale skin to the world.
And oddly—no illusion, perhaps—the area was pristine. No panties, stockings, or garter belts. Nothing.
"Gulp..."
The sudden ambush blanked my mind. Hands shaking, I retracted the tape, swallowed hard, and tilted my head up slightly.
Emily, still oblivious, met my gaze with a blank expression.
"Ah...?"
She glanced down, eyes locking with mine. Then, spotting the tear in her peripheral vision—her right hip and thigh fully exposed—she let out a short gasp, mouth parting slightly.
"Ah... ahh...?"
"......"
Her usually serene eyes quivered like frantic bee wings.
The longer they shook, the redder her face grew behind the veil.
We're doomed.
How to fix this...
"......"
I scratched my head lightly, flashed a gentle smile, and covered my eyes with my hands.
"Sera, could you help me out—just this once?"
I bowed my head low to Sera, who'd entered with me.
"Ehh~? Aren't guys supposed to heroically aid damsels in distress?"
"Please."
"Tch."
She sounded secretly amused, protesting half-heartedly. But my desperate tone deflated her; she clicked her tongue and rose.
"Doing it for poor Emily, not you."
"Thank you."
Thankfully, despite her mischief, Sera still had a heart. She ushered Emily to the changing nook in the corner.
"Phew..."
Survived.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With Sera's aid, we survived Emily's lethal hips inflicting a piercing blow on the dress.
Then, reinforcements: seam strengthening to withstand her curves, hip girth widened slightly.
Now wearable and movable, the dress imbued Emily with mature poise and quiet dignity, evoking a noblewoman with a hidden past.
The veiled hat turned out beautifully. The dress was understated yet refined, no hint of tackiness.
The belted waist accentuated nicely. High collar and long sleeves veiled her skin demurely, stirring a pleasant itch in my chest.
And that veiled expression—melancholy in mood, though really just fatigue—nailed it.
Perfectly captured the outfit's essence. Satisfaction: 100%.
"What do you all think?"
Buoyed by how stunning our Emily looked, I eagerly polled the staff.
"Sexy."
"Super sexy."
"Not criminal-level, but can't let her out like that."
"Not that bad..."
I didn't see it as overtly provocative, but the crew unanimously called it sexy, eyeing me curiously—like I was some enigma.
"Why are all William's designs so sexy?"
"Maybe 'cause he casts only sexy models?"
"Caterina's different, no?"
"Then folks must be innately sexy."
"Fair point."
"What nonsense."
The noble trio's sudden verdict painted me as a pervert. Dumbfounded, I poked Elizabeth's cheek.
"I'm perfectly normal."
"Normal...?"
"Perfectly...?"
"I hold Howard Young Lord in utmost respect, but that claim? No."
"Hah..."
I shot a displeased glare at the teasing threesome and let out a dry chuckle.
No matter what, I'm no pervert...