Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: The Corset Dilemma
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After sending Reginald packing for the most ridiculous reason, I double-checked the working conditions, contract terms, and availability starting next Monday that I'd written in the letter—just in case.
Everyone had come thinking the conditions were fine, so any issues arising would have been the real surprise. But after getting screwed over once by that spider phobia nonsense, I was so anxious I thought I'd die.
Fortunately, no such BS cropped up again.
There was still the lingering worry about how to fill the vacancy, but all in all, things had wrapped up smoothly enough. I let out a sigh of relief and sent everyone on their way.
Everyone except the tailors.
"Why did you keep just us behind?"
"Probably because there's something else he wants to assign to us specifically, right?"
"But is there any reason to tell only us?"
"He'll tell us now, I'm sure."
As soon as those who'd been told they could leave filed out of the coffeehouse, the ones left behind all voiced their questions at once, fixing me with steady gazes.
With fewer people now, there was no need to stand anymore, so I plopped back down in my chair and opened my mouth.
"I asked you tailors to stay because I wanted to brainstorm a solution to one particular problem with you all."
"A problem?"
"A problem that's got Sir William stumped? Now that's intriguing."
The word "problem" immediately piqued Lady Elizabeth's and Lady Fanny's interest.
I pointed to the mannequin on the table, dressed in just the bra.
"As I mentioned even with everyone here, this is what I'm thinking of as a corset replacement—an undergarment where I stripped away everything else and kept only the parts that support and emphasize the bust for maximum comfort. I truly hope it pushes the corset out entirely... but there's one issue still nagging at this design."
"What's that?"
"It has zero body-shaping power compared to a corset."
"Well, yeah—comfort and shaping are inversely proportional. Isn't that obvious?"
Lord Herbert raised an eyebrow and tilted his head slightly, as if I'd just stated the blatantly obvious.
"Exactly because body shaping isn't something women give up easily. Women will even die for beauty, after all."
"Isn't that a bit exaggerated? Now that there's a corset alternative, won't they switch to the new one instead of putting up with the discomfort?"
I couldn't help but smirk and shake my head at Lord Herbert's optimistic take.
Even in my past life, after talks of phasing out corsets started in the 1850s, it took decades for them to fully lose their dominance as mainstream underwear.
Women couldn't let go of that slim waist and perfect curves gained through discomfort, so they demanded improved versions instead of ditching them altogether.
And even then, corsets only faded from the mainstream thanks to a pile-up of factors: the bra's emergence, women's entry into the workforce, and metal shortages from World War I. Switching to a new undergarment overnight? Far from easy.
"Corsets are uncomfortable—excruciatingly so. They twist your bones and organs, breeding illnesses that wouldn't otherwise exist. Lady Fanny, you'd know all about that."
"Indeed."
Corsets had been in vogue for just under 200 years here, and even narrowing it to the hourglass waist-cinching style, it had been nearly half a century.
By now, everyone should know how horrific they were... yet women still wore them.
"But women wear them anyway. Why? Because the body-shaping effect is just that superior. Without a corset, a 60cm waist is considered slim; 70cm is average. With one? 50cm is ideal, and if you push it, down to 40cm. Numbers impossible to achieve naturally."
Maintaining a healthy, slim waist takes obsessive exercise, dieting, and lifestyle tweaks.
Your "dream" 24-inch (60cm) waist from all that agony? A corset gets you there just by yanking the laces tight—no effort required. Push harder, and it's 50cm. Painful as hell, sure, but methodically simple. Could anyone really ditch that cold turkey?
No way.
This was path dependence at its ugliest—like clinging to the imperial system. Because of yards and pounds, a $300 billion spaceship blows up untried, and clothing sizes get notations like 81(32). All because one superpower throws a tantrum over familiarity and cost, forcing everyone else to grit their teeth and deal.
"Lady Fanny, is that true? Even beauty-obsessed ladies torture themselves that much?"
"Yes, it lines up with investigations from doctors and the Holy Kingdom. There's even a dark rumor about noble ladies getting ribs removed."
"Heavens... that's horrifying."
Lord Herbert, who'd asked Lady Fanny as if I were exaggerating, shuddered and clutched his head, his eyelashes fluttering.
"When some women are ripping out ribs, do you think corsets are something they'll just abandon easily?"
"Probably not."
"Unless you're wiping out corsets entirely... yeah, looks tough."
"Exactly."
Lady Fanny and Lord Herbert grimaced and shook their heads, as if utterly defeated.
"It'll be much better than you think, Sir William."
"Pardon?"
But Lady Elizabeth, who'd been watching quietly, smiled brightly and offered the exact opposite opinion.
"Meaning it might change more easily than you expect."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I could tell you... but it'd be more fun if I didn't."
"......"
Her teasing way of dangling the info without giving it made me want to flick her forehead.
Knowing that'd spell disaster given her likely lofty status, I calmed my irritation by reminding myself of our vast station gap.
"There's no such thing as 'never' in life, so I'd appreciate it if everyone could at least mull over some alternatives. Better to have a Plan B, right?"
"If that's how you see it, no helping it."
When I pressed the point again, Lady Elizabeth dropped further objections, flashing an arrogant smile as she accepted my request.
"Whether it's a new garment or ways to convince people, anything works. I'd appreciate it if the other two could give it some thought if you have the time."
"Understood—it aligns with my goals anyway."
"I'll do my best!"
Lady Fanny and Lord Herbert gave positive responses as well.
"It's not urgent, so take your time and share whenever you're ready."
""Yes.""
"Got it."
"Any questions up to this point?"
To wrap things up, I scanned the room and asked if there were any questions.
The three exchanged glances, then shook their heads or hands to signal none.
"If there's nothing else, let's call it a day. Thanks so much for listening to my long ramble today—see you all on your first day."
""Thanks for your hard work.""
"Good work, Sir William."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The last day of July.
I hurried to Miss Heini's workshop upon receiving her letter announcing the machine's completion.
"Sir William! Come on in!"
Miss Heini, who'd clearly anticipated my immediate arrival and set everything up in advance, greeted me warmly. Without even a chance to exchange pleasantries, she plunked me down in front of the machine.
Wearing a confident grin, she pointed to a boxy contraption about 2 meters wide and deep, 1 meter tall, and launched right into the introduction.
"This is the hook and eye maker that fulfills every requirement you specified. It's operable by hand, and in theory, it can produce around 100 hooks and 30 eyes per hour."
As she spoke, Miss Heini busily fiddled with various parts of the machine. Finally, she pressed down hard on a lever-like thing, waited a few seconds, then pulled out a couple of tiny hooks from inside and thrust them at me.
Inspecting her palm, I saw perfectly formed hooks.
"Fast... and precise."
"Yes. As you saw, just load the material, adjust the mold, and press down hard—anyone can make hooks and eyes."
"Hm... sturdy enough? If it's human-powered, won't it bend or break easily?"
"Of course not. Take a look here."
Flashing a smug smile, Miss Heini attached a hook to a string, hooked it onto a wall-mounted eye, and yanked the string hard.
"Sizes vary, but even with this much force, it holds up fine."
"Ooh~"
It eventually bent under human weight, but for such a tiny hook, holding out that long was impressive enough to draw admiration.
"And the materials—where do we source them? Pricey?"
"I puzzled over that a lot at first. No point if only I could get them."
Miss Heini handed me a note with some writing on it.
"This smeltery handles them in bulk. Run by a mage I know—they'll provide at fair prices."
"Truly grateful. Didn't expect you to go this far."
"I'm in the middle of a huge boom thanks to you, Sir William. This is the least I can do."
She grinned and slipped the note into my hand.
Then, spinning on her heel toward the machine, she continued.
"Now, let me explain the remaining functions."
"Please do."
Beaming, Miss Heini glued herself to the machine and resumed her lengthy explanation, tinkering away.
I'd figured it'd be brief, but it dragged on for two hours—disorienting, but it confirmed the machine was exceptionally well-made.