Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Perfecting the Mermaid Silhouette
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"-That's what you were trying to do, right?"
"I see. I understand. But next time, I'd appreciate a full explanation."
"Yeah, sorry about that."
What William had been trying to do with me was far more ordinary than I'd imagined.
He just wanted to check the silhouette of the mermaid-style dress using some scrap fabric since it was his first time making one.
It was a thrifty habit common among nobles who were careful with their spending—nothing strange or unusual about it.
The only issue was Sera's prank causing a glitch in the process.
Regret came late.
It was a bit too weak to use as leverage, and I'd reacted far too calmly when he cut my skirt.
I should've blushed, screamed, and clutched at the hem like a proper young lady to really put pressure on him—but I hadn't.
That was my only regret.
But it was too late now.
Instead of dwelling on the past, I needed to handle things properly from here on out.
"Shall we start over, then?"
"Yes. But is it okay to proceed like this?"
"What do you mean?"
"The dress you're making requires no petticoat, right? So to check the silhouette properly, don't I need to take off the chemise too?"
"True... but wouldn't that be too much?"
"If we're doing this, we should do it right. For the most beautiful dress, I can endure a little embarrassment."
"Hmm..."
Hesitation flickered across William's face.
I had a feeling just a little more push would do it, so before he could sink too deep into thought, I added quickly.
"Think about it, sir. Doing it right from the start gets it done faster and embarrasses us both less. Wearing the chemise out of consideration, only for me to take it off later—that would be more embarrassing, wouldn't it?"
"......"
William narrowed his eyes and stared into mine.
As if trying to gauge my intentions.
This was the pivotal moment to shape the battlefield in my favor.
I met his gaze without flinching, keeping my expression earnestly serious, devoid of any smile.
"Alright. If you're okay with it, let's do that."
Perfect.
I'd created an environment where I could take the lead.
Suppressing a rising smile, I lightly gathered the open skirt and nodded.
"Got it. Then could you step out while I change?"
"Sure. Call me when you're ready."
"Yes."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ready to start?"
"Yes."
After waiting once more for Duchess Elizabeth to change, I could finally dive into the design proper.
It had been a long wait, but seeing the skirt hang completely limp without even the chemise propping up its volume made it entirely worthwhile.
"First, I'll add a slit to the other side."
"Okay."
I finished cutting the skirt hem that I'd missed earlier while explaining things to the duchess.
You might wonder why cut the other side if one was already done, but in tailoring, adjusting only one side causes fabric twisting and design asymmetry.
To minimize twisting while creating a beautiful symmetry, you have to pull the right side taut and match it on the left.
"Spread your legs just a bit—like you're standing comfortably. If you're not sure, shoulder-width apart."
"Like this?"
At my request, the duchess shifted her right leg sideways.
But due to tension, she spread them too wide, and her left leg peeked slightly through the side slit, revealing a pale calf.
True to her high status, it was impeccably maintained—virtually no visible downy hair on those lovely legs.
Even with just ankle socks for accent without stockings, they were stunning, but now wasn't the time to dwell on that.
"Elizabeth, that's too wide. Tuck your leg back in."
As I adjusted the skirt to cover her leg, I asked her to narrow them as cynically as possible.
"Kh...!"
"...Yes."
Sera's stifled laugh from behind and the tremor in the duchess's voice.
This woman was mustering tremendous courage to stand before a man like this—what was she doing making her even more embarrassed?
I shot Sera a glare over my shoulder and pressed a finger to my lips.
"Miss Sera, be quiet."
"Ah, sorry."
Sera, whose lips were twitching, met my eyes, shrugged, and hastily schooled her expression.
Her flustered look suggested she knew she'd slipped up, so I just gave a light warning and left it at that.
"Whew..."
Letting out a shallow sigh, I carefully gathered the slit-open skirt, mindful not to let my gaze drift into the gap.
"Emily."
After gathering about a handspan of the side slit, I held the gathered fabric with my left hand and raised my right palm upward to my ear.
"Here."
Emily, crouched nearby waiting, pulled a small clip from the box and placed it in my palm.
I clipped the fabric with the clip she'd handed me, then continued spacing them a finger's width apart to slowly shape the skirt's line.
"Let's see..."
Repeating gathers along her leg and clipping until a nice line formed, I stepped back to scrutinize the full lower silhouette.
"Not bad..."
The duchess favored dark-toned dresses, so the outline was a touch fuzzy, but it formed a lovely mermaid-tail shape.
Mermaid dresses truly looked best without undergarments.
The duchess knew that too, which was why she'd chosen to endure the embarrassment.
"Tsk..."
Still, it felt somehow 2% off.
More precisely, 2% too much—overly burdensome?
"I've shaped the line as I envisioned, but what do you two think?"
This was when group wisdom came in handy.
I asked Emily and Sera, who were watching right behind me.
"It clings too much to her legs. Isn't it focusing too heavily on emphasizing her figure?"
"I agree with Emily. Widening the skirt a bit would look better."
"Elizabeth, what about you?"
"I'd like more ease around the knees."
"Hmm~"
All three had similar opinions. So maybe add about a thumb's width to the circumference at the knees?
"Okay..."
I eyed the circumference and unclipped one by one.
A couple more iterations should nail the shape.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After finishing the silhouette checks and while William was out retrieving the pin-covered dress.
"Haa..."
My heart felt tattered, like a leaf riddled with insect holes.
The man was obsessed with clothes—how could a lady's bare legs be right in front of him without him batting an eye even once?
He could've at least shown some embarrassment.
Blush a little, let his hands tremble faintly, clear his throat—something, anything subtle.
Yet how could he manipulate the dress without a single twitch of his brow?
Even when I pretended to slip and let my leg peek out, he just indifferently told me to tuck it back in, no reaction at all.
I'd tried various tactics afterward to make him notice me as a woman, but every single one failed.
In fact, my fidgeting only annoyed him, earning a slightly irritated 'Hold still.'
It crushed my pride as a woman.
He usually seemed wary of me, so I'd hoped to exploit his focus on dressmaking—but that stone-hearted fixation ruined everything.
"Haha..."
A hollow laugh escaped me.
I glanced at Emily, carefully helping me out of the dress.
Was she the problem?
With such a lewd woman at his side, did other women not register as female?
No, I was certain nothing 'like that' had happened between Emily and him.
Countess Hume wouldn't tolerate her son laying hands on the staff.
"..."
A chilling hypothesis surfaced.
Same-sex attendants prevent scandals.
So why assign an opposite-sex one...?
"Emily."
"Yes?"
"He does like women, right?"
"Yes."
"......"
Despite asking myself, Emily's confident reply irked me.
As if she had ironclad proof, as if she knew something I didn't.
Of course.
She'd watched him for years up close—she knew things I didn't.
"Then why no reaction at all?"
"Pardon?"
Emily blinked wide-eyed and tilted her head.
As if I'd spouted nonsense.
"This is him quite conscious, actually."
"Liar. That was conscious?"
"When Young Master works on clothes, his expression barely changes. If he truly weren't aware, he wouldn't even mention covering up—so yes, he was a little embarrassed."
"That was...?"
I couldn't believe it.
The man statue-still and impassive, looking ready to rip the clothes off if I moved—that was him being aware?
His usual reactions were so different.
A guy transparent as glass turns poker-faced the moment he picks up a needle? Ridiculous.
"No way..."
Suddenly, I recalled the story of his sister catching her fiancé.
The rumor that Duchess Hayes had toppled Viscount Bravebrook's second son with a secret technique William had taught her.
Was I losing the psychological battle to him?
"Emily, I won't tell a soul, so be honest."
"Yes."
"Does Sir William have many women?"
"Haa—"
Emily let out a deep, heartfelt sigh at my question, glancing toward the break room door.
"I wish he did."
"Ah."
My heart suddenly eased.
Her sincere response made me realize she and I were on the same starting line.
But on the flip side, my head grew more muddled.
William's mind felt even more inscrutable now.