Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Dressing for the Banquet
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Unlike Monday, when Mother nagged me all day long, Tuesday passed without any particular incidents.
The preparations for the banquet were inherently tedious work anyway, and since Mother and Brother handled most of it, I had nothing to do.
The only notable event was that Father, who had been swept up in the mess I caused, finally managed to escape the Magic Department office by Tuesday evening.
He must have suffered terribly in the meantime—his appearance was still impeccable, but the atmosphere around him and his very aura had turned utterly gloomy.
Thanks to that, I got to witness Father hugging Mother tightly and showering her with affection after a really long time.
Ever since we kids grew up, he'd been holding back out of embarrassment, but yesterday he ignored Mother's flustered pats on his back and nuzzled his cheek against the nape of her neck.
Mother pretended to dislike it out of shyness but didn't push him away, and thanks to that persistent clinging from Father, Brother and Sister-in-law started giving off this oddly intimate vibe too.
I thought I was going to get diabetes.
Somehow enduring Wednesday amid those lovebirds force-feeding me sugar, we finally made it to Wednesday.
"Kuuh~"
Lazy.
I'd resolved to head out confidently, but the innate laziness etched into my very being was impossible to overcome.
That said, aside from the laziness, I felt more energized than usual.
I'd slept soundly, my condition was good, and my mood was great.
Once I pushed through the reluctance to get out of bed, motivation started to kick in afterward.
I had a simple breakfast, took a bath, then headed to the dressing room, where Emily helped me change into formal attire.
I could manage everyday clothes on my own, but formal wear had too many layers and was too complicated to put on alone, and the fit would be off.
"Young Master, all done."
"Yeah."
So I changed with Emily's help for the first time in a while.
Emily assisted me even with slipping my arms into the long frock coat, then stepped back while I buttoned up and adjusted the mirror slightly toward where I stood.
"Hmm..."
After fastening over ten buttons one by one, I touched the nape of my neck and stepped closer to the mirror.
A deep navy coat, jacket, and trousers, all unified in color.
A white shirt and cravat.
It had been nearly seven months since I'd worn full formal attire, complete with coat and cravat.
With all these extra layers compared to usual, there was a subtle awkwardness in my movements.
But thick clothes always felt like that at first, so it wasn't too bothersome.
If anything, dressing up properly after so long had me feeling a bit excited.
"Ugh..."
However, the cravat around my neck was something I just couldn't get used to.
A cravat was like a scarf from before neckties existed—comfort-wise, it wasn't much different from a tie, but the problem was it looked like a bib.
Compared to the ruff collars—like frilled lizard scarves—that were popular before I was born, it was a prettier accessory, but no amount of self-hypnosis could erase the tacky feeling.
It might feel more like a scarf with some color, but white was the cleanest, most refined look for a cravat, so for big events like this, you had to wear a white one that resembled a bib.
It was utterly dreadful.
"I should've made a necktie sooner..."
I muttered grumpily, turning away from the mirror.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, I think I can head out like this."
"Understood."
"Then it's your turn now?"
As I fiddled with my cravat and casually mentioned it, Emily flinched, her shoulders jerking as she glanced at the box in the corner of the dressing room.
"Ugh..."
She placed a hand on her chest, tension etching across her face.
"Haa... Hoo..."
After several deep breaths, Emily turned toward me with the jerky hesitation of an online game character suffering lag.
Her unusually tense demeanor was adorable.
"Um, Y-Young Master, c-could you step out for a moment?"
I'd planned to leave anyway, but before I did, I pointed at the box containing the clothes.
"But can you put that on by yourself?"
"Hmm..."
Creases formed between Emily's brows.
It was a simple dress compared to noble gowns, but designed for a banquet, so the hooks were at the back.
Even hooks aside, fastening a long row from her shoulder blades to the small of her back perfectly on her own would be tough.
"It's a bit tricky, but... I think I can manage."
After pondering, Emily nodded as if it were possible, though her expression was half certain, half doubtful.
"If it's hard alone, no need to struggle through it."
I picked up the bell on the nearby table and gave it a light shake.
-Ding-a-ling
"Young Master, did you call for me?"
With the clear chime, the dressing room door opened, and a maid bowed her head as she entered.
"Anne, help Emily change clothes."
"Yes, where are the clothes?"
"In that box over there."
"Understood."
"Y-Young Master?"
Emily paled at Anne's arrival and frantically grabbed my sleeve.
As a maid herself, getting help from another maid must feel burdensome.
"Please, can't I just do it alone?"
"No."
But I had no intention of sending Anne away.
We needed to be properly prepared, and if the person attending me looked sloppy, it'd be embarrassing for me too.
Besides, what was my profession? A clothing maker.
I'd made such a fuss about making clothes, so if my own servant looked a mess? No one would come to me for outfits.
"Ugh...! This doesn't feel right."
"Don't talk nonsense and just accept the help. If it's done wrong, I'll be the one who gets criticized, not you."
"Eek...!"
Reminded of that, Emily wrinkled her nose and bit her lip lightly.
Essentially a surrender, so I turned to Anne, who had been watching us, and said,
"Anne, do you know how to do makeup by any chance?"
"I can handle the basics."
"Perfect."
Satisfied with her answer, I smiled with my eyes and pointed to a small box on the table.
"The tools are in there, so just do some light blusher and lip color—subtle enough that the tint is barely noticeable, got it?"
"Understood."
"Young Master? The clothes are one thing, but can't we skip the makeup...?"
"......"
Emily tried protesting timidly once more.
I stared at her silently and pointed at Anne and myself with my fingers.
"Anne, or keep refusing and get it from me directly? The moment I pick up the brush, it won't end lightly."
The instant she said no again, I'd drag her to the sink and start from basic cleansing.
She'd feel bone-deep what it was like to layer on cleansers, oils, powders, and colors.
"...I'll just stay still."
"Good."
Emily's eyes darted between me and Anne before she resignedly slumped her shoulders and chose Anne.
Deep down, I'd hoped she'd pick me, but this wasn't bad either.
With such a pretty base, anything would look good.
"Emily, I'll wait at the entrance, so come there when you're ready."
"Yeees..."
Telling her where I'd be, since it was time for me to leave, I grinned and patted Anne's shoulder lightly.
"Then Anne, take good care of her."
"Leave it to me."
_
Standing at the entrance, gazing up the stairs while waiting for Emily, my heart pounded just a little faster.
Usually, Emily would be the one waiting for me, so having the roles reversed today felt pretty fresh.
"All set?"
"Almost done."
As I killed time by tapping my arms folded across my chest, Mother came down amid her busy schedule to see me off.
I'd told her it wasn't necessary, but she must be quite worried about me.
"Hmm...?"
Descending the stairs slowly, her eyes darting about, Mother frowned and jabbed a finger toward the spot beside me.
"But why are you here alone? Where's Emily?"
"I sent her on a quick errand. She'll be back soon."
"Ah, I see."
Mother's expression softened at my reply.
She lifted the corners of her mouth slightly, placed her hands lightly on my shoulders as she stood before me, and straightened my coat collar.
"Why don't you dress up like this more often? You look so dashing when you do, but it's hard to see you like this."
"If I look too handsome, it'd cause trouble, so I hide it on purpose."
"Oh, one compliment and you're all puffed up."
"Eek...!"
I tossed in a playful joke, and Mother chuckled, pinching my nose and shaking it lightly.
"But I do look cool, right?"
"Of course. Whose son are you? I fell for your father's face."
"That makes it even more of a shame for Mother."
"Oh? Listen to you."
Even knowing half of it was flattery, she seemed inwardly pleased and released my nose.
"So, when's Emily coming back from her errand?"
"Yeah, she should be down any minute now..."
Time was getting tight.
We needed to board the carriage soon to make it with some leeway...
"Hmm."
"Anne, aren't you coming down too fast?"
"Emily, time's almost up—how long are you going to dawdle?"
"Looks like they're coming down now."
"Yeah."
As I worriedly eyed the stairs, wondering if I should go up, noisy footsteps echoed from upstairs right on cue—Anne and Emily descending.
Preparations must have finished ages ago; Emily had probably hesitated, dragging it out.
"I-Is this right, Anne?"
"Who cares? The Young Master ordered it."
The voices grew louder.
Clamoring footsteps.
When a glimpse of black skirt hem appeared at the landing.
"Argh, seriously! Hurry up and come down!"
"Ah, w-wait a sec...!"
"Oh..."
With Anne's irritated voice, Emily—who'd been shoved from behind—stumbled into view.
"Aaaah... What do I do...!"
For a brief moment, our eyes met, and Emily immediately covered her face with both hands.
Then she came down the stairs, dragged along by Anne.
"Young Master, I've dressed her up nice and pretty, just as you asked."
"You did great."
Anne, who presented Emily right before me, puffed out her chest proudly.
I praised her with a satisfied smile, then shifted my gaze to Emily, still covering her face with both hands over her ears.
"Emily! What are you doing...!"
"Ugh... Fine, I got it...!"
Prodded in the side by Anne and whispering protests, Emily slowly lowered her hands, fidgeting as she peeked at me.
"Um... Young Master... How do I look...?"
"It suits you perfectly. You look stunning."
"Eek...!"
"The necklace suits you too. I knew it would."
"Th-thank you..."
Her face flushed beet red at the stream of compliments, Emily bowed her head deeply and hunched her shoulders.
"Wait, necklace...?"
"Doesn't it look great on her, Mother?"
"It does, but... Isn't that the one I gave you?"
"Yes."
"......"
Mother's eyes widened as if she'd spotted a madman.
Sharp as she was, she'd instantly recognized the necklace's owner.
"I-I don't remember raising a playboy son...?"
Mother stammered in a dazed voice, muttering something, but I pretended not to hear and turned away.
Then I gently took Emily's hand and turned my back.
"Anyway, Emily, we're late—let's head out."
"Ah, y-yes...!"
I slipped out of the townhouse like fleeing before Mother could collect herself.
"Ah..."
I thought I heard Mother's sigh before the door closed, but time was pressing now.
Explanations could wait until I got back.
Probably...