Please don't look.
Please don't look.
"I want to visit a bookstore."
"Do as you please. Though I wonder why anyone would go to such a boring place."
"Then I will consider it decided."
Having received permission that wasn't quite permission, my plan to head to the bookstore fell through before we could even cross a single street.
I'm pretty sure she gave me permission that wasn't quite permission though?
"Wait."
Permission or not, Elisia, having caught sight of something, stopped in her tracks.
Because a strand of our hair was tied together, my head was yanked back along with hers, forcing me to a halt as well.
"That hurts."
"Don't be a baby."
"Saint-nim. If you are going to stop, please tell me beforehand."
"You should stop on your own. You're the one assisting me, aren't you?"
If I could do that, I'd be a prophet, not an aide.
What on earth am I supposed to do with this Elisia?
Straightening my pulled hair, I checked to see what Elisia was looking at.
I wondered what it was, but it turned out to be a massive boutique sporting a golden sign.
Beyond the expensive sheet glass, expensive dresses were displayed in rows.
From jewel-encrusted banquet attire to neat dresses suitable for going out.
'That looks expensive.'
Checking the prices, I instinctively looked away.
Even if squeezing my entire current salary might just buy a single piece, I had no intention of buying one.
I had zero interest in wearing such pretty clothes, nor did I feel like wasting money.
In the first place, I didn't have the slightest intention of buying clothes.
But Elisia seemed to think otherwise, looking completely intent on going in.
"Let's go in."
"I refuse."
"Why?"
"Don't I have enough clothes? There are so many already."
"They're for you."
"Pardon?"
"Don't tell me you plan on always walking around in that drab uniform while accompanying me."
"Isn't it good enough?"
Although it was just multiple sets of the exact same uniform, I spent most of my time wearing the aide uniform anyway, so there was no problem.
However, my response only served to displease Elisia.
Wondering what on earth rubbed her the wrong way this time, I saw she was scowling again.
"It's not good enough."
"A uniform is plenty."
"Ha. You're going to stand next to me wearing such drab garbage? Don't you remember there's a banquet coming up soon?"
"I know. But what is wrong with an aide wearing an aide's uniform?"
"If you wear such drab clothes, it looks like I'm dragging around someone pathetic. Your hair is already black as it is. Wearing clothes that black on top of it is just unpleasant."
I thought about my uniform.
As far as I recalled, it wasn't flashy, but it was neat.
It wasn't uncomfortable either.
It was just lacking extravagance; the fabric was fine and the stitching was clean.
"Isn't it neat?"
"Stop chattering and follow me inside."
"I refuse. Wait...! Saint-nim!"
Regardless of what I said, Elisia forcefully dragged me into the boutique.
She was taking 100% advantage of our hair being tied together.
I'm the idiot for trying to persuade Elisia.
I should have either broken through by force or just complied from the very start.
Why do I keep forgetting my original mindset?
As we opened the door and stepped inside, a subtle scent of perfume drifted over, and the employees bowed their heads in unison.
"Welco—"
The employees' greeting, synchronized like a knife dance, cut off midway.
Shock was palpable in the eyes of the staff.
It seemed they recognized Elisia even though she was wearing casual clothes.
Then again, there was no way another woman in this world possessed silver hair that radiant and a face of such unrealistic beauty.
Anyone who truly knew Elisia's face couldn't help but recognize her at a single glance.
And it didn't seem like this was her first time here either.
"W-We greet the Saint-nim!"
"You're loud."
When the staff recognized her and treated her with utmost deference, Elisia knitted her brows.
She was probably displeased about being called Saint when she came out just to play.
At that, the employees all shut their mouths at once.
Apparently, this place too had experienced Elisia's tyranny before.
Just then, a middle-aged woman dressed in the most lavish attire approached cautiously.
"If you tell us what you are looking for, we will serve you with our utmost care."
"Clothes that suit this woman."
Elisia wrapped her arm around my waist and pushed me forward.
My back suddenly pushed, my body stumbled a step forward.
"Saint-nim. I am not buying anything."
"Stay still."
"I have no money."
"I do."
"Are you going to buy it for me?"
"Shut up and just look at the clothes."
She's going to buy clothes for me?
Elisia?
Why?
Come to think of it, she already stated the reason.
She apparently wanted to buy something for me to wear in preparation for the upcoming banquet.
So that since I'd be accompanying her everywhere, I at least wouldn't look bizarre.
While I was feeling ever so slightly touched that Elisia was actually looking out for me, the middle-aged woman, who appeared to be the boutique's Madame, circled around me and gauged my figure.
The problem was that Elisia was planted right next to me.
"Where are you staring like that?"
"I-I was estimating her measurements."
"Don't measure with your eyes."
"Then we must measure directly in person..."
"Don't do that either."
A troubled look surfaced on the Madame's face.
I gently tapped Elisia's arm.
"If they don't take measurements, how can they fit the clothes?"
"You can just measure it yourself."
"I don't know how."
"What is it that you can do?"
"Shall I show you?"
"Tsk."
At my provocation, Elisia clicked her tongue and did nothing.
It seemed she hadn't yet noticed there was a limit on the number of times I could use my authority.
Well, it made sense since no real threat had presented itself yet.
Three times a day was plenty to calm Elisia down in daily life.
"Let's go."
Elisia snatched the tape measure held by an employee and dragged me into the fitting room.
Could Elisia really take measurements?
I'd bet a vote on 'absolutely not'.
If she knew how to do something like that, it would have appeared as a special trait in the game.
There's no way they'd tell you to clear the game without even specifying such things, right?
Actually, that sounds plausible...?
"Get in."
"Yes."
The fitting room was as spacious as my aide's office.
Is this luxury boutique's fitting room exceptionally large, or was my aide's office in that vast Saint's Palace just cramped?
I decided not to think about that.
The moment Elisia closed the door, she grabbed my shoulders and spun me around.
"Raise your arms."
"Can you really do this?"
"You think I can't?"
"Very much so."
A pure white light flared from her blue eyes.
Sensing signs of imminent physical force, I instantly threw both arms up.
"I believe in you."
"You're obnoxious."
Elisia wrapped the tape measure around my bust.
The cold measuring tape brushed over my shirt.
She pressed her body tight against my back.
Her voluptuous chest pressed softly against my back, and Elisia's long, fair fingers aligned the tape below my bust.
"Don't breathe."
"I'll die."
"You won't die for just a moment."
"Do you mean hold my breath?"
"Yes. What did you think I said?"
"I thought you were telling me to die, as usual."
She could've just said so from the start.
Elisia measured each single spot multiple times before finally unwinding the tape measure after quite a while, seemingly satisfied.
Having measured my bust, waist, and down to my hips, Elisia opened the door, tossed the tape measure casually to the employee, and spoke.
"Now bring the clothes."
"What kind would you like...?"
"Things this insolent woman can wear to a banquet."
The employee pondered for a moment, then brought several dresses.
The first was a black banquet dress gorgeously adorned with golden embellishments.
"It's too extravagant."
"Try it on."
"Where on earth am I supposed to go wearing this?"
"To the banquet. Are you perhaps a bit slow in the head?"
"I will put it on."
In the end, holding the dress, I tried to push Elisia outside.
But Elisia didn't leave; keeping the door closed, she stared intently at me.
It was an attitude that clearly said she intended to watch me change.
Seeing her untie our hair, I thought she was leaving, but she had merely untied it so I could change clothes.
"Please step outside."
"I don't want to."
She was so shameless I was lost for words.
Why does she want to watch me change clothes?
It's truly embarrassing, but who am I?
I already changed right in front of Elisia this morning.
What's one more time?
'I feel like I'm losing the mindset of a sane person...'
Realizing that making a frantic fuss to see Elisia's true ending was already devoid of common sense to begin with, I nonchalantly unbuttoned my shirt.
Though I wasn't doing anything just yet, the time would soon come when I'd have to scurry about busily.
Wouldn't a daily routine like this be fine at least until the banquet?
Because after the banquet, I'd have to act truly busy and dangerously for the sake of the true ending.
"Saint-nim."
"What?"
"Please do not look."
"You saw everything while attending to my bath. It seems fair to me."
"I looked because it was necessary."
"You already showed me this morning, so why are you acting so shy?"
When she put it that way, it was hard to refute.
Since it was true she'd already seen it.
But is it right to brazenly demand to watch just because she's seen it before?
It's not like we're lovers or anything.
Grumbling inwardly, I put on the black dress.
Once I finished putting it on, the black dress reflected in the mirror suited me better than expected.
The golden embroidery brought out my reddish-gold eyes, and the fabric hugging my body revealed without reservation the exquisite curves flowing from my bust, waist, and hips.
Adding my long, voluminous black hair to the mix, I wouldn't look out of place at all being called the villainess of a high noble house.
If only this weren't my own body, I might have stared in sheer admiration.
"How is it?"
Elisia wrapped her arms around my waist from behind.
Her fair, beautiful face appeared over my shoulder.
Inside the mirror, silver hair and black hair blended side by side.
"It's fine."
"Is that all?"
"It is beautiful."
"Naturally."
"I was talking about myself."
Hearing my answer, she tightened her arms around my waist and pouted her lips.
She was probably mad that I didn't call her pretty.
What kind of self-esteem is this?
Well, she is pretty, though.
Elisia turned her head, looking alternately at me and herself in the mirror.
Then she gave a satisfied nod.
"We're buying this."
"I have no occasion to wear clothes like this."
"You have to wear it to the banquet."
"I am merely an aide."
"My aide. Just behave and fucking wear it."
"Understood."
"See how nice it is when you do that from the start?"
After that, Elisia had them bring out five more dresses.
A deep red dress that exposed the waist and shoulders.
A white dress decorated with black lace across the bust.
A neat uniform-style dress with golden buttons.
Even a refreshing navy dress that seemed perfect for going out.
"Buy this one too."
"That's already five dresses."
"And?"
"The price is considerable."
"It's my money."
"So you intend to buy all of these?"
"Of course."
How much even is all of this?
Even if I was a bit oblivious to the price index in this world, this was enough to build an entire mansion.
As I made it blatantly obvious that it was way too expensive, Elisia gritted her teeth and delivered an ultimatum.
"I'm buying them for you."
Her red lips twisted slightly in displeasure.
"Because if you're going to stay by my side, you need to dress at least this well."
I gave up on thinking.
Let's just consider it a win since I got five luxury dresses for free.
The fact that they were very, very feminine dresses was a minor issue, though.
I have to get used to it anyway, so let's let it slide.
In any case, next time I want to go out alone, I should sneak out when Elisia is asleep.
Of course, dealing with the fallout if I get caught would be pretty grueling, but let's think about that when the time comes.