Music to My Ears
Two women stood before Cecilia.
One was a petite girl with snow-white hair, while the other beside her was a far taller lady with somewhat muted, dull blonde tresses. Elisabeth and I simply stood there side by side in Cecilia's presence.
With a somber black dress and a pure white gown laid out before us, the whole scene felt like some high-society tailoring contest. Well, in truth, that wasn't far from the reality.
"Hmm... Is it because they're such polar opposites? Choosing one is proving rather difficult."
Cecilia remained lounging languidly in her armchair as she gazed between us.
To be frank, I wasn't the least bit worried. I could already predict with near certainty how she would act and what decision she would reach.
"One is an extravagant gown, while the other features an entirely opposite palette and rather understated tailoring. Of course, since both were crafted by the tailors here, their quality is beyond reproach."
There was no disputing the craftsmanship, the fine fabric, or the skill of the artisan. At this point, victory merely hinged on which piece better suited Cecilia's personal taste—it all boiled down to her whim. And that was something Cecilia and I both understood all too well.
"This is merely a modest gift for Your Highness. My intention today is simply to introduce you to various establishments, including this boutique."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, indeed. I desire nothing more than to cultivate an amicable bond with Your Highness, so please, do not feel obligated to refuse."
Flattering Cecilia with such honeyed words was quintessential aristocracy, the hallmark of a seasoned politician. Naturally, as a duke's daughter, playing that diplomatic game was second nature to her station. Still, I couldn't bring myself to like her. Between how she had subtly unsettled and annoyed Cecilia moments ago and various other irksome traits, she simply rubbed me the wrong way.
...Though if we were judging strictly by facial features and appearance, she was certainly quite pretty.
"Fufu, is that right?" Cecilia replied with an airy chuckle.
She might appreciate the gesture of someone preparing a gorgeous gown on her behalf, but knowing Cecilia's spiteful disposition, she definitely hadn't forgotten what transpired moments ago. She was undoubtedly scheming to put Elisabeth in her place.
"Hmm... I am truly grateful for the dress you prepared, Lady Elisabeth. The fabric appears exquisite, the embroidery is lovely, and it is undeniably a magnificent piece."
"I am honored."
"However, it simply isn't to my taste. Have it loaded onto the carriage for now. Today, I prefer to wear the attire my maid brought me."
"...Pardon?"
Elisabeth raised her bowed head, caught completely off guard. It was only a subtle flicker of bewilderment, hardly enough to qualify as a grand triumph, yet watching her fluster gave me a petty rush of vindication. Even though it really was over something trivial.
"Personally, I tend to prefer clean, restrained lines over overly ornate garments. One hardly wears a grand ballroom gown on a casual outing. While I appreciate the thought, I must decline for today. Should an occasion arise where we attend a formal gala together, perhaps I shall wear it then."
"......"
"And since what Lady Elisabeth offers me today is merely an unconditional 'gift,' there ought to be no issue, correct?"
"...None at all, Your Highness."
Until just a moment ago, Elisabeth had been engaging in minor psychological sparring, subtly testing Cecilia's boundaries. Yet she wasn't so bold as to openly defy Cecilia's direct decree. She wasn't a ruling duke herself; she was merely an unmarried daughter of a ducal house.
Among the students at the Academy, Cecilia's title as Third Imperial Princess reigned supreme—unrivaled by ordinary nobility. Elisabeth couldn't possibly match that authority. Regardless of Cecilia having an elder brother and two elder sisters ahead of her in the line of succession, the sheer weight of royal blood and the Emperor's lineage carried indisputable absolute authority.
...It served as a fresh reminder of the monumental status of the person I served on a daily basis.
"Of course, the fabric and craftsmanship here are undeniably top-notch, and since Lady Elisabeth took the trouble to introduce this boutique personally, I must show appropriate courtesy. Serena?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Take that dress and follow me to the dressing room."
"Understood."
"I'll change into it, and then we shall proceed to our next destination."
"...Yes, Your Highness."
Cecilia issued the command, and I followed her toward the fitting room.
As I stepped up behind her, Elisabeth remained composed, offering polite acknowledgments without letting her expression slip or making another move.
...Honestly, that unreadable composure made it impossible to tell what hidden motives she truly harbored.
"Phew."
"Are you alright, Your Highness?"
"Pfft... Fufu... Ahahah..."
"......"
The moment we entered the room—spacious enough to dwarf a standard dressing salon—Cecilia collapsed into an armchair. What sounded at first like a weary sigh dissolved into breathless giggles. She looked like someone who had just watched a hilarious comedy. No, rather than pure amusement, her grin had the distinctly wicked smirk of a storybook villainess.
"Haaah... Truly, now I understand why my elder brother enjoys trading verbal jabs with the imperial ministers so much."
"...Did you enjoy yourself?"
"Yes, immensely. The way Lady Elisabeth's face momentarily twisted was worth every second, though it seems you missed it."
"My focus must remain on Your Highness, after all."
"Pfft... Look at you saying such obedient things today. How adorable. Should I reward you when we return to the dormitory? Would you like another drink of my blood, like last time?"
"...No, thank you."
She really does have a terrible personality.
Yep, rotten to the core.
Granted, Elisabeth was the one who had nudged her with subtle provocations first. Even so, watching Cecilia preen before me only solidified my conviction that she was thoroughly wicked. Teasing me about blood-drinking was especially cruel.
"I'm only teasing. Let us change right away, Serena."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Take the clothes I take off and stow them in the carriage alongside the dress Lady Elisabeth gifted me. The luggage compartment looked spacious enough, so it shouldn't be an issue."
"I will see to it."
We could have chatted a bit more, but with Elisabeth waiting outside, Cecilia promptly ordered me to assist her. Honestly, staying back to chat a minute longer wouldn't have killed anyone, but... well, when the master commands, the servant obeys.
"By the way, this dress is genuinely lovely."
"Is it? I merely selected something based on what Your Highness typically wears."
"Even if I had picked it out myself, I suspect I would have chosen this one. It flows softly without gaudy, superfluous patterns, and the texture is delightfully smooth."
"You've always favored that style."
"Indeed I have. Though that wasn't quite what I meant by bringing it up."
"...?"
I had no idea what she was getting at.
Though we were conversing as I helped her change, her cryptic words went right over my head. I focused entirely on unfastening and fastening clasps. While dressing her was an everyday routine in our dorm room, the glimpses of her porcelain skin and those massive Bad Personality Pockets naturally drew my gaze like a magnet.
I had to force every ounce of concentration into the task. If she ever caught me ogling her—or realized I was touching and looking at her body with thoughts unbecoming of a dutiful maid—it would spell absolute disaster in more ways than one.
"All finished, Your Highness."
"That was quick. You didn't leave any laces half-tied at the back, did you?"
"I left a fraction of breathing room, fearing that cinching them too tightly might cause Your Highness discomfort. Even without overt tightening, Your Highness's waist is already wonderfully slender and graceful."
"That is true. I am rather excessively gorgeous."
"...Yes."
...It was the objective truth, but hearing someone proclaim it about themselves so brazenly still took the wind out of my sails. Then again, coming from a woman who was genuinely, breathtakingly stunning, it didn't come across as entirely arrogant—just vintage Cecilia. I let it slide without lingering on it.
When Cecilia finished dressing and stepped out of the fitting room with me into the boutique's grand parlor...
"...Whoa."
"...My word..."
"...Good heavens."
A wave of hushed gasps and awestruck murmurs rippled through the patrons and staff remaining in the salon. My acute hearing caught every whisper, but acute senses weren't required to gauge the room—everyone was simply transfixed, unable to conceal their astonishment at Cecilia's radiant beauty.
"The tailoring is quite satisfactory. Lady Elisabeth? Ensure the proprietor is handsomely rewarded."
"Yes... I shall do so."
"Pfft..."
Elisabeth, too, seemed struck momentarily dumb at the sight of Cecilia. The contrast between Cecilia's cold assessment of the dress Elisabeth had selected and her current relaxed, thoroughly pleased expression couldn't have been starker.
"Hmm... That being said, my chest does feel slightly constrained. I believe it will require alteration later."
"...Is it uncomfortable? I thought the bust was rather generous."
"Well, it isn't threatening to burst open. It simply feels as though a sudden, violent movement might strain the seams."
"......"
Whispered low enough that only I could hear, Cecilia's casual remark was far more shocking than I anticipated. Granted, the visual sight of her right now was already plenty shocking. The bodice over her bust was stretched so taut and plump that her complaint wasn't entirely unfathomable, but for even that to feel tight?
I had specifically picked out a design with her massive Bad Personality Pockets and voluptuous proportions in mind, and yet... Even that wasn't roomy enough?
"......"
At the very least, my own flat, modest figure spared me from having gorgeous clothes altered or rendered unwearable on account of a single disproportionate asset. In a roundabout way, it offered a sliver of consolation. Naturally, there was still a lingering twinge of regret over having such a meager silhouette, but as someone who used to be a guy, there was no reason to fret, spiral, or agonize over feminine curves. I simply nodded in silence.
...Still, Cecilia was breathtaking. Utterly and undeniably breathtaking.
I was well aware of her charms on an ordinary day, but watching every single pair of eyes in the boutique gravitate helplessly toward her made me wonder if calling her the most beautiful maiden in the entire Academy—no, the entire Empire—might not be an exaggeration after all.
"Serena, why are you staring at me like that?"
"Ah, it's just... Your Highness looks so radiant right now. I was simply admiring you."
"Hmph... Is that so? Flattering me won't earn you a raise or a bonus, you know. Or do you really want a drink of my blood like last time?"
"...It isn't anything like that. I said it because you genuinely look beautiful. There's no hidden agenda whatsoever."
That was all I could offer in response to her teasing. She might have a rotten temper, be terribly demanding, and intimidate me whenever our gazes locked for too long, but her sheer beauty was something I could never deny—not when we first met, and certainly not now. It defied description.
"Am I truly that pretty in your eyes?"
"...Pardon? Ah... Yes, of course. I doubt there are many—if any—in the entire Academy who can match Your Highness's beauty."
I flinched slightly when she stepped closer, leaning down to gaze into my eyes, but I managed to keep my voice steady.
In truth, even though Elisabeth possessed blonde hair like Cecilia, the vibrancy and luster—the sheer quality of it—felt markedly dimmer. And while Elisabeth was undeniably attractive, standing on the same level as Cecilia was entirely out of the question.
"...I can't say with absolute certainty, but among all the people I've ever encountered, I have never once seen someone as lovely as Your Highness. I genuinely believe no one compares."
"Hmph... I see. Well, that is certainly pleasant to hear."
"...?"
...Why was she asking me something like that out of nowhere, anyway?
As always, Cecilia's true thoughts were an enigma I couldn't begin to fathom.