Chapter 21
Chapter 21
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Preparations on the Eve of the Gathering
-----------------------------------------------------------------
One thing was certain: Melnik was a really great city.
That was the conclusion I'd reached after wandering around with Rozalin, starting from dessert cafes and hitting up all sorts of places.
Sure, I'd only come here for the social gathering, but I couldn't deny how wonderful the city was. It was so nice that I even found myself wanting to stay longer after the event ended.
Rozalin had said as much herself, and even Lize agreed it was fantastic.
"The overly flashy dress naturally stands out, doesn't it?"
"I suppose so? Why?"
"I'm worried about what to wear to tomorrow's gathering. I think I should wear a dress, but the color's giving me trouble."
"Ah."
That's how we spent our time in Melnik, truly enjoying the vacation vibe, until the day before the social gathering finally arrived.
It seemed like it would be even more chaotic than the last tea party, but we'd already come this far. I figured I'd just make some light connections with decent families and call it a day.
So far, it had always been the Leonhardt name causing issues, not me personally getting any flak.
Truth be told, a pretty and cute young lady like me wouldn't get criticized anyway. I'd never even attended a social gathering before, and I didn't run into people from other families often. Even on the rare occasions I did, things always passed without incident.
Camellia Leonhardt herself tended to get more praise than criticism, at least as far as I knew.
"I was thinking blue, but blue dresses aren't really my style."
"Hehe, shall we take a look then? Lize?"
"Yes, I'll prepare the dresses."
At Rozalin's words, Lize immediately began pulling out dresses.
To pick one for tomorrow, it made sense to try them on at least once.
Not all of them, maybe, but most of the options.
After all, tomorrow was the social gathering.
"Hmm... You've got the colors well-prepared. Not blue, right?"
"Yes, the design's a bit lacking."
"Then Lize, just hang this one back up."
"Yes."
And so Rozalin began inspecting each dress one by one.
She checked the fabric by touch, lifted them to gauge the weight. I just sat there quietly watching her.
"Hmm... How about white?"
"The color doesn't matter much. As long as it's not too flashy."
"Then this kind might actually suit you better. It has a bit of frill, but the design isn't overly ornate, and the color works."
"Please pick whatever you like, Mother."
I didn't even know all the dresses we'd brought anyway. Most of them were ones Lize had packed.
In any case, I sat still waiting for Rozalin to choose.
A little bored, I swung my legs from the chair and shook my head around.
"Hmm... Shall we try this one first?"
"Yes."
She'd picked out a black dress and a white one to start. They felt more subdued than I'd expected.
I'd been a tad worried she'd hand me something pink or yellow, like real kid clothes. Fortunately, nothing like that.
They were refreshingly plain and neat instead.
"Hehe, which one first? The black?"
"Um... Black first, I guess. Unless you prefer the white..."
"Hm? No. Camellia, you're so cute. I figured whatever you wear would look great on you."
"...I see."
Her blunt praise embarrassed me, but anyway, I started changing into the dress.
I took off my casual clothes... and slipped into the one Rozalin chose.
Of course, Lize was helping me behind a privacy screen so Rozalin couldn't see. Even if she was my mom, showing my body felt a bit awkward.
Naturally... I was already wearing my dress undergarments.
"Miss, should I tighten it more?"
"Um... No. We're just checking it out for now, so don't make it too tight."
"Yes."
And so we began getting dressed. Lize lightly cinched the corset part and tied the fastenings.
I'd worn dresses before, so it wasn't tricky. I just stayed still and let Lize handle it.
Before I knew it, we were done.
"Mother. I've got it on, but..."
"Oh my."
The moment I stepped out in the dress, Rozalin's face lit up with surprise.
Was it bad?
I didn't think so. If anything, I thought it looked pretty.
"You're too cute!"
"I-Is that so...?"
But contrary to my worries...
Rozalin loved it. She came right up and started pinching my cheeks like crazy.
"Eek..."
"You're seriously so adorable? Should we just go with this? It looks perfect. Way too cute..."
"Is it that good...?"
Wasn't she overreacting a bit...?
Her reaction was so over-the-top that I couldn't help thinking that, even as she beamed with what was clearly genuine joy—her smile wasn't forced at all, especially up close.
"Hehe, I think it's more that Camellia's so pretty than the dress itself. Don't you agree, Lize?"
"...Yes."
"Camellia, lift your arms like this... out to the sides?"
"Huh? Uh..."
I did as she asked.
Raised both arms out to the sides and just stood there. Why this all of a sudden?
I hadn't expected such an enthusiastic response. Sure, I knew I was pretty, but her innocent glee was making me feel unexpectedly happy.
Praise... does get better the more you hear it, yeah. Couldn't be helped.
"Eek!?"
"Hehe... Our Camellia's so cute it's worrying, you know?"
"P-Put me down...!"
Suddenly, Rozalin scooped me up.
Hands under my armpits, lifting me straight up.
I was abruptly off the ground, so I flailed my legs without thinking.
Not because of a fear of heights—just her sudden skinship catching me off guard.
"Was that too much? You were so cute I couldn't help it. Did you hate it?"
Anyway, after setting me down, Rozalin looked concerned. I had been startled, sure, but not that badly.
She hadn't lifted me super high—just eye-level with her.
"It wasn't that I hated it... I was just surprised..."
"Oh? I thought maybe you disliked me doing that. Got a little worried."
"N-No way! Not at all... really..."
I answered her a bit loudly, at least the first word.
Truth was, her words had startled me too.
"...I really was just surprised..."
"Really?"
"Yes..."
"Hehe, I was joking. You were pretty shocked, huh?"
"........"
...That was a joke?
I'd really been worried and surprised for her sake...
Realized Rozalin wasn't quite as purely sweet as she seemed.
*
"Hmm... Lize, you can tighten it a bit more."
"...Pardon? It feels tight enough already..."
"Hm? But there's still plenty of room at the waist?"
"...You're right."
Lize touched my waist and cinched the corset a little further.
No wonder—she'd barely done it before. It had been so loose that leaving it like that would've looked weird.
"Whew... Lize, can you hand me those documents on the desk again?"
"Yes."
Lize passed me the stack of papers from the desk. Preparations weren't fully done yet.
I'd only gotten the dress on; still had makeup and hair to go.
So I started reviewing what needed checking. Especially since there was a reason for attending this social gathering. Going in blind would probably just mean sitting there quietly the whole time.
"Hmm..."
Best bet: befriend someone from the Rosaki Family. But that seemed tough, so pass.
Next were various marquess and count families I'd heard of from newspapers and such. No Rose Family, apparently, but mostly familiar names.
The documents listed attending families and how many from each. That's about it. Major figures had separate sheets, of course.
I went through them all.
Letting Lize brush my hair from behind.
This would be my first social gathering that wasn't a tea party. Wonder how it'd go. Probably not full-on noble dancing party or anything...
"Yawn..."
"Are you tired, Miss?"
"Um... Not really... Just thinking about the gathering soon makes it feel annoying..."
I'd already napped with Rozalin earlier, so no sleepiness. It was purely the event.
I'd never done one before, and it was bound to be mentally draining. Or maybe not...
Even at the last tea party, aside from the business talk, the kids had worn me out.
Kids really were on another level.
"Lize, come here."
"Yes?"
I called Lize from behind me to the front.
Nothing much...
"Here. Closer."
"...?"
I pulled Lize even nearer. So close that if I stood, my head would've bumped right into her.
Not that I planned to actually bump into her...
"Hmm..."
"M-Miss!?"
I hugged Lize, who was standing in front of me.
We had time left, and prep was mostly done. I just... wanted to hold something. Holding Lize last time had felt so nice.
Just wanted to cuddle her a bit like this. Of course, Lize was pretty shocked.
Anyway.
"You're way comfier to hug than a pillow, Lize."
"W-Why all of a sudden..."
"Just felt like it. Hmm... Recharging my energy?"
Hugging her felt great, but her reaction was even better.
I couldn't help smiling, squeezing her tighter thanks to how adorable she was.
Thanks to Lize, the dread of going and wanting to just laze around had lifted a bit.
"B-But... what if Madam sees..."
"Nah, it's fine. We're both girls, right? What's the problem?"
Just like that, for about ten minutes?
I wasn't checking the clock exactly, but probably that long—holding Lize still.
Of course, she kept making cute attempts to wriggle free, but that was cute too, so I liked it.