Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Surprise Shopping for Lize
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"Camellia, what do you think of this?"
"It's pretty. It would suit you well, Mother."
"The black one is better after all, isn't it? I feel like there's more reaction to it than when I tried on the white one."
Rozalin, Lize, and I were strolling through the city together.
Today, we had planned to go shopping for clothes as a group.
Of course, buying clothes for Lize was meant to be a surprise, so we hadn't told her. For now, we were picking out outfits for Rozalin and me first.
"Since you're more on the composed side, Mother, darker colors suit you better."
"Hehe, is that so?"
"Oh, Mother? How about these gloves?"
As Rozalin and I looked around the store, I spotted a nice-looking pair of gloves.
Black silk gloves. They struck me as perfect for her.
Rozalin didn't usually wear gloves, but it wasn't like she never did at all.
"Gloves?"
"Yes. I know you don't wear them often, Mother, but having a pair wouldn't hurt. You could wear them for decoration when people from other families visit."
"They're pretty. You like gloves like these, Camellia?"
"I don't particularly... like them, but they are pretty, right?"
Truth be told, gloves weren't really my style.
Sure, they could be a fashion choice, but I preferred going bare-handed most of the time.
The unique feel of wearing gloves just wasn't for me.
"They really suit you, Mother."
"Really?"
"Yes. Why don't you try them on?"
"If you insist that much, Camellia, of course I will."
With that, Rozalin slipped one glove onto her right hand.
It suited her perfectly. Maybe it was the elegant design.
"They're pretty."
"Right?"
It definitely looked good on her.
Not just my opinion—anyone would think the same.
"Lize, doesn't it look pretty?"
"Yes."
"Hmm... Should I get these too, then?"
"Sounds good to me."
"I don't usually wear gloves, but since Camellia complimented them, I think it'd be fine."
"Uh..."
Well... they did suit her.
It felt a bit awkward since my influence was pushing the purchase, but it was a fitting item anyway.
I decided not to dissuade her.
They really did look good, and they'd be perfect for cooler days.
"We've already got your clothes, Camellia... and I think I've got enough too. What do you think?"
"If you're happy with it, Mother, I'm fine with it. Do you want more? Like pajamas?"
"Hmm... I don't think so. You've already recommended so many outfits for me, Camellia."
That was true.
We had bought plenty for Rozalin and me already.
We'd been to about five clothing stores by now, so we had more than enough to wear.
"Lize, should we drop the clothes off at the carriage for now?"
"If that's what you want, Young Lady."
For the moment, we needed to stash away my clothes and Rozalin's.
We couldn't keep carrying them around, and Lize couldn't hold them from here on out.
"Mother, I'll take Lize to the carriage real quick. We've got a lot of clothes... so I need her help."
"Sure, I'll wait here."
"Okay."
Since I'd already cleared it with Rozalin, we moved the clothes without issue.
Lize probably thought we were just going to keep shopping and buy more things.
Well, she was half-right, but none of it would be for Rozalin or me.
"Hehe..."
"What's the matter?"
"Oh? Nothing. It's just been a while since I went shopping, so I'm in a good mood."
I brushed off Lize's question lightly.
She'd find out soon enough anyway, and I didn't want to spoil the surprise early.
While browsing and buying, I'd already scoped out plenty of clothes for Lize.
She only ever wore her maid uniform normally, and her casual clothes were a bit outdated since she rarely wore them.
This was the perfect chance to buy her some outfits and spend time hanging out with her.
Originally, I'd planned to shop just the two of us without Rozalin, but having her along was great too.
"Did you get it done?"
"Yes, we left them there safely."
"So? Where to next?"
"Let's go back to that last store first. I've got something in mind."
Lize trailed slowly behind us, clueless.
I'd already picked out clothes for her, so it wouldn't take long. I planned to ask what she wanted too.
"Lize?"
"Yes, Young Lady."
"Pick out any clothes you like."
"...Pardon?"
Was it too sudden?
Lize looked like she hadn't quite processed my words.
Well, that was a natural reaction.
"You hardly wear anything besides your maid uniform, right? I want to buy you some clothes this time."
"Uh..."
"It's because you do such a great job every day. Just pick normally—I'll cover it."
"Young Lady? That's too much..."
"It's fine. I've got plenty of money."
Young and rich.
I meant it literally—I had more than enough cash.
Father's allowance was generous, and the businesses I ran had grown since I was a kid.
I didn't need to gamble like back then to get by. Though... I still snuck off to gamble sometimes.
Anyway, it was no issue at all.
Lize knew better than anyone how loaded I was, so she probably realized it was fine.
She was just caught off guard and felt burdened.
"Hmm... All right, Lize. How about you try on what I'm picking?"
"...Pardon?"
"I was going to let you choose, but you're not picking anything."
No choice.
I'd wanted to consider her comfort, but she wasn't budging.
"Lize, try this one first?"
"Uh..."
"You won't?"
Since Lize didn't answer right away, I... made a pitiful face on purpose.
Eyes all sad, lips pursed just a bit—like anyone could tell I wasn't thrilled.
"Really...?"
"Ah... No... I'll try it on..."
"Really...?"
"...Yes."
"Here you go!"
I handed her the clothes I'd been holding.
Smiling all the while.
A complete one-eighty from my pitiful expression—bright and sunny.
Because Lize had taken the bait?
"...Young Lady."
"Yeah? What's up?"
Utter innocence on my face.
Lize looked... pretty shocked at my expression.
Huh.
She's cute. Teasing Lize really hits the spot.
Of course, this was just light teasing, not actual bullying.
"Go try it on~"
I sent her off.
Yeah, mission success.
"Our Camellia... you're quite the actress, aren't you?"
"You think so?"
"Yeah, I was a little surprised."
"Well... I was bummed she wouldn't take the clothes at first."
There was some exaggeration, but it wasn't all an act—not 100%.
Okay, maybe mostly acting?
Still, the plan worked, so I was in a good mood.
"But if it makes you happy, Camellia, that's enough for me."
"I've always been grateful for Lize. This just feels great."
"You're such a good girl."
"Mother, want to pick out Lize's next outfit too?"
I asked Rozalin while selecting the next set for Lize.
I could handle it alone, but she might want in. So I checked.
"Me? Nah, she'd prefer what you pick over mine."
"You think?"
"Yeah. She was flustered, but she's super close to you. She'd definitely like yours more."
"Then... no choice."
No need to force it.
Rozalin was right—my picks would probably be better.
Lize and Rozalin weren't that close, and Lize was always by my side.
"Young Lady...?"
"Oh, all done?"
"...Yes."
"Then come out. Why are you just peeking your head out?"
"It's... a bit embarrassing..."
"I see."
Lize was shy by nature, so I figured it made sense.
Plus, she only wore her maid uniform usually—this was her first casual outfit in ages.
Anyway, Lize finally stepped out, still blushing.
Two things were crystal clear: I'd nailed the clothes for her, and she was adorable.
"...I don't usually wear stuff like this..."
"But it suits you."
"...Does it...?"
"Yeah, perfectly."
The outfit I'd given her was safely pretty—nothing too revealing or flashy.
Just a cute frilly shirt that gave a bright vibe, paired with a long skirt.
With Lize's height, it was bound to look good. I wanted flashier options, but she'd get overwhelmed.
"Right, Mother?"
"It suits you so well. I'm used to seeing you in your maid uniform, but this is great."
"See?"
Even Rozalin thought it looked pretty.
If she weren't so embarrassed, it'd be even prettier.
Her face was a bit redder than usual, and she fidgeted a lot—which was a shame.
Personally, though? It made her cuter to me.
"Lize, time for the next one?"
"Ah..."
"Hehe... I've already prepped more than five outfits."
"...Yes."
She didn't hate it, though.
Even I wouldn't force her if she truly disliked it—I wasn't that bad.
"But Lize, this one really suits you. You look prettier than in your maid uniform."
"Really...?"
"Yeah. How about wearing stuff like this daily? You could ditch the uniform."
"...That might be..."
"Yeah, figured."
Well, Lize was cutest in her maid uniform anyway.
Bummer, but that was set in stone.
"Now go try the next one?"
"...Yes."
She followed my lead despite the shyness.
Lize really is the cutest.