Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Clothes Shopping
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After the tea party, I started spending more time with Rozalin.
It was time with nothing much to do anyway, so it wasn't really a problem. I had no idea exactly when William would come back, but he wasn't the type to get touchy-feely regardless.
"How about this dress?"
"Ahaha..."
"It looks like it would suit you perfectly, Camellia. Don't you like it?"
"...No, it's fine. I'll try it on."
We'd come shopping for clothes today.
Originally, it was supposed to be for Rozalin's clothes, not mine—since she might not be satisfied with what I'd prepared. But while we were at it, we'd ended up browsing outfits that matched her tastes, and this happened.
Somehow, we'd wandered into looking at my clothes. This definitely wasn't the plan.
"Hehe, you're so cute, Camellia. It might be nice to try on a pretty dress like this for once."
"Haha..."
Anyway, that's how it went. Of course, I didn't hate it, so I just went along with what Rozalin suggested.
It wasn't as if mothers and daughters never shopped for clothes or tried them on together. Yeah, it was just about that level of normal.
It was better than the alternatives. Way better than accidentally brushing up against her or something like that.
"I'll go put it on. Wait a sec."
"Sure, I'll be waiting."
Ever since that awkward encounter with Rozalin in the bathroom, I'd been in a bit of a bind.
Just from that one glimpse of her body behind the towel, every time I was near her now, thoughts of that moment kept popping into my head.
Honestly... she was pretty...
"Ha."
I really must be losing it.
I wasn't some hormonal teenager in puberty—what was I doing having these thoughts when I hadn't even hit my second growth spurt yet? I felt pathetic. And stupid.
Of course, I didn't let any of that show on the outside. I knew better than to act on it.
-Swish...
"Sigh."
Anyway, I slowly changed into the outfit first. Slipped out of the dress I was wearing and into the one-piece dress.
It was a childish dress, so it wasn't hard to take off.
"...It suits me."
Glancing at myself in the clothes, yeah, it fit well.
With a face this pretty, there was no way it wouldn't. I wasn't sure if she qualified as a drop-dead beauty or anything, but she had that level of looks where it seemed possible.
"All done. How's it look?"
"It suits you amazingly! You're adorable."
"R-Really...?"
"Yeah, Camellia. Want to try some other outfits? Not this one... I found a shirt that boys might like, too. What do you think?"
"...I don't mind. A shirt sounds fine."
Yeah... better that way. Honestly, much better.
Better than her making me keep changing in and out of girls' clothes right in front of her.
"Since you're a bit smaller than kids your age, Camellia... smaller sizes would be best, right?"
"...Yes."
Separate from my figure, there was one thing that bugged me. My height.
Compared to my peers, mine was definitely on the small side. I'd figured as a girl it wouldn't grow as tall as a boy's anyway, but still, it was tiny.
At the tea party last time, I was a good half-head shorter than those other kids...
"...Do you have anything to wear with a dress shirt?"
"Hmm... How about a skirt?"
"Yes, that's fine."
So Rozalin picked out whatever clothes she liked from the shop, and what she settled on was... kind of a uniform-like coord.
White shirt, dark gray skirt and pants. I looked like a total student.
Plus, being so small and not looking remotely adult made it even more convincing. Elementary schooler level, at best.
"When we go to the Academy later, we'll wear stuff like this, right?"
"Yeah. At the Academy, both boys and girls wear the standard Academy shirt. Probably something like this? Though the emblem on the chest would be different."
"I see..."
"Of course, it's still a ways off for our Camellia, isn't it?"
"Yes. I'm only eight right now. Even if I wanted to go, I'd have to be at least thirteen... still a long time away."
It felt kind of like high school. Well, more precisely a mini political arena, but it matched the high schools from my old world.
A place to educate kids before adulthood and groom them into proper nobles.
Though honestly, less education and more networking.
"By then, these small shirts won't fit anymore. I can't wait."
"...That would be great."
"Hm?"
"...Lately, it feels like I'm not growing at all... And I'm definitely shorter than those ladies I saw recently... Even shorter than Lize..."
Honestly, it worried me.
At this rate, I'd end up stuck at 130 centimeters even as an adult. Sure, I had plenty of time left to grow, but... I really hoped to hit at least 140.
No matter what, I didn't want to stay a total kid.
"That was what you were worried about?"
"...Yes."
It wasn't really Rozalin's problem anyway.
She had great proportions and was about average height for a woman.
Not super tall—probably just under 170—but her ratios made her look long and lean.
Honestly, an ideally proportioned figure by normal standards. Add in Rozalin's beautiful face, and she couldn't help but look stunning and cool.
If I grew up... I'd kind of want a body like hers, just a little. It was that appealing.
Ah, no, that didn't mean imagining her naked or anything. Just normally, with clothes on.
"Hmm... height, huh..."
"........."
Looked like there was no good answer for that.
I was definitely smaller than my peers. Most girls this age were taller than boys on average, but not me.
Straight-up below-average height. Just a fact.
"You really are on the small side, Camellia. Yes."
"See...?"
"But among my friends, there was one who was tiny as a kid—like you. Smaller than her own little brother, even?"
Suddenly, Rozalin took both my hands and started talking.
Trying to console me, maybe. Sure, I was bummed, but I wasn't about to cry over it or anything.
"But by the time she was grown up, she'd shot up way more than you'd expect."
"...Really?"
"Yeah, she was probably the tallest woman in my circle."
"Oh..."
Still... I could hold onto a tiny bit of hope.
Just from a few words from Rozalin, why did I feel so reassured?
It left me with all sorts of awkward feelings.
*
In the end, we bought a few more outfits for me.
Not just everyday dresses, but ones geared more toward activity, and even some that seemed like what little girls would wear. Of course, Rozalin's recommendations outweighed my own choices.
We loaded the purchases into the carriage and headed back to the mansion. Once home, I naturally started on my homework.
"Huuu..."
"Young Lady, that's incorrect there."
"Again...?"
Why were these history problems so damn tough?
I'd gotten one wrong today too, and was getting help from Lize. The history here was so different from what I knew—it was honestly tough.
Well... at least I was better than before, so maybe that was progress enough.
"Lize."
"Yes."
"Lize... how tall are you right now?"
The conversation with Rozalin from earlier popped into my head, so I asked.
I knew she was taller than me for sure, but not the exact height, and the homework was boring anyway.
"Last time I measured, I'd passed 160 centimeters."
"Wow..."
I couldn't help but react like a kid.
Well, a bit embarrassing, but no need to worry about that in front of Lize.
She was my exclusive maid, after all. She wouldn't go blabbing about it.
"What's wrong, Young Lady?"
"Stand still for a sec."
I got up from my chair and stood in front of Lize.
Nothing big—just wanted to compare our heights. There was an age gap, sure... but I wanted to know exactly how small I was and how tall she was.
Lize was basically mid-teens now, so of course she'd be taller, and facing her head-on like this drove it home.
"Hmm... yeah, you're tall..."
"...?"
Lize tilted her head curiously, but I didn't pay it much mind.
Standing right in front of her, my eye level barely reached her chest. At least 20 or 30 centimeters difference, easy.
She was still shorter than Rozalin, but Rozalin was past her growth spurt while Lize had room left.
Lize might even hit over 170?
That was... basically average male height. For someone like me who wouldn't even reach average female height, it was insanely enviable.
"Lize, can I hug you?"
"W-Would you like to?"
"Just curious. What it feels like to hug someone smaller than me, you know?"
I'd been dwelling on height, so the thought came up.
Anyone smaller than me... excluding actual toddlers, probably no one. I was really curious.
I sat back in my room's chair and patted my thigh while looking at Lize.
"Come here."
"Young Lady...?"
"Hey."
I made a little noise since she wasn't coming quick enough.
Lize approached at my urging, then slowly knelt and slipped gently into my arms.
I hugged her tight, and Lize let out a little sound like it hurt a bit, calling my name pleadingly.
"Young Lady...? Maybe this is..."
"Hmm... nice."
"Young Lady...?"
"Mmm... soft... cozy feeling."
"P-Please stop..."
She was wearing a frilly maid outfit, and her skin was soft to begin with—it just felt good.
Maybe it had been too long since I'd hugged anyone.
Anyway, I held Lize a bit longer before letting go. Right after, she blushed and avoided my eyes, looking embarrassed, but I didn't make a big deal of it.
If anything, seeing Lize act all shy like that—different from usual—was kinda cute.