Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: I Am an Elf, Though (2)
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"......"
Elysia stared blankly at Asha's outfit.
The light sky-blue linen kurta clung neatly to her graceful figure, revealing Asha's hidden feminine charms without filter.
The gentle rise and fall of her voluptuous chest with each breath, the slender waist in stark contrast, and the elegant fall of the skirt hem below.
Asha's first appearance in women's clothing was breathtakingly beautiful, beyond words.
Even compared to the elves Elysia had seen before, her beauty stood out remarkably.
"......Ahem."
Realizing she had been admiring her more intently than intended, Elysia cleared her throat deliberately and composed her expression.
Not even tailored clothes, just ordinary everyday wear lent to a guest, and it's this stunning.
Elysia thought to herself.
Before introducing her to good restaurants, I should take her to a dressing room first.
"Um......"
At that moment, Asha, her cheeks flushed pink, rubbed her thighs together and asked.
"D-does it look weird?"
"Weird? Not at all! Why would you think that?"
"Well..., Selma and you reacted so differently."
Asha bowed her head and examined her outfit from various angles.
The soft fabric hugged her body tightly, and the open sensation around her legs felt utterly unfamiliar.
"It's okay... right?"
"Yes! Selma's just the maid, so she was minding her manners. It suits you perfectly."
Nodding in satisfaction, she added.
"If I'd asked for her opinion, she would've praised you enthusiastically. Right?"
Elysia turned to look at Selma, who stood a short distance away.
Asha followed her gaze, and Selma swallowed hard before nodding vigorously.
"O-of course! You make even plain linen look like a splendid outfit—truly the incarnation of beauty, an elf! So noble and beautiful that my lowly eyes feel ashamed!"
"......"
What are those florid phrases?
Asha's eyes narrowed slightly.
It was too exaggerated, enough to banish any embarrassment far away.
Being a maid looks tough too.
Look at her now—her posture was rigid as a board.
Did she have to pour her soul into serving every guest like this...?
In that instant, the possibility of Asha taking a job as a maid vanished completely from her many future options.
Dealing with people is a surprisingly demanding profession.
And this was a class-based society, no less.
In that sense, Selma's evaluation was not one to reference.
Asha decided to just trust Elysia's praise.
She moved her legs with demure poise and approached Elysia.
Then, as usual, she plopped down onto the soft chair.
At that moment.
The oddly pleated skirt hem bunched up awkwardly under her hips.
As Asha's face twisted in discomfort at the strange sensation.
Elysia chuckled softly and said.
"Oh dear, that's not how you sit."
With a gentle touch, she wrapped her arm around Asha's waist and helped her stand.
Then, as if demonstrating, she lifted her own skirt hem with her hand and sat down.
Asha, watching blankly, mimicked the motion and settled onto the chair.
This time, the skirt hem lay neatly arranged.
Asha said in an admiring tone.
"Wow.... Elysia, your movements are so refined!"
"I'm used to it."
Elysia smiled gracefully.
Only then did Asha have the leisure to take in Elysia's everyday attire.
Her neatly tied brown hair and upright posture, ingrained with discipline, were the same as always.
But dressed like Asha in a dress with such elegant poise, she exuded the aura of a true noble lady.
I need to observe and learn whenever I can.
That was the proper attitude for becoming a cultured person!
Asha's eyes sparkled.
Elysia, watching her, once again failed to manage her expression and had to cover her mouth with her fingertips.
How should I put this...?
It feels like watching a sprouting seedling.
Yes, exactly that sensation. Not just any sprout, but one already radiating vibrancy, ready to bloom at any moment.
Just a little care, and it would blossom fully.
"...Anyway, back to what I was saying earlier."
"About the Knight Order?"
"Yes. I'll visit tomorrow to make my report anyway. Come with me then, and I'll introduce you to the elf knights."
"Can we meet them without an appointment?"
"Unless they're out somewhere, they'll probably be training in the training grounds. Or should I arrange a tea party and invite them?"
"No!"
It was an immediate refusal.
That would suddenly jump my learning level way up!
I need to take it step by step!
That was Asha's inner thought, swallowed silently.
Elysia, who had somehow expected as much, smirked and nodded.
"Then, shall we enjoy dinner now?"
"Yes, let's."
"Selma?"
"......I'll do my absolute best with the cooking!"
"?"
The next day.
Before heading to the Knight Order, Asha, who had been neatly preparing herself, was lost in one dilemma.
......What should I wear out?
Her usual outfit or the dress Elysia had lent her.
The familiar one was the former. The latter suited the big city vibe, even if it felt awkward.
"Hmm......"
After agonizing for a moment.
Asha ultimately chose the dress.
This decision carried profound meaning.
Please, let the average elf not be a musclehead!
Her adoptive father Min Hyeong had said elves were simple-minded muscle brains.
They were also highly aggressive, indulging in luxury and revelry.
It was basically gossip, so probably exaggerated, but the key point was that their reaction would depend on her attire.
If they were normal elves, not muscleheads, they'd treat her appropriately for her clothes.
If a stranger showed up and they immediately challenged her to a spar or duel out of curiosity, she'd be deeply disappointed.
It would mean they really were muscleheads!
She hoped not.
With that intent, Asha chose the dress.
It served as padding and a minor test to gauge their world.
......Or something like that, roughly speaking.
Truthfully, it was just a hopeful prayer for them to be decent.
A spell to ward off jinxes, more or less.
"Phew...."
Having worn it once before, she could arrange herself more skillfully this time.
She checked her reflection in the small mirror on one side of the room.
A coldly impassive face. The unfamiliar clothes had naturally stiffened her expression.
Or perhaps it was tension from finally meeting her kin.
Asha tried to recall her deceased parents' faces from this life.
A faint warmth surfaced, but their features scattered like heat haze, refusing to sharpen.
Min Hyeong, her adoptive father, came to mind more clearly instead......
"Ack!"
Yulia Silvern! Get out of my head!
Asha shook her head vigorously.
An illustration from a biography had overlaid Min Hyeong's face with her alluring one.
As if prophesying that the new kin she'd meet would all be muscleheads!
No, really, that's not it...
It must all be due to her worries!
Asha pouted, puffing out her cheeks deliberately.
She pressed her palms against them firmly.
Pffft—like air escaping a balloon, her cheeks deflated.
Asha mercilessly kneaded her cheeks, intent on forcibly relaxing her muscles.
Just as she stretched her hands upward, forming a bizarre grin.
"......Asha?"
A knock, followed by the voice.
Elysia pushed open the slightly ajar door with a puzzled look.
Asha turned unconsciously, their eyes meeting squarely.
"......"
"......"
A brief silence.
Asha removed her hands from her cheeks.
In sync, Elysia spoke.
Her gaze fixed on the flushed cheeks.
"Ahem. Is that some unique elven skincare routine? Sorry if I interrupted."
"Nooo.... It's not that. Just pretend you didn't see......"
Asha wanted to crawl into a mouse hole if one existed.
There were some mishaps, but the schedule remained unchanged.
Asha followed Elysia, dressed in her knight's uniform, to the Knight Order.
The headquarters buzzed with solemn yet disciplined energy, befitting the armed force responsible for the Raglain County.
Crossing the marble corridors, Asha glanced around curiously.
Then, a boy who looked more young than youthful approached from the opposite direction.
Spotting Elysia, he saluted crisply.
He was a squire.
"Perfect timing. Do you have any duties right now?"
"None at the moment!"
Hearing that, Elysia turned to Asha and said.
"Reporting might take time, so relax in the break room?"
"Is that okay?"
"No issue, but if anyone complains, just name-drop me."
Who knows, she might even meet an elf knight in the break room, Elysia added.
"Ah, got it."
Asha placed a hand over her chest as she watched Elysia instruct the boy to guide her.
Thump thump.
Her heart raced pleasantly.