Chapter 84

Hehehe, this is fun.

My brother, looking exasperated, protested.

"Octavia, weren't you supposed to choose your own outfit?"

"I have already chosen mine. I tried them on and bought the ones I liked. Right, shop owner?"

Merina, who seemed to be brimming with inspiration in the store that had turned into an impromptu viewing session, nodded vigorously.

"Yes, Her Highness Octavia tried on three outfits and purchased all three."

"Only three...?"

My brother's interjection was filled with shock.

"I carefully selected and tried on only the best in the store, so there were only three."

However, I want to make sure there's no misunderstanding...! Even though there were only three, they were the best of the best!

The first one was a practical dress with autumn colors, featuring a knitted neckline in orange. It was a variation of the one I saw the maids wearing in the castle, stylish yet easy to move in. I couldn't pass up this dress that connected me to the maids!

The second one was a pants outfit!

I was thrilled to see it for the first time in this world. In Esphia, whether noble or commoner, women's clothing was always dresses with skirts. Pants were for men. That was the norm.

When I pulled out a piece from a corner of the store, it turned out to be a women's pair of pants. It felt like a treasure hunt! The pants were a light green with embroidery, and the design clearly indicated they were for women. Although they weren't for sale yet, they were experimental pieces, I managed to convince the shop owner to sell them to me!

The third one was a dress for everyday wear. The color scheme was similar to the red and black dress I wore at the semi-formal ball. I thought it would be nice to have something like that for everyday use, as my usual dresses were mostly pastel colors.

The second and third outfits needed adjustments due to size issues, so they would be delivered later, but the first dress fit perfectly and I decided to take it home!

When I finished shopping, my brother happened to enter the store.

We still had some time before moving to the next location.

Fortunately, Merina's clothing store also sold men's clothing.

So, I had the brilliant idea to have the men try on outfits too!

I first suggested it to Hugh. ...He refused.

"Because I'm on guard duty," he said. Yeah, I couldn't argue with that. An attack during a change of clothes would be disastrous.

But, wait a minute? What about Clifford, who entered the store as my brother's guard?

Seeing Clifford reminded me of the conversation with Guy and the nagging feeling I wanted to forget. Plus, I thought I could use the suspicion against him, so I looked at Clifford with hopeful eyes.

Our eyes met, 100%!

I was sure he understood my intention!

Well, he did seem a bit hesitant, but he looked away...

Damn you, Clifford...!

So, I turned to my brother.

"It's a rare opportunity. You won't know if they're good or bad unless you try them on. Brother, why don't you try on a few outfits?" I suggested.

"Me?"

Naturally, my brother was hesitant.

"Consider it part of the inspection. It's only right for you to try them on too."

Inspection! This is work! I emphasized and pushed him.

Once the decision was made, the combination of me and Merina was amazing. I chose outfits that would suit my brother, and Merina, seeing how he looked in them, was inspired. This cycle repeated.

Still, my brother...

No matter what he wore, it suited him. It was a good thing, but I felt a bit envious.

The high-quality clothes made by Merina were further enhanced by my brother's excellent physique, creating a synergistic effect.

The store turned into an impromptu fashion show.

It's a shame there weren't more spectators!

Also, my brother, despite everything, took everything seriously and tried on all the outfits properly. He didn't forget to give his opinions either. "If this were a work uniform, the strength here might be insufficient," or "If this is for nobles, it's too simple. It doesn't need to be extravagant, but it should have more decoration." He was a master of giving precise advice. Reflecting on myself... ugh, yeah, I, I also gave logical comments on the pants outfit...

"Next is the last one."

"Then, this one."

If this was the last try-on... I handed the outfit I chose to my brother. He disappeared to the back of the store with it draped over his arm. Scarily, the more times he changed, the faster he got. He learned quickly!

So, he quickly returned in the last outfit.

Seeing my brother in the last outfit...

"That outfit suits Sir Sil better, don't you think?"

I murmured.

The last choice was an outfit that seemed to suit Sir Sil better! I was looking for an outfit that my brother wouldn't pull off!

The result was that it suited him, but the image was a bit different.

"..."

My brother frowned and fell silent. He didn't comment on the outfit.

But I wasn't going to give up.

"Don't you think so, Brother? Why don't you give it to Sir Sil as a gift?"

I clapped my hands, pretending to have a great idea. Pain shot through my left hand, but I gritted my teeth and endured.

In the original story, when my sister and I went out to the town and found Sir Sil's protective ring, they bought and changed into new clothes before heading out. They paid for each other's clothes, essentially giving them as gifts. ...That episode won't happen in this world.

But I wanted to partially recreate the missing episode. Since I couldn't give a gift directly, I chose an outfit for Sir Sil through my brother! How about that!

I widened my eyes in surprise. Hugh stood in front of me.

A dull thud echoed, and one of my brother's guards lay on the ground.

The scene of the culprit being restrained.

And the one holding a sword to the culprit was... Clifford?

"Clifford Alderton."

It wasn't a roar, but a sharp rebuke from my brother.

"What do you think you're doing?"

The restrained guard, with disheveled blonde hair, turned his head to protest.

Clifford sneered.

"What do you think I'm doing?"

He spat out the words.

"Explain yourself, Alderton."

My brother's voice rang out again. Clifford raised his head.

"I stopped him because he was about to attack Her Highness Octavia. It's my duty as a guard."

"Hey! It's a frame-up!"

The restrained guard immediately denied it.

"I was just checking the equipment and touched the sword, that's all! I had no intention—!"

"Clifford, do you think this person tampered with the carriage?"

If the culprit was this guard, he was an accomplice who tried to attack us?

"I don't know."

Clifford shook his head.

"But he was about to draw his sword."

"Towards Octavia?"

"Yes."

My brother took a deep breath and looked around at the other guards.

"Did anyone else notice any suspicious movements, as Alderton pointed out?"

No one from my brother's side of the guards spoke up.

"I did."

"I did."

From my side, Hugh, who stood in front of me, and Guy, who raised his hand, spoke up.

"I'm not sure if he intended to harm Her Highness Octavia, but I saw him touch the sword."

The restrained guard looked up at Hugh with a shocked expression, as if betrayed.

"I also saw him touch the sword. No, I saw—"

Guy then clearly stated:

"I saw Sir Alderton restrain the guard as he was about to draw his sword."

...That's why Guy was on my side.

During the fashion show, he was by the wall, but now he was clearly closer to me and Guy. Eilair was still closer to the wall. ...Guy's actions and testimony supported each other.

"Brother, it seems he did touch the sword. Not only Clifford, but Hugh and Guy also witnessed it."

It wasn't a lie.

"Touching a sword during guard duty is possible."

"Yes. He might not be at fault. Clifford, lower your sword and let him stand."

"Understood."

Clifford lowered his sword and helped the guard stand up with one hand.

"But, Brother? His actions were suspicious. He should be removed from guard duty. At the very least, that's necessary."

"...Understood. Take him away."

At this command, two other guards restrained the blonde guard from both sides. Clifford finally released him and stepped back.

"Assign a monitor to him as a precaution."

As the three were about to leave the store, Hugh gave additional orders to two of them.