IDTRAFTML 34

~Chapter 34~

“Welcome—!”

Oh, this shop was more casual than I thought.

The clothing shop Richard told us about didn’t carry dresses for parties or balls, but comfortable dresses for daily life.

That meant Sophia wouldn’t feel burdened wearing them.

“I’d like to see some dresses that would suit this young lady.”

“Yes! This way, please.”

“U-um… I really don’t think I belong in a place like this…”

“It’s fine, don’t feel pressured.”

I guided the awkward Sophia and followed the young shop owner deeper inside.

More dresses were displayed than I expected—many colors and designs.

It looked easy to choose according to taste or style.

“They’re all unique and pretty. Can she try them on?”

“Of course.”

Hehehe. Everything was going according to plan.

My idea came straight from common clichés in romance novels and dramas—

When the heroine appears in a gorgeous outfit she’s never worn before, the male lead falls for her all over again.

Eric would surely be moved, and his affection would rise.

And Sophia… well, I could only hope she’d react positively to him too.

“Let’s see… I think this dress would suit her.”

I picked up a pastel blue dress with a calm design.

When I held it against Sophia, it looked like it was made for her.

“How is it? Do you like it?”

“Ah… yes. I think it’s nice.”

Sophia smiled shyly at the mirror with the dress against her.

Of course she would think she looked pretty—she did!

My taste was spot on.

“Right? The color and design are perfect for you.”

“Someone I know also said this color suits me.”

“Oh? That person has good eyes.”

Yikes.

She brought me up directly, and I panicked, worried she’d catch on.

I decided it was safer to stay quiet.

“Now, go try it on. We need to see if it fits.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll help you!”

“Please do her hair and makeup too.”

“Leave it to me!”

I hurried Sophia into the fitting room.

The excited shop owner followed her inside.

Leaving Sophia in her hands, I turned my eyes to Eric, who had been standing like a statue this whole time.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“May I know that young lady’s name?”

“…Sophia.”

Eric hesitated before reluctantly answering.

As expected of a knight—his caution was endless.

“Thank you. When Sophia comes out, please react honestly with how you feel.”

“I don’t see why my opinion matters.”

“When someone wears a dress that suits them, isn’t it nice if their companion reacts?”

“As I said before, we are not in that kind of relationship.”

“Even so, you can at least give her a compliment. And besides—nothing in life is certain. Especially matters between men and women.”

Eric opened his mouth as if to say something, then shut it again.

I didn’t press, just waited quietly.

“I just don’t want to make her feel burdened.”

His words, after a pause, were practically an admission of his feelings.

So that’s why he denied it before—he was worried about making Sophia uncomfortable.

Back during the first “flirting incident,” it had only been light attraction.
But now… he cared enough to hesitate seriously.

“Being careful is fine, but if you hold back too much, she might give up on you.”

Eric was a bit awkward with words, but he seemed like a man who could be a good partner.

If only he would just go straight to Sophia.

Watching him felt like watching a dating show—I couldn’t help but root for them.

“…There’s no way she could have feelings for me.”

“What? What are you talking about—”

“Would you take a look now?”

Before I could scold him, the fitting room curtain opened.

“Oh my gosh. You look beautiful, Sophia!”

Not only the dress, but her hair and makeup too—Sophia looked adorable even to me, a fellow woman.

Could I really leave her to this frustrating guy?

She suddenly felt too precious.

“Do I look okay, Sir Eric?”

Sophia smiled shyly, gazing at him with eyes full of hope and excitement.

“Not… very good, I think.”

“What are you saying—”

I almost cursed at his vague words.

Hopeless. This was hopeless.

After all that effort, was this really all I could get from him?

“It’ll be a problem, because now I can’t look at anyone else.”

“Oh my.”

“Crazy…”

The shop owner and I exclaimed at the same time, hearing his calm follow-up.

And Sophia’s face lit up with the brightest smile.

So that’s why you should always let someone finish speaking.

Eric had managed to exceed my expectations in the end.

“Are you two lovers?”

“Well… something like that…”

The shop owner’s question prompted me to quickly check their affection scores.

I winked at each of them in turn.

System
You can see their Affection!
o((>ω< ))o

1. Sophia Nina ♥ 65%

System
You can see their Affection!
o((>ω< ))o

1. Eric Gray ♥ 41%

“Looks like they’ll be lovers soon.”

Their affection scores had risen sharply.

The plan was a success.

After buying the dress I picked, Sophia also bought a few more with Eric’s encouragement.

It was partly to use up the gold coins I gave them, but with each outfit, Eric gave fresh compliments, and the atmosphere stayed warm.

Once shopping was done, I let the two of them leave first, then changed out of my dirty clothes.

“You look so beautiful!”

The shop owner clapped when I stood before the mirror.

The dress she picked for me—white mixed with pale mint—really did suit me.

Of course, Amelie was a beauty who could pull off anything, but thanks to the expert’s choice, I looked even prettier than usual.

“There are other dresses in similar colors. Would you like to try?”

“No, I just need something to change into today.”

“They suit you so well though. Why not buy more?”

I refused politely, since people were waiting outside.

Then—

“When did you get here?”

“Just now. Those two are looking around the next shop, so take your time.”

“Really? Then sorry, but wait a little.”

“No need to apologize. Take your time.”

“Oh my, your lover is so sweet.”

The shop owner spoke with sparkling eyes, the same way she had looked at Eric and Sophia.

This woman was going to get me in trouble!

“We’re not lovers. Just friends.”

Does being together as a man and woman automatically mean we’re dating?

Her assumption annoyed me.

“Oh, you’re not a couple? You two looked so good together, I misunderstood.”

“Good together? Not even close. Anyway, didn’t you say there were more dresses in this color? Please show me all of them.”

“Yes, of course! Right away.”

Phew—

Finally, I sighed in relief after sending the shop owner away.

If there was anyone I didn’t want rumors about, it was Richard.

Pairing me with the future male lead? Absolutely not.

“I didn’t even get a chance to deny it myself, but you made sure to.”

While I felt satisfied with myself, Richard muttered irritably beside me.