What I Gained by Giving My Body - Chapter 2.14

“Leaving already? Did you not come here because you specifically wanted this place?”

Before Caitlyn could answer, the owner, who had heard their voices, suddenly popped out. The owner was a middle-aged woman with frizzy curly hair braided long enough to touch the floor, with an impression so ordinary and indifferent it was hard to believe she was the owner of a shop selling embarrassing clothing.

But the moment she opened her mouth, Caitlyn’s thoughts changed completely. The owner was truly…… a person who suited this shop in many ways.

“Oh my goodness, did an angel passing by visit our shop for a moment because she was thirsty? It is truly an honor that someone who would look good in anything has come to such a humble shop!”

Caitlyn tried to say she had come to the wrong place, but the owner didn’t give her a chance.

“Please feel free to look around and tell me whatever you want. You can try everything on! Anything would look good on a guest like you.”

Archduke Akbar, who had been silent, spoke up.

“My fiancée has come from afar specifically wanting the clothes here, so I hope you’ll take care of her. Bring out the highest quality possible.”

The owner quickly continued.

“Of course, I knew you were engaged. Such a brilliant ring…… it would be visible from several meters away. I am truly envious!”

Caitlyn hid her hand behind her back. The diamond ring Archduke Akbar had carelessly tossed to her and ordered her to wear had a stone that was unnecessarily large and flashy. It was just like her situation, Caitlyn thought. An existence that was only unnecessarily conspicuous and was nothing but a nuisance rather than a help.

The owner, who had gone behind the counter with all sorts of fuss, brought out a few outfits. They weren’t mesh, but they were clothes where the skirt was so short the knees were exposed. Caitlyn swallowed hard. It was because she realized too late that she had chosen wrong—very wrong.

“I’d like to see something a bit less see-through, and with a longer length.”

“Oh my, you are quite picky. But it’s alright. There isn’t an outfit our house doesn’t have!”

‘Liar, you don’t even have ordinary clothes……’ Just as Caitlyn was thinking that, the owner added a remark in a cheerful voice.

“It seems this would suit the guest perfectly. How about this one?”

Caitlyn’s eyes widened. The outfit the owner pulled out from under the display stand looked quite decent at a glance. The modest black satin created a luxurious atmosphere. Seeing that the upper body was made relatively small, her chest would be exposed, but since even young noble ladies who had just made their debut wore low-cut dresses without hesitation, it wasn’t particularly an issue.

“I’ll take this one.”

“As expected, you have an eye for quality! Follow me. I’ll lead you to the dressing room.”

“Is there a need to try it on right now?”

“Because the parts that don’t fit well have to be altered on the spot…….”

“It’s fine. If it doesn’t fit after I go back, I’ll come again.”

It was when Caitlyn was trying to conclude the transaction by insisting she was fine.

“I wonder. Is there a need to go through such trouble?”

Archduke Akbar’s voice was heard. Caitlyn immediately realized his hidden motive. Archduke Akbar liked tormenting her. So he would force her to do things she disliked. For instance, trying on clothes she wasn’t comfortable with in front of others.

“It’s trouble I’ll be taking, so you don’t have to worry.”

Unfortunately, the owner didn’t take her side.

“The gentleman is right! I tend to close the doors often, so you might make a wasted trip for nothing; check everything today before you go.”

“Did you not say it was a dress you wanted? Trying to buy it and take it away without even trying it on properly looks like nothing more than an attempt to waste my money.”

Caitlyn’s head whipped around to face Archduke Akbar. He looked at Caitlyn with a steady gaze.

“Or perhaps, your purpose wasn’t these clothes from the start.”

“…….”

Caitlyn realized she had lost. If she said her purpose wasn’t the clothes, she would surely be interrogated until she confessed her true purpose. If she wore them, Archduke Akbar might be satisfied at that point. She turned toward the boutique owner.

“Please lead me to the dressing room.”