CH 77

Chapter 77: See-Through Clothes Are Too Much

“Now then, what kind of dress would you like this time?” The staff clearly enjoyed going through all the assortment of fabrics.

Even for Nora who didn’t have the luxury to always dress up, the colorful fabrics were all gorgeous and eye-pleasing.

“I am once again invited as the Azure Nightingale, so perhaps another bluish one?”

There were no color restrictions imposed upon her but she reckoned it was better to go along with her image.

“In that case, how about this fabric?” The staff picked out and offered her a light blue fabric.

She wore a dark blue dress at the founding ball, so this one seemed appropriate. However, she felt like this particular shade highly resembled Elias’ sky blue eyes. But then again, Elias was getting the dress for her, so it seemed like it wouldn’t be so bad as a token of their relationship.

“I’ll choose this fabric then.” Nora said, after pondering for a while. The staff smiled at her even brighter.

Judging from her reaction, I could see why she recommended the color.

As she glanced at the guy whose eyes were the same shade of sky blue as the fabric, the latter flashed her a dazzling smile.

You’re so good-looking, I hope you hold back a little.

Nora let out a small sigh as she listened to the staff blabber.

In the blink of an eye, it was over and she felt drained as soon as she alighted her carriage. But thanks to the cushioned seats and decorated interior, her eyes felt a little better.

“I’m looking forward to the dress. It seems lovely.”

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

Nora was quite fascinated that Elias was smiling brightly whereas she was exhausted to the bone.

“Of course! Seeing their lover try on dresses makes any man happy.”

I knew it.

She had a feeling it was about that, but the confirmation further worsened her fatigue.

“I was surprised you agreed. You realized it, didn’t you?”

As expected, he knew that Nora figured it out.

What a cunning man.

“Yes, well, it was a beautiful color. Sky blue. So it was perfect. Plus, I thought it’d made you happy.” She managed to say so, despite her embarrassment.

She expected him to tease her about it, but surprisingly, he was silent.

Perhaps he’s uncomfortable?

Feeling anxious, she looked up at Elias, who was sitting next to her, but noticed that he covered his mouth with his hand and hung his head down.

“Are you all right?”

Elias nodded in silence and after a while, he finally raised his head. His mouth was still hidden beneath his hand, but his cheeks were peeking through and seemed a little red.

“I… didn’t expect you’d say that. I thought you accepted it only because you were concerned about the price.”

What he said was true and yet Nora felt it still sounded quite rude.

“Is that what you think of me?”

“Am I wrong?”

“No, but…”

“I know. You said it to make me happy and I am, Nora.”

She was about to express her dissatisfaction, but a dazzling smile pierced through her heart directly. The smile was so powerful she hurriedly turned her face away and heard him chuckle.

“You’re right. It was because of the price.”

“Right, of course. And it’s absolutely fine.”

In the end, Elias was in a good mood as he stroked Nora’s head.

Nora felt like she was always on the losing end and was a little unhappy.

“You’re so sly.” She glared at him begrudgingly as his sky blue eyes gently narrowed.

“Don’t you already know? I’m a crazy man.”

As soon as he said so, his lips lightly pecked Nora’s forehead.

***

“Didn’t you go to the modiste with Elias? Did you go for a see-through dress?” Flora quipped as she handed the score to Nora and they were preparing in the dressing room as usual.

“Of course not.”

“I suppose. I wouldn’t wear any revealing dresses in public either.”

She acted as if she didn’t care, but Nora didn’t think that’s what she was getting at.

“Whether in public or not, I wouldn’t wear anything see-through.” After all, someone like her without a well-endowed body as Perre had put it, wouldn’t look charming or anything in sheer clothing.

“If it’s see-through, someone with a voluptuous body would wear it better… like Miss Rebecca, for example.”

“Huh? Even if that person wears see-through, there’s nothing to see.”

Indeed, if the person was originally sexy, then it makes no difference.

“I suppose someone who normally looks prim and proper but suddenly wears see-through yet surprisingly pulls it off… Like Lady Andrea, for example. She’d look stunning.”

If it’s someone like Andrea who’s elegant and well-endowed, people would appreciate both her elegance and sexiness if she wears sheer clothing.

“The future queen is not allowed to wear see-through clothes, you know. And anyway, we’re talking about your dress. Why do you keep talking about other people?”

“When it comes to dresses, only certain ladies can pull off see-through clothes. Otherwise, it’s useless.”

“Just why do you keep talking about how a dress is suited to so and so?” Flora heaved a sigh as she collected her music sheets.

“Anyway, I hear you’re being wooed by the duke’s son.”

“I’m not being wooed.”

“But the peach blossom flowers were from Duke Enroth’s son, weren’t they? And he even sought you out at the royal castle.”

""

That was true, but Flora wasn’t there when she mentioned it.

“You know it well.”

“I heard from Allan.” Both twins were there when she mentioned it so that made sense.

“You seem to be on good terms with each other.” She teased and Flora visibly panicked.

“No, it’s not like that.” Seeing her friend’s rare expression, Nora was surprised.

“Eh? Why are you reacting like that? Don’t tell me?”