I Became a Clothing Designer in Another World - Chapter 12

"... Hooo-"

The warm tea passes down my throat and into my body, making me feel like I'm melting.

I don't know what it's blended with, but the refreshing floral scent awakens my mind.

In this state, I might be able to somehow solve Hayes's seemingly impossible request.

Now that my brain has finally softened a bit, I diligently think about the best way to help Hayes.

As I quietly ponder and the black tea in my cup dwindles to about half, I call out to Hayes with a look of enlightenment.

"Hayes."

"Yeah."

"Let's cleanly give up on changing the dress."

"What?"

Hayes's face, which had momentarily brightened upon hearing her name after a long silence, twists into a fierce expression.

"Hey, are you making fun of me right now?"

"Listen, I have a very logical reason."

I gently place the teacup on the table and ask Hayes, who is glaring at me with a sulky look.

"How much time did you say is left until the banquet?"

"... A little over a month."

"A month might be enough to make a dress, but would a hastily made dress be beautiful enough to capture the Duke's attention at once?"

"If Oppa demonstrates tremendous creativity..."

"Even if there's a tremendous design, it can't be made. You know very well that a beautiful dress requires a lot of money and time."

"To, to that extent, if I put in all my personal savings..."

"Personal savings?"

I raise one corner of my mouth and point to Hayes's dress.

"The dress you're wearing now costs about 5 gold, and that's just a dress you wear comfortably at home. But the dress you want is a 'sincerity dress' to capture the Duke's heart, right? Do you think you can do that without your mother and father's help?"

"Ugh..."

Hayes, who wears dresses every day, knows best how ridiculous a hastily made 'sincerity dress' is.

That's why she's biting her lower lip like that, unable to even argue.

"So, let's cleanly give up on the dress and find another way."

"Then what other way is there?"

"Tighten the corset to the limit to reduce the waist and emphasize the chest. How about tightening it to 18 inches?"

"Haha..."

The vitality drains from Hayes's face.

Hayes, staring blankly into space with hazy eyes, murmured in a weak voice.

"That... I've already tried it..."

"The result?"

"..."

"I'm... sorry..."

Receiving no response, I apologize and lower my gaze to check Hayes's chest.

It's solid compared to her age, but lacking by absolute standards.

"... Don't look."

Hayes covers her chest with her hands.

If she grows a little more, she could definitely use it as a weapon, but can't she just wait a little?

"How about waiting a year? Looking at your mother and sisters, your future potential seems high."

"But, what if another woman steals the Duke away in a year?"

"Hmm..."

I wanted to tell her it was an unnecessary worry, but considering the Duke's age, it was hard to say she had plenty of time.

A 19-year-old imperial official with a guaranteed future. Even if the family's status is a bit low, he's a good person in himself, so there must be many people aiming for him, from women whose marriageable age is on the brink to girls who are just starting puberty.

"Then there's no other way...?"

"Have the courage to confess to the Duke. If confessing is difficult, asking your father or mother to formally arrange a meeting is also a good idea."

"Confessing first seems a bit... cheap, doesn't it? And arranged marriages feel like crushing with the family's power... I like natural encounters..."

"You want to develop a good relationship, right?"

"Yeah..."

"Haa~"

I sigh and look at the ceiling.

I understand how she feels, so I don't want to say anything, but it's a bit daunting.

A man who is head over heels in love, a method of seduction that can be prepared within a month...

Since the Duke seems to have Hayes in mind as well, it seems like she would have a chance of winning if she just sent one clear signal properly...

If the chest isn't working and confessing is out of the question, should she show off her legs?

"Hey, are your legs pretty?"

"Legs? I think they're pretty good... Why?"

"Really?"

I pick up the bell on the table and shake it lightly.

Then, I take out a notebook from my pocket, write a few simple drawings and lines, and tear off the paper.

As the paper is torn from the notebook, the door opens and Emily and Leticia, who had been waiting in the next room, enter the room.

"Did you call for us?"

"If there is anything you need, please tell us."

"Here."

I hold out the paper to Emily.

Then, pointing to Hayes with my finger, I give Emily and Leticia an order.

"The two of you immediately take Hayes to the dressing room and find out the things written on the paper I just gave you."

"Um... Young Master?"

"Why?"

"Isn't this too sensitive...? Do we really have to take the young lady to the dressing room and check?"

"Yes, it's an important issue that affects Hayes's entire life, so please."

Hayes, who had been watching us silently while sipping tea, asks me with a puzzled expression at Emily's hesitant demeanor, her ears slightly red.

"Oppa, what are you trying to do now?"

"If the clothes are ambiguous and an active attitude is difficult, then you have to compete with your legs."

"Legs? What does that mean?"

"I'm saying you should vulgarly flutter your skirt and show off your legs."

"Wh, wh-what?"

Hayes's face turns red.

"Yo, you crazy bastard! H, how can I do such a promiscuous thing! You pervert! You pervert! You horny dog! The Duke isn't that lewd!"

"Ha-"

Watching Hayes, who jumped up from her seat, wagging her finger and spewing all sorts of insults, I chuckled.

"If you don't like it, forget it. Is it my job? It's your job. I don't know anymore."

"What? Wa, wait a minute, Oppa! Wait, don't give up like this and help me!"

"If you don't like this, you don't like that, this isn't okay, and that isn't okay, how am I supposed to help you?"

"Showing off my legs is too sudden, give me some time to think about it..."

"I'll give you 5 seconds."

"5 seconds!? That's too shor..."

I spread my fingers wide towards Hayes and quietly folded one.

Hayes's eyes tremble violently as she realizes the meaning of the fingers.

"Eeeek...!"

Hayes begins to make groaning noises, clutching her head.

Regardless, I leisurely fold my fingers one by one, putting pressure on Hayes.

When all the fingers were folded, I shook my fist slightly and asked impishly.

"So, what's your answer? Will you do it? Or won't you? If you're not going to do it, hurry back..."

"A, I understand! I'll do it! I'll do it!"

Hayes, shouting loudly, nervously moves her feet towards the dressing room.

"That's a wise choice. Emily, Leticia? Please, you have to evaluate her very honestly."

"Yes, I understand."

_

As I leisurely drink tea and wait, Emily, her ears dyed bright red, comes out of the dressing room first and approaches me.

"Young Master."

"Is it all over?"

"Yes..."

"How was it? Hayes said they were pretty good, but are they really good?"

I receive the paper that Emily is politely handing over with both hands, examine the contents slowly, and ask Emily.

"Do I really have to say that?"

"Or should I check myself?"

"Haa..."

Emily sighs deeply.

It must be embarrassing to describe a woman's legs in detail, but I can't dissect and analyze my younger sister's legs.

As I stare intently at the hesitant Emily, she closes her eyes tightly and swallows hard.

"... The young lady's skin is clean without any blemishes, she has no body hair, no flab, and they are long and slender."

"Really? Leticia agrees too?"

"Yes."

"Hmm~"

Then I can use her legs.

Now all I have to do is package her legs nicely and deliver them to the Duke.

I picture an outfit in my head and wait for Hayes to come out of the dressing room.

"Haa-"

"You worked hard."

After a while, Hayes and Leticia came out of the dressing room.

As soon as she came out of the dressing room, Hayes, who met my eyes, glared at me fiercely with a murderous look, and opened her mouth, expressing her displeasure.

"So, why did you make Emily and Leticia ogle at my legs? If it's a strange reason, you better be prepared."

"I was curious if your legs are really pretty."

"Are you really sane?"

"Self-assessments can't be trusted, so it's most accurate for others to evaluate your appearance."

"Ha- you're really a pervert..."

Hayes covers her face with both hands and mutters in a voice full of annoyance.

After standing there for a while, gathering her emotions, Hayes glanced at me through her slightly parted fingers and hesitantly asked a question.

"... So, how are they?"

"Don't worry too much, they're shapely enough for the Duke to like. If you decorate them nicely, I think the Duke will fall for you at once."

"Really...?"

I can see Hayes's lips twitching between her hands.

"Then is there a way to seduce the Duke with these legs?"

"Of course, no man dislikes pretty legs."

"I'm counting on you, Oppa?"

"Yeah."

"So, what should I do?"

"First, you need to decorate your legs beautifully."

Since they are usually covered by dresses, you can appeal with a destructive charm with just bare legs, but for our younger sister who wants to seduce the Duke for sure, I should give her a weapon to make those legs stand out even more.

I smiled and confidently declared.

"Hayes, when you meet the Duke, let's wear stockings."

"What?"

Silk see-through stockings, with a garter belt on the side.

I was convinced that this would definitely snipe the Duke.