Chapter 17. Pretty Clothes

Originally, shopping should be done after filling your stomach a bit.

It was Yoon Ji-ah’s own tip to prevent impulse buying, to eliminate even such desires as much as possible.

Well then.

Shall we start shopping in earnest now?

My goal today was to spend all 500 shillings I withdrew from the bank yesterday. I had already spent more than half, but I was determined to spend it all.

I wanted to flex like this just once!

I headed to the jewelry store, taking Marc with me. At the entrance of the store, he hesitated, his eyes wavering.

“This looks really expensive, are you sure it’s okay?”

“If it’s too expensive, we can just look around and leave.”

“Oh, I see…”

He scratched his head at my plausible words.

“We don’t have time for this. I need to go back to the Imperial Palace soon.”

“Let’s go.”

Marc opened the door energetically.

Ding-a-ling.

The bell attached to the door rang with a clear sound. The clerk acknowledged us.

“Welcome.”

The clerk quickly scanned our appearance and asked.

“Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”

“A brooch for a man.”

At those words, a puzzled look flashed across the clerk’s eyes. Men who wore brooches were usually nobles or wealthy. Given our ordinary appearance, he seemed not to have expected this at all.

He probably thought we came to buy cheap accessories at best.

“What’s that for?”

Marc asked from beside me. He seemed to have thought we were just here to look around, not knowing I had something specific to buy.

Actually, I didn’t plan this either.

When we opened the door here, I was just thinking of looking around and maybe buying a few things for myself if I liked something, but…

‘Is this an impulse purchase?’

It could be seen as an impulsive decision.

He feeds me, provides lodging, pays me, and although he’s not touching my purification ability, he’s investing time and resources to train me as a purifier…

Isn’t that enough reason to express gratitude?

“It’s a gift.”

At my answer, I could almost hear the clerk’s brain working.

He seemed to be writing some kind of novel in his head, like despite our shabby appearance, we might have connections with some noble or tycoon.

“Do you have any preferred style?”

“A cheap one.”

“Pardon? Yes… This way…”

I cut off the possibility from the start.

I heard the clerk’s disappointed voice, but I lightly ignored it.

I was grateful to Johann, but not enough to spend too much. I’m having a hard time with training too. And that guy Johann sometimes irritates me.

I followed the clerk to a corner.

From the sign to the interior, everything exuded a quite luxurious atmosphere, so even their ‘cheap’ items were obviously not going to be that cheap.

“This brooch, designed with small blue sapphire beads, gives a cool feeling. It’s moderately fancy, so it suits special occasions well, and many people prefer it.”

“How much is it?”

“It’s 5,700 shillings.”

“…A very. Very cheap one.”

Marc patted my shoulder comfortingly from beside me.

No, why is it so expensive?

Can I really buy a suitable gift here?

Seeing me shaking my pupils, the clerk nodded as if he understood. Since everyone’s standard of ‘cheap’ is different, he seemed to be testing the waters once more.

Fortunately, this time it was a collection of items with really reasonable prices.

If you had recommended these from the start, I wouldn’t have been so shocked. Boo-hoo.

I’ve never splurged on something like 5,700 shillings in my life.

Even spending over 100 shillings made my heart race, feeling like I was being extremely extravagant.

Anyway, I rolled my eyes at the several options presented before me. The gemstones were definitely smaller, but there were still many neat and nice designs.

“This one looks good too.”

“But I don’t have occasions to wear a brooch.”

“Huh?”

I tilted my head at Marc’s words as he was looking beside me.

I’m not buying it for you, you know?

Reading my eyes, Marc flustered and laughed loudly. That guy, his ears turned red.

“What crazy mercenary would wear a brooch to the battlefield! Hahaha! I meant I was curious who your other male friend was! Hahaha!”

This guy is cute.

“Marc, you like pork. The food from earlier was your gift.”

“Oh, was that it?”

I smiled gently at him as he looked embarrassed.

“And he’s not a friend.”

“Then who is it?”

“Someone. Someone who’s annoying but I can’t hate.”

I turned my head back to the display case.

My eyes became more discerning as I chose the gift.

Soon, I pointed to one brooch with my finger.

“Please wrap this one nicely.”

* * *

The dreamlike leave ended.

Honestly, one night and two days is too short.

I just went out yesterday and came back today.

I definitely had fun, but it felt like the leave ended in 1.2 seconds, not one night and two days.

Ah.

Anyway, my body was already inside the Imperial Palace walls.

It was already evening.

As I entered the room, Faye greeted me warmly.

“Miss Seraphina, did you enjoy your leave?”

“Yes, Faye. Time flew by.”

“You bought a lot of things. Let me take those. I’ll organize them.”

Faye took a bunch of shopping bags from my hands. Except for one, of course.

“Ah. You don’t need to organize this one.”

I’ll have to give it personally later.

I looked fondly at the luxuriously wrapped box and placed it separately on the table. Faye took out the contents of the remaining shopping bags one by one.

“You bought a lot of pretty clothes. Are you trying a new style?”

“Ah, yes. I wanted to try them on.”

I scratched my neck, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Is it strange? Does it not suit me?

I couldn’t help but pay attention to Faye’s reaction.

I usually wore dull clothes without any particular color. I mostly wore pants for ease of movement.

Actually, when I opened the wardrobe, there were only pants.

I understand.

Living as a mercenary healer from time to time, pants were comfortable, right?

But as Yoon Ji-ah, my school uniform had a skirt, and I often wore dresses in daily life. Of course, not this flowing style, but neat ones.

“Hmm.”

“Why are you making such an anxious sound?”

Somehow, Faye’s eyes seemed to be sparkling.

“Honestly, when I was assigned as Miss Seraphina’s maid, I thought I’d have to give up this pleasure.”

Holding up a fluttering dress, she exclaimed.

“I’ll make you look pretty!”

“……?!”

Was that why you looked so serious?

Before I could be surprised, Faye started undressing me.

“Wait, Faye! I’m not wearing this now. I’m going out later!”

I was planning to visit Johann, but how could I go wearing this?

But Faye retorted as if this was even better.

“It’s great that you have somewhere to go all dressed up!”

“No, I bought this to wear only in my room!”

“You’re saying this is sleepwear?!”

“I didn’t say it was sleepwear…”

“I absolutely cannot accept this! You bought such nice things just to wear in your room? Isn’t the point of buying pretty things to show them off?!”

There’s self-satisfaction too!

But regardless of my will, Faye had already stripped me n*ked and was putting a petticoat over my head.

Why are her hands so quick!

My plan to quietly try it on alone was thus spectacularly ruined.

A moment later, I was in front of the dressing table, with my hair and makeup done.

* * *

Wow.

Makeup really is a cheat.

Clothes really are wings.

Thinking such thoughts, I walked along the corridor.

Honestly, I felt like I was overdressed and considered not seeing Johann today. But as I was hesitating to leave the room, I ran into Jesuf who came looking for me at just the right moment, so I decided to go.

How should I put it?

I greeted Jesuf to say I was back, so it felt awkward not to do the same for Johann?

Faye also pushed me to go.

‘But why did Sir Jesuf come?’

I thought he had some business, but he just asked if I had a good leave and then left. He seemed to have more to say, his lips twitching.

‘Well, if it’s important, he’ll handle it.’

Thinking it wasn’t a big deal, I continued on my way.

The maids I met in the corridor greeted me.

“Miss Seraphina, you’re back.”

“How was your leave?”

“We’ve only seen you in training clothes and sleepwear, but this looks so fresh and suits you well!”

That’s not sleepwear.

It’s everyday clothes to wear outside.

I was about to retort but stopped myself.

Let’s think positively. I felt awkward for being too dressed up, but as every maid I met complimented me, I gained some confidence.

But when I actually arrived at the Emperor’s office, I couldn’t go in right away and hesitated in front of the door.

Ah.

I thought I had all my confidence ready, but now that I’m about to meet him, it feels awkward.

One of the guard knights standing in front of the door silently mouthed a question.

Shall I announce you?

No, no.

I shook my head and made an X with my arms.

Suddenly, I felt like I was slowly coming to my senses.

The dressing up, well, if he asked why I was dressed like this, I could just say it was for self-satisfaction. But the gift in my hand…

Though hidden by fancy wrapping, the brooch inside the box seemed far too inadequate for an emperor to wear.

It was a fortune by my standards, but it would surely be cheap by Johann’s standards.

I slowly raised my head. Somehow, I felt overwhelmed by the luxury permeating every corner of the Imperial Palace. I felt shabby for bringing such a thing as a gift.

‘You don’t need to announce me. I’ll just go.’

I expressed my intention to the guard knight with lip movements and gestures, and then turned my body around.

Right at that moment, the office door swung open. I turned my head in surprise.

Johann was looking at me with a face that said, ‘Why aren’t you coming in already?’