6. Safe haven
The lanky “Tailor” moved like a spider, silently circling behind Leticia.
Then, she extended her long arms.
“Now then, if you’ll excuse me…”
“Eek!?”
Leticia flinched, her eyes widening as her ample bosom was groped, a muffled mmph escaping her lips.
I reacted immediately, shoving the tailor away and rushing to Leticia’s side.
“J-Just now! She… she touched my chest!?”
She hid behind me.
…Making me her safe haven?
Me.
Someone like me.
A warm, fuzzy feeling, something akin to sisterly happiness, welled up in my chest. I wanted to savor it… but…
That wouldn’t move the story forward.
I’d ruminate on it later. For now, I opened my mouth to do what needed to be done.
“Leticia, calm down.”
“Big Sister…”
I also wanted to savor being called “Big Sister,” but I didn’t have time for that now.
Cursing fate, I was also guided by that very fate, which brought my sister and me together.
“Call me Elder Sister. I taught you that, didn’t I?”
“Ah, yes. That’s right…”
I told her that when it was decided she would be welcomed into our family.
The education to instill proper noble speech, behavior, and manners would come later.
I would mainly leave that to Ciel, who was also my tutor, with occasional lessons from me and other characters.
That’s how the script goes.
However, I at least told her to address me as “Elder Sister.”
That scene isn’t in [Moonlight Liberium].
However, Leticia in the game, except for our first meeting, always calls me “Elder Sister.”
So, I assumed that the ‘me in the game’ must have taught her that at the beginning, and I followed suit.
The Leticia I know always called me “Elder Sister.”
…Being called “Big Sister” is new, and it makes me so happy….
For a moment, I thought, “Maybe it’s okay to change this much,” but…
I have no intention of changing fate.
“So, Elder Sister… why did that person suddenly grope my chest? Is that some new kind of greeting?”
As she said that, I noticed Leticia had linked her arm around mine.
Ah, my sister is so cute.
But how is it that her chest is pressed against me just by hiding behind me and leaning in?
Even if I tried the same pose… unless I deliberately pressed against her, it would never happen.
Why, with such a natural movement, are her breasts…
“Well, yes, it’s a kind of greeting…”
Just as I was getting lost in a maze of thought, “Tailor,” who had been standing around awkwardly, muttered, averting her gaze.
“I’ve never heard of such a decadent greeting. Refrain from using misleading expressions.”
However, turning her gaze to me, she placed a hand on her chest and insisted,
“But! I just want to thoroughly understand the body of a cute girl—”
“Close your mouth this instant.”
Leticia, seemingly frightened, tightened her grip on my arm.
And her chest pressed tighter against me.
Feigning composure, I explained carefully.
“…Leticia, it’s normal for a tailor to touch a client’s body for measurements. She is a top-class tailor.”
“Tailor” puffed out her chest and smiled smugly.
“But, like… squeezing and… and…”
However, my sister seemed unconvinced. She released my arm and wiggled her fingers.
With the pressure gone from my arm, I felt a slight chill.
“Tailor” averted her gaze again and muttered,
“I can’t tell unless I do that much… Lady Leticia is quite well-endowed.”
“Be quiet.”
――Apparently, she was sued by a client for this kind of behavior and fled to this country.
If only… if only she were a bit more articulate.
I questioned her intensely, but she declared with unwavering conviction, “I swear on my shears that I did nothing untoward. I simply did my best to create the finest garments.”
And the finished garments are indeed superb.
Her touch… might be a bit strong, but her claim that it’s necessary for her work is true, and I judged that she had no ulterior motives.
In fact, until she was unfortunately sued, her obsessive attention to detail for accurate measurements was accepted in light of the quality of her work.
What a shame.
Thanks to that, I was able to employ such a skilled tailor, so perhaps it was for the best.
…Was even that part of fate’s script?
I met her before I knew about [Moonlight Liberium].
I don’t know what her character setting was in the game.
Probably, the protagonist doesn’t know either.
But she was exiled from her country, drifted all the way to the Kingdom of Eustasia, and became my exclusive tailor.
Just as the scenario dictated.
“But…”
Leticia still seemed unconvinced, glancing at “Tailor.”
“…Lady Adelheid. Permission to speak.”
“…If you say anything strange again… you understand, don’t you?”
“Tailor” nodded.
I nodded as well and granted permission.
“…Lady Leticia. As the exclusive tailor of the Vanderwaals family, I swear I have no strange intentions. I simply want… to… dress cu… I mean, girls…? No, women… attractively… Yes! I want to help bring out a woman’s charm. I want to do my best for that. That is all.”
Barely safe.
She usually gushes to me, “Cute girls should wear cute clothes! I want to bring out the charm of cute girls with the clothes I make!!” So, she probably rephrased it carefully.
Her conviction is unshakeable, as if she’s received some divine revelation.
It’s quite suspicious, but she’s doing her best to use palatable language.
I appreciate the effort.
“Is… that so?”
Even though I understand it’s necessary for her profession… I would also be uncomfortable being touched all over by a man.
That’s why there are many female tailors, especially for nobles.
Dealing with capricious nobles is high-risk, but nobles are nobles. High society is an excellent advertising platform. It’s also high-reward.
I lightly placed my hand on Leticia’s shoulder, who was looking at me.
“Besides, Leticia, we’re both women, aren’t we?”
“Yes… that’s true.”
A pang of pain… shot through my chest for some reason.
There’s no way “Tailor” would make a mistake like leaving a needle behind.
Even so, I gently touched… and caressed my own chest.
“But, it’s a little…”
Leticia, glancing at “Tailor” again, was probably still wary from the earlier shock.
…At this rate, she was probably fine in the “back alley” as well.
Despite the high crime rate, there’s a kind of order. It’s not a completely lawless zone.
The possibility that something happened in the past, making her wary, can’t be entirely dismissed.
For now, if my sister is uncomfortable, it can’t be helped.
She absolutely needs clothes befitting a duke’s daughter.
I turned my gaze to “Tailor.”
“”Tailor.” You can take measurements by sight, can’t you?”
“But… that would compromise the quality…”
“Tailor” protested.
I narrowed my eyes.
And spoke in a cold voice.
“You can, can’t you?”
“Y-Yes…”
“Tailor’s” eyes teared up.
Perhaps feeling sorry for her, Leticia’s wariness eased slightly.
“Um, well… Elder Sister, you also have your clothes made by “Tailor,” right?”
“Well, yes.”
The clothes I’m wearing now are also her handiwork.
This navy blue jacket and skirt set, with the Vanderwaals crest embroidered on the chest, has become my trademark as the head of the family.
I also entrust her with my dresses for social occasions.
“So… um, if she doesn’t touch you, the quality… suffers, right?”
“Yes…. There will be a difference in comfort… As for the appearance… I doubt anyone would notice… but…”
It’s not absolute.
Some nobles have a discerning eye.
My sister nodded once.
“Then… I’d like to formally request you to make my clothes, “Tailor.””
“Yes, Lady Leticia.”
Good. It seems the scenario will proceed as planned.
“Then, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Yes!”
“Tailor” nodded confidently.
Having finished my business, I turned on my heel—
…and my sleeve was tugged.
Looking back, Leticia was holding onto my sleeve.
“…What is it?”
Turning back, she hesitantly took my hand and pulled it towards her chest.
Perhaps misjudging the distance, my hand brushed against her, but unlike with “Tailor,” she didn’t seem to mind.
And then she said,
“I want… Elder Sister… to stay too.”
――I thought about brushing her hand away, saying, “I’m busy.”
I thought that would be the correct response as the ‘Villainous Sister,’ the ‘Mean Older Sister.’
But.
“Is that… not allowed?”
With my sister making such a face… could any older sister refuse?
I silently pulled my hand away.
And sat down on the drawing-room sofa.
“…It seems I need to personally observe the work of my exclusive tailor from time to time. “Tailor,” if the results are unsatisfactory…”
“I will ensure your satisfaction…!”
“Tailor” grinned.
She was confident.
…Perhaps it would have been better if she had a little less confidence.
Even though she has the skills to match her confidence.
If she had been a bit more flexible, she might not have been driven to flee.
She might have avoided a lawsuit.
…She might not have been exiled.
With such troubled thoughts, I watched as Leticia was measured from head to toe by “Tailor,” her hands and measuring tape leaving no part of her body untouched—her chest groped, her waist grasped, her back stroked, her legs caressed.
Leticia, seemingly anxious, glanced at me repeatedly. I smiled reassuringly, and her face blossomed into a bright smile.
Perhaps I should be mean.
Perhaps I should make her dislike me more.
But at least between events…
She will eventually come to dislike me. That’s fate.
But just a little longer.
Just a little longer, I want to be my sister’s safe haven.
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