7. A Familiar Outfit
A few days later, “Tailor” delivered the first completed outfit.
Even for everyday wear, it was remarkably fast.
When my sister, changed in the next room, appeared in the drawing-room, I gasped.
“I’ve never worn anything like this before…!”
Leticia was ecstatic about the clothes, the quality of which was incomparable to anything she’d worn before.
“They feel so wonderful!”
“Of course they do!”
“The fabric is so smooth, it doesn’t catch at all…”
“I spared no expense.”
“I can’t even feel the seams…!”
“That’s because I took special care to understand Lady Leticia’s measurements…”
“Tailor” beamed, her face flushed with satisfaction, as she chimed in with Leticia’s delighted exclamations, nodding in agreement. The torrent of praise from my sister must have been incredibly rewarding for a tailor.
My sister twirled around, her red skirt flaring.
The dynamism of her movements, expressing her joy with her whole body, was truly adorable.
Then, like a dog wagging its tail, she ran straight towards me.
She held the hem of her skirt and twirled again in front of me, allowing me to take in the entire ensemble, from the top of her head to her toes, and even her back.
“How do I look, Elder Sister!? …Do I… look good?”
“Y-Yes. …Well, you’re presentable now.”
I had been speechless, and my sister’s question snapped me back to reality.
I thought, “That was quite a sarcastic, mean remark for something blurted out reflexively…” but only for a moment.
“Thank you! See, “Tailor,” she complimented me!”
“Naturally. My clothes suit you perfectly…!”
These two are far too resilient.
Did they actually take that as a compliment?
…It made me seriously reconsider how harsh I should make my future ‘meanness.’
The reason I was speechless earlier wasn’t because of my sister’s cuteness…
Well, my sister is cute enough to make me want to prevent her future beheading…
A white shirt and a red jumper skirt. A large gold button at the chest, emblazoned with the Vanderwaals gecko crest, gleamed prominently. Probably the same one as on my jacket… matching.
Her neatly cut blonde hair, now receiving proper nutrition, baths, and care, was regaining its original shine.
She looked completely different from when we first met.
…When I saw the first outfit “Tailor” made for Leticia, a chill ran down my spine.
It was identical to the outfit the protagonist always wears in [Moonlight Liberium].
I hadn’t given her any instructions.
I left it to the tailor’s discretion.
…And yet, the design was exactly the same. Astonishing.
The clothes I always wear were also made by “Tailor” before I knew about [Moonlight Liberium].
My sister’s existence.
The matching pocket watches.
The familiar lines.
Along with these, this was another example of an inescapable ‘force.’
Whether the future of this world is predetermined… I don’t know.
I don’t believe that everything that will happen is set in stone.
This world is like a stage someone created… but I don’t believe all my actions are predetermined.
The [Events], in my interpretation, are like points.
Like scenes in a play, prominent events are extracted from a larger set of occurrences to advance the story. That’s probably the ‘official history.’
However, how we connect the dots… is up to the actors… to us. It’s our freedom. Surely.
We might even be able to change the future.
But that’s precisely why.
I choose the future that should be.
That way, at least my sister’s happiness is guaranteed.
If fate is on our side in this uncertain world.
I choose that.
“Lady Leticia. This is for everyday wear, but what should we do about a second outfit?”
“Ah, um…”
She couldn’t have just one outfit.
Even my sister, from the “back alley”… the slums, had a few outfits and rotated them properly.
…Though they were all rags that a noble family would use as cleaning cloths or to wipe down horses in the stables.
They were all similar, and honestly, I could barely tell them apart, nor did I see the need to.
But even in those clothes, my sister was cute. Cute enough to make me want to hug her.
However, she’s even cuter now… and I want to make her happy after all the hardships she’s endured.
Even if it’s not me who makes her happy.
Just being able to set the stage is enough.
I am her one and only older sister.
Even if she comes to hate me.
Even if my head is separated from my body.
That much will never change.
“Could I have the same design…?”
“If it’s the same design, it will be finished quickly… are you sure?”
Watching the two of them, “Tailor” tilted her head slightly.
Leticia nodded.
“Where I used to live, I always wore similar clothes… so I think I’d feel more comfortable with the same design.”
“Yes, understood.”
I see. So that’s why.
The sister in the game always wore the same outfit except for special [Events].
I thought it was a common ‘protagonist marker’ in stage costumes.
The reason I usually wear the same—design of—clothes is also due to similar circumstances.
I am the head of the Vanderwaals family, and what I need is not fashion, but attire that allows those who know to recognize me at a glance as the head of the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals.”
I’ll wear a dress if the dress code requires it, and besides, dressing somewhat plainly on a daily basis makes formal attire stand out more at social events.
“Besides, I really like this outfit.”
“Tailor’s” face broke into a smile.
“Fufu…. You’re a tailor’s dream, Lady Leticia…!”
I’m glad my sister likes it.
“…Ah, also, Lady Adelheid. Regarding the cost…”
“Use whatever you need.”
I said curtly.
The Vanderwaals coffers are full.
We have plenty of undeclared funds, but our legitimate territorial management is also profitable.
Besides, “Tailor’s” shop has become a legitimate source of income.
“Tell Ciel the necessary amount as usual. —It wouldn’t do for rumors to spread that the Vanderwaals’ new relative looks like a street rat.”
I smiled, one corner of my mouth lifting.
“Just make sure you don’t do anything disgraceful that would tarnish the family name, Leticia.”
It was an expression I had practiced countless times in front of my mirror since learning of my future as the ‘Villainous Sister.’
Using sarcastic, cutting words had twice the effect.
‘Street rat’ is a common insult for residents of the “back alley.”
The phrases “new relative” and “tarnish the family name” were also meant to be sarcastic digs, implying that she was, after all, just a half-sister.
Even though I find her incredibly cute as my blood-related sister.
I couldn’t show that.
I needed to be thoroughly disliked before my inevitable [Beheading].
I thought the [Events] leading up to it would be enough, but I decided that daily reinforcement was important.
However, contrary to my expectations, Leticia, instead of grimacing, smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Elder Sister. You acknowledge me… as a relative of the Vanderwaals, and you’re worried about me.”
What’s with that positive attitude?
I’m being mean, you know.
…She’s supposed to dislike me, right?
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