It was the twenty-first day of the Month of Light. With the Six Kings Festival drawing near, I was scheduled to go clothes shopping with Lilia-san today.
Come to think of it, while I had gone out with Lilia-san many times before, this was the first time we were going out specifically on what we called a date, just the two of us.
When we stayed at the summer resort before, it had felt more like I’d been half-tricked into the situation...
"S-Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Ah, no... That outfit really suits you."
"A-Ah, thank you very much."
Prioritizing ease of movement as usual, Lilia-san had opted for a long skirt rather than something with slits at the hem.
That said, it wasn't a billowing, fluffy skirt; the design fit her frame gently, giving the impression of stylish casual wear rather than a formal dress. The cream color complemented her blonde hair perfectly.
"Well then, shall we go?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Should we... hold hands?"
"H-H-Hold—!? N-No, t-t-t-that’s... the difficulty level is far too high for me... perhaps once we’ve had more time together..."
Lilia-san was far too nervous.
She was flustered to such an obvious degree that it was actually a bit amusing to watch, even if that was a little rude of me.
To tell the truth, I was a bit nervous too... but people have a habit of calming down when they see someone even more frazzled than themselves. The more Lilia-san panicked, the more relaxed I felt, until I was eventually able to just watch her antics with a fond smile.
"Lilia-san, please, just try to relax... Let’s just have some fun."
"Ugh... Y-Yes. How embarrassing of me..."
"Don't worry about it. We’ll get used to this slowly. Now then, shall we head out?"
"Yes."
After offering her a bit of support with a wry smile, I headed out to go shopping with her.
However, if she was this flustered just by going shopping... I had a feeling it was going to take a long time before we could manage a date while holding hands.
Wait, didn't we hold hands at the summer resort before? Is it the fact that she’s conscious of the date that makes it a problem? Well, I’d just have to help her get used to it gradually.
Even though we were going out to buy clothes, we wouldn't be visiting very many shops. Lilia-san was a Duchess, and the clothes she wore to the Six Kings Festival were naturally required to reflect her status.
Consequently, the number of boutiques that carried clothing suitable for the female Head of a Ducal House was quite small.
The first place we visited was the same shop I had gone to for my own clothes right after I arrived in this world. Apparently, Lilia-san shopped there often.
"Welcome... My, if it isn't Duchess Albert. We are honored by your visit."
"I would like some clothes that are... a bit more casual than a formal suit."
"Certainly. Please wait just a moment."
The clothes we were buying today were for walking around during the festival.
I would attend the party on the final day in a formal suit, but spending all six days leading up to it in formal attire would be stifling. That said, wearing private clothes that were too casual wouldn't be good for her public image as a noble.
Thus, we were here to buy something that occupied the middle ground between casual and formal.
When Lilia-san stated her requirements in a practiced manner, the clerk bowed politely before retreating to the back of the store. They returned a moment later with several items.
"These, for instance, are of the latest design and offer a high-class feel. Since the fabric is such a beautiful white, it will be easy to pair with accessories..."
"Hmm. But this looks like it would be difficult to swing a sword in."
That’s your criteria!? No, no, why are you assuming you'll be swinging a sword at the Six Kings Festival, Lilia-san?
"If it is ease of movement you require, how about this one? It is extremely light and possesses excellent stretch; I can recommend it with absolute confidence."
"However, pink is a bit..."
"Is that so? In that case, perhaps this..."
Yeah, I was in trouble. I couldn't keep up with the conversation at all.
I knew nothing about women's fashion, and when it came to the high-end garments worn by the nobility, I didn't have the slightest clue.
As I watched the scene, wondering what to do, Lilia-san turned toward me with a wry smile.
"I think this will take a little while, so Kaito-san, why don't you take a look at some clothes for yourself? They carry men's fashion here as well."
"Right... Let's do that."
I nodded at her suggestion, but just as I turned my gaze toward the men's section, the clerk addressed Lilia-san.
"Duchess Albert, I beg your pardon... but this gentleman is?"
"A-Ah, um... well... h-h-h-he’s my lover."
"Oh my! Please forgive my rudeness... I am a person of shallow learning and little foresight. Indeed, now that I look closely, he has such noble features; surely he must be a person of great renown."
Noble? Who? Me?
"My deepest apologies. I rarely have the opportunity to behold the face of a true noble, and I beg your forgiveness for my discourtesy in not immediately recognizing your distinguished countenance."
"..."
Noble? A-Ah, I see... Since I was the lover of a Duchess, he naturally assumed I must be a nobleman myself. I felt like demanding to know exactly where he saw "noble elements" in me, but denying it awkwardly would only prolong the conversation. I just gave a non-committal nod and started browsing.
A different clerk came over to explain the various outfits to me, but honestly, nothing really caught my eye.
Perhaps that was only natural. The clothes I was wearing now were custom-made by Alice. To be honest, her sense and skill were top-tier, and since she tailored them specifically to my tastes, it was hard to find anything that surpassed them.
In fact, ever since I started buying clothes at Alice's General Store, I didn't recall buying a single item from another shop.
As I was thinking that... out of nowhere, that familiar masked girl appeared right in front of me.
Alice had a beaming smile on her face, clutching a small wooden sign about the size of a clipboard. It read: Alice-chan's Special Handmade Clothes ~Six Kings Festival Edition~ 3-Set — One Platinum Coin.
That was ten million yen in Japanese currency... This little brat... she’d definitely developed a taste for this after that food stall incident yesterday. She had narrowed down her target to me with surgical precision.
Instead of opening a shop and waiting for customers, she was providing exactly what I needed at exactly the right moment for a premium price. It was frustrating, but incredibly effective.
A platinum coin... But knowing her, she would definitely produce something worth more than that. When I looked at it that way, was it actually a bargain?
After a moment's thought, I silently pressed a platinum coin into Alice's hand.
Alice's face lit up with delight, and she vanished as if she had never been there. With this, three sets of clothes should arrive by the start of the festival. I knew her taste was impeccable, so my expectations were high.
I felt like I’d lost big time, though...
"Um, I think I’ll pass on the clothes here after all."
"Yes, I have already heard from the Phantasm King-sama. We have prepared tea for you over here, so please, make yourself at home."
Are you one of her subordinates too? Wait, could it be that this entire chain of events was exactly as Alice calculated?
Dear Mother, Father—My shopping date with Lilia-san has begun, and it’s a classic trope for the man to be left hanging while the woman chooses her outfits. Well, that much is fine, but really, that Alice—she’s certainly found a clever way to turn a profit.
Targeting a version of me who was flush with cash and notoriously soft on his inner circle... It was a staggeringly effective tactic.