Volume 2 Chapter 17 Interlude - Fashionista Clarice
On a day when school was off, Randy was heading home with Liz and Ellie.
The main goal was, of course, to share ideas, but...
"Clarice, what are you doing here?"
As Randy frowned, he noticed his sister Clarice sitting in a corner of the office. She wasn't joining the conversation; instead, she was hugging a notebook and staring at Randy and the others.
"It doesn't matter where I am, big brother."
Clarice turned her head away with a huff, but that was only for a moment before she quickly looked back at Randy and, more specifically, at Liz.
Since Clarice wanted an older sister, she probably really wanted to connect with Liz. Randy and their dad, Alan, exchanged glances and smiled awkwardly, knowing what Clarice wanted.
(But I can't just ask Liz to babysit Clarice...)
Randy thought this, but then he noticed the notebook Clarice was holding. It was the special notebook that Clarice always took care of.
(Oh, I just got a good idea.)
"Randy, you look like you're up to something bad."
"That's right, Randy."
In front of Alan and Liz, who were giving him a side-eye, Randy frowned and said, "Who, me?" He cleared his throat loudly to reset everyone's focus.
"Hey Liz, I need to talk to you about a new project..."
As Randy started talking, he glanced at Clarice. When their eyes unexpectedly met, Clarice quickly looked away again.
"Clarice, I need your help too."
Randy surprised everyone with those words directed at Clarice.
"Huh? Me?"
Clarice exclaimed in shock at the sudden request, and Randy smiled widely, nodding, "Yes, you too."
Clarice seemed hesitant about the whole project thing and looked down, clutching her notebook.
"But..."
"You're the only one who can do this."
Randy kept smiling and waved for Clarice to come closer.
Reluctantly, Clarice moved closer to Randy and the others, and Randy grinned at her.
"Clarice, how about designing a dress?"
At Randy's suggestion, Clarice's face lit up with excitement.
"That notebook has tons of dress designs you've created, right?"
Randy pointed at the notebook Clarice was holding. The Victor family, being poor nobles, couldn't buy many dresses. But since Clarice loved princess stories since she was little, it was natural for her to dream of beautiful dresses.
She was interested but felt it was out of reach. So, Clarice started drawing her ideal dresses. At first, her designs were a bit rough, but now, even if Randy's family looked at them with bias, they were quite good.
Clarice probably wanted to hear various tips from Liz, who used to be a marquis's daughter.
So, why not just do it?
Randy and Alan didn't really know much about dresses or women's fashion, so they weren't sure if this would turn into a real project. But Randy thought that if they called it a project, Clarice would feel more comfortable spending time with Liz.
"What do you think? Want to bring your designs to life?"
As long as they had the materials and ideas, Liz could use her 'craft magic' to make them real. They could get materials by taking apart old dresses that couldn't be worn anymore.
"...I want to try."
Clarice murmured, and Randy looked at Liz.
"That sounds great! It sounds like so much fun. Plus, it's a dream come true!"
It seemed Liz was excited too, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Alright, it's settled then. Ask Mom about the old dresses you can use, Clarice."
Waving his hand, Randy watched as Clarice took Liz's hand and left the office. Randy figured that if Grace got involved, things wouldn't turn out weird.
"...You've gotten better at handling girls since I last saw you."
"Don't be silly, old man. I've always been a top-notch playboy."
Randy snorted, and Alan smiled back, saying, "So, that was the dream you had, huh?"
"Shut up. Anyway, let's get back to our conversation."
Randy, with his lips puckered, started talking seriously again while pointing at the map, saying, "I still think we should go through the canal──"
But both Randy and Alan had forgotten something. They had overlooked how much women care about beauty. Even though they had felt it strongly with cosmetics. Once the heat passes, you forget the warmth. Randy would be reminded of this saying a few hours later.
* * *
"Oh, are you with your elder sister today?"
Grace, elegantly sipping her tea, smiled as Clarice happily nodded, "Yes."
"Hehe, that's nice. So, what are you going to play?"
"Mother? I'm already 12. I'm a proper young lady, so I'm not playing; I'm working now."
Grace smiled at Clarice, who puffed out her cheeks, and winked at Liz, saying, "Oh, I'm sorry about that."
"So, what kind of work are you doing with your elder sister?"
While still smiling, Grace listened as Clarice showed her notebook and explained what Randy had told her. At first, Grace listened cheerfully, but as the content became more interesting, her expression changed...
"Well then, shall we go to the parlor? It's the biggest room."
Grace stood up and asked a nearby maid to bring an old dress and a full-length mirror, leading Clarice and the others to the parlor.
In the parlor, there were old dresses that would never be worn again and a large mirror.
"The designs are old, but I just can't throw them away."
Grace said with a troubled smile, but it was clear that each dress was cherished despite their outdated styles.
Dresses bought with little money.
A dress received as a gift for the first time.
A dress splurged on during a date before marriage.
Each one was likely a treasured memory.
Liz looked at Grace, who smiled shyly, and said, "They're beautiful."
"I'm just being sentimental."
Grace replied with a laugh, but her eyes were gentle as she gazed at the dresses.
"Since we have them, why don't we remake them?"
""Remake?""
Liz suggested that they adjust the design and size so that the important dresses could be worn again. Instead of completely restoring them, they would change the shape of the dresses so they could be worn again.
"The design will be based on Lady Clarice's──."
"Elder Sister Liza. Just call me Clarice."
Clarice puffed out her cheeks, and Liz replied with a troubled face, "But, I am still technically a servant."
"That's fine. Call her Clarice. And you can call me mother-in-law."
Grace laughed elegantly, and Liza blushed, nodding quietly, "Well, only when it's the 3 of us."
Thus began the dress remaking festival, which progressed with unusual excitement, occasionally receiving surprisingly on-point advice from the ancient great magician Ellie.
"...How does it look?"
"Madam, you look beautiful!"
The maid who helped with the changing had sparkling eyes.
"R-Really?"
Grace's hesitant reply was perhaps due to the embarrassment of wearing a cutting-edge design. Or maybe it was joy at the fact that she could still shine.
Either way, the Grace in the mirror smiled with a beauty different from her usual self.
"Mother, you're so pretty."
"Yes. It suits you very well."
"Um. I really worked hard on this."
Liz nodded enthusiastically at Clarice, who was sparkling with excitement. And Ellie, laughing heartily, showed that everyone was very satisfied with the result.
The dress, a unique creation with the latest design that Liz knew, was arranged by Clarice and Ellie. It was a completely original dress that, combined with Grace's original charm, would not be embarrassing to wear to a party in the capital right away.
The line changed from a classic bell shape to an A-line. The simple yet elegant shape was perfect for Grace's image.
Of course, they didn't forget to keep a hint of the original dress. If the person who sent it saw it, they would probably think, "Huh?" The placement and shape of the decorations changed, but everyone worked together to maintain the base design.
And it wasn't just Grace's dress. Clarice, who wore hand-me-downs from her mother and grandmother, was included too.
Clarice's dress was a princess line with lots of petticoats. Unlike the common bell-shaped dresses, just by flaring out the hem, it looked really different.
Feeling happy that her design had come to life and looking cute in her dress, Clarice turned to Liz with a big smile.
"Elder Sister Liza, Elder Sister Ellie, thank you so much!"
With a big smile, Clarice bowed her head, and Liz nodded back with a smile. Even Ellie shyly murmured,
"Well, it does suit you."
"Shall we go to the tea party next time?"
Grace, showing the invitation with a smile, told them that the Victor family had been gaining popularity lately, so they received an invitation to a tea party. The message hinted at wanting to make fun of country folks...
"We can turn the tables on them."
"Even the little girl is saying that now."
As the two smiled, it seemed like the tea party organizers wouldn't get their way.
Grace immediately said she would send a reply, but Liz suddenly stopped her.
"How about we show it to Sir Alan?"
At Liz's suggestion, Clarice was excited, and Grace felt a bit embarrassed, but still, the two of them followed Liz to the office where Alan and the others were.
* * *
"What do you think?"
Grace looked a bit shy, while Clarice looked very proud. Alan and Randy were frozen in place in front of the two. Honestly, they thought it would just be a little distraction for Clarice, but what appeared before them was beyond their imagination.
...And surprisingly, the mother, who they thought would be a stopper, was actively joining in.
(Huh? This is way better than I expected. If this gets out, we might start getting orders or something.)
Randy could only feel the energy of the women's beauty, realizing that this could really work as a business.
"So? What do you both think?"
Clarice's words, with her cheeks puffed out, finally brought Randy and Alan back to reality.
"Uh, um. It's like a horse in fancy clothes──ah, ouch!"
Alan hit Randy on the head and smiled gently at Grace and Clarice.
"You both always look beautiful, but today you look even more amazing."
"Yeah, with the dress, it's like you're 30 points more beautiful, so around 34 points──ouch!"
As Randy rubbed his head, Liz let out a big sigh. Grace and Clarice were in a good mood after being complimented by Alan. Watching them, Randy smiled to himself, thinking it was all good.
Later, it was a different story that the maids also begged Clarice to change the design of their outfit.
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