The Villainous Noble Son Wants to Capture His Stepsister! - Chapter 25

“Ooh… oooooh… OOOH!”

An angel… an angel has descended!

Not too long ago, she had shut herself away like a goddess in her heavenly shrine, but today, she is the very embodiment of an angel.

“Magnificent! It suits you perfectly, Primelia!”

I delivered my praise with all the passion of a certain famous tennis player.

“Ah, th-thank you…!”

Wrapped in a pure white dress, Primelia blushed furiously and shrank in on herself. Too precious.

◇

Today, the designer and tailoring staff came to the ducal estate for the final adjustments on Primelia’s dress, which we had ordered earlier.

As expected of the professionals chosen by Ventz, their enthusiasm was off the charts. The moment they arrived, they skipped right past the pleasantries and dove straight into work mode.

I personally don’t mind, but… that’s the kind of thing that could get you in trouble with certain nobles. Be careful, alright?

Oh, and the two beautiful maids over there—calm down. I don’t care, so put away the knives. No need to get that worked up.

Despite the brief moment of tension, the fitting went smoothly, and just now, we finally got to see the dress in full.

The dress was a pristine white princess-line gown, adorned with delicate embroidery upon closer inspection. The modest frills added a charming touch.

Though I was the one who placed the order, I had left most of the decisions to the women. Seeing the design for the first time today, all I could say was: bravo.

“The understated decorations enhance Primelia’s delicate charm. And her delicate charm, in turn, accentuates the dress’s beauty. A truly splendid synergy.”

“Ugh…!”

And above all—her adorable reaction!

With her fair skin flushed red in embarrassment, she was even more stunning than the dress itself! I’m dying from sheer cuteness overload!

…Oh. Heliotrope.

Could you not stand directly behind me like that? You’re scaring me.

Completely overwhelmed by embarrassment, Primelia fled to another room.

◇

Left with nothing to do, I decided to commend the designers for their excellent work.

“That was a truly remarkable dress. I look forward to seeing the final piece.”

“Thank you very much, Lord Kraut. And… about earlier, my apologies for my lack of decorum.”

“Ah, yeah… I don’t really mind, but you should be careful with other clients.”

The designer shrank back, her voice growing quieter. So she’s aware of it, huh.

Tall, slender, and model-like to begin with, she was practically shriveling away now—any more, and she’d start making sound effects like jangajanga.

“To be honest, I’ve made similar missteps in other noble houses… I got so absorbed in my work that I offended someone. I lost all my commissions in my previous city because of it.”

Oh. So she’s already been through this.

Well, at least she’s alive to tell the tale.

“So, I decided to make a fresh start in the Wertheim territory. By some stroke of luck, I caught the attention of Ventz’s representative, and that led to new commissions.”

“I see…”

Knowing Ventz, he wouldn’t have introduced her to me without being fully aware of her flaws.

Her skill is undeniable, and he must have assumed I wouldn’t be the type to make a fuss over her demeanor.

“Like I said, I personally don’t mind. But since this is a business, it’d be wise to address it. How about hiring a staff member with strong social skills to support you?”

Even from a layman’s perspective, the dress was spectacular.

I’d love for her to continue making clothes for my adorable little sister, and it would be a waste to lose her over something so avoidable.

That’s why I gave her that suggestion, but…

“……Ugh.”

Wait, is she crying?!

D-Did I say something wrong? Am I about to be told, “Don’t you dare speak about fashion when you have no sense of style!” or something?

“It’s just… no noble has ever spoken to me with such kindness before.”

…Oh.

So that’s what it was.

Good, I didn’t say something offensive. Heliotrope is always telling me I’m clueless about women, so I was starting to worry.

Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief, the designer suddenly widened her reddened eyes and leaned in close.

Whoa, too close! What’s happening!?

“Um, my lord!”

“Y-Yeah?”

“I won’t charge you for the dress! So please, allow me to make one for you as well!”

…Huh?

No, no, that’s not how business works.

And also—

“Look, I don’t care about my clothes. Just adjust something I already have and—”

“NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT!”

“””ABSOLUTELY NOT!”””

What the hell?

Why did both the maids and the designer shoot me down in unison?

“My lord, when Lady Primelia said something similar, you rejected the idea outright, didn’t you?”

“Guh.”

“Lord Kraut, I’m sure Lady Primelia would love to see you in formal attire as well.”

“Ugh.”

…Fine. Fine!

You win! I get it! I’ll wear whatever you make, okay!?

But I swear, if they put me in some frilly, embroidered nightmare, I’m running away!

As expected from our house’s pride and joy—the beautiful maid duo.

With flawless logic, they completely shut down any rebuttal I could come up with.

All I could do was let out a weak, “Guh…” in defeat.

“Lord Kraut…”

The designer looked at me with puppy-dog eyes, like a stray abandoned in the rain.

What is with that look?

I don’t owe money to a loan shark, if that’s what you’re worried about.

Ah, damn it.

Maybe it’s because I had zero experience with women in my past life, but I have a serious weakness against those eyes.

…Well, not just the eyes, to be honest.

“Alright, fine! I’ll let you make it! But you absolutely HAVE to accept the payment!”

The rowdy trio of women cheered and exchanged high-fives.

…You guys get along well, huh?

Well, I suppose it makes sense to get something tailored.

All my formalwear is from years ago, and my body has changed since then.

I’ve grown taller and slimmed down.

If I tried squeezing into my old pants, they’d probably puff out like knickerbockers.

Apparently, those pants’ puffed sections function like a cat’s whiskers.

Interesting fact.

“Now then, Lord Kraut, please remove your clothing. We will begin the measurements.”

“Wait, I have to undress?”

Can’t they just measure me over my clothes?

I turned to the designer, about to say as much, but…

One look at her face, and I gave up.

Her eyes were dead serious.

This woman means business.

…We really need to hire someone to rein her in before it’s too late.

I’ll ask Ventz to find someone.

The maid duo moved swiftly, positioning themselves in front and behind me, stripping me without hesitation.

Before I knew it, I was shirtless.

At that moment, I felt her gaze.

“Oh my, despite your age, you’re surprisingly well-built.”

“JUST HURRY UP AND MEASURE ME!!”

As a side note—

When Primelia returned, having changed into her regular clothes, she caught sight of my half-naked self…

Her face turned beet red, and she fled the room.

Again.