Chapter 22

After finishing my shower, I was bombarded with questions. I finally managed to escape after giving a bunch of excuses to Yulia, who looked at me with a worried expression, and Lilian, who seemed a bit angry with her pouty face. I collapsed onto my bed, my body feeling like a rag doll. And just like that, another day slipped by.

Although that incident had occurred, life returned to its usual rhythm, inching closer to the day before the Ball. As time passed, Apatem Academy began bustling with activity, but since the nobles were trying to act all dignified, it didn’t create much of a ruckus.

Yulia and Lilian were also going about their daily lives with me in between them. Things were still a bit awkward with Lilian. She would often look at me in frustration, as if to say, “What’s wrong with you?” but I’d just brush it off with a “Nothing at all.” After all, how could I explain that I was a former ‘male’ in my past life on Earth and that her behavior was way too Earth-like for me to keep from realizing that I was a reincarnated person?

“…Lin!”

Wait, is it okay to even say that? My thoughts were interrupted by Yulia’s shout.

“Catherine!”

“…Ah, yes.”

“How does this dress look? Do you think it’s okay?”

I nodded as I watched Yulia do a little spin in the dress that Lilian had gifted her.

“It looks lovely.”

It really was pretty. Her shimmering golden hair sparkled in the sunlight and her vibrant eyes crinkled beautifully as she looked at me. My heart felt like it was being squeezed. I stared at Yulia, mesmerized. Then, carefully, Lilian stepped out beside Yulia, casting a nervous glance my way.

“What about me?”

“…I’ve told you so many times while dressing you.”

“Ugh, but you could at least say a word or two.”

“You look beautiful.”

“Really? Hehe.”

Lilian, with her fool-like smile that didn’t match her appearance, twirled around just like Yulia. Watching them gave me an odd sense of discomfort. I recalled how the young lady used to spin around happily when wearing her first dress too. Although she could hardly be called a good girl back then, she was certainly adorable. I quietly gazed at Lilian and adjusted her outfit.

“Ah, thank you, Catherine.”

“…”

The young lady doesn’t normally say thank you. Staring blankly at Lilian felt like a splash of cold water over my head as I quickly looked away. Whenever Lilian acted similarly to the young lady, I couldn’t help but remember her. But when she behaved completely differently, it was like a lightbulb moment.

This person isn’t the young lady. She’s a completely different person wearing the young lady’s mask.

“Catherine?”

“…Yes.”

“Is something wrong?”

Seeing Yulia and Lilian looking at me with worried expressions, I shook my head and began helping Lilian out of her dress.

“No, I’m fine. Anyway, since I’ve tried on the dress, I can wear it tomorrow.”

“Ugh, it’s uncomfortable…”

“If you’re already feeling this uncomfortable without makeup or jewelry, it’s going to be a problem.”

“Ugh.”

I delicately removed Lilian’s dress and helped her put on her pajamas again. The sheer nightgown left little to the imagination, clinging loosely to Lilian’s body. Yulia stared at us both, her gaze seemingly questioning. What did that look mean? Did she want a little pampering too?

“…Should I help Lady Yulia out of her dress as well?”

“W-what?! No, I’m okay?!”

Was that an unexpected proposition? Yulia waved her hands in panic. Lilian, too, seemed startled, jumping up to look at me. She then pointed a trembling finger between me and Yulia.

“W-what do you mean?!”

“…I just meant helping out of the dress?”

“Too much, too suggestive!”

Then what on earth did we just do? I sighed, feeling incredulous.

“…Then what do you think I was doing earlier?”

“Well, since Catherine and I are practically family that’s okay, but Yulia is different! She’s a friend! Who undresses friends?!”

“…Hmm.”

Would that be so? I tilted my head puzzled, and Yulia chimed in.

“Yeah, that seems a bit much, Catherine. After all, we’re friends. You don’t really need to serve us.”

“…If that’s how it is, understood.”

If Yulia said that, then that’s that. As I accepted Yulia’s words without question, I noticed a slightly unjust look in Lilian’s eyes. But unlike Lilian, who had a sense of Earthly common sense, Yulia was totally from this world and knew the norms here much better. Therefore, it was only natural to trust her more.

“Now, hurry up and get to bed. We need to wake up early tomorrow.”

To lighten the mood, I clapped my hands, and their expressions turned oddly strange. What? Is it their first time at a ball? Oh. Is this the first time? No, wait, now that I think about it, both of them attended the opening ball. Why the weird reaction?

“Ugh, do we have to do that again?”

“…Maybe we shouldn’t go to the ball.”

Whoa, they really don’t want to go, huh? Seeing Yulia looking drained, I opened my mouth to say something, but she shook her head adamantly, gripping her hands tight.

“No, we have to go. We promised.”

“Promised? With whom?”

“With Lilian.”

“Yeah. With me.”

As the two exchanged smiles, I suddenly realized, do these two even have friends outside of each other?

“Ah.”

Um, is that a bit concerning? The daughter of the House of Portus and the future princess has no friends? I was a little worried, but I couldn’t meddle in social affairs, so I started to discreetly back off when Lilian handed me a dress. A red dress with shoulders cut out. The one she had previously given me. When did she take it out from the closet?

“Here, Catherine, you should try it on too.”

“Right? It wouldn’t be fair if it’s just us.”

“…That seems a bit odd.”

“No, no, it’s a valid reason, right? Lilian?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Isn’t it funny how they agree on these silly things? I let out a little sigh and took the dress. At this point, trying it on seemed like the less bothersome option. I stepped into the dressing room, undid my maid outfit, and slowly put on the dress.

Since I had always dressed them but never actually worn one myself, it felt a bit weird. After struggling a bit, I looked in the mirror and spun around. Okay, let’s stop that. I’m not that cheerful character. But really, is this dress too revealing? Given how tidy my usual maid outfit is, this dress felt a bit awkward with its open shoulders.

Moreover, the cut-out design revealed a hint of cleavage, which made me even more embarrassed. While not overly large, I did have a bit of volume, so it felt all the more awkward.

“Catherine? Why is it taking you so long?”

“…I’m coming out now.”

Bracing myself against the embarrassment, I made my way outside, slowly approaching Lilian and Yulia. I tried to avoid their gazes as I bowed my head a little.

“…Wow.”

“Gorgeous.”

“Uh, I want to change back, please.”

“Wait, wait! Let me store this in my brain’s camera for a bit.”

“Camera?”

I glanced back at Lilian, who seemed to be muttering nonsense, and turned to look at Yulia. She, too, was staring at me with a blank look in her eyes.

“Well, even so, isn’t this… a bit too revealing?”

“It is, but doesn’t it fit Catherine’s vibe? If we keep her like this, people will believe she’s a princess from some small kingdom.”

“Um, that might be true.”

What nonsense are they talking about? Having become their eye candy, I covered myself with a nearby blanket and spoke up.

“Can I change back now?”

“Ah, yeah. Sure. Go ahead.”

As soon as Lilian’s words were out, I made a beeline for the dressing room and quickly changed back into my maid outfit. Ah, this feels so much better. Truly my soulmate. I returned to my original spot, feeling grateful for my maid uniform. The two seemed deep in thought with their eyes closed and were slowly nodding their heads. What could they be thinking about?

“Ah, right. You both said to sleep early, right? Okay, I’ll head to bed first. Goodnight, Lilian.”

“Uh, okay… goodnight.”

Suddenly, Yulia seemed to recall something important, squirming as she turned red and hurriedly left the room. Lilian, watching Yulia, wore a similar expression.

“Your face is super red. Are you catching a cold? You should see the physician…!”

“N-no! It’s just, um, something came up.”

“Something came up?”

“That, Catherine. Want to go out for a bit? Just for a walk. I’ll get ready while you’re gone.”

“…? Yes, understood.”

Though taken aback by her sudden command, I nodded and slowly stepped out of the room. What’s got them acting all peculiar?

‘Well, Yulia called for me, so it’ll be fine to meet her now.’

With that thought, I made my way to the garden, the usual meeting spot for the princess.