The next morning, using simple tableware by the bonfire, Selian prepared breakfast.
Whether it was due to Selian’s thorough preparedness or the thorough preparedness of the Deretia Family, it’s unclear, but using the ingredients stored in the carriage, she was able to prepare a fairly decent breakfast.
What’s more, Selian’s movements as she cooked outdoors appeared quite skilled.
After eating a modest amount and with the carriage repairs completed the previous night, there was no reason to linger in this place any longer.
Although there was some concern that the carriage might break down again, fortunately, it made it to Selian’s mansion without much trouble.
As the carriage stopped and a servant opened the door to help us disembark, the massive mansion was right before our eyes.
Selian’s mansion proudly displayed the dignity of the House of Marquis Deretia, looking quite magnificent even from the outside. A fountain was visible in the garden, and on the other side stood a statue, likely of a hero who had once been invited to the estate.
The mansion appeared to already be buzzing with activity, with only a few servants visible outside. We must have been delayed due to an unexpected accident, so they had probably just received news when we passed through the city gates.
“Well, let me show you around.”
I entrusted my personal luggage to one of the butlers standing nearby and followed Selian as we toured various parts of the mansion.
The mansion was quite large, but luckily, whether it was because the Duke’s mansion was built by the same person or because this was simply a common design, this mansion bore a resemblance in structure to Yuli’s mansion, making it not too difficult to get oriented.
After the tour, Selian guided me to the room I would be staying in during my time here.
“This is where you’ll stay while you’re at the mansion.”
Upon entering, the interior design of the guest room was more elaborate than I had expected.
While I’m not particularly discerning, it was obvious even to my humble sense of aesthetics that considerable effort had gone into decorating this room.
To my surprise, every decoration in the room aligned perfectly with my tastes.
The simple-designed table in the corner reminded me of one I had purchased after falling in love with its design while out shopping. Of course, unlike the cheap version I bought, this table looked polished and high-class—likely far more expensive than the one I had purchased.
As an assassin, I used to frequently daydream about such a room, imagining how I would enjoy a peaceful life far from the clamor of the world, once I stopped being an assassin and decorated a home to my liking.
Now, years after I had quit being an assassin, such dreams had only become clearer. Before my eyes was the room I had so often imagined.
This room was filled with everything I had ever fantasized about: where to place shelves full of novels, exercise equipment, and a table for enjoying tea in peace.
It was a room brimming with everything I had only ever dreamt about.
The only slightly puzzling point was whether it was odd for a guest room to cater so perfectly to my somewhat specific tastes.
It’s not self-deprecation, but my tastes tend to be a bit unconventional. Having grown up as an assassin, it’s inevitable. I don’t deny it. In fact, my dorm room at the academy was notably minimalist compared to the other students.
A guest room designed perfectly to my taste would likely not receive the best reviews from others’ perspectives.
I briefly wondered if the interior had been specially arranged just for me, but that was an irrational fantasy.
The Deretia Family would have no reason or need to renovate a guest room to cater to my particular tastes.
Besides, I had never mentioned my dreams to anyone, not even Selian. Although she and I spent the semester at the academy together, we hadn’t spent enough time for her to be fully aware of my preferences.
Therefore, this room was simply a rare coincidence that perfectly matched my tastes.
“What do you think? Does it suit you?”
“Uh-huh. It’s surprisingly tailored to my taste.”
“Just as promised, every detail incorporates everything you’ve mentioned to Eil.”
In Selian’s words, I could feel her consideration as she remembered the things I had casually mentioned in our conversations and had arranged for a guest room that most suited my tastes.
“Are those novels on the shelf?”
I pointed to the bookshelf I had noticed earlier.
“Yes. I filled it with books of the kind you recommended to Eil. They should be a good read when you’re bored.”
Over the course of the term, we had accumulated a significant number of novels. Most of them were recommended by Selian.
Selian seemed to have an uncanny understanding of my preferences, often recommending romance novels between women.
Being transformed into a woman now, I naturally identified with the female protagonists and, with my memories of being a man, found the storylines where male characters fell for women even more compelling.
Although outwardly I was a woman, fortunately, Selian regarded novels as just novels and didn’t treat me strangely for my preferences.
Since I’d likely be busy during the day with Selian, I thought it would be better to read these before sleeping.
“By the way, is it okay not to greet the Marquis or anyone else?”
“You’ll see them during the meal anyway. No need to waste time meeting them twice, right? During that time…”
“True, the Marquis probably has a schedule. It would be inconvenient to bother him needlessly.”
“…Exactly. So, don’t worry about it. Why don’t you unpack first?”
Selian picked up one of the luggage bags that had been brought in advance by the servants. It wasn’t the bag I had started my academy journey with, but the one I received along with clothes from Yuli.
“Didn’t you leave the academy without this bag?”
Selian mentioned this, and as she unlocked the bag, I recalled the journey before.
Anyway, since the bag was stuffed with clothes, I thought we could unpack it in the dressing room, but the bag was already open.
Selian, who seemed to be on the same wavelength as me, paused for a moment after peeking inside.
Then, she pulled out a piece of clothing.
“This is… clothing I’ve never seen before?”
“Ah. Yuli said they were clothes she didn’t wear and asked me to take them. They’re practically new, so I thought it’d be a waste to leave them.”
“Is that so?”
Selian placed the garment back and pulled out another, this time my academy uniform.
“…Um, Eil?”
“What is it?”
“Isn’t this… your academy uniform? I thought your uniform was…”
“Uh? Isn’t this my uniform? Who else would it be… Oh, right. I got a new uniform because mine ripped while I was at Yuli’s place.”
By the time several sets of new clothes had been added, I hadn’t considered needing my old academy uniform before returning, and had momentarily forgotten.
Handing the luggage to Selian, I started unpacking the bag I had originally brought.
As I neatly tucked women’s undergarments, now somewhat familiar to me, into a drawer, I heard Selian’s voice.
“Eil?”
Turning around, Selian was looking at me, and her gaze subtly lingered toward the drawer where the underwear was being stored.
I’m not that shameless, even while helping Selian unpack.
“Did you call me?”
Upon addressing Selian, who had been silent and shifting her gaze back and forth, she turned her attention toward me, now realizing I wasn’t being frivolous.
“Would you follow me?”
Without waiting for my reply, Selian grabbed my hand and led me somewhere.
There was no particular point in resisting, and Selian was stronger than me, so I quietly followed her steps.
We arrived at a room on the upper floor.
Even though I didn’t say which room, it was obvious as soon as we entered that it was Selian’s room—similar in appearance to her dormitory room, and she confidently led me inside without hesitation.
The place where she led me by the hand was the dressing room.
Why did this remind me of what happened at Yuli’s mansion a week ago?
“Selian?”
Only after entering the dressing room did Selian let go of my hand and started rummaging through piles of clothes.
…Unless?
…
Ultimately, the number of my bags increased to three. As with Yuli, if anything, it took even longer because of Selian’s fashion show.
Despite having a bit more ample chest space, the rest of the clothing from both Yuli and Selian fit fairly well without much discomfort.
It was tiring and embarrassing, but it was a great deal. In exchange for a little discomfort, I received numerous outfits I’d have no hope of affording on my own.
Though I wondered if I’d actually wear these clothes for fashion rather than convenience, that’s another matter we’d skip for now.
“We should have done this earlier; we’ve let Yuli get one step ahead. She should never let her guard down.”
Why is Selian competing with Yuli over something like this? Especially since Yuli, who was probably resting at her own estate right now, wouldn’t even know about Selian’s competitive mood.
But since Selian seemed satisfied, I’d let that slide for now.
