TTPB 30

Chapter 30

 – Shall I Tease Him a Little?

“Are you telling me to wear this?”

Rose was appalled at the sight of the snow-white dress covered in lace and frills. The bust was outrageously large, and if she wore it, she would look like nothing less than a walking whipped cream cake.

“The decorations are far too much.”

This dress had been sent from Tebere to commemorate the princess’s blessing. It was supposed to be worn at the grand opening ceremony itself. Clearly, Pope Urbano had no sense of aesthetics.

Or maybe the plan is to deliberately present me as a ridiculous-looking saintess.

As she hesitated, the chief lady-in-waiting spoke in a solemn tone.

“It is not an obligation, Your Highness, but out of respect for His Holiness’s sincerity, I recommend you wear it.”

“I’d rather not attend the opening ceremony than wear this.”

“Indeed, it does not fit the Empire’s standard of beauty.”

“Chief lady-in-waiting, even I can see it’s a dreadful dress. Her Highness deserves far more beautiful attire.”

The other maids nodded in sympathy, looking at her with pity. After staring at the dress for a long time, Rose decided to choose another outfit. She had no reason to cater to the Vatican’s whims anyway.

I’m going to refuse their proposal anyway, so what does it matter?

“Bring me something else.”

“At once, Your Highness.”

Soon, the maids returned carrying dozens of dresses. Spread across the room in every color, it looked like an entire boutique had been set up inside her chambers. The noble young ladies eagerly began recommending dresses to her, pulling out the ones they thought would best suit her features.

“What about this one? It would match Your Highness’s blue eyes.”

“Since your skin is so fair, this silk gown would be lovely on you as well.”

The young ladies seemed even more excited than Rose, holding dresses up against her. As the saying goes, if the clothes hanger is good, anything looks good.

True enough. When I first woke up in this body, even I was startled at my reflection in the mirror.

Rose possessed the kind of beauty that was universally adored. Listening to the noblewomen’s praise, she quietly thought about the mood of the upcoming ceremony.

Since it will take place at night on the ship’s deck, I should pick something in a lighter color.

While she was still looking through dresses, Arsen arrived for their usual sword training session. Rose had deliberately drawn out the fitting session to coincide with his visit. For a moment, he looked bewildered at the bustling princess’s palace, then walked through the display of gowns toward her.

“What is all this?”

“Perfect timing, Arsen. I’m choosing what to wear for the blessing ceremony. Come help me decide.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

Rose answered brightly and pulled him over. She held up several dresses in turn.

“Is this pretty? Or this one?”

“…”

Arsen only stood there awkwardly, staring at her. The sudden situation clearly flustered him.

This is just like a fiancé watching his bride try on wedding dresses, isn’t it?

Rose cheerfully paraded the dresses before him, making sure to flash her most mischievous expressions.

“Or how about that one?”

The dress she pointed to was more suited for a ballroom at midnight—far too revealing. The back plunged daringly low, and the tightly cinched waistline showcased every curve. Seductive and alluring, it was a gown meant for temptation.

Before I transmigrated, this sort of dress would have suited me. But with this body’s pure image, it doesn’t really fit, does it?

“This one is unacceptable.”

Arsen spoke firmly at last. After all his silence, his sudden decisiveness made Rose’s eyes widen.

Oh ho? Now this is interesting.

It wasn’t hard to guess the reason. His gaze had been fixed precisely on the dangerously low neckline.

Shall I tease him a little?

Rose narrowed her eyes playfully and pretended to be taken with the dress.

“It’s gorgeous. What do you think—should I try it on?”

She showed it to the maids, who instantly chorused that Her Highness would look beautiful in anything and urged her to try it. At that, Arsen grabbed the dress from her hand.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Why not?”

“It will be too cold to wear on the ship’s deck.”

“I’ll wear it with a cloak. I only have to take it off during the blessing—it won’t be that cold.”

“…”

He fell silent, clearly out of excuses.

Well, what will you say now?

Rose found it delightfully amusing to watch him flounder.

“Regardless, it won’t do. This gown suits Your Highness much better.”

Hurriedly, Arsen picked up a pale pink bliaut that caught his eye. With its wide pleated sleeves and floor-length skirt, it was the very picture of modesty—the exact opposite of the scandalous gown. Rose finally burst out laughing.

“…You’ve been teasing me again, haven’t you?”

“You’re too slow to catch on.”

Still chuckling, she took the dress from his hands.

“Fine then, I’ll wear the gown you personally chose. Will you step aside over there?”

He hesitated, suspicious that she was teasing him again.

“I’m changing. You can stay if you’d like.”

“…!”

Rose deliberately let the gown slide down in her hands and shot him a sultry glance. His face flushed bright red, and he whipped around, striding away quickly. His retreating steps were almost endearing. She stifled her laughter and stepped behind the curtain.

With the maids’ help, she slipped into the dress. The soft apricot hue suited her hair beautifully, while the intricate white floral embroidery shimmered in the light. The airy hem trailed gracefully, making her look like a celestial fairy come to life.

“How do I look?”

“You couldn’t be more beautiful!”

The maids exclaimed in delight. Rose, too, was pleased with the reflection in the mirror. Then, drawing back the curtain, she emerged in all her radiance.

“Do you like it?”

“…”

Arsen’s gaze swept slowly over her, then narrowed as it caught on the black band around her pale wrist.

“You’re still wearing the bracelet.”

“Of course.”

Rose touched the obsidian bracelet as if the question were silly.

“…I hadn’t seen it for some time. I wondered if you’d stopped wearing it.”

He must have noticed when she left it off while working at the charity ward.

“Ah, my grandfather said it could spread infection while treating patients, so I took it off.”

“I see.”

The faint disappointment in his voice made him seem even cuter. Rose smiled and gently linked her arm with his.

“Other than when I’m treating patients, I’ll keep it on. Don’t worry.”

“How could I possibly oppose Your Highness’s decision? As you wish.”

“Coming from the man who just objected to the dress I wanted to wear, that doesn’t sound very convincing.”

Arsen grimaced, realizing his slip, and quickly picked up the offending gown from where it lay. The revealing dress looked small and flimsy in his hands.

“I’ll dispose of this myself.”

“Dispose of it?”

Rose exclaimed in surprise. Good grief. He really meant to eliminate any chance of her ever wearing it. But to throw away a perfectly fine dress?

“Isn’t it a waste to discard something with nothing wrong with it?”

“To demand that you wear such scraps of cloth in this weather—there are countless problems with it.”

“But it’s barely autumn, it’s not even that cold…”

He spoke so seriously that she was struck speechless. If she pressed further, he might actually hunt down the tailor and scold them.

The maids tittered behind their hands at his fussiness. Embarrassed, Rose stammered a nod.

“F-fine, do as you like.”

Thus, she spent her busy days preparing for the blessing ceremony.

Meanwhile, in another part of the princess’s palace, a different princess was driving her maids with sharp impatience.

Arachne plunged her chapped, cracked fingers into cold water.

“They’re not healing at all!”

In a rage, she overturned the basin. The maids shrieked in terror, dropping to their knees to beg for forgiveness.

“We beg your pardon, Your Highness! Please calm your anger!”

“Get out before I kill you!”

Her hands, battered from nearly a month of rain, were raw and painful. Seething, she mulled over the rumors spreading like wildfire.

“A blessing? Hah! That wretch is the star of the sacred opening ceremony? How absurd!”

Everywhere she turned, she heard praise for Rose’s exploits. Contrary to her expectation that her younger sister would soon fail and flee the charity ward, Rose had succeeded flawlessly. Society hailed her as the kind and brilliant “Saintess Rose.” Even the Vatican had taken notice, assigning her a holy knight as escort. Arachne ground her teeth furiously.

“That worthless thing! How—how could she?”

Just months ago, Rose hadn’t even received the blessing of a fairy. To be upstaged by her now was maddening. Every day was humiliation.

“Tanasis seemed to want to keep her in check, but now he just stands back and watches.”

She had relied on the Second Prince, but he now seemed more inclined to draw Rose closer. Rose had no power base to support him, so what could he possibly be thinking? At this rate, Arachne’s own position would become precarious.

“I can’t let that happen.”

She needed to act quickly. Just then, someone requested an audience. Arachne’s head snapped around. As the door creaked open, she saw who it was and narrowed her eyes.

“…Why are you here?”

“Did you return safely from the landslide affair?”

The man’s gloomy eyes and probing question only irritated her further.

“Easy there. I only came to make a proposal.”

“What scheme are you plotting now?”

“From where I stand, it seems we could be allies.”

“….”

Arachne glared icily, but the man only smiled with a thin, sinister curve. After a moment’s thought, she allowed herself a crooked smile. Joining hands with him might not be such a bad idea after all.

“Well then, let’s hear it. What’s your proposal?”