“Citrine, this is Monica.”
The Saintess, with her pink hair softly shimmering under the moonlight. Her fair skin and clear golden eyes were striking. Though dressed in a black nun’s habit, the noble aura hidden within seemed to radiate out.
“Nice to meet you, Citrine.”
Monica smiled brightly, but Citrine remained silent.
Well, to be precise, she was completely frozen.
“Citrine?”
“W-what…! How can you so casually introduce yourself like that?!”
Citrine trembled and quickly retracted her infinite ladder.
“D-do you not realize what kind of serious crime Murmur has committed?!”
“I think it’s fine? The night outing we’re going to enjoy with Murmur and Citrine tonight will definitely not be found out.”
“There’s no such thing as ‘definitely’ in this world!”
Citrine shouted so loudly that her red drill hair swayed faintly back and forth.
Isn’t this a bit too much of a reaction?
“M-Murmur? And…”
Citrine still seemed uncomfortable with Monica, swallowing hard.
“S-Saintess! What you two have done is extremely dangerous.”
“If you’re talking about the fact that Murmur kidnapped me, it’s fine?”
“D-don’t say the word ‘kidnap’!”
Monica grinned.
“It’s okay. If Monica says we won’t get caught, we definitely won’t.”
Given her upbringing, Monica often says things with hidden meanings, but this kind of statement can be taken at face value.
“Citrine doesn’t know.”
“…I don’t know what I don’t know, but if the people of the Holy Nation find out that Murmur kidnapped the Saintess, it’s obvious what they’ll do.”
“Monica can see the future.”
Citrine pouted and looked at Monica.
“…You haven’t even had your coming-of-age ceremony yet, can you really see the future?”
“Yes, Monica is truly an amazing Saintess, so she can see the future even now.”
Citrine glared at Monica with disbelief.
Hmm, this is close to common sense, so it’s understandable that she can’t easily accept it.
Originally, a ‘Saintess’ can see the future only after her coming-of-age ceremony when she receives the ‘Eyes of the Goddess.’
But Monica is different. Monica has been able to see the future since birth.
“There’s proof. Look at Monica’s clothes.”
“It’s just a normal nun’s habit.”
“Right now, it’s time for everyone to go to dreamland. But Murmur came down as soon as she met Monica.”
“…Now that you mention it, that is strange. Even if you’re the Saintess, you wouldn’t sleep in a nun’s habit.”
Monica smiled softly.
“Even Princess Nicasia doesn’t sleep in a dress.”
“That’s right. I’ve been looking forward to tonight’s outing with Murmur and Citrine.”
Citrine let out a strained breath and tightly grabbed my right arm.
“…Whether the Saintess can really see the future or not, I don’t care. But! You should know that I’m supposed to be Murmur’s bride!”
Monica nodded her head cutely.
“I plan to quietly follow along with what Murmur and Citrine say.”
* * *
“Since it’s a good day to make new friends, I’d like to buy you both some pretty clothes. Other night activities require preparation, so let’s enjoy shopping today!”
And so, with Citrine’s strong recommendation, tonight’s activity became shopping.
The store’s door was opened by Citrine’s butler, Balkan, as if it were the most natural thing.
With the entrance guarded by that old man, it felt like we had rented out the entire clothing store.
Hoho, this is the power of the wealthy.
“If it’s summer clothes to keep you cool, I can buy as many as you want, so feel free to pick.”
Citrine smiled at me as she spoke.
Originally, Monica wasn’t part of this plan, right?
“Murmur is fine with just summer uniforms.”
“Are you really planning to wear your uniform all summer vacation?”
Citrine grabbed my shoulder and dragged me to the section full of summer clothes.
I really am fine with just the uniform.
“Feel free to pick, Murmur. A dress is fine, or just a short skirt is okay too.”
“Murmur doesn’t know much about this.”
I pointed at some shorts and a tank top with my finger.
“I’ll take these.”
“W-what…?! A combination that a boy would wear!”
Citrine panicked and quickly put the tank top and shorts away.
Wait, why? You said to pick something cool to wear.
“Now, now… There are so many clothes in the world! Summer clothes that are comfortable for Murmur to move in, cute, and show off her horns!”
“…The horns don’t matter, do they?”
“The horns are Murmur’s important charm point!”
I really don’t get what she means.
How am I supposed to pick summer clothes that a 5th grader would wear?
“Well, for now… Saintess, come over here and pick something too.”
“I’m fine. I think my nun’s habit is enough.”
“…Why are you saying the same annoying thing as Murmur? Come over here!”
Citrine grabbed Monica’s hand and pulled her over to stand next to me.
“Both of you seem to have no sense of direction, so I’ll give you some advice!”
Citrine snorted and waved her right index finger.
That’s pointless, isn’t it?
“Find the points you want to improve in your summer clothes! Like if the skirt is too long or too short. You want to show your belly button! You like pink! Start with that kind of sense!”
Monica glanced at me.
“I don’t have any summer clothes.”
“…What?”
“Murmur doesn’t have summer clothes either.”
“…What?!”
So, this advice is meaningless.
“W-what…?! What kind of nonsense are you two talking about?”
“Murmur never had the money to buy summer clothes. The summer uniform is enough.”
Citrine’s fingers trembled.
“I only have a nun’s habit in my wardrobe.”
“T-that’s… W-what?! That’s impossible!”
Citrine grabbed both our shoulders.
“Do you not have winter clothes either?”
“No. The winter uniform is enough.”
“Only a nun’s habit.”
Citrine trembled as if she might faint.
“T-then! I’ll pick out some summer clothes that suit you both today!”
Citrine shouted and energetically grabbed clothes from the racks.
“Balkan!! Come in and help Murmur and the Saintess change!”
Citrine spoke while throwing clothes into the air.
“Murmur’s summer clothes must be comfortable, cute, and give off a lovely vibe!”
In the blink of an eye, Balkan had changed my clothes.
What is this, some kind of magic?
It was as if a breeze had passed, and my clothes were instantly changed. Without even a moment to move a finger…!
“A white blouse with a ribbon and a skirt that reaches the knees!”
The white blouse with a pink ribbon on the shoulder was incredibly comfortable.
I don’t know how or why they know Murmur’s size, but I couldn’t complain about it being too small or tight.
The skirt was even so wide that I could probably do a somersault in it.
“The blouse might be a bit hot in summer?”
“Hoho! That’s why Murmur’s blouse is designed to only cover the shoulders. Plus, it’s made from a very expensive and rare material that absorbs sweat and allows good ventilation!”
I pointed at the lace socks and black shoes I had been slipped into.
Don’t these look like something a doll would wear?
And the lace is making my socks itchy!
“Murmur doesn’t need this.”
“I’m buying them for you, so feel free to use them!”
She even put a hat on my head without asking.
Looking at myself in the full-length mirror, I looked like a child happily welcoming summer.
…Since Citrine went through so much trouble, I’ll accept it for now.
It’s not like there aren’t events where I’ll need casual clothes, right?
“Ohoho! Now it’s the Saintess’s turn. Even in summer, we must maintain the Saintess’s dignity and elegance.”
This time, with a flurry of motion, Citrine threw more clothes.
“Wow…”
Balkan caught them and transformed Monica in an instant.
What’s the principle behind this?
Are all the butlers and maids in this game monsters?!
“Wow, pretty.”
“Ohoho~! Even Murmur thinks the white dress is very pretty~”
The white dress perfectly matched Monica’s pink hair.
And the lace decorations on the skirt swayed gently, giving a fluffy, cloud-like impression.
Citrine gently patted Monica’s shoulders as she stood in front of the full-length mirror.
“I think this summer dress suits the Saintess. It’s a lovely white sleeveless dress with lace decorations.”
“My armpits are showing, so I might get scolded.”
“Don’t worry, there’s a thin sky-blue cape on the shoulders. It won’t give off any sense of exposure.”
Monica smiled brightly and looked down at her feet.
The sandals with red ribbon decorations suited her perfectly.
Why do I get shoes, and Monica gets sandals?
“The silver embroidered headband is a bonus. It’ll be much cooler than wearing a veil.”
Monica’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the full-length mirror.
“This is the first time I’ve worn something like this.”
The Saintess lightly touched the dress with her fingers.
Knowing her background and how she’s treated, that gesture seemed a bit… pitiful.
“I knew I’d get to wear it, but I’m very happy.”
“Hmph, as expected of the Holy Nation’s treasure, the Saintess. You’re not satisfied with just the slightly expensive materials from this store, are you?”
Citrine misunderstood and pouted.
“Well, no matter what you say, summer clothes get soaked in sweat quickly, so this is enough.”
“No, this is the first time I’ve worn a dress like this.”
“…Wait a moment.”
Citrine pulled out more clothes from the rack.
A cream-colored blouse and a skirt that reached below the knees.
“This blouse is made from a very rare material that’s see-through. This skirt is also a flared skirt below the knees, but it’s very light and cool.”
“Have you never worn this before?”
“…This outfit isn’t just expensive, it’s also very popular in the capital. It’s been supplied in large quantities to the Holy Nation.”
Monica smiled softly.
“I’ve seen bishops and adults wear it, but I haven’t.”
“D-don’t lie! The Holy Nation’s treasure, the Saintess…”
Citrine’s lips trembled.
“Do you really only have a nun’s habit in your wardrobe?”
“…Citrine, Monica doesn’t lie.”
Citrine looked at me and Monica with disbelief.
Then she suddenly covered her mouth with her right hand and started groaning.
“…Excuse me for a moment. Murmur? Saintess? When you were changing earlier, I saw something, but I thought it was rude to mention.”
In that one second of changing clothes, she saw something?
“Feel free to say it.”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
Citrine still covered her mouth and looked troubled.
“Both of you… Could you tell me what color and how many pairs of underwear you have?”
With an apologetic face, Citrine cautiously asked.
Is this normal for girls to talk about?
If this is normal, I shouldn’t be embarrassed and run away, right? Monica doesn’t seem uncomfortable either.
“Murmur has black ones. Five pairs.”
“What about other colors?”
“Just black.”
Citrine’s eyes shook pitifully.
Why? What’s with that look?
“I have seven white pairs.”
“Surely… the Saintess has other colors too?”
“That’s all I have?”
Citrine rubbed her face with both hands.
As a noble lady, and especially as a merchant’s daughter, she couldn’t just let this slide.
“Both of you!!! You’re treating such an impossible situation as normal! I’ll buy you underwear today too!”
“It’s fine, Murmur changes every day. I do laundry well too.”
“Same for me. The sisters even praise me?”
“Enough!!! At least 10 pairs! Normally, you should have 20 cute and pretty ones!”
Getting angry at an unexpected point, Citrine took our hands and led us to a corner of the store.
“Citrine seems like a very kind person, from what I’ve seen.”
Monica’s honest compliment from behind.
At that one remark, Citrine didn’t respond, only turning her ears red.
