NOVEL WEB Chapter 173
Chapter: 173
Choosing clothes for Rosalyn was hardly a difficult task.
Basically, there were very few outfits that didn’t suit her, and if I picked something in her favorite black, that would be that.
Of course, since it was summer, just picking anything wouldn’t do…
“I think shirts suit you pretty well, Mom. Is it because of your wonderful waistline?”
“Really…?”
“Yeah, if I wear the same size, it feels like it would cling too much. What you’re wearing now is nice; it looks good around the waist and shoulders without being too tight.”
I decided to try her on in a black version of the shirt I was wearing.
Naturally, Rosalyn looked beautiful in the black shirt, and the outfit had an ordinary but attractive feel.
Since she usually only wore dresses, this look felt quite different.
“Mom, could you turn around for a second?”
“Why?”
“I think the back of the shirt is a bit messy. I want to make sure it looks good.”
The shirt wasn’t tucked properly into her pants after all.
So, Rosalyn slowly turned her body as I asked.
“Heh, not wearing such a pretty outfit properly is definitely a pity, right?”
“That’s true.”
“Please wait just a moment.”
Although Rize could have done it, I decided to take it upon myself.
Standing behind Rosalyn, who turned to show her back, I slowly started adjusting the shirt.
Pulling the clumsily tucked shirt out and tucking it back in…
That was all there was to it.
It wasn’t anything weird; it was just that.
During the process, I could see the white skin between her shirt and pants, and maybe I caught a faint sound from Rosalyn as I adjusted her shirt.
But it wasn’t a big deal.
“Mom, all done. Could you move around a little?”
“Uh, okay. Should I?”
“I tried to make sure you wouldn’t be uncomfortable when moving, but it’s best to check yourself.”
“Thanks.”
With a slightly… very slightly flushed face, Rosalyn slowly moved her body.
Well, since I hadn’t tucked the shirt in too deep, it shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Actually, what made me curious was why Rosalyn’s face had turned slightly red.
The shop wasn’t hot, and we hadn’t been in for long…
Why?
It was a bit puzzling.
“You look incredibly pretty.”
“Is that so…?”
“Yeah, if you ask anyone outside, I’m sure they’ll compliment you on how beautiful you are. Right, Rize?”
“Yes, indeed. It suits you very well.”
But this wasn’t the time to solve that riddle; it was time to compliment Rosalyn.
After all, today’s goal was to spend time with her and Rize.
We’d try on other outfits… just having a good time was all I wanted.
“Mom, how about trying on some other clothes too?”
“Other clothes? This one’s already enough…”
“Mom doesn’t often wear anything but dresses. Why not take this chance to try out different outfits?”
That was the truth.
In reality, Rosalyn mostly lived in dresses.
Regardless of the weather, she wore dresses almost every day, particularly black ones.
I wanted to dress her in more new outfits while I had the chance.
The black shirt I just had her wear was part of that extension.
“But these were picked out for Camelia, right…? Let’s do that first…”
“Can’t we…?”
I interrupted Rosalyn.
I gave her a pitying, bittersweet look.
After all, it was clothes I could buy anytime, but it wasn’t often I got to spend time out like this with Rosalyn.
It was a personal desire that came from within.
Rosalyn might be fine without new clothes; she’d probably be more than okay. It was just my own selfish wish.
A wish to see a different side of Rosalyn that others couldn’t see… a sort of foolish desire, really.
“When I go to the Academy, I feel like I won’t be able to spend time like this with you again… so…”
I figured that just saying it once or twice wouldn’t work, so I went for the act.
I know how to do it well, and Rosalyn is quite vulnerable.
There was no easier way than this.
“I just wanted to do this….”
“Ah….”
“Is that alright?”
I moved very close to Rosalyn.
I was just a step away from brushing against her as I looked up at her.
My eyes shook just a little.
At the same time, they looked a bit pitiful, a bit apologetic; it was a different gaze from before.
Rosalyn remained the same soft-hearted person.
“…Okay. But remember, we’ll also be looking at the outfits for Camelia?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“…It’s no big deal. No need to be so thankful…”
“No way. You must have been troubled by me. I should definitely say thank you.”
As always, Rosalyn was quite soft towards me.
Even when I got caught at the casino as a child, or when some business fiasco happened, she always was this way; today was no different.
Personally, I liked this side of her even more.
How could anyone dislike someone who treats them that way?
Especially when it’s a gorgeous beauty like Rosalyn being incredibly kind.
Yeah, it was impossible to suppress a silly smile since earlier.
*
In the end, the three of us ended up buying more clothes than we had thought.
So many that it was almost too much for Rize to carry alone.
We bought clothes not just for Rosalyn and me, but also several outfits for Rize.
Contrary to my initial plan, I asked the store to have everything sent to our Mansion, and we walked through the streets empty-handed.
Originally, I had planned to happily finish shopping and stroll back to the Mansion, but…
“Shall we take a look around the market, Camelia?”
“That sounds nice. We’ve spent a lot of time looking at clothes… I’m a bit hungry now.”
“Hehe, yeah, we definitely spent a lot of time. The sun has already set.”
“Indeed.”
Walking slowly through a street that had darkened was wonderful.
Rosalyn on one side, Rize on the other.
We were just meandering through the streets, yet I couldn’t help but smile.
“How was today for you, Mom? I had fun.”
“Of course it was fun. Spending time together with you, Camelia, is always wonderful!”
“Is that so?”
“Of course! Walking around with such a pretty and cute daughter like you is bound to be enjoyable, right?”
Hearing Rosalyn say that while smiling…
Well, it really felt like appearances held great importance.
Even though it was a simple statement, something a mother could easily say, it felt entirely different.
“I also enjoyed walking around with you, Mom. Of course, I’m glad Rize was with us too.”
“…Thank you.”
Hmm.
Today was indeed a lot of fun.
I got to dress Rosalyn in more than just a dress; a variety of outfits.
Not just simple dresses or shirts, but pretty diverse ones.
I had her try on sleeveless shirts similar to the ones Ivana wore before, and a sweater with a little hole near the chest…
Seeing Rosalyn in these various looks was really nice.
“How’s the Academy going, Camelia? From Rize’s letters, it sounds like you’re doing really well.”
“I’m doing fine! I have lots of friends.”
“Well, that’s a relief. Oh, but remember to let me know when you get a boyfriend, okay?”
“….”
Suddenly, Rosalyn’s remark.
Well, it was just a normal comment.
It’s common for girls this age to take an interest in boys… right?
At that age, during the peak of puberty, it’s typical to have such feelings… and she was my mom.
So, I didn’t think it was entirely strange for her to say so.
But regardless of Rosalyn’s situation, I found my brain froze at that moment, unable to respond.
“I’m not sure about you, but I have no intention of saying anything about it. Just remember to tell me if that actually happens, okay?”
“Haha…”
I may have been a girl in this life, but that didn’t mean my sexual preferences changed at all.
As I told Rize before, I absolutely had no interest in boys.
It’s really, truly, boys were just not for me.
In fact, I still preferred girls on average when it came to looks, voices, and all sorts of things.
Eventually, all I could offer Rosalyn was a vague smile.
After all, declaring my preference for girls to my parents, while stating that I didn’t like boys… well, that’s a tricky situation.
Logically speaking, I figured Rosalyn wouldn’t react positively if she heard such words from me.
“Rize, if Camelia decides to keep something a secret, do you have to let me know?”
“Yes, understood.”
“Haha…”
Actually, it wasn’t something that particularly concerned me.
In my human interactions, the only guy involved was my father, William.
Beyond that, all my human relationships were made up entirely of women.
“Haha…”
Still, I honestly didn’t expect to hear such words from Rosalyn.
Perhaps that was why I felt so odd in many ways.
We were just walking through the street in the soft evening light, talking.
Maybe it was because I heard things I usually didn’t pay attention to and engaged in conversation…
It was an oddly headache-inducing moment.