On a day when the academy holiday, Randy returned home with Liz and Ellie.
The main purpose, of course, was to exchange opinions, but…
"Clarice, why are you here?"
…As Randy furrowed his brows, he called his younger sister, Clarice, who was occupying a corner of the office. She wasn't joining the conversation but instead clutched a notebook tightly while staring intently at Randy and the others.
"Where I choose to be has nothing to do with you, brother," Clarice replied, turning her head away with a huff.
However, she quickly turned her gaze back to Randy and the others—more precisely, to Liz.
For Clarice, who had always wanted an older sister, the idea of having relationship with Liz was irresistible.
Understanding her desire, both Randy and their father, Alan, exchanged a wry smile.
(Still, I can't ask Liz to babysit Clarice…)
That's what Randy was thinking when his eyes landed on the notebook Clarice was holding.
It was her cherished notebook, the one she always treated with great care.
(Ah, I've got an idea.)
"Randy, you've got that look on your face again," Alan said.
"You do," Liz added.
Randy frowned at their suspicious gazes.
"Who, me?" he retorted, but quickly reset the tone by clearing his throat dramatically to refocus everyone's attention.
"Hey, Liz. I've got a new business proposal to discuss…"
As he said this, Randy glanced briefly at Clarice. Their eyes met for a moment, and Clarice immediately averted hers again. But just then—
"Clarice. I want your help too."
Randy's unexpected words were directed straight at her.
"Huh? Me?"
Clarice let out a startled voice, and Randy nodded with a broad grin. "You too."
Uncertain about this sudden business proposal, Clarice hesitated, clutching her notebook tightly and looking down. "But…"
"No one else can do it but you," Randy said, still smiling. "Come on over here," he beckoned.
Reluctantly, Clarice approached Randy and the others, looking unsure.
When she finally stood near them, Randy gave her a sly grin.
"Clarice, how about designing some dresses?"
At Randy's suggestion, Clarisse's head shot up in surprise.
"That notebook of yours—it's full of dress designs, isn't it?"
Randy pointed to the notebook Clarice held.
As part of the poor Victor family, they rarely had the chance to buy dresses or other luxuries. Yet ever since she was a child, Clarice had adored the princesses in fairy tales and naturally dreamed of the sparkling dresses they wore.
She was interested but couldn't afford it. So, Clarice began drawing her ideal dresses. At first, her designs were crude, but now—even if Randy and family were biased—the designs looked quite impressive.
It was very likely that Clarice wanted to ask Liz, a marquis' daughter, for various tips and advice.
If that's the case, why not just make it happen?
Whether it would actually turn into a business was uncertain. After all, both Randy and Alan were completely clueless about dresses and women's fashion.
However, under the guise of a business venture, Clarice would be able to spend time with Liz without any worries. That was Randy's intent.
"How about it? Would you like to turn your designs into something real?"
As long as they had the materials and a clear image, Liz's production magic could bring any designs to life. They could source materials by dismantling old dresses that were no longer wearable.
"…I would like to try," Clarice murmured.
Hearing this, Randy turned his gaze to Liz.
"That sounds wonderful," Liz said with sparkling eyes. "It's such a fun and interesting idea. I would like to help her to realize her dreams."
It seemed Liz was on board, excited by the prospect.
"Alright then, it's settled. Ask Mother which old dresses you can use," Randy said, waving his hand dismissively as he sent them off.
Clarice, now holding Liz's hand, left the office. Randy's hope was that involving Grace in the process would ensure nothing went awry.
"…You've gotten pretty good at dealing with women while I wasn't looking," Alan commented.
"Don't be ridiculous. I've always been a big playboy," Randy snorted in response.
Alan smiled and teased, "So, that's what you were always dreaming, huh?"
"Shut up. Anyway, let's get back to business," Randy grumbled, pouting before switching back to a serious tone. "About the canal project—" he began, pointing to the map as their discussion resumed.
But both Randy and Alan had overlooked something crucial: the sheer intensity of women's passion for beauty. They had already learned this the hard way through the cosmetics venture but had seemingly forgotten the lesson.
As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind. Randy would be painfully reminded of this wisdom a few hours later.
☆☆☆
"Oh my, are you spending time with your sister today?"
Grace asked elegantly as she sipped her tea. Clarice nodded enthusiastically. "Yes!"
"How lovely. So, what are you planning to play today?"
Clarice puffed out her cheeks. "Mother, I'm already twelve. I'm a proper young lady now, so this isn't playtime—it's work!"
Grace smiled at her daughter's indignation. "Oh, my apologies," she said with a playful wink at Liz.
"And what kind of work will you be doing with your sister?"
Still smiling, Grace listened as Clarice proudly opened her notebook and explained Randy's suggestion. At first, Grace's expression remained cheerful, but as she listened to the intriguing plan, her eyes began to sparkle with interest.
"I see… In that case, let's head to the reception room. It's the most spacious."
Grace stood up, instructed a nearby maid to bring old dresses and a full-length mirror, and led Clarice and Liz to the reception room.
In the reception room, the old dresses and the mirror were neatly arranged.
"The designs are outdated, but I just couldn't bring myself to throw them away," Grace explained with a sheepish smile.
Despite their old-fashioned designs, it was clear the dresses had been well cared for.
A dress they had barely been able to afford during hard times.
The first dress Grace had received as a gift.
A dress she had splurged on for a pre-wedding date.
Each one held precious memories.
As Grace looked at the dresses with a smile, Liz's eyes sparkled with admiration. "That's lovely," she said.
"It's just my frugality," Grace replied with a laugh, but her gaze was tender as she looked at the dresses, undoubtedly filled with nostalgia.
"Why not use this opportunity to remake them?" Liz suggested.
"Remake?" Grace and Clarice tilted their heads in unison.
Liz proposed adjusting the designs and sizes of the dresses so they could be worn again, rather than breaking them down into raw materials.
"The designs could be based on Lady Clarice's ideas—"
"Please, just call me Clarice, Big Sister Liz," Clarisse interrupted, puffing out her cheeks again.
"But I am technically a servant, so…" Liz replied hesitantly.
"Oh, it's fine. Just call her Clarice. And you can call me Mother-in-law too," Grace said with a graceful smile.
Blushing, Liz stammered, "W-well, only when it's just the three of us," and gave a small nod.
Thus began the "Dress Remake Festival," filled with occasional advice from Ellie, the ancient and surprisingly insightful magician. The atmosphere grew lively and spirited as the project progressed.
"…How do I look?" Grace asked.
"Madam, you look stunning!"
The maid assisting her change beamed with delight.
"Oh, d-do you think so?"
Grace's uncharacteristically hesitant response was likely due to the mixture of embarrassment from wearing such a cutting-edge design and the joy of realizing she could still shine.
Either way, the reflection in the mirror showed Grace smiling with a beauty unlike her usual self.
"You look beautiful, Mother."
"Yes, it suits you perfectly."
"Indeed, I'd say all our hard work was worth it," Ellie chimed in with a grin.
Clarice beamed with sparkling eyes, Liz nodded with satisfaction, and even Ellie laughed, pleased with the results.
The dress was a one-of-a-kind piece, blending Liz's knowledge of the latest designs with creative adjustments from Clarice and Ellie.
It was an entirely original creation that accentuated Grace's natural elegance. She could walk into a royal capital ball in it without any embarrassment.
The silhouette shifted from the traditional bell-line to an A-line, simple yet refined—perfectly matching Grace's image.
Of course, the sentimental value of the original dress wasn't forgotten; the team worked hard to preserve enough elements of the original that anyone who had seen the old version might recognize it at a glance.
And it wasn't just Grace who benefited. Clarice, who often wore inheritted dress from her mother and grandmother, also got a makeover.
Her dress took on a princess-line silhouette with layers of petticoats, standing out in a way that felt entirely different from the bell-line designs she usually wore.
Overjoyed by seeing her designs come to life and thrilled with her adorable new look, Clarice turned to Liz with a broad smile.
"Thank you, Big Sister Liz! Thank you, Big Sister Ellie!"
Clarice bowed deeply, her face alight with happiness.
Liz returned her smile, and even Ellie awkwardly muttered, "W-well, it suits you."
"Now then, why not wear these dresses to the upcoming tea party?" Grace suggested with a smile, holding up an invitation. She explained that the Victor family had recently begun gaining prominence, resulting in them receiving a tea party invitation.
Judging by the wording, the hostess likely intended to humiliate the "country bumpkins" by inviting them to a gathering where they'd be laughed at.
"We'll turn the tables on them," Clarice declared with a confident smile.
"You've grown bold, little girl," Ellie remarked approvingly.
As the two women's smiles indicated, things weren't going to go as the hostess planned.
Grace quickly began writing her RSVP, but Liz had an idea.
"Why don't you show Lord Alan your dresses first? It's a rare occasion, after all."
Clarice lit up with excitement, while Grace hesitated slightly but ultimately agreed. Together with Liz, they headed to the study where Alan and Randy were working.
"How do we look?"
Feeling a little bashful, Grace stood before them, while Clarice practically glowed with pride.
Alan and Randy, however, froze in place. What they had expected to be a mere distraction for Clarice had turned out to be something far beyond their imaginations.
…Especially since Grace, whom they thought would act as Clarice's moderator, had joined in with such enthusiasm.
(Wait, this is way more impressive than I thought. If word gets out, we might actually start getting orders…)
Randy couldn't help but feel the overwhelming energy that women pour into beauty.
"Well? What do you think?" Clarice asked, puffing her cheeks impatiently.
Her voice finally brought Alan and Randy back to reality.
"A-ah. It's like… you know, clothes make the—" Randy began before getting smacked by Alan.
Alan, smiling gently, turned to Grace and Clarice. "You're both always beautiful, but today you're even more stunning."
"Exactly! The dresses give you an extra thirty—no, forty points—" Randy's comment was cut short by another smack on the head.
Liz sighed deeply at Randy's antics while Grace and Clarice, flattered by Alan's praise, beamed with satisfaction.
Watching them, Randy internally smiled and thought, (Well, I guess this turned out all right.)
Later, the maids, inspired by Clarice's designs, began requesting their uniforms be redesigned—but that's another story.
————
"Thank you for inviting us today."
"Yes, thank you."
Grace and Clarice curtsied elegantly in front of a luxurious mansion.
The ladies who had gathered, hoping to mock them, were struck speechless by their stunning beauty and the exquisite, original dress designs.
Combined with the flawless effects of their beauty treatments, Grace and Clarice left them wide-eyed and at a loss for words—but that, too, is a story for another time.
——
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