Chapter 64: The Cotton Thread Workshop

“I’ve found you at last.”

Rodd’s voice drifted from behind me, accompanied by his distinct, measured footsteps.

“What are you doing here?”

Though it was a question, I detected no hint of reproach in his tone.

‘Seriously, couldn’t he scold me just a little?’

‘After all, I am his subordinate. We were supposed to finalize our transaction today, yet here I was, sneaking off to the rooftop to relax first thing in the morning…’

“My apologies,” I said. “I only intended to enjoy the breeze for a moment before coming to find you.”

Dismissing my scattered thoughts, I slowly turned. I had planned to adopt my usual submissive demeanor, but then I noticed something different about Rodd today.

He wasn’t wearing the elaborate attire that symbolized his status as a lord. Instead, he had changed into a linen shirt and a wool jacket. The slightly yellowed cuffs were loose, tied at the ends with leather cords, giving him a simple yet neat appearance, much like the petty merchants I used to see.

Perhaps sensing my confusion, he proactively offered an explanation.

“If one intends to blend in better with the festivities, it is preferable to dress simply and avoid drawing attention, don’t you agree?”

‘Do I agree?’

‘I merely think the whims of you wealthy folk are truly peculiar. Why do you bother to join in the merriment of these commoners’ festivals?’

‘However…’

‘Never mind. Let this fellow do as he pleases.’

“I see… So, the clothes you prepared for me are similar, then?”

I blinked gently, my heart filled with curiosity about what attire he had chosen for me.

“If it’s clothing like yours, there shouldn’t be a need to wait a week for it to be finished, right?”

Rodd smiled faintly.

“Coincidentally, I just received word from the ‘Cotton Thread Workshop’ that the custom-made clothing is complete. Shall we go take a look together?”

The ‘Cotton Thread Workshop’ he spoke of was the largest tailor shop in Whisperwind Town, also the oldest and most reputable.

Legend had it that when the shop first opened, Whisperwind Town was merely a small village. A young founder arrived with his wife and a pedal sewing machine, painstakingly establishing the shop’s reputation stitch by stitch.

Today, the shop had been passed down through several generations. While its scale hadn’t expanded significantly, its accumulated good reputation ensured a constant stream of customers.

Rodd had taken me to that shop when my measurements were taken. The interior decor was indeed retro and exquisite, and the proprietress, a woman named Lucy, was quite lively and enthusiastic.

Oh, perhaps ‘a little too enthusiastic’ would be more accurate. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been praising me while prying into my relationship with Rodd as she measured me.

‘Something about how she felt that man looked at me with a hint of recollection—what utter nonsense…’

‘Tsk, Rodd was wearing a mask and went there secretly in private. How could she possibly see his gaze?’

‘Such a vivid imagination.’

My preconceived notions about the proprietress were so severe that I felt a pang of nervousness upon returning to the shop, almost hesitant to enter.

Fortunately, Rodd seemed to perceive my apprehension and offered reassurance.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle the communication later.”

“Oh… oh…”

I couldn’t tell if it was my imagination, but I felt as though he was particularly warm-hearted today, his attitude slightly different from before.

“Is Proprietress Lucy in?”

Upon entering, Rodd promptly called out. Soon after, familiar footsteps echoed from the back room.

“Coming, coming!”

Proprietress Lucy approached with her familiar, enthusiastic smile. The moment she saw us, she rushed forward.

“Oh, you two, you’ve arrived just in time! Any later and I would have been closing up!”

“Closing? So early?” Rodd inquired.

“It’s the celebration today, isn’t it? Our shop’s custom is to only open for half a day. Afterwards, I’ll be taking my children to stroll through the streets, and later tonight, I’ll be joining the bonfire dance in the plaza!”

Proprietress Lucy’s voice carried a lovely lilt.

“You’re here to pick up your clothes, aren’t you? I recall a great deal of thought went into your custom orders.”

Rodd glanced back at me. Seeing that I had no intention of answering, he nodded and gave a soft hum.

His action, of course, did not escape Proprietress Lucy’s keen eyes. The woman’s gaze swept back and forth between Rodd and me, her smile deepening a few shades.

“Oh… the clothes are ready. They’re in the changing room on the far left. I must say, sir, you’ve put a great deal of thought into your wife!”

‘Wife… wife?’

I was startled by Proprietress Lucy’s sudden compliment, my lips twitching involuntarily. I quickly stole a glance at Rodd. Only when I saw no particular expression on his face did I feel a slight sense of relief.

‘Honestly, this proprietress is far too talkative!’

‘To casually refer to me as this fellow’s wife…’

‘This man already has a fiancée. What if such a baseless remark displeases him?’

‘Forget it. Since Rodd isn’t showing any particular resistance, perhaps he harbors some flirtatious thoughts deep down?’

‘Having such thoughts is good; it means I have an opportunity.’

‘After this transaction is complete, I’ll have to find a way to enter his heart.’

‘Tsk, I’ve already tried two doses of medicine, and they haven’t worked. Does that mean I truly have to slowly cultivate feelings with this guy?’

‘What a hassle. I originally planned to get in the car first and buy the ticket later…’

With such complex emotions, I pulled the curtain of the changing room shut, took off my clothes, and one by one, put on the custom-made outfit.

Due to the dim lighting inside and the absence of a reflective mirror, I couldn’t discern what the clothes looked like or if they suited me.

However, from the touch, they seemed quite soft and light.

After managing to tie the ribbon around my waist, I quietly peeked through a gap in the curtain. Seeing that Rodd wasn’t nearby, I quickly stepped out, found a full-length mirror, and meticulously examined myself.

“So, that’s the kind of dress he wanted me to wear…”

Looking at the outfit on the girl in the mirror, I was instantly surprised.

It wasn’t the luxurious, heavy gown I had envisioned, but a light, simple cotton dress, entirely made of soft fabric.

The dress had no crinoline, so the hem softly gathered, only blossoming like a flower when I spun around.

Yet, when it ‘blossomed,’ this simple dress revealed a distinct beauty. The warm, pale red, as the skirt flared, seemed to scatter the joy of harvest and celebration.

Perhaps because the dress was truly beautiful, I couldn’t help but spin a few more times, gazing at myself in the mirror.

But soon, I suddenly realized I was getting a bit carried away, and my face flushed with embarrassment.

“Seriously, what time is it, and I’m still messing around like this…”

I patted my face, telling myself to snap out of it. I was too old to lose my composure so easily over novelty, like a child.

At the same time, however, I touched the hair by my ear and felt that it seemed to have grown a bit longer.

I quickly looked into the mirror, a ‘just as I thought’ expression on my face.

“It’s grown so fast! It’s already reached my chest? In that case, would it be better to cut it short? Uh… or not cut it short? Perhaps he’d prefer it longer?”

It was ironic, really. I, who was once a man, now hesitated even about cutting my hair, my mind preoccupied with how to attract another man’s attention, how to please him.

I couldn’t imagine my former self…

‘Never mind, what’s the use of bringing that up now?’

Just as I pondered what to do, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my lower back.

“Don’t move…”

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