Finally, it was the morning of the fourth day, the day I’d been eagerly waiting to receive my reward from Ethan.
After yesterday’s incident in the office, I managed to calm my desires sowhat and regain my composure. As a result, I avoided any impulsive attempts to rush into Ethan’s room at dawn.
Instead, I began my day by choosing an outfit for today’s outing. Since Ethan had agreed to go on a date as part of my reward, I was preparing to head out to the Blackwood estate’s comrcial district. …Though, for so reason, I was getting ready in the maid’s waiting room with Isabel and Katarina, rather than in my own quarters.
“Hm, a black outfit seems a bit too usual. How about sothing brighter for a change, Lilith?”
“I have a purple dress that might suit you. Would you like to try it on?”
“Purple could look nice, but doesn’t Katarina’s outfit not fit Lilith? I an, Lilith has a, well, bigger chest…”
“That’s true. Lilith’s figure is definitely fuller... How about borrowing one of my skirts instead?”
For two hours now, Isabel and Katarina had been fussing over my attire, changing my outfit repeatedly. Isabel was my first and closest friend in this world, and Katarina, though sowhat reserved, followed around loyally. It was hard to say no to them, especially when they seed so invested.
‘I had just planned to go out in my maid uniform…’
Even though it was a date, it was still within the Blackwood estate. I figured soone might recognize Ethan if we ran into anyone, and if that was the case, it would be better to wear the maid uniform. …Apparently, though, these two weren’t going to let go in my uniform without a fight.
“Can’t I just wear anything? If there’s nothing suitable, I’ll just go with the maid uniform as planned…”
“No way!”
“That won’t do…”
Even Katarina, who was usually so timid, opposed the idea, so I couldn’t bring myself to object. I’d just have to humor them until they were satisfied. I’d done similar things for Natalie and Agnes before, so it would be a bit hypocritical to refuse now.
“Oh, I know! Rember that blue dress with lace embroidery I made? You could wear that!”
“Lace embroidery? Wasn’t that the dress Isabel made as a side project…”
“Now’s not the ti to worry about that! What matters is that Lilith has sothing nice to wear for her date with the young master!”
“Well, actually, I also knitted a light sumr sweater. It could go nicely over a dress…”
“I appreciate the offer, but isn’t that a bit much? If it’s sothing you both made for selling…”
“No, it’s okay! Lilith is like a benefactor to , so I’d really like her to have it…”
“…”
“Lilith, hurry! Breakfast will start soon, and this is our only chance to get you ready!”
“...Fine, fine.”
They were so enthusiastic about dressing up that they even offered the clothes they had made as side projects. I’d have to compensate them later; it felt odd to take garnts they’d crafted to sell. It wasn’t as if we’d be going far from the estate, yet they were making such a fuss.
Despite my thoughts, I let Isabel and Katarina dress up, indulging their excitent.
Two hours and multiple outfit changes later, after breakfast, I was finally ready. I t Ethan at the front of the Blackwood estate, wearing the outfit they had chosen for .
The pale blue dress, light and perfect for sumr, caught the breeze easily. Because it was so sheer, I had to swap my usual black undergarnts for white ones, and with no maid uniform, I skipped the stockings and garter belt as well. Despite the beige sweater from Katarina covering my shoulders, I still felt a bit exposed.
‘Honestly, my maid uniform would’ve felt more comfortable.’
I’d rarely worn casual clothes without Ethan’s permission before. The swimwear I wore during marine study was technically a class requirent, so that was different. If Ethan wanted to change back, I was ready to do so. But soon enough, the Blackwood estate doors opened, and Ethan stepped outside.
-Creak.
“Good morning, Master Ethan.”
“…Ah, yes. Morning, Lilith…”
“…”
“…”
Ethan was dressed in more casual attire than the suit he usually wore around the estate. It was a relief to see that I wasn’t the only one dressed for a date. If he’d been in his usual Blackwood-emblazoned suit, I would’ve felt overly excited by myself.
Since today’s outing was part of my “reward,” I thought it would be appropriate to thank him before we set out.
“Thank you for agreeing to go on this date with today.”
“No need to thank . You earned this ‘reward’ fair and square by winning our duel.”
“But my reward was only supposed to give the right to, um… be with you in bed.”
“It’s fine. I’ve asked you on dates several tis too, haven’t I? Besides, it’s not like we can’t go on dates whenever we have the ti.”
“I see.”
“Feel free to ask for dates whenever you want. We’d just need to check the schedule, of course, but since you helped finish my work early, we had ti.”
Well, dating wasn’t exactly a “dirty” thing. It was sothing any couple could do. As an official couple, even if temporarily, a date shouldn’t feel so unusual.
“…”
-Glance, glance.
“...?”
After our conversation, Ethan kept glancing at , his expression a bit uncertain. I tilted my head in confusion, and he cautiously complinted my outfit.
“T-That dress looks really nice on you, Lilith…”
“Does it?”
“Yeah. It gives you a softer look than usual. You’re always beautiful, of course, but today you look fresh and sweet.”
“…Um, thank you. You look very good as well, Master Ethan.”
“Thanks.”
Ethan was really laying on the complints early into our date, making my face heat up even more in the sumr sun. I quickly redirected the conversation.
“W-Why don’t we continue our talk in the carriage? Steward Dietier is waiting for us.”
“No need to worry about , Miss Lilith. Just pretend I’m not here.”
“Well, since we’re heading to the market district, we’ll have at least a 30-minute carriage ride. We can chat on the way there.”
“…Alright, Lilith.”
With that, Ethan opened the carriage door first and offered his hand to . Normally, he would board before , but today he seed intent on escorting first.
“Please, Lilith. After you.”
“N-No… It’s more proper if you go first, Master Ethan…”
“Today’s a date, Lilith. The man escorts the woman, not the other way around.”
“But this is the Blackwood estate. As your maid, I should be the one to serve you…”
“On a date, there’s no ‘Master’ and ‘maid.’ Just get in, Lilith.”
“…”
It seed he wanted to set aside our roles for the day, even calling by a nickna. I couldn’t refuse him any longer, so I took his hand and stepped into the carriage.
“Alright, then. Thank you for today, …Ed.”
“…”
“…”
It felt unexpectedly awkward to use the nickna I hadn’t called him by in so long. His cheeks flushed a bit too, and we boarded the carriage with a lingering embarrassnt.
Dietier, true to his word, stayed quiet, leaving just the two of us in a sowhat awkward silence as the carriage began its journey into town.
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