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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: A Gentleman's Measurements
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The carriage brought them to a bustling area of the imperial capital, specifically a street favored by the nobility.
One glance at the brick-paved roads and the buildings was enough to tell that this was a place frequented by aristocrats.
Lellia stood still, taking in the luxurious shops lining both sides of the street, before Romeo’s call to hurry up prompted her to enter the store in front of them.
A quick glance before she went in revealed it was a men’s tailor shop.
With a secret to hide, she couldn't help but feel a wave of tension.
*'It should be fine since Romeo is with me.'*
Fortunately, there were no other customers inside the shop. It was, after all, still too early for shopping.
The clerk, however, offered a very friendly smile, as if the time of day didn't matter at all.
“Could you pick out a few outfits that would suit this gentleman?”
At Romeo's words, the clerk bowed deeply and approached Lellia.
“…!”
When his eyes met Lellia’s, the male clerk started in surprise, then looked her up and down.
It wasn't a dismissive gaze, but one of curiosity.
“What is it?”
Romeo, standing beside them, furrowed his brow and asked. The clerk waved his hands dismissively, saying it was nothing.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he brought out several outfits from the back and displayed them on a wooden stand.
The clerk had selected a total of seven outfits.
Each one was brightly colored and ornate, with beautiful embroidery.
Romeo examined the clothes meticulously before nodding in approval.
*'I'm glad I flattered Romeo.'*
Lellia knew nothing about men's fashion—much like women's, for that matter—so Romeo's confident demeanor was reassuring.
“A different cravat would look better with this outfit.”
As Romeo said this, the clerk quickly brought over a wooden tray displaying various cravats.
“This one and this one. Oh, and these for the cuff links.”
As Romeo gave one instruction after another, several other clerks joined the first one, bustling about.
“All set.”
Lellia looked over the clothes he had chosen. She liked every single one, but…
With the cravats, cuff links, and other accessories Romeo had added, the cost was likely to be substantial.
*'How much money do I have left after that last purchase?'*
While Lellia was worrying, Romeo pulled something from his coat and held it out to the clerk.
*'Huh?'*
Looking closer, she saw it was currency issued by the Temple.
The five empires on the continent, as well as the smaller surrounding nations, all used their own distinct currencies.
Because of this, the Temple, situated in the center of the five empires, played the role of minting and exchanging a common currency to facilitate active trade—and that was the very currency he held.
*'Is he going to buy them for me?'*
Lellia asked with her eyes, but Romeo’s expression was nonchalant.
It seemed he really intended to pay.
*'I'm so glad I flattered him.'*
Lellia smiled to herself.
Just then, a clerk approached and hesitated.
“Excuse me, but we need to take your measurements now…”
“Ah.”
The clerk pointed to a spacious fitting room to the side. He meant she needed to go over there to be measured.
As Lellia hesitated, Romeo thought for a moment before snatching the measuring tape from the clerk's hand.
“I’ll take the measurements myself.”
“Ah, yes. Very well.”
Romeo took Lellia's arm and led her into the fitting room the clerk had indicated.
The clerk drew the curtain, leaving the two of them alone in a space the size of a small room.
“…You measure your chest and waist yourself.”
“Ah, yes.”
Lellia took the measuring tape from Romeo and stared blankly at the mirror.
The fitting room was quite large, designed so that staff could assist with changing, and all three walls were covered in mirrors.
Romeo had turned his back to her and was facing the curtain.
If the clerk took her measurements, his hands might touch somewhere that could reveal she was a woman.
Lellia felt a surge of gratitude, realizing Romeo had been considerate of this.
*He really is my friend.*
With that thought, Lellia measured her waist and chest. When she called his name, he took the measuring tape from her.
“I’ll measure your shoulders, torso, and legs.”
Those parts were difficult to measure alone, so Lellia nodded.
Romeo took the tape and moved to stand right beside Lellia.
He measured the length of her legs from her waist, her torso from shoulder to hip, and the length of her arms.
Despite it likely being his first time, his movements were fluid, and his manner was careful, avoiding any physical contact.
When he measured her shoulders, however, she felt the brush of his fingertips.
As his fingers touched her right shoulder after her left, she suddenly felt breathless and constricted for some unknown reason.
“…”
In that instant, Lellia’s eyes met Romeo’s in the mirror.
Unlike Lellia, who was startled, Romeo’s expression was impassive.
“Did you bring me here just for this? To use me like a servant?”
“…”
Romeo grumbled but dutifully recorded the measurements on a piece of paper nearby.
When their eyes met in the mirror again, Lellia gave him an awkward smile.
“…”
Romeo froze for a moment at her smile before quickly turning his head away.
*'Still, he's being quite the gentleman.'*
Lellia adjusted her clothes, looking at her reflection in the mirror.
The most uncomfortable part of her male disguise was, without a doubt… having to bind her chest.
Fortunately, she had an item from the Alchemy Lottery called the ‘Less Stuffy Bandage,’ which she was using.
In the game, it had been an item for an elephant customer who was always injuring its trunk.
It was definitely less constricting. She could see why the elephant customer had been so enthusiastic about it.
Just then, Romeo, who seemed to have finished writing down all the measurements, put down the pen and suddenly approached her.
