Free Web Novel"Alright."
Eleanor put down her fork and elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "Since we're done talking about the society and your roommates, you're not allowed to mention them for the rest of the day."
Pavela blinked.
"Hmm?"
"Today is the first time you and I have come out alone together."
Eleanor reached out and gently tapped the tip of Pavela's nose with her fingertip.
"No thinking about anyone else."
"Today, it's just the two of us."
Pavela's nose scrunched slightly from the tap.
She froze for a moment.
"The first time?"
"Yes."
Eleanor curled her lips into a smile.
"Before, it was either at home, in the infirmary, or in a carriage—"
"We haven't been out like this, just the two of us, in the outside world."
Pavela thought about it and realized today truly was the first time.
"...True."
She admitted.
Eleanor gave a light laugh.
"So."
She stood up and pushed her chair back into place.
"Since we've finished the dessert—"
She looked at Pavela.
A light flickered in her ice-blue eyes that made a chill run down Pavela's spine.
"Next, I plan to buy you some new clothes."
Pavela suddenly stiffened.
"...Clothes?"
"Mhm."
Eleanor nodded, her tone casual.
"Everything you're wearing now was either a gift from Victoria or is the academy uniform."
"As your sister, I should get you a few things."
Pavela's mind began to race.
No.
No, no, no.
This direction of development was very dangerous.
She remembered back in Victoria, being dragged by Victoria and Cecilia to try on dresses for an entire afternoon.
That feeling of being manipulated like a doll was simply—
"What's wrong?"
Eleanor tilted her head.
"Don't you want new clothes?"
"It's not that..."
Pavela's gaze began to drift.
She looked out the window, at the ceiling, at the empty cup on the table—anywhere but at Eleanor.
"It's just... I think... I already have enough clothes..."
"Enough?"
Eleanor's smile became more pronounced.
"Right now, you only have three sets of school uniforms, two sets of casual wear, and those three dresses Victoria gave you."
"You call that enough?" frёewebnoѵēl.com
"...It's plenty for me."
Pavela's voice grew smaller and smaller.
"And... I don't really like trying on clothes..."
She decided to put up a struggle.
Pavela looked up and blinked, trying to make her large, pale grey-blue eyes look as innocent as possible.
She even softened her tone.
"Sister... could we..."
"No."
Eleanor interrupted her.
Swift and decisive.
Merciless.
Those ice-blue eyes were looking straight at her, carrying a knowing smile.
"Pavela, you were just trying to act cute."
Pavela's expression froze.
"..."
"Though it was indeed very cute,"
Eleanor added.
"But it's useless."
Pavela's shoulders slumped.
It was over.
She'd been seen through.
She shouldn't have used such tactics in front of Eleanor.
Wait, ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ no, this trick clearly worked every time before!
When did this woman become so difficult to deal with?!
"Let's go."
Eleanor had already rounded the table and stood by her side.
Slender fingers gently gripped Pavela's wrist.
The grip wasn't heavy, but it was firm.
"I know a good shop; the owner is an old friend of mine."
"Wait—"
"No waiting."
Eleanor's voice carried a hint of amusement.
"Opportunities like this are rare."
"I don't know when we'll be able to come out like this again."
Pavela opened her mouth.
She wanted to say something.
But in the end, nothing came out.
Because Eleanor had already pulled her out the door of the dessert shop.
...
People came and went on the street.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting mottled shadows on the cobblestone road.
A steam bus drove past from the end of the street, its dark red body and brass decorations gleaming, roof chimneys puffing out clouds of white steam that quickly dissipated in the cold winter air.
Pedestrians were wrapped in thick coats, their breath condensing into white mist.
Pavela was led by the hand by Eleanor through the bustling crowd.
Her feelings were complicated.
On one hand, she really didn't want to be a clothes hanger for the entire afternoon.
On the other hand—
Eleanor's hand was very warm.
Even through the thin gloves, she could still feel that steady, reassuring warmth.
And Eleanor was right.
This really was the first time they had come out alone together.
Not at home, not in the infirmary, not in the middle of a mission.
Just...
Two people.
In the sunlight.
Walking on the street.
Like... a couple.
Pavela's lips unconsciously curved up slightly.
Then she quickly suppressed it.
No.
She couldn't let Eleanor see.
Otherwise, she would definitely push her luck.
"We're here."
Eleanor's voice sounded in her ear.
Pavela looked up.
In front of them was a dark wooden door with an exquisite sign hanging above the frame, brass-edged and engraved with several script characters.
Several gowns were displayed in the window, their velvet and lace shimmering with a soft luster under the dim yellow lights.
It looked like a very high-end shop.
Eleanor pushed open the door.
The brass bell on the door gave a crisp ring.
"Coming—"
A voice came from deep within the shop.
It carried a lazy quality, as if the speaker had just woken up.
"Welcome—"
The voice stopped.
Pavela saw the person who had spoken.
It was a young woman.
Or rather, a young lady.
She looked about the same age as Eleanor, around nineteen or twenty.
Her honey-colored long hair was loosely draped over her shoulders, with a few stray strands falling by her cheeks, making her features look exceptionally soft.
Her eyes were a beautiful amber, like autumn maple leaves soaked in honey.
Her skin was fair, and her lips were a natural pale pink.
She wore a light cream-colored shirt with an exquisite brooch at the collar, and below, a dark brown long skirt with a wide leather belt fastened at the waist.
And then—
Pavela's gaze involuntarily paused for a second.
That shirt was filled out very well.
Very well indeed.
The rounded curves traced an amazing arc under the soft fabric, and a button at the collar was even slightly strained, revealing a sliver of fair skin.
Pavela quickly withdrew her gaze.
...So big.
That was the first thought that popped into her head.
Then she began to seriously ponder why such a thought would occur to her.
No.
She was just objectively stating a fact.
There was no other meaning behind it.
