Interlude 1: Upon becoming a dress-up darling.

''Shouldn't you dress up more, Cecilia?''

''...Eh?''

On one peaceful day, out of the blue, Rachael said that sentence to me, without batting an eye, no less.

Almost instantly, my fragile heart seemed to stop.

While I was certainly someone with a lame fashion sense in my past life, I thought that trait would be compensated for in this life. After all, Cecilia's beauty was unmatched, and I had a maid who handled my looks professionally as well.

But when I thought about it again... it did appear as though I was so far behind on this womanly game compared to other ladies in high society. I mean, they change outfits once or twice a day, hairstyles every half-month or so, and in the meantime, I was the same old Cecilia—plain and unchanging.

''Uh...''

My confidence level plummeted rapidly, and it didn't look like it would rise again.

As I glanced around to find any hole so I could tuck myself in, Rachael reached out and grasped my hands, her expression somewhat panicked,  ''I don't mean it like that. You're already so beautiful... I just thought I wanted to see you in different sorts of outfits. There's nothing else, okay?''

''R-Really?''

''Really. You'd still be the most charming woman in this world even if you wear rags.''

Such a corny line... but then again, it worked because Rachael herself said it.

''Phew...''

In any case, I recovered slightly.

''Um... what would you like me to wear?'' I posed a smile, leaning into my lover's arms. ''I'd be happy to know your tastes.''

I said that, but I already knew what she liked. We had been dating for a few years at this point, after all. She preferred a vulnerable, girly sort of look, and I was just that.

''Is that so? You can look forward to it, then.''

''What do you mean...?''

''I'll bring clothes to you to try.''

Exactly two days later, Rachael returned with a mountain of outfits, ranging from plain weird ones to sheer impressive, and even... some racy ones. Her initial mood was exceptionally good, perhaps because I had agreed to be her dress-up doll for a day.

Yet, in reality, there was quite a tension in the Orleans mansion. Not between the two of us, of course, but between the three of Rachael, Penelope, and Lyra.

For some reason, Penelope must have smelled something, so she came here unannounced. Lyra knew this already, and... even Kiara was here. I had no idea how this happened.

So... I was their dress-up doll for a day.

There was also Mary, my maid, whose aid would be much appreciated.

Facing a sizeable audience, with Lyra in the mix, I was actually nervous for once. My little sister was already seventeen this year. Should I even be wearing some of the things Rachael had prepared...?

Of course not. I was sure they would spare those.

''Then... let's try something mild first.''

They gave me a set of nicely decorated school uniforms, with a white pleated skirt and a white T-shirt. This was the basic 'classmate Cecilia' combo, so to speak.

''Wow...''

''It suits you, Cecilia.''

''I wish I had you as my classmate...''

The reception was great. I, too, sometimes wondered what it would be like if I were by my lovers' side in school.

With that costume as the starting point, they began to give me more casual fits. Needless to say, with Cecilia's perfect figure and needlessly beautiful face, everything suited me.

It had been a while since I was complimented this much in a day. The way they said it so enthusiastically as they took pictures, too. By this point, their phones must have been full of them.

I was flattered, seriously.

''Let's move on to the next section.''

After a short break, we entered a new phase—formal dresses.

These ones took more time to prepare and put on, so the selection process was more meticulous. Seeing the girls seriously discuss what sort of looks fit me the best was somewhat strange.

In the end, I went through three or four sets of banquet dresses, each of which had a different feel to them.

We even danced a bit as though it were a real ball.

''Phew...''

By the time it was over, the sky was already leaning orange. It was afternoon.

''I guess we should wrap it up here.'' Rachael smiled in satisfaction. ''Many of them we didn't try, but we can always continue next time.''

''Wait.''

Unexpectedly, the one interjecting herself this time was Kiara. She pointed at an untouched rack, on which a dozen or so outfits hung. Those were... admittedly quite niche at this point.

They were popular characters' fits, be it from comics or novels.

In other words, cosplays.

Merely thinking about putting them on made my heart race. Was it the thrill of doing something... unfamiliar?

''What do you think, Cecilia?''

''Ah, um...''

Yet, facing Kiara's sparkling eyes, I couldn't refuse.

So, I ended up wearing some exaggerated costumes.

In character design, one would choose to exaggerate certain parts of the character, namely their silhouette or bodily features, so that their personalities could be more easily discerned.

This was normal.

Yes, even if the skirt was barely long enough and the shirt had a suspiciously large opening showing my cleavage. What kind of magical girl wore this...?

''U-Ugh...''

I couldn't face Lyra.

Amidst the shame, I heard someone clapping. It was Penelope, the pervert.

''Perfection.'' She hummed. ''The magical girl in the original was a clumsy, oblivious one, and this outfit could bring out her charms in a more wholesome manner. Yet, with Cecilia, her overly shy attitude makes it savagely lewd. It's a totally different impression, but a memorable one nonetheless.''

You pervert...!

What are you saying in front of my little sisters?!

''Ah.''

My eyes accidentally met Lyra's. She was giving me a thumbs up, looking a bit amused.

It was at this point that I realized—my pride was already no more.