"Clorinde, don't tell me… while I was changing, you were standing outside the whole time, peeking through the door?"
Richard's words shot into Clorinde's ears like a bullet moving over 300 meters per second.
Clorinde, usually so calm, was suddenly flustered, even panicked. She instinctively blurted:
"N-no, I wasn't peeking…"
The crack was just there… I just happened to see. She whispered this excuse in her heart, but even she didn't believe it.
"If you weren't peeking, then why were you standing at my bedroom door?" Richard's lips curled into a playful smile. "What, was the sofa in the living room too uncomfortable?"
"Your door wasn't shut properly. I came over to… close it for you," Clorinde managed to think of a reason.
"Oh, so that's how it is. Good thing you didn't peek. After all, I usually like to put on my shirt before my pants."
"…Didn't you put on the pants first?" Clorinde blurted, then realized she'd walked straight into a trap.
Richard's grin widened. He let out a long "Ohhh," then asked:
"Clorinde, if you didn't peek, then how did you know I put on my pants first this time?"
"I, I didn't…"
"Didn't peek? Just 'accidentally' saw?"
Clorinde nodded quickly, so fast her chest trembled with the movement, an enticing sight.
"Was it really an accident?" Richard's gaze locked onto hers.
Clorinde, guilty as she was, didn't dare meet his eyes. Her gaze kept darting away, only to be pulled back, then fleeing again.
"Why don't you dare look me in the eyes?" Richard pressed.
"I… I can look!" Clorinde was cornered. Forcing down her guilty conscience, she met his eyes directly.
The eyes are windows to the soul. One could see hidden truths through them.
But in Clorinde's case, she didn't even need that. Her guilt was written plainly across her face.
Clearly, Clorinde wasn't good at lying. Or rather, not good at lying to him. And that was a good thing.
"Has anyone told you? You're really not suited to lying, Clorinde." Richard chuckled.
At those words, Clorinde's face flushed, rarely for her. A soft pink bloomed across her cheeks. A breathtaking sight.
It's over… I've been caught… Despair washed over her heart.
"…Sorry, I didn't mean to…" she admitted, resigned. But given she had stood outside for so long, her "not on purpose" sounded especially weak.
"Funny… I think this is the first time I've seen you blush. Normally you're always so cold and distant." Richard neither accepted nor rejected her apology.
"Ugh…" His words only made the fading pink flare up again, deeper this time. Clorinde lowered her head, unable to see her toes.
"You look beautiful when you blush," Richard teased.
Sure enough, her face grew hotter, pink turned scarlet, like autumn maple leaves.
"But no matter how pretty you look, that doesn't erase the fact you peeked while I was changing."
Clorinde: "!!!"
"…I understand. I'll turn myself in," she said solemnly.
"Turn yourself in? For what?" Richard blinked, confused.
"Peeping is a crime," Clorinde recited like a textbook. "Depending on the circumstances, it can mean up to five years in the Fortress of Meropide. In severe cases, five to ten years. But if one confesses, the sentence is lighter…"
"…But if the victim forgives, or a private settlement is reached, there's no need to go to trial."
"You mean…" Her eyes lit with hope.
"As long as you agree to one small request, I won't hold it against you," Richard said.
"P-please, go ahead!" Clorinde knew his request wouldn't be simple, but cornered as she was, she had no choice but to accept.
Besides… in her current state, she doubted she could refuse him anyway.
"Since you saw me, it's only fair I get to see you too, right?"
"F-fair…" Clorinde swallowed hard. Her reason screamed something was wrong, but reason had little power now. She was the fish, he the knife.
She clenched her teeth, stomped lightly, and put her hand on the buttons at her chest.
"Wait!" Richard's eyes widened. "Clorinde, what are you doing?!"
"You said… you wanted to look back…" she muttered, face crimson.
Though shy, she thought this was the necessary price. And if it was only Richard, maybe it was acceptable.
One doubt nagged her: if he stared longer at her than she had at him, could she look back again to make it even?
If Richard had known what she was thinking, he'd have cursed out loud.
"I didn't mean that kind of looking back… though I wouldn't complain." He hadn't expected her to be this bold, so straightforward, ready to strip just like that.
But strangely, her pure earnestness stirred the last shreds of his conscience. Not quite morality, just the feeling that tricking someone this guileless seemed wrong.
She wasn't really a fool, after all.
"When you're trying on samples at Chiori's, just let me be there to see. That's enough. No need for… this. Besides, a lone man and woman undressing together, it gives the wrong impression." Richard sighed.
Clorinde finally realized her blunder. She had nearly…
Steam. That's what it felt like rising from her head.
In a way, Richard had taken her "first time", the first time she blushed so hard it felt like she'd burst.
"…Shall we go?" Richard asked.
"Y-yes, let's… let's go," Clorinde stammered, relieved. She turned and hurried ahead, only to smack right into the door. "Bang!" Ignoring the pain, she fumbled to open it and rushed out.
Richard followed, shaking his head, as they headed to Chiori's boutique.
Inside, several elegantly dressed noblewomen were browsing gowns, their laughter like silver bells.
Clorinde couldn't shake the feeling that those women kept sneaking glances at Richard.
Though Clorinde was stunning, she wasn't universally adored, her slim, shapely figure often sparked envy among women, not admiration. No, their gazes weren't for her. They were for Richard.
Her lips pressed thinly. Without a word, she shifted closer, her curvy figure subtly shielding him from their stares.
It wasn't rational. She just hated the way they looked at him, as if they wanted to devour him.
I haven't even… and they dare look?
Protectiveness flared.
"Clorinde?" Richard noticed her stride ahead, then slip back to half-block him, confused.
"…Nothing," she replied coolly, like a knight declaring, Your body is under my protection.
Richard: "???"
Before he could ask, Chiori appeared, waving in greeting. She noticed the odd positioning between the two, then wondered, Did they come here together? Does Lynette know?
Her conclusion: So, he slipped past her guard after all…
But she said nothing. They were friends, yes, but Lynette and Richard weren't married. Besides, Richard was her biggest client, just his commission was worth nearly half a year of revenue.
More importantly, when she cashed Richard's check at the Northland Bank, the staff barely glanced at the signature before processing it without question. Such treatment was rare, even for elite clients. Clearly, this man wasn't simple.
And Lynette and her brother had long been tied to the Hearth House, with high status there. For Lynette to suddenly become Richard's secretary, Chiori once thought it was puppy love. Now, she suspected deeper reasons.
"Clorinde, welcome. And Monsieur Richard as well," Chiori greeted.
"Yes. I heard the samples were ready, so I came directly," Clorinde said. She glanced at the noblewomen still sneaking looks at Richard and quickly added, "Let's head to the fitting room."
"That's fine, but… Monsieur Richard, "
"He's coming too," Clorinde interrupted.
Under Chiori's surprised gaze, she added stiffly:
"He has good taste. I want his advice."
…Really, it was to repay her debt. The debt of lust.
Chiori said no more. Clorinde wasn't good at lying, but she didn't expose her. A client was a client, especially a powerful one.
In the fitting room, Clorinde held the sample in hesitation. Was Richard's request to watch from the very start, or only after she changed in the cubicle?
Chiori noticed her stalling and asked, "Is there a problem with the sample?"
"No, nothing." Clorinde shook her head, glanced once more at Richard, and finally walked into the cubicle.
Watching her hesitation, Richard smirked. Don't tell me she was debating whether to change in front of me right here…
Sensing Chiori's curiosity, Richard deflected:
"About Clorinde's remaining balance, "
"That's not urgent. Neither of you are running away, right? Oh, and for Lady Furina's design, no payment needed. With her reputation, if I charged her, people would say I lacked tact," Chiori said.
"No. Money should still be paid. A promise is a promise. If you feel bad, just send a few small gifts later," Richard replied.
After all, it was the first time he'd bought clothes for Furina. If Chiori just gave them away, it would feel strange.
"I understand," Chiori nodded. She'd prepare some extras to send later.
While they spoke, Clorinde emerged.
And what a sight, though only a sample, the dress fit her like it was made for her. A low-cut, backless gown that perfectly showcased her curves and heightened her icy, untouchable aura. Like a snow lotus blooming on a high peak, beautiful and distant.
Richard's eyes locked onto her.
Her cheeks instantly bloomed with red again, her third blush today. But the blush softened her icy beauty, adding a touch of allure.
Cold elegance and sultry charm, two impossible qualities, yet on her, perfectly harmonious. Enough to undo anyone.
Chiori didn't need to ask, Richard was clearly satisfied. And if Richard was satisfied, Clorinde wouldn't object.
Just a few adjustments will do, Chiori thought.
During measurements, Clorinde had worn underlayers, skewing the data. The result: the sample was slightly too small, pressing visibly on her chest. Left long, it would leave marks.
Clorinde, used to discomfort, didn't care. But to Chiori, this was a glaring flaw. A true design had to be beautiful and comfortable.
Just then, a staff member knocked. Chiori stepped out, then returned apologetically.
"Forgive me, I'll be away for a while. Clorinde, please walk around in the dress. We'll discuss any issues after."
Clorinde blinked. Meaning… another stretch of time alone with Richard?
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu