After finishing her makeup, Ophelia, carrying a faint fragrance, took her daughter’s hand—still soft even after returning to her original form—and slowly walked toward the huge white birch wardrobe in the room.
“What should we wear today?”
Merlin’s answer was a bit absentminded, her gaze drifting among the gorgeous fabrics.
“Hmm… up to you.”
Ophelia raised an eyebrow in slight surprise.
“You’re not being stubborn for once.”
Merlin turned her head away, the tips of her ears warming slightly.
“It’s nothing. Wearing a skirt is no big deal.”
That statement was half-true, half-false. After all, Little Merlin wore skirts every day. Pants seemed to have vanished from her concept entirely. Whether it was a loose nightgown indoors or a delicate dress outdoors, Little Merlin had never worn pants even once.
For Merlin now, that cool, breezy yet freeing sensation between her legs had actually become habitual. Her pajamas used to be pants, but now they had all disappeared without her noticing.
Ophelia’s fingers glided over the neatly arranged hangers, producing a pleasant rustling sound.
“Which one do you want?”
Merlin looked at the pile of sparkling little dresses in the lower section of the wardrobe.
“Why are there so many?”
Even though Merlin had gotten used to it, seeing so many flashy, beautiful dresses at once still startled her.
Having been a girl for a while, Merlin could also tell—from the design of the dresses to the cut of the bust and waist—they were clearly made for her. The main colors, bold cuts, and sexy dresses that accentuated a mature woman’s S-curve were hung on the upper level, dominated by wine red and deep purple. Unlike Ophelia’s clothes, the lower section—Merlin’s area—was entirely built from purity, cuteness, and dreaminess. From the reserved bust space to the waistline placement, every piece seemed custom-made.
“I’ve already put away Little Merlin’s clothes, so don’t I need to replenish Adult Merlin’s clothes?”
Merlin couldn’t help but complain.
“When exactly did you buy them…?”
After all, Ophelia had been taking care of her all along… except during class. No! That’s when!
“Of course, when Mom had free time~ thinking ‘Merlin would look so cute in this,’ and then I bought it without realizing.”
While Ophelia was picking, Merlin’s gaze was suddenly drawn to a black-and-white dress in the corner. Although she pretended nothing happened and looked away, the sharp-eyed Ophelia caught it.
Ahem.
Ophelia didn’t tease Merlin but asked softly, as if she hadn’t noticed anything.
“Is there a dress you want to wear, Merlin?”
Merlin answered firmly.
“No. All skirts are the same to me. As long as I have a skirt to wear, it’s fine.”
“I see…”
Ophelia deliberately drew out her tone, leaning forward, her warm breath lightly brushing her daughter’s ear.
“Then let Mommy choose. I’ve been picking for you all along anyway.”
Ophelia didn’t intend to provoke the newly transformed Merlin. As long as she started showing interest in girls’ dresses, that was enough. There was no need to tease her daughter; she just needed to guide her well. Merlin was naturally a shy child.
Ophelia took out a cute black-and-white thunder-style dress.
Hmm… so Merlin liked this cute style? That was fine. Ophelia had already considered Merlin’s situation when buying these dresses.
Ophelia took out the one Merlin had secretly glanced at earlier—a black-and-white thunder-style short dress that was very popular in modern magical cities. The dress had a lot of cute lace, but not flashy. This style retained a girl’s sweetness while carrying a hint of gloom and personality. It unexpectedly suited this elf princess, which wasn’t bad.
Ophelia held the dress up, displaying it in front of Merlin.
The overall color scheme was classic black and white, but the layered fabric made it far from monotonous. The upper part was designed like a shirt patch, with a large Peter Pan collar, its edge inlaid with a circle of delicate black lace. At the center of the chest, a small black satin bow was tied, and hanging from the middle of the bow was a small cat pendant, swaying gently with movement. The sleeves were lace-trimmed puff sleeves, but the cuffs were deliberately tightened and tied with black ribbons in a crisscross pattern, giving off a unique charm. The skirt design was also cute. The black high-waist A-line skirt was simple and elegant. The hem was layered with a wide white ruffle, like white roses blooming in the night. On the waist side hung two black leather straps with heart-shaped buckles, perfectly balancing the sweetness of the lace.
“How about this one?”
Ophelia asked with a smile, still occasionally sizing up Merlin.
“I think it suits you now.”
Merlin looked at the dress that matched her aesthetic, and her heart treacherously skipped a beat. But on the surface, she maintained that cold demeanor, just lowering her head.
Silently, she reached out and took the smooth-feeling dress.
Merlin pretended to be a little reluctant, clutching the dress tightly.
“Hmm… it’s okay. Since Mom already picked it.”
With that, she walked toward the changing room in front of the bathroom.
There were some things that Ophelia no longer needed to teach her personally—like putting on clothes before combing hair, otherwise after changing, she’d have to pull the hair out from inside the clothes, messing up the hairstyle.
Merlin glanced at Ophelia, who was leaning on the sofa with an indifferent look.
After closing the door, Merlin decided to put on the shiny black over-the-knee socks first.
She hadn’t forgotten about the dungeon, of course, since Merlin was Little Merlin. At least in her heart, Merlin admitted she liked it. But even if Ophelia brought it up, Merlin wouldn’t admit it. What was wrong with liking pretty things? After becoming a girl, she had even thought about trying to wear some.
All kinds of pantyhose, thigh-highs, knee-highs—different thicknesses and materials—even subdivided by fabric. Merlin used to envy girls wearing comfortable, clingy stockings, but she was just shy.
But now… it didn’t matter anymore. She was a girl herself. Even if she wasn’t wearing a skirt, if she walked out and asked, anyone would say she was a girl. Even if she wore them openly, as Ophelia said, no one would say anything. Her small feet, too, could fully adapt to all cute shoes.
Merlin rolled up the over-the-knee socks. The shiny texture lightly brushed her palm, smooth and soft.
If she put such silky, sheer stockings on her legs, it would surely feel very comfortable.