Earlier, when Rita and Maggie bumped into each other in the corridor, Maggie had said something to her.
“If you weren’t the Princess’s person, I’d take you out shopping for clothes.”
Now, Rita finally understood why she’d said that, and why Maggie’s face had turned red.
So she’d known all along what Cecilia had prepared for her.
Rita glanced at the small pile of clothes laid out on the bed, then looked at Cecilia, who sat there as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
The stack of clothes had quite a variety—shirts that looked plain but were made of fine fabric, a White Dress like a girl next door would wear, seasonal Long Pants and a Jacket, and even a Body-hugging Cloth Armor that would be easy to move in.
If it had just been those, Rita would’ve accepted them gratefully. But why did there have to be a few things in there that looked so… improper?
Cecilia certainly had good taste, and the clothes themselves were of excellent quality, but Rita’s experience helping her change clothes told her that Cecilia would never wear things like these herself!
Why did Cecilia prepare Semi-transparent Lingerie with Lace for her? Why was there a Short Skirt? And what were those stringy things with a bit of fabric? She was starting to forget! On the very first day, this woman had made her change in front of her—Cecilia had never been any sort of angel!
“What are you dawdling for? Hurry and try them on! These clothes cost me quite a bit of money.” Cecilia’s lilting tone carried a hint of anticipation that Rita could clearly hear.
Cecilia wasn’t exactly extravagant, but as a member of the royal family, her idea of “quite a bit of money” certainly wasn’t a small sum.
Rita had the feeling that if she really accepted and wore these things, she’d never get away.
Not only would she be unable to leave Cecilia’s side, it seemed like she couldn’t even leave this room.
This was a kind of bribe, wasn’t it!
Cecilia gently tapped her finger against the wooden table, a gesture she’d already used more than once the first time they met.
Interrupting the other’s thoughts with a knock—such a simple yet effective negotiation tactic, and especially effective on Rita.
With a face full of resigned bitterness, Rita shook out her silver hair, then brought her hands behind her back to untie the strings of her maid outfit.
Cecilia had thought Rita might shyly clutch the clothes to her chest and find somewhere else to change. Watching as Rita’s layers of fabric peeled away—though even stripped bare she tried not to reveal her last secrets—Cecilia felt a mixture of surprise and a certain peculiar satisfaction.
It wasn’t about Rita’s figure—Cecilia didn’t care that much about Rita’s body. What she enjoyed was simply that Rita was changing in front of her.
Rita still wasn’t that clever; it was obvious, even from the smallest clues.
No one else would strip completely, then hunch in front of a pile of clothes, picking and choosing; no one else would start by trying on underwear along with the first outfit.
Rita struggled with her decision for quite some time, letting Cecilia thoroughly enjoy watching her squirm. In the end, Rita picked up the Semi-transparent Lingerie and slipped it on.
The hazy outline of Rita’s curves was quickly hidden by a shirt, then she tugged the shirt’s hem down and shyly chose a pair of Long Pants to go with it.
Dressed like this—an outfit most familiar to a young Noble—Rita looked instantly sharper, as if the bitter, “why do I have to deal with all this riff-raff” look wasn’t plastered across her face, Cecilia could have mistaken her for the daughter of some high-ranking minister.
No, actually, it should be the daughter of some general, or perhaps a young Young Lord. Though Rita’s looks and figure were both excellent, the feeling she gave off was more of a dashing older sister.
Or rather, exactly what a young knight should feel like. Even if she was just a clothes rack, Cecilia found it a delight just to have her stand there.
“Lady Cecilia, how do I look?” Rita spun around in front of Cecilia, showing off the outfit from all angles.
“Not bad at all. You look very much the knight.” Cecilia’s face showed rare approval. “Next one.”
After the rustling of fabric, Rita spun again before Cecilia—a Strap Dress, white and flowing, blossoming like spring flowers. It set off her silver hair and fair skin beautifully.
The marks of previous battles still lingered on Rita’s body. This little white flower was not flawless, but in its uprightness, one could glimpse the storms it had weathered.
“Very pretty,” Cecilia praised.
Next came a more formal set of casual wear. Though it sounded strange, for occasions where you had to meet unfamiliar people but still needed to show your status, this sort of outfit was just right—not too formal, but not out of place.
It was the kind of thing Cecilia and Rita had worn on their stroll around the city. Cecilia’s style was more girlish, but what she chose for Rita was distinctly dashing.
“This one is good too. Next time you come strolling with me in the city, wear this.”
And after that…
Rita lost track of how many outfits she’d tried on. At first, Cecilia just silently commented, but after a few more, she began to actively instruct Rita on how she should wear them.
Rita herself went from shy to indifferent—she felt like a soulless dressing doll, just putting on whatever she was handed.
But she had to admit, it was a lot more exhausting than she’d imagined. Rita thought even exterminating bugs was easier than this.
Still, that indifference could only go so far.
Because for the remaining pieces, Rita truly had no idea which to choose.
“Cecilia, um…”
Rita held up a dress that was almost entirely made of gauzy fabric, like a Dancer Costume you’d see in an RPG tavern, feeling the chill of the material and its nearly nonexistent weight, and she stammered.
“These…can I maybe not try these on?”
“Of course not. What do you think I called you here for?” Cecilia narrowed her eyes, her mouth unmoving but clearly smiling.
Why was she admitting it so openly?!
“If you put it on, tonight I’ll grant you the supreme honor of kissing my toes.” Cecilia added.
Don’t say that sort of thing like it’s a knight being honored in some classic fantasy world!
Sure, her goal was to become a holy knight, and Cecilia really was a princess, but this was just bizarre!
And why was she saying such things to her—did Cecilia think she was some kind of lascivious monster?
“Don’t want to?” Cecilia retorted.
“I do.” Rita obediently began to change.
After so many days of fighting, if she didn’t eat something soon, she’d be going from a D-cup to a C-cup.
I’m talking about strength, what are you talking about?
Honestly, even as she cradled Cecilia’s soft, pale toes and pressed a kiss to the veins running beneath the skin, Rita still couldn’t understand why anyone would enjoy this kind of thing.
But whether it was willing or not, a succubus feeds on human desire—this was just a way to eat.
People will cook all kinds of food to make it tasty, even invent some bizarre dishes, but as long as you get your daily nutrients, whether it’s gruel or delicacies doesn’t really matter.
It was the same for a succubus—as long as she could fill her belly, the method didn’t matter so much.
If not for hunger, she’d never stoop so low!
Cecilia, for her part, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself. Who knew what she was getting out of it.
Hey! Wait! Even if I’m a D-cup, don’t just toss your feet around! Standing on a treasure chest might be fine for adventurers, but you’re a princess! Doesn’t this just make Cecilia look like the one starved for affection?
Though, as Rita would realize—perhaps not too long from now—Cecilia really did love to torment her in every way. Saying she was starved for affection wasn’t exactly wrong. But pure-hearted Rita, for now, had no idea what lay hidden in the heart of this little blonde princess.
Or perhaps tonight was just the first glimpse of it?
So tired. Just utterly exhausted. By the time Rita had filled her stomach, she was ready to collapse.
Thank goodness Cecilia had prepared more than one set of lingerie for her, so she could change out of the sweat-soaked clothes.
Just as Rita was thinking this, her eyes landed on those stringy, fabric scraps.
Great, well played. She’d just been set up.
If she’d known, she wouldn’t have let embarrassment push her to choose something only a little less revealing earlier.
Now, it was either put on this set, or nothing at all.
What? Borrow something? Would Cecilia let her leave this room?
No need to ask. Even without Cecilia saying it, Rita knew she wouldn’t be allowed to leave so easily.
Sure enough, Cecilia patted the bed and looked at her like she was a little lamb.
“If you’re done changing, come to bed.”