Apparently, I’m a Poisonous Woman Who Sells One-Night Dreams, but I Ended Up Awakening a Hero’s Devoted Love - Chapter 1.18

When Jerf saw Mariadoll emerge from the fitting room, his eyes widened.

The halter-neck dress had a deeply plunging neckline and a daring slit running up the thigh. The fabric clung tightly to her body, accentuating her curves even more than the slip dress she had worn as sleepwear that one time.

(It’s embarrassing, but this is for Jerf-sama too. And when I looked in the mirror earlier, I think my figure alone is quite that of a femme fatale.)

She had never chosen a dress that so clearly revealed her cleavage, but it certainly looked like something a femme fatale would wear.

“H-How is it?”

“Well, it’s quite different from your usual style. Do you like dresses like this, Mariadoll?”

Jerf’s eyes were darting around.

Somehow, she felt like a lecherous woman and couldn’t bear it.

“No! But when I think about Jerf-sama after we part ways, I thought I should act more like a femme fatale.”

“You were worried about that?”

“Yes. Because Jerf-sama will continue to live in noble society from now on.”

Even if she insisted with a face flushed bright red, Jerf couldn’t possibly agree. Mmm, he pursed his lips into a frown when Somaiya arrived.

“This dress is difficult for many to wear well because you can’t use a corset with it. But you wear it so beautifully.”

“However, it’s a bit too revealing.”

“A beautiful body should be shown off. Look, the back especially.”

Somaiya took Mariadoll’s arm and spun her around to face the other way.

Instantly, Jerf covered his mouth, his face turning bright red.

(Now that I think of it, what does the back look like? I forgot to check.)

It felt somewhat drafty.

When she moved her neck, she noticed a mirror a little way away. Shifting her posture slightly to see her reflection, Mariadoll was speechless at the sight of her own back.

“I-It’s not there. There’s no fabric.”

The design was completely open down to her waist, exposing her pure white back.

“Somaiya-san, my back is completely exposed.”

“Young people have it so good. When you get older, fat accumulates on your back, and it becomes impossible to get rid of it.”

Mariadoll felt like Tarina had said something similar, but now was not the time for that.

Because there was no fabric.

“Mariadoll, let’s choose a different dress. Your face is bright red; you don’t have to force yourself.”

“Th-That’s true! But this dress is the closest to the color of Jerf-sama’s eyes.”

Looking up at his slightly orange-tinged red eyes, Mariadoll furrowed her brows in distress.

At her upward glance, Jerf flustered and averted his gaze, only for the deep slit to catch his eye. Her white thighs were incredibly alluring.

This dress was nothing but a feast for the eyes.

As Mariadoll scanned the store for other dresses in a similar color, her eyes fell upon a red stole hanging on the wall. She brought it over and tried it with the dress.

“A lace stole. Certainly, wearing that would reduce the exposure.”

“Oh, but stoles aren’t in fashion for young people. And personally, I’d very much like to showcase Mariadoll-sama’s figure.”

While the two were divided in their opinions, Mariadoll draped the stole over herself and spun around in front of the mirror.

(At the secondhand store I usually go to, I used frills and lace to remake dresses.)

Somehow, she felt she could make it work.

“Somaiya-san, may I borrow some paper and a pen?”

“Paper and a pen? Yes, I have some, but…”

Handed the paper with a puzzled smile, she began sketching smoothly. Jerf and Somaiya peered over from beside her.

“I’ve heard from Jerf-sama that you’ll be making it based on a ready-made design. In that case, could you tailor it like this, not just adjust the size?”

“My, my. This design…”

Somaiya alternated her gaze between the design sketch and Mariadoll.

The design, which incorporated the lace stole into the open neckline and back, toned down the exposure while preserving its allure.

“If possible, I’d like to add this lace to the slit at the hem as well. Will there be enough fabric?”

“We have stock of the stole, so it should be fine.”

Taking the stole from Mariadoll, Somaiya held it against her chest and shoulders, nodding thoughtfully.

“The lace further accentuates the beauty of your skin and looks wonderful. Then, let’s proceed as per this design sketch. Your drawing is very skillful, so it’s easy to understand.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, to ensure you wear it even more beautifully, let’s make some minor adjustments to the size. We’ll take measurements in the fitting room, so Jerf-sama, please wait a little longer.”

“Ah, understood. Don’t mind me; take your time.”

After having more detailed measurements taken in the fitting room, she returned to Jerf thirty minutes later.

“Now that I think about it, even though it’s a ready-made dress, was it really okay to request so many customizations?”

“It should be fine. Having the same dress as someone else would be more problematic.”

“That’s true. Also… may I have the list of who you’ve invited? I’m really unfamiliar with the nobility. I’ll do my best to remember their names so I don’t embarrass Jerf-sama.”

Even though he said it was only nobles he interacted with, including through work, Jerf, being a duke and an instructor for the knight order, had a wide circle of acquaintances.

As she thought that far, a sudden realization struck her.

(Will people related to the knight order be coming? I heard that His Highness Frederick, who leads the knight order, is your school friend and close even in private.)

Could it be, no, surely not.

“Jerf-sama, I have an awful feeling, but will members of the royal family be attending?”

“Sharp of you.”

“Were you planning to keep it a secret until the day?”

“If I told you, you might pretend to be sick. But you’ve bought the dress now. Like it or not, you’ll stand by my side. By the way, the one attending is His Highness Frederick, who told me about that marriage proposal. He also knows that we’re in a fake engagement.”

Seeing him shrug and raise the corners of his mouth, it was clear he was fully aware and didn’t feel bad about it.

But considering Jerf’s status and position, that was only natural. She had no choice but to resign herself to it.

“Understood. I’ll perform the role of the perfect fiancée and femme fatale.”

“I’m not expecting the latter, but I’m counting on you.”

Jerf watched Mariadoll clench her fist tightly, chuckling softly in amusement.

Only Somaiya likely noticed the faint tinge of affectionate longing in his eyes.