Excuse me.

Claire conveyed some important information to the employee who was helping her with her dress fittings.

I havent been feeling well lately, so Im sure I lost a lot of weight since I last took my measurements.

Claire was terribly sorry. She knew they worked hard on the dress.

Feeling unwell before a big ceremony isnt as uncommon as you think. Are you nervous?

Claire shook her head. She wasnt particularly nervous about the ceremonyshe just didnt like it.

Its because the weather suddenly became colder. I should have worn warmer clothing.

What about now? Do you feel better?

Im healthy, as you can see. You can make the dress slightly looser.

If you feel healthy we can still resize it to fit you as you are now.

Claire shook her head quickly at the employees words. She didnt want to look gaunt in front of everyone else, and she needed the health and stamina to climb through the mountain of exams, wrong answer reports, graduation, and then learning the ropes of the Mller family business.

My body shape will go back to the way it was. I just wanted to say that we can let the dress be a little looser today.

Not to mention that Dean Crisis had said, Youd better be prepared to eat four meals a day from now on. His eyes also looked a little sunken as a result of his cold. When she returned, perhaps the two of them could eat the caretakers nutritious food. Maybe they would really get fat if they ate four meals a day and would have round faces.

Hehe.

She gave a small giggle as she remembered their childhood. It was unbearably cute.

You must be thinking of something happy.

Claire nodded.

Shall I guess? Well, theres only one thing in mind brides have when they wear their wedding dresses.

The employee gave a small chuckle as she tightened Claires corset.

You were thinking of something nice the groom said, right?

Oh, um

Claire was troubled for a moment. She wanted to say that was the right answer, but her thoughts were turned far away from the groom.

Am I wrong?!

I dont know. Im not sure if thats a good thing or not.

The employee laughed again, as if she somehow found Claires answer cute.

It must have been wonderful words.

Another employee brought in the wedding dress and hung it on the wall. Claire stared at it in silence, and everyone else didnt say a word either. Perhaps they were allowing her to be impressed by it, but her true feelings were different. She was sad because the marriage was real. That white dress was the concrete proof of it.

Claire finally nodded, and employees busied themselves again.

You had a very happy face.

Claire turned to stare at the employee.

What?

When you smiled a little while ago.

The employee looked about the same age as the caretaker, with a very gentle smile.

Ah.

One looks happy when they think of a joyful moment.

She knelt down before Claire and spread the hem of the dress wide.

The moment can be quite small and trivial.

She now began fixing the decorations on the hem of her dress.

But you can tell its special by the look on someones face. Anyone can see it.

Claire stared at her own face at the large mirror. Contrary to the words that anyone could see it, Claires face gave her no answer.

You must be very fond of him.

No way.

Of course she was fond of him, but she was stubborn enough not to reply in the affirmative.

Wait and see. Over time, you will realize that Im right.

Claire desperately hoped that she wouldnt realize it. She couldnt do anything about her situation anymore, and so she simply smiled. Another employee came up to arrange her hair with temporary jewelry made of fake gems.

When they were done, Claire studied herself in the mirror again. The dress was somewhat loose as she requested. It was as if she were wearing clothes that werent hers, and so it made her a bithappy.

Please let us know in advance if you dont think youll fill out the dress before the ceremony.

Claire nodded, but she expected to return to normal soon, by Deans insistence if not anything else. Then, one day this winter, Claire will be wearing a perfectly fitted dress.

You look very beautiful. Youll be even more beautiful on that day.

Claire didnt answer for a moment then finally smiled back.

Thank you.

There wasnt much else for her to say, and they were oblivious to her internal struggling. Another person came in and whispered something in the employees ear.

Just in time.

The employee looked back at Claire with a friendly smile.

The groom has arrived.

Hes here?

Yes, there are some people who occasionally come. Especially young people today.

When Claire asked why, all the staff laughed.

He comes because he misses the bride, of course.

With a look full of expectations.

They seem very excited between them, but Claire couldnt understand their reactions.

I thought he wasnt supposed to see the dress yet.

It was one of the countrys sacred traditions for the groom not to see the wedding dress until the ceremony.

Well, thats an old relic from the past. These days, the dresses are shown in beforehand and many couples get matching gifts.

O-old relic

If her friend Louise Sweeney heard this, she would promptly faint to the floor.

In any case, Claires potential marriage partner was here. She was sure he didnt come to buy her a gift though.

Then can I let the groom in?

Yes.

Claire had no choice but to nod. The pathetic man was sure to go on a rampage if things didnt go his way, and Claire didnt want the friendly staff to have bad memories dealing with customers.

There was a knock, and Claire had a moment of delusion. Wouldnt it be nice if the one coming in through that door wasnt her fianc?

She briefly covered her lips with a gloved fingertip, as if drawing a kiss. The escape from reality was short-lived, however, and soon an unwelcome face appeared through the open door. Claire gave a small bow, and her fianc folded his arms as he observed her.

The clothes dont fit.

He immediately pointed out the loose clothing. Claire didnt expect any praise, however, and she calmly explained that she had been sick and lost weight, and would try to regain it back again.

You look just fine now. Just in time. Will you reduce the size of your dress then?

I was thinking of gaining weight because it wasnt exactly my type. I want to look healthy.

You still look healthy. Reduce it.

Claire replied with as much civility as she could. There were too many eyes watching them.

If I stay this figure, Ill only eat once a day and live with only vegetable snacks.

What more are you going to eat?

I dont know if you remember, but the caretakers food is excellent.

Claire was beginning to get impatient.

Besides, its my decision to live with the body I want.

But Im the one that will be holding it, arent I?

She couldnt think up a reply to that ridiculous answer. Claire realized that she had been taking for granted interacting with rational people lately.

So reduce it. Unless youre thinking of making me look like a fool.