Having gotten permission to touch her body on the condition that I finish quickly, I rummaged for the tape measure and opened a book I'd bought some time ago, preparing to take her measurements.
One might wonder what preparation there could be for just measuring lengths with a tape measure, but since this was my first time doing custom tailoring, I only vaguely knew which parts to measure.
Referring to the book, I marked off each spot to measure on a rough sketch of the human body drawn on a sheet of pristine white paper, then stood up, unspooled the tape measure to its full length, and approached Emily.
"Ready?"
"..."
Emily, eyes wide, nodded with a grave expression like she was making a decision to save the nation.
"Can you spread your arms a little? Just enough for a fist to fit under your armpits."
"Yes."
"I'll start with your hips."
I'd pondered where to begin, then just picked the lowest point.
I wrapped the tape measure around generously, then pulled it tight and read the number where it met.
Normally, you'd lay it lightly against the skin, but since I was measuring over her clothes, I had to pull firmly or the garment would come out a full size too big.
"Hngh..."
As I tightened the tape and my hand pressed lightly against her hip, a faint, ticklish moan mixed into Emily's exhale.
I read the number off the tape and said as indifferently as possible.
"It'll be over soon, so just bear with it a little."
"Young Master, your touch is rougher than it looks."
"Uh..."
I was at a loss for words.
No room for excuses—I had been rough.
Unable to find anything to say, I stood there with my mouth agape in a stunned expression, and Emily giggled mischievously.
"Hee hee... I'm kidding. Still, it tickles a bit, so please be gentle."
For a moment, her soft smile and calm voice made me think she was truly unfazed.
But her fidgeting fingers, unable to stay still, and her ears flushed bright red betrayed the embarrassment she was trying to hide.
"Mm..."
This was dangerous.
Her attempt to play it cool despite her shyness tickled something in my chest.
I'd thought my mistake would make things awkward, but her unexpected counter had thrown me off right from the start.
She'd seized my moment of carelessness and turned what was supposed to be "hurry for her sake" into "hurry for my own safety."
"...I'll be careful."
I suppressed my quivering lips, hardened my expression, and loosened the tape.
My ears and the back of my neck burned, making me doubt if hiding my face even mattered, but it was better than showing open agitation. I jotted the number down on the paper.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Hoo..."
Having measured everything down to her left wrist at last, I let out a deep breath that felt warm—almost hot.
Tension released, bringing fatigue and dizziness.
Just five minutes.
It had only taken five minutes from starting at her rear to finishing, but it felt like fifty had dragged by.
"Is it done now?"
As I straightened up, tossed the tape and paper on the desk, and rubbed my neck, Emily—who'd been silent since her giggle—finally spoke.
Her face looked as weary as mine.
I grinned at her.
"Yeah, got everything I need."
"I see. You worked hard."
"Hard? You're the one who suffered through my nonsense."
"...Ha ha."
Emily's eyes trembled slightly as she laughed awkwardly and averted her gaze.
"..."
I gave her a wry smile.
With my head cooling off, I fully realized the scoundrel I'd been to her today.
Regret came late.
"Tch..."
I clicked my tongue lightly and opened the top drawer of the desk.
Amid the clutter sat a bundle of fabric wrapped in cloth.
I picked it up and closed the drawer.
"Here."
"Pardon?"
"Take it."
I placed the bundle in Emily's puzzled hands as she stood there blankly.
"What's this...?"
"Cookies."
Inside was the batch Mother had left me yesterday, saying they were too sweet.
I'd planned to have them with tea at teatime, but handing them over to Emily as an apology seemed fitting instead.
I could still drink tea without cookies.
"Eat them with your coworkers or sneak them alone, whatever. It's my apology for all the crap today."
"Still, this is..."
"Don't refuse—just take them. Otherwise, I'll really feel bad."
"Thank you."
Emily pocketed the bundle and bowed her head.
A bit of coldness would have eased my mind, but her politeness only deepened my unease.
"So, is there nothing else I can help with today?"
As I scratched my cheek in embarrassment and clamped my mouth shut, Emily glanced at the desk and spoke.
I shook my head at her question.
"Nope. Can you come back tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, I have to change your bedding anyway."
"Thanks."
"It's nothing."
Emily's lips curved into a faint smile.
"I'll be going now."
"Yeah, sorry for the hassle."
"If you're sorry, be more careful next time."
"Got it."
"Then, Young Master, see you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
Emily gave a polite farewell and vanished as she closed the door.
The moment she was gone, I leaned against the door, went to the desk, and picked up a pen.
"Hm~ Time to get started..."
I had to work hard—for Emily's sake too!
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"... ..."
Someone whispered softly in my ear.
Was it trying to wake me? But the voice was so gentle, it only pulled me deeper into sleep.
I could drift off with it as a lullaby.
"...!"
"Tsk... Uh...?"
An irritated voice.
Then soft hands gripped my nape, and I hastily swallowed my drool, opening my eyes.
"You're finally awake, Young Master."
"...Emily?"
Emily stood beside me, looking down and kneading my neck.
I hadn't called her—why was she here?
Blinking my bleary eyes, I stared blankly at her, and she chuckled, bending her knees to meet my gaze.
"Yes, it's Emily."
"Why... why are you here so early? It's still dawn..."
"Because it's morning."
"Morning...?"
I turned to look out the window.
The sun was fully up, painting the sky clear blue.
"Huh?"
"Young Master, when did you go to sleep last night?"
"Uh... I nodded off at dawn for a bit... blinked, and you were here."
"No answer when I called, and breakfast time came but you didn't show, so I came looking."
"Breakfast time?"
If it was breakfast, I'd slept at least two hours.
"Oh no... this is bad."
"What's wrong?"
"I meant to rest a bit and fix the weird parts, but I passed out..."
"...?"
Our eyes drifted to the desk.
There sat a neatly piled black dress, crisp white apron, and headband.
"...You made this in one day?"
"Yeah. It's a rush job, so the finishing's a bit sloppy, but it's wearable right now."
Honestly, even I thought it was impressive.
I hadn't expected to get it wearable in just one day.
"No way..."
I glanced proudly at Emily, who muttered in disbelief as she carefully lifted the dress, turning it this way and that, inspecting every inch.
She scrutinized the seams, sleeves, and hem so intently, she looked like a soldier hunting landmines.
I watched her fondly, then tossed out a casual line.
"Wanna try it on?"
"Pardon?"
"Since you're here, try it on and we can adjust any fits. No need to do this twice."
"...Me?"
Emily gaped like a broken doll, then tilted her head like a dumb puppy, pointing at herself.
I'd clearly said I was making clothes for her—did she think it was a joke?
That was a bit insulting.
"Come on, try it."
"Uh... Young Master, this is so sudden..."
"You know where the dressing room is? Change there and come back."
"Young Master?"
Ignoring whatever she said, I bent down, pulled out the box hidden under the desk.
I brushed off the dust, opened the lid, and took out the black slippers and white socks inside.
"Change into these shoes. Barefoot?"
"Why do you ask...?"
"If barefoot, wear these too."
I stacked the slippers and socks neatly on the apron and shoved them at Emily.
"What are you waiting for? Take them."
"Can't I try them later? The lord and madam are waiting in the dining room."
"If you don't change quick, Mom and Dad will be furious."
Emily shuddered, clutching the dress tight.
Sorry, Emily, but skipping breakfast and playing dumb wouldn't just get me in trouble.
With the hierarchy here, if the higher-up errs, the underling gets it too.
Mom might spare her, but not the head maid.
"My arms are getting tired."
"...Understood."
Smart Emily surrendered fast.
She folded the dress neatly, took the other items on top, and trudged toward the dressing room.
I couldn't wait to see how she'd look.