Chapter 607: Impromptu Fashion Show

There was a collective blink among the group.

“A…what?” Joy asked flatly.

“A fashon. It’s a show where you can showcase a variety of clothes to audience members.”

Stella’s voice trembled slightly.

“And apparently, he had designed a new line of clothes and said he wanted to ’introduce them to the world.’ Because of this, the maids were all going to model them, and they were thrilled because they got to wear new clothes their master had made.”

“They were running around, giggling, helping each other with makeup.”

Maria blinked. “But how did you end up joining this?”

Stella’s shoulders slumped.

“Well…Lord Cassius overheard our conversation. He came over and said we should also participate. He told us, ’You’re women, too. Don’t you ever want to wear something beautiful for yourselves?’”

“Of course, we refused.”

She shook her head quickly.

“We told him that we’re sisters of the Church, that we do not indulge in the flesh or vanity. I said it firmly, too! I said it was unholy, improper, and beneath us!”

“Good.” Joy nodded faintly. “So what happened next since it’s quite obvious you didn’t follow along with what you said.”

Stella’s expression grew awkward.

“Then…he began talking.”

“Talking?” Joy repeated slowly.

“Yes.” Stella looked down, her voice growing faint. “He…complimented us.”

“He pointed at each of us, one by one, and said how we’d look stunning in certain colors, how the designs would suit our figures, how the fabric would complement our eyes, our hair, our posture…”

She groaned and buried her face in her hands.

“We tried to ignore him—we did! But every word he said…it was like honey dripping straight into our minds.”

“He wasn’t forceful or commanding, but his voice—it’s like it slipped past our discipline, straight into our hearts.”

Maria’s lips parted slightly, stunned, while Stella looked up, cheeks flushed pink.

“He said, ’You’ve dedicated your lives to the Goddess. Doesn’t the Goddess want you to cherish your beauty too?’”

A heavy silence followed, then Stella let out a defeated sigh, her lips twisting into a weak, self-deprecating smile.

“And that was it. We were doomed. The woman in us, the side we’ve buried for years, it…woke up.”

She rubbed her arm in shame.

“Before we knew it, we were trying on the dresses. Then the makeup. Then…well, the show started.”

She looked at Joy, guilt heavy in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Lady Joy. I didn’t mean for things to turn out like this. But Lord Cassius’s temptation was too strong. His words were…too enticing.”

Behind them, Isabelle crossed her arms smugly and smirked.

“See? I told you.” She said, clearly satisfied. “Whenever women are around my Young Master, this is what happens. They just get swept along with the tide. It’s inevitable.”

Joy shot her a look. “Not. Helping.”

And before she could continue, Maria stepped closer, eyes wide with admiration rather than anger.

“Stella, wait—did you just say Cassius designed all these clothes himself?”

“Yes! I was wondering the same thing!”

Aqua leaned forward eagerly.

“I’ve been to every major fashion boutique in the capital—I’ve seen the top designers, the best materials—but I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“The detail, the layering, the cut, the fabric! They’re stunning!”

Stella’s embarrassed smile deepened.

“It’s true. Every dress you see was made by Lord Cassius himself. Apparently he first created them for his women, but the his wives encouraged him to expand the collection for public sale. And so…”

“…this is the result.”

She gestured toward the runway, where two maids now strutted down in shimmering gowns that glowed under the lights, laughter and cheers rising around them.

“Soon, once these hit the market and I think the entire capital will go mad for them.”

Stella said before adding with a same look on her face,

“But what makes it more remarkable is that he’s not limiting them to nobles. He’s making identical versions for commoners—just using simpler fabrics. For the first time, even poor families will be able to wear something luxurious.”

Her voice softened, eyes sparkling faintly.

“It’s…actually kind of admirable, isn’t it?”

Seeing her reaction, Aqua laughed.

“Oh, listen to you!” She patted Stella’s shoulder with a grin. “The great Sister Stella, Joy’s stoic right hand, suddenly singing praises about my brother!”

“What’s this, huh? A little mutiny? You switching sides?”

“W-What?” Stella’s face turned crimson. “N-No! I’m simply stating facts!”

“Sure, sure.” Aqua wagged her finger teasingly. “Next thing we know, you’ll be modeling for him too!”

“No! No, my lady, please trust me!” Stella blurted out, eyes wide with panic. “I swear on the Goddess herself, I haven’t switched sides, and I haven’t betrayed you!”

“It’s just…today was too much and I couldn’t resist! I’m not as strong as you are, I don’t have that steel heart that you do, and I—”

She took a trembling breath.

“—I still fall for worldly temptations sometimes. But that doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned my faith or my loyalty to you.”

Joy stared at her in silence as the lights from the stage flickered across her face, illuminating her calm eyes that slowly grew more pained.

Then, finally, she sighed and asked,

“But even after saying all that, Stella…you still think Cassius is a decent man, don’t you?”

Stella froze, her mouth opening but no words coming out. “I…I—”

Joy’s gaze turned cold, her tone sharper.

“You don’t believe what I’ve been saying about him, do you? You think he’s not the devil I’ve claimed him to be and think that I’m the one in the wrong.”

Stella’s hands tightened around her skirt, her throat bobbing as she swallowed hard.

She knew that look in Joy’s eyes, one that demanded honesty above all else.

Trying to lie now would only make things worse.

So, she bowed her head deeply.

“I’m sorry, my lady.” She whispered. “But…yes. It’s true.”

Joy didn’t speak, so Stella went on, voice trembling at first but gaining strength as she spoke.

“I-It’s not just me. The other sisters feel the same. We all think we’ve been misled. After all, the way he treats his family, his wives, his servants…even his animals, everything we’ve seen of him, it’s just—”

She struggled for words.

“Impossible not to look at with approval. He also doesn’t act like any noble we’ve met. There’s no arrogance. No cruelty. He smiles, he listens. He remembers people’s names.”

Stella hesitated, then gave a small, almost sheepish smile.

“And if I’m being honest, he seems more righteous than half the priests I’ve met. Yes, he can be…a little inappropriate sometimes…”

She coughed, cheeks pink. “…like when he once commented on how one of our nun robes somehow managed to hide our figures ’too well.’”

“But even that, it wasn’t lustful. It was just…blunt. Honest. He doesn’t pretend to be holy—he isn’t holy—but he’s true. And I’d take that over a thousand hypocrites who hide behind scripture.”

She bowed deeply, her voice softening.

“I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear, my lady. If you wish to punish me, I’ll accept it without protest. But I couldn’t lie to you and I had to tell the truth.”

For a moment, there was only silence, just the distant thumping of music and the cheering crowd.

Then Joy exhaled softly through her nose and said,

“No, Stella. There’s no need for punishment.”

Stella blinked up at her in surprise.

Joy’s tone was steady, even gentle now.

“You were honest with me, even knowing I might not like your answer. That kind of honesty is rare, and it’s exactly why you’re still my right hand. It’s why I trust you.”

A look of awe crossed Stella’s face, her throat tightening with emotion.

“My lady…” She whispered.

Joy didn’t look back at her. Her eyes drifted toward the glowing stage, as her voice dropped lower.

“Truthfully, I can’t even blame you or the others. I myself am not sure what to believe anymore either. Everything feels twisted.”

“Maybe the Goddess’s warning wasn’t about what I think it was…or maybe I’m simply too blind to see it.”

“Either way, I’ll pray tonight for an answer.”

Her expression turned gentle as she turned back to Stella.

“For now, go. Enjoy yourself, if you can.”

“This…whatever it is, it’s clearly lifted everyone’s spirits and they’ve been through enough hardship. So, let them have their fun. It’s a kind of rest, a vacation, perhaps.”

“My lady…” Stella murmured, her eyes glistening with relief and gratitude.

Joy gave her a faint nod. “You’ve already started it. Might as well finish it properly.”

She then turned to leave, sighing as she muttered,

“As for me, I’ll be in my room. I need some rest before I can face the Goddess.”

But just as she began to walk away, Stella suddenly stepped in front of her, holding her hands up nervously.

“W-wait, my lady! One second!”

Joy blinked. “What is it now?”

Stella hesitated, biting her lip as she quickly said,

“This might sound…inappropriate, but…Lord Cassius actually prepared a dress for you.”

Joy stared. “…What?”

Stella smiled awkwardly.

“Yes, he said he tailored one specifically with you in mind. He even adjusted the design multiple times, saying it had to ’fit her spirit perfectly’’ It’s over there, waiting. He said that if you wished, you could wear it and walk the stage as well.”

Joy just stared her, utterly caught off guard.

“And not just you.” Stella hurried on. “He also prepared dresses for Lady Maria, Lady Aqua, and Miss Carmela. He said he wanted all of you to take part and thought it would make the event complete.”

She scratched her cheek, smiling faintly.

“And to be fair…the dresses are breathtaking. I can already picture each of you in them. It’d be quite the sight.”

Before Joy could even form a response, Aqua suddenly gasped so loudly it made everyone jump.

“WE’LL DO IT!”

She shouted, eyes sparkling like a child’s.

“WE’LL DEFINITELY DO IT!”

Maria’s face also lit up in pure glee.

“Oh, yes! I was just thinking how lovely it would be to walk on that stage! And now to hear that Cassius personally made a dress for me?”

“Oh, there’s no way I’m missing that…”

“…And you’re not going to miss it as well!”

Maria said, as she suddenly grabbed Carmela’s hand.

“You’re my daughter now—don’t you want to make your mother proud? Let’s walk together. It’ll be fun!”

Carmela was baffled by how she was pulled into this and she tried to protest.

“What? No! I can’t—absolutely not! I live in the shadows; stepping onto a stage like that is the last thing I should do!”

Maria only laughed, pulling her closer. ”

It’ll be fine, dear. In fact, how about we walk together? A mother-daughter stroll down the stage! Wouldn’t that be lovely?”

That made Carmela freeze.

The thought of walking hand in hand with Maria—smiling, being seen not as a weapon or warrior but as a daughter—made her heart flutter.

She hesitated, cheeks flushing red before finally muttering,

“…Fine. But only if we walk together.”

Hearing this, Maria jumped in glee, but Joy on the other hand had crossed her arms, glaring.

“There’s no way I’m doing something like that. The only dress I’ll ever wear is this white robe of devotion, and that will never change. You can all do as you please.”

She said as she turned around to leave.

But before she could escape, Aqua pounced, wrapping her arms around Joy’s waist.

“Oh no, you don’t! You’re not getting away this time, Joy!” She sang.

“Unhand me at once!” Joy struggled, trying to pry Aqua off her. “This is undignified!”

“Not a chance!” Aqua giggled. “I’ve waited years for this!”

Maria looked up, smiling mischievously before calling,

“Isabelle! Help us out, dear!”

Isabelle chuckled softly, stepped behind Joy, and caught her other arm.

“Apologies, Lady Joy.” She said sweetly. “But resistance is futile.”

Together, she and Aqua began dragging the furious saintess toward the stage entrance.

“Stop this madness!” Joy shouted, thrashing as her robe swayed violently. “I am warning you all—if you don’t let go right now, I’ll—!”

Her words were lost under laughter as the two continued dragging her along.

Meanwhile, Carmela, still pink-faced allowed herself to be pulled by Maria, muttering softly under her breath.

“This is ridiculous…”

And when they finally reached the curtained backstage area, all four women stopped dead in their tracks at the commotion going on inside.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep