The Dressing-Up Session

After a simple wash with the maid’s help, Selina opened her wardrobe, greeted by a dazzling array of colorful dresses.

As a princess, her wardrobe was naturally extensive, but compared to her memories of mostly cute, frilly princess dresses, it seemed entirely revamped…

The adorable, poofy dresses had been largely replaced with elegant, mature styles—large skirt hems, high slits, form-fitting, off-shoulder gowns. In short, the childish charm was gone, replaced by sophistication and grace.

Seeing her princess standing stunned, Cuibis hurried to explain.

“The wardrobe refresh was Her Majesty’s order. She said Your Highness has grown up and can’t keep wearing childish clothes, so I swapped most for more mature styles.”

Even without the explanation, Selina could’ve guessed.

Karina always ensured she received the best as a princess, and both her mother and sister were overly invested in nurturing her “proper feminine mindset and habits.”

As the saying goes, if you can’t resist, embrace it. She was a girl now, after all. Sighing, Selina randomly pointed at a dress, signaling Cuibis to help her change.

Perhaps fate was playing tricks. Wanting to avoid overly mature styles, Selina’s casual choice backfired.

The dress Cuibis picked—a starry purple gown with slits, exposed back, and shoulders—revealed everything she did and didn’t want exposed. The moment it was on, she regretted it.

Mourning her choice, she stared at her reflection, transformed into a celestial goddess.

Changing now was impossible; waking late and spending so much time dressing left no room for another outfit without derailing the day.

Cuibis, pleased with the look, couldn’t understand why her princess looked so distressed.

Dressed, Selina went to the dining hall, enduring lunch under Karina and Felicia’s gentle gazes.

The meal felt like sitting on pins and needles, their watchful eyes treating her like a recovering patient who couldn’t eat without supervision.

After lunch, as expected, Felicia pulled her into her boudoir.

The spacious room was filled with racks overflowing with dresses, a mountain of feminine attire that made Selina feel suffocated.

“These… are all for me?”

Her voice trembled as she eyed the endless clothes.

Felicia held her soft hand, her emerald eyes glowing warmly.

“Yes, all for you. My sister deserves only the best.”

Her words were tender, brimming with sisterly affection. A typical girl might’ve teared up at such care.

But for Selina, it prompted a helpless, bitter smile. She appreciated Felicia’s kindness, but compared to dresses, a collection of enchanted daggers would’ve made her scream with excitement.

Turning with a pleading tone, she tried to negotiate.

“Felicia, can we try fewer?”

“Felicia, Felicia, Felicia…” The formal address dimmed the light in Felicia’s eyes. Her grip on Selina’s hand loosened, breaking their warm connection.

“You won’t even call me Big Sister…”

Felicia lowered her head, her usual pride and dignity replaced by the air of a wronged kitten.

Selina was dumbfounded. What was this? She’d only asked to try fewer dresses—how did it turn into an issue over a title, making it seem like she’d bullied her?

But as Felicia’s hand let go, the warmth in Selina’s palm faded, leaving an empty feeling. Looking at her sister’s face, she sensed the emotions in those matching emerald eyes.

Felicia just wanted to be called “Big Sister.” What was wrong with that? Selina realized she’d been nitpicking. Maybe she was the one at fault…

For the first time, Selina reached out, grasping Felicia’s hand. The warmth from her sister filled her, and Felicia’s eyes slowly regained their sparkle. The shy elf girl met Selina’s gaze with clear, earnest eyes.

“Big Sister, I understand your feelings. This time, I’ll follow your lead…”

Though her voice carried obvious embarrassment, it made her all the more vivid and endearing.

The once-intimate sister seemed to return. Felicia squeezed her hand, a relieved smile spreading across her face.

Selina didn’t catch the deeper meaning in Felicia’s smile, assuming her compliance had smoothed things over.

But Felicia, gripping her hand, was inwardly triumphant, her lips curving like a victorious general.

As Karina had advised, despite Selina’s changed personality, her core remained soft.

Acting hurt or disappointed when refused would make her sweet, obedient sister return.

Leading Selina’s delicate hand toward the vibrant dress racks, Felicia’s mood soared.

Selina, relieved by her sister’s smile, didn’t realize she’d been thoroughly played.

Like a frog in warming water, unaware of the danger, Selina was already molded into the planned image by the time she noticed.