Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 63: The Unwanted Wardrobe

Chapter 63: The Unwanted Wardrobe

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Katherine’s room, casting a golden glow over the piles—yes, piles—of gift boxes stacked neatly (and not-so-neatly) around her. Ribbons curled over the edges, silk and lace peeked out from ornately decorated packages, and an overwhelming scent of lavender, rose, and whatever expensive fragrance Adolfo preferred lingered in the air.

Katherine stared. Blinked. Stared again.

Was this a royal dowry? A merchant’s entire inventory? A charity donation?

With a mixture of curiosity and mild horror, she picked up a letter resting atop a particularly large box, breaking the seal with a sigh.

To my dearest fiancée,

At this, Katherine choked on absolutely nothing and squinted at the words.

A lady of your standing deserves only the finest. I took the liberty of selecting a few essentials to ensure you are well-prepared for any occasion.

A few? Did he mean a few dozen?

P.S. I know you prefer pants. I shall send a stylist to assist you.

Katherine lowered the letter slowly, processing.

A stylist. A stylist?!

She turned to Arianne, her personal maid, who was also staring at the sheer volume of goods taking over the room.

"Arianne." Katherine’s voice was level, but her expression was one of quiet disbelief. "Tell me I’m hallucinating."

Arianne cleared her throat, keeping her hands neatly folded in front of her. "I assure you, my lady, everything here is quite real."

Katherine gestured dramatically at the mountain of fabric. "So what do I do? Laugh, cry, or start a business selling ’gently gifted’ noblewear?"

Arianne hesitated before offering a measured response. "Perhaps... reconsider the sender’s intentions?"

Katherine exhaled sharply. "The overwhelming amount of material wealth I suddenly possess?"

"The fact that he called you his fiancée, my lady."

Silence.

Katherine’s brain short-circuited.

"Oh." She looked down at the letter again, rereading the words as if they might magically change. "Oh."

Arianne, ever composed, simply inclined her head. "It is quite the declaration."

Katherine pressed a hand to her forehead. "Give me a moment—I think my soul just left my body."

Arianne discreetly suppressed a smile. "Shall I have some tea prepared, my lady?"

Katherine flailed at her with the letter. "Tea is not going to fix this, Arianne! He’s just—he’s—"

"Thorough?" Arianne suggested politely.

Katherine groaned, dramatically collapsing onto the bed. "Why is he like this?"

Arianne picked up a deep blue dress embroidered with silver thread and examined it with a neutral expression. "It does seem... elaborate."

Katherine sat up with a groan, rubbing her temples. "At this rate, I’ll need a storage facility."

A soft knock at the door interrupted them. A servant entered hesitantly. "My lady, a message for you."

Katherine groaned, already knowing. "Let me guess, Adolfo?"

The servant nodded. "His people have arrived... with more packages."

Arianne, despite her usual reserve, allowed herself the tiniest amused exhale as Katherine clutched a pillow to her face. "This man is out of control."

With a resigned sigh, she stood, prepared to face whatever ridiculousness awaited her next.

***

The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the academy courtyard as Katherine exited her class with Laura and the other noble ladies. The conversation drifted between idle gossip and upcoming social events, but Katherine barely registered any of it.

Her temples throbbed. Her room was filled—no, absolutely overwhelmed—with gifts. Silk, velvet, lace, jewelry, and an entire arsenal of expensive nonsense stacked high enough that she was beginning to suspect she could build a fortress out of Adolfo’s excessive generosity. If this was what he meant by "preparing" her to be his fiancée, she had real concerns.

Did he actually expect her to wear all that?

More pressing, she still hadn’t sent a response to Marchioness Yevon. Technically, her guardian should be informed that she had accepted—temporarily, mind you—Adolfo’s engagement offer to gain access to the Northern Kingdom. But how exactly did one phrase, ’Hey, so I might be engaged now, but only for travel benefits, please don’t panic?’

A headache. She had a headache.

"Katherine, are you alright?" Laura’s voice pulled her from her spiraling thoughts.

"Hmm? Oh! Yes. Just thinking about—uh—logistics." That wasn’t a lie. This entire engagement felt like an absurd logistical nightmare.

When the ladies eventually parted ways, Katherine made a beeline straight for Adolfo’s office. Or at least, she tried.

The entrance to his workshop was lined with an ungodly number of noble ladies, all eagerly waiting their turn to have their portraits taken. Thanks to Adolfo’s recent invention—a peculiar device he called a "camera"—he had become even more popular. The promise of having their likeness captured instantly without the long hours of sitting for a painting had drawn an overwhelming crowd, turning the hallway into something resembling a noblewoman’s convention.

With practiced finesse, Katherine weaved through the throng as swiftly as she could—nodding politely, smiling tightly, and generally avoiding eye contact—until she spotted Roiselin standing near the entrance. The young man blinked in surprise, then smirked knowingly the moment he realized Katherine’s purpose.

With a sigh, Katherine braced herself and slipped inside.

***

Adolfo’s office was a stark contrast to the chaotic scene outside. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, and the soft scratching of a quill accompanied the quiet ambiance.

He was seated at his desk, dark hair slightly tousled as he reviewed some documents. When the door clicked open, he turned smoothly to face her.

Then he smiled. That infuriatingly knowing, smug smile.

"Well, well," he mused, setting his quill down. "To what do I owe the pleasure, dearest fiancée?"

Katherine groaned, immediately rubbing her temples. "Don’t start."

His eyes gleamed with amusement. "Ah, but how can I not? You’ve finally come to thank me for my thoughtful gifts, haven’t you?"

"Thank you?" Katherine’s voice pitched. "For what? Turning my room into a high-end boutique? I could start a business with the amount of silk you sent alone."

Adolfo leaned back in his chair, clearly entertained. "I was merely ensuring you had everything you needed to present yourself appropriately."

"Oh, so this is what ’preparation’ means?" Katherine crossed her arms. "Drowning me in clothing and accessories until I submit to looking like a doll?"

He chuckled. "You make it sound like a bad thing."

"My lord," She pinched the bridge of her nose. "This arrangement is just for show. You do remember that, don’t you?"

He hummed in response, the kind that was neither agreement nor denial. That was never a good sign.

Katherine narrowed her eyes. "Why do I feel like you’re enjoying this way too much?"

"Because I am." His smirk deepened. "Watching you flustered is quite the reward."

She groaned dramatically, flopping into a chair opposite him. "This is actual torture."

Adolfo rested his chin on his hand, regarding her with an almost lazy amusement. "You’re being dramatic."

"Says the man who sent me an entire wardrobe fit for a royal coronation."

"If you dislike them, I can always send more."

Katherine shot him a look. "I will throw you out of your own office."

Adolfo only laughed, entirely unbothered. "You should write to your guardian soon, by the way."

Katherine sighed, knowing he was right. "She’s going to think I’ve lost my mind."

He tilted his head, studying her. "Have you?"

"Possibly," she muttered. "But if I have, it’s your fault."

He grinned. "Then I’ll consider it an achievement."

Katherine sighed.

Adolfo’s grin only widened as he watched her flop onto the plush chair in front of his desk, her exasperation radiating off her like heat from a furnace. She tried to muster the energy for another dramatic complaint, but honestly, she was too tired.

"Alright," she muttered, rubbing her eyes in defeat. "Fine. I’m officially a part of your ridiculous charade. I’ll wear the gowns, I’ll smile for your ridiculous portraits if you require me to, and I’ll pretend to be the perfect fiancée. Happy now?"

"Ecstatic," Adolfo replied without missing a beat, his tone a mix of satisfaction and mischief. "I knew you’d come around eventually."

Katherine leaned back in the chair, staring up at the ceiling. "You really think you can just... smother me with your ’thoughtfulness’ until I just give in?"

"Absolutely," he said, leaning forward, elbows resting on the desk, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Isn’t it working?"

She shot him a look, one eyebrow raised. "It’s working... but barely. Don’t get too smug."

For a moment, the room was filled with an unexpected quiet, the playful bickering dissipating like a passing storm. Katherine’s smile widened just a bit, her eyes softening.

"Alright, Al. You win. I’ll play your game. For now."

Adolfo’s grin returned, smug and victorious. "I knew you would."

"Just don’t expect me to enjoy every second of it," she warned, though there was a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Of course not," he said, clearly amused. "It wouldn’t be nearly as fun if you did."

And for the first time in days, Katherine allowed herself to relax, letting the absurdity of it all wash over her without protest. Maybe it wasn’t so terrible, being his fiancée.

Or perhaps she spoke too soon.

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