Cinderella is... the Male Lead? - Chapter 24
Rona pointed at the mannequins and clothes on the hangers, looking at Cinderella.
“Pick out some clothes. Since they’re for you, it’s better if you choose something you like.”
“You said you wanted to choose them yourself.”
Cinderella replied, blinking her downcast eyes. Still, it made more sense for the person wearing the clothes to pick them. Rona shrugged her shoulders and urged again.
“Even so… wouldn’t it be better if we chose them together?”
“Is that so… Well, then…”
Cinderella hesitated, then moved to the opposite rack. Rona glanced at her focused back and smiled. Cinderella, usually so indifferent, looked surprisingly cute as she sorted through the clothes.
“I’ll take this one.”
“Let’s see… Well, it’s nice,” Rona said, her expression awkward.
The dress Cinderella chose was a cute one, completely mismatched with her slender, cool demeanor. But respecting her choice, Rona nodded. Cinderella’s pretty face would make anything look good, after all. She tilted her head as she examined the dress more closely.
“Isn’t it… a bit small?”
“It’s not too small.”
“Really? If you say so,” Rona replied.
It seemed small for Cinderella, but she decided not to push the issue. Mentioning Cinderella’s larger frame might stress her out. The dress looked short enough to reach just above her ankles.
But Cinderella’s unique taste didn’t stop there. She picked out a pink dress with ribbons and a sky-blue dress with frills. Rona was internally taken aback by her choices.
‘So, this is her taste. I didn’t know she liked cute clothes since she only wore rags. Well, as long as she likes them.’
With the dress selection done, Rona noticed a lingerie display in a corner. She called Cinderella over, who was leaning against the wall and tapping the floor with her foot.
“Cinderella! Come here. Let’s get some of these too, okay?”
“Hmm, I don’t need this kind of underwear.”
You wear men’s underwear?
Rona thought but didn’t say. Instead, she asked cautiously,
“But… wouldn’t it be better to have some?”
“Hmm… then how about this?”
Cinderella picked out a piece from the display. It was a negligee that seemed too small for her. Rona wondered if Cinderella didn’t know her own body size or if she lacked experience in buying clothes. The world of this novel was loose enough for nobles to wander around freely, but perhaps Cinderella was an exception.
Maybe Cinderella had grown up like a flower in a greenhouse. Even so, that lingerie clearly didn’t fit her. Rona hesitated but finally spoke the truth.
“Cinderella, um… I don’t think this will fit.”
“No, it will.”
“If you say so…”
Rona had to pretend to agree. Cinderella should know her size best. Unlike dresses, Rona hadn’t seen Cinderella undressed, so she couldn’t judge her underwear size. Cinderella always wore loose clothes, making it hard to guess her body shape.
Cinderella also picked out a few bras that seemed too big for her, but Rona held her tongue, fearing it might hurt her feelings.
With the shopping done, Rona searched her bag for money at the checkout. Then something unexpected happened.
“Please ring this up.”
“Thank you.”
Cinderella suddenly stepped forward and paid. The unexpected move left Rona staring blankly at Cinderella and the cashier. She had told Cinderella she would pay, so why did she suddenly do this?
“Oh!”
“I paid for it.”
“Here you go. Enjoy your purchase,” the cashier said, handing over the bagged clothes.
Cinderella, carrying the shopping bags, led the dazed Rona out of the store. The ride home in the carriage was silent. Rona stared out the window, unable to understand Cinderella’s actions.
‘I went out of my way to buy her clothes. Why did she suddenly pay? Did she not want me to buy them? Then why did she come along?’
Though it didn’t make sense, it wasn’t something to get angry about. She was just a bit upset. Complaining wouldn’t help—Rona had to get closer to Cinderella. Today was just another failed attempt.
‘I thought we were getting closer…’
While she pondered, the carriage arrived at the mansion. Rona, feeling awkward, walked slowly with Cinderella. When they reached the carpeted hall, Cinderella gave her a smile.
Hiding her discomfort, Rona forced an awkward smile. Cinderella’s face briefly showed a faintly warm smile.
‘Did… Did she just smile? Why?’
