Chapter 9 Ellie's First Shopping Experience

[Clothing Store]

"Welcome, dear customer."

After Ellie and Flora entered a clothing store, a young store clerk approached them immediately.

"Could you please show us to the children's clothing section?"

Flora asked the clerk while gently patting Ellie's head as she clung to her leg from behind.

"Right this way, please..."

The clerk responded and began to lead the way. As she walked, she discreetly glanced at Ellie with curiosity.

It was because 'people from the Gate' were not common, and even more so, a 'person from the Gate' who was a child. On top of that, this child had some cat-like features.

She thought the girl's cat ears and tail were adorable, and her old, worn-out clothes made the clerk's heart melt even more.

'I want to pet her head.'

The clerk could only think this to herself.

When they reached the children's clothing section

"If you need any other styles, just let me know." The clerk said

"Thank you"

Flora replied before starting to browse through the clothes displayed on the mannequins.

"Ellie, how about this one?"

Flora pointed to a pink dress that caught her eye. The lace pattern made it seem like a it is a well-made dress.

Ellie looked at the dress and shook her head.

"N-no... It doesn't look very comfortable."

Hearing that, Flora paused to think for a moment.

"Then how about this one?"

she asked, pointing to another outfit, this time a simple white dress with a shorter skirt.

"N-no..."

Ellie shook her head again, her ears drooping as she looked up at Flora.

Seeing this, Flora couldn't help but feel bad. She patted Ellie's head before lifting her up into her arms.

"Not having fun?"

Ellie shook her head in response to the question, which eased Flora's heart a little.

"Does it feel like you're being forced?"

Ellie nodded softly, then looked up at Flora with worried eyes.

Afraid that she had upset Flora, Ellie nuzzled into her embrace.

'Ahh... How could she be so cute?'

Flora thought to herself with a smile.

"Alright, then, how about we just walk around and look together?"

"Ellie, if you see anything you like, let me know."

After saying that, Flora carried Ellie around the store, searching for something she might like.

Despite spending quite some time looking, they still hadn't found anything Ellie wanted.

"Are you having trouble finding what you're looking for?"

the clerk, who had greeted them earlier, finally approached to ask.

"Yes... Do you have any suggestions?" Flora asked.

"Hmm... Could you tell me what you're looking for?"

Flora turned to Ellie. "Ellie, what kind of clothes would you like?"

"Uh... umm..." Ellie thought for a moment before answering

"Something comfortable and easy to move in."

Ellie shared her preferences and then looked at the clerk with a worried expression.

'I really want to pet her head...'

the clerk thought to herself, feeling envious of Flora.

The clerk could only imagine how soft and adorable this little girl must be. Finally, she pushed those thoughts aside and responded professionally.

"Hmm... In that case, please follow me this way."

The clerk led the way again.

Flora, seeing that the clerk seemed to know exactly what Ellie wanted, felt a bit relieved. Otherwise, she might have had to find another store, unsure if they would have what Ellie needed.

"Is this what you're looking for?" The clerk gestured towards a mannequin.

Ellie stared at the outfit in front of her, her tail, which poked out from under Flora's arm, swaying gently.

Seeing Ellie's reaction, Flora realized that they had found the type of outfit Ellie wanted.

The outfit was a set with a black top featuring short, wide sleeves that looked comfortable. A red ribbon was tied around the collar, adding a touch of elegance.

The bottom half was a pair of black shorts adorned with golden chains on the side, with a red ribbon on the right side.

"Ellie, do you like this outfit?"

"Y-yes... It looks comfortable."

"Is that so? So, Ellie doesn't like wearing dresses, huh?"

Flora murmured to herself, feeling like she understood Ellie a little better now.

Flora patted Ellie's head again before turning to the clerk.

"I'll take seven set of these outfits, please."

"Oh, and all the dresses I pointed to earlier as well."

Hearing that the customer was going to buy all the outfits she had shown interest in, the clerk's face lit up with a broad smile.

She hadn't expected such a generous customer.

Ellie, on the other hand, tugged on Flora's collar anxiously as soon as she heard that Flora was going to buy all those outfits.

But Flora just smiled back at her.

"It's alright. In case one day Ellie wants to wear something cute, we'll have them ready."

"We won't need to go shopping multiple times that way."

"...Okay."

Ellie nodded, though her fingers fidgeted nervously. She suddenly had so many new clothes, which was unusual for her.

It had always been difficult for her to find something to wear, often scavenging for clothes near the forest or taking them from people who had passed away in the woods where she lived.

Those clothes were usually torn and old, but now she had new clothes, and it felt strange to her.

"Thank you..." Ellie whispered, her fingers still fidgeting.

Hearing Ellie's soft expression of gratitude, Flora smiled, feeling warmth in her heart.

"This big sister have to take care of Ellie, of course," she said, gently patting Ellie's head.

"Now, let's go find some underwear for Ellie."

After selecting all the clothes for Ellie, Flora informed the clerk to send them to the Vasselieu mansion, which greatly shocked the clerk.

She hadn't expected that the daughter of the Vasselieu family would come to the small shop where she worked.

For her, the Vasselieu family was one of the most prominent in the Empire.

The Vasselieu family regularly produced skilled swordsmen and had a military force comparable to the four dukes who served as pillars of the Empire.

This made even nobles of higher rank respect the Vasselieu family.

"Please ensure it delivered as soon as possible." Flora instructed the startled clerk.

"Y-yes, of course." the clerk stammered before hurrying inside the shop to prepare the delivery to the Vasselieu mansion.

Seeing this, Flora carried Ellie to a lingerie store for women and children.

It didn't take long for them to find what they needed this time, as lingerie doesn't require as much consideration in selection. 

As long as you know the chest size, that's enough.

For Ellie, who was still a little girl, this wasn't a concern.

So, Flora let Ellie choose the colors she liked, and Ellie mostly picked white ones.

Flora watched as Ellie held up high a white bra, seemingly fascinated by it.

Ellie appeared to be quite interested in her new underwear, perhaps because she had never worn them before.

Seeing this, Flora approached Ellie.

"Do you want to try it on?"

"N-no..."

"Hmm? But Ellie seems really interested in it."

Flora said curiously, as the little girl had seemed so fascinated just a moment ago, but now she was hiding the white bra behind her back.

"I-I am... But..."

"In that case, try it on, Ellie. So that you'll see whether you like how it feels or not."

Ellie hesitated but eventually nodded.

"O-okay..."

Flora, hearing Ellie's response, led her to the fitting room and helped her put on the bra for the first time.

Ellie's first time trying on a bra was a bit clumsy, as Flora had to teach her how to fasten the hooks and explain the importance of comfortable fabric in underwear.

"Does it feel comfortable?"

Flora asked as Ellie spun around in her new white bra.

"It's... soft and not too tight..."

"So that means it's comfortable, right?"

Flora smiled, patting Ellie's head before taking her out of the fitting room and heading straight to the checkout.

After paying, Flora took Ellie to a dessert shop that she liked and frequented.

"Ellie, is there any dessert you'd like to try?"