I became a clothing designer in another world

I was reincarnated into a world with magic and divine power.

I wasn’t particularly happy about it.

It wasn’t something I wished for, and who would be pleased to be suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar environment when they were living a decent life?

If I had extraordinary talent or a reason for being brought to such a place, it might have been different. But I was left with nothing but a new life, with no magical ability and zero faith.

A drastically changed environment and relationships.

Overcoming depression and loneliness, I spent 17 years adapting to the new surroundings.

As the saying goes, even landscapes change in 10 years. By now, I’ve somewhat gotten used to this new life.

Except for a few complaints.

The arrogance and pretense typical of nobles.

Their obsession with grandeur and beauty.

The complex and cumbersome etiquette and formalities.

I could never get used to the things that mattered most to nobles.

It’s truly dreadful.

To be fair, while etiquette, formalities, arrogance, and pretense are unpleasant, I could at least understand them. They exist everywhere in different forms.

What continues to torment me, however, is the fusion of nobles’ obsession with grandeur and beauty with their pretense.

Especially their clothing.

To me, noble attire was simply over the top.

Seeing men wearing stockings with garter belts, or women tightly cinched in corsets, puffing their skirts with panniers, and walking around looking like hourglasses felt like staring at someone addicted to plastic surgery.

It was bizarre and unsettling.

You might think it’s silly to have such impressions about clothing, but when someone’s body narrows like a funnel and then transforms into a parasol, isn’t it strange not to find it grotesque?

“Click…”

I clicked my tongue softly, picked up a glass of champagne prepared in the hall, and moved to a less crowded wall.

For nobles, social activities are akin to work. Unless one is on the verge of death, attending a national holiday event is mandatory.

And today is the current emperor’s coronation anniversary.

Thus, I was dragged out to this banquet, forced to witness the grotesque attire I despised.

Under the dazzling chandelier, the hourglass brigade once again appeared, adorned in vividly colored dresses and glittering jewels.

They sparkled so much, it felt like I might have a photosensitive seizure without a monitor.

“Sigh…”

I let out a sigh.

If I kept staring at the bustling and noisy center, I felt I might get dizzy and collapse.

I downed another sip of champagne and slightly turned my head.

The edges of the room had fewer people, after all.

But I always realize too late that turning my gaze like this isn’t the best decision.

I caught sight of a red-haired young lady who appeared to be around my age.

A dress overloaded with frills and lace from shoulders to ankles, a skirt so wide it could overshadow a parasol, a waist as slim as an hourglass, an overly emphasized chest, and a neckline more than half exposed, adorned with jewelry the size of eyeballs.

I didn’t know which family she belonged to, but given how she stood out like a peacock on her own, she must be the child of someone fairly noble.

“Phew…”

Like a snake threatening its prey, I drew in a thin breath through my lips and took another big gulp of champagne to calm my irritated chest.

The desire to look beautiful isn’t a bad thing.

For living creatures, it’s natural to groom themselves to attract a mate and prove superiority over rivals.

Just like cicadas loudly chirping to find a partner, peacocks showing off their vibrant feathers, and deer boasting their large, sturdy antlers.

But aren’t those all males?

Hmm…

Hell, I don’t know.

I just wish it would all disappear.

The corsets, the panniers, and the dresses smothered in layers of frills and lace.

“…”

Feeling like my chest was about to explode, I hurriedly brought the champagne glass to my lips, but nothing flowed in.

“Sigh…”

Staring blankly at the empty glass, I let out a heavy sigh and turned my gaze away from the peacock-like young lady, walking off to get another glass of champagne.

My mother’s firm warning before I entered the banquet—’Don’t drink like a fish’—flashed through my mind, but I couldn’t help it.

How else was I supposed to endure this suffocating atmosphere sober?

“Young Master, let me take your empty glass.”

“…Thank you.”

As I slowly made my way to get more champagne, the butler appeared at my side without a sound, seamlessly swapping out my glass before retreating.

As always, I couldn’t help but marvel at how highly skilled first-rate servants are indistinguishable from ninjas.

They silently glide in when needed, complete their tasks, and vanish like the wind. If that’s not a ninja, then what is?

“…”

Leaning against the wall again, I sipped at the champagne the butler had handed me.

The plan was simple: don’t look at anything, blend into the background with the wall, quietly sip champagne, and slip away unnoticed once the ceremony was over.

A flawless plan…

“William, what are you doing here?”

Ruined the moment it was made.

Lowering my champagne glass slightly, I turned in the direction of my mother’s voice.

“I was feeling dizzy, so I decided to rest for a moment.”

“You’re dizzy because you’ve been downing champagne like water. I saw you, scurrying around like a mouse, finishing a glass in less than five minutes.”

“Haha…”

I bit my lip slightly at my mother’s sarcasm, lifting my glass again with an awkward smile.

Damn, she’d already caught on.

The only saving grace was that this was still my first glass. If I pretended to restrain myself from now on, maybe she wouldn’t lecture me too much.

“I’m sorry, I guess I got a little carried away by the atmosphere. I won’t drink any more after this.”

“Click…”

Mother clicked her tongue sharply, furrowing her brow and covering her mouth with her fan.

Her expression made it clear that something I said had displeased her greatly.

This isn’t going well…

“A boy swept up by the atmosphere? Then why are you always stuck to the walls like wallpaper? Do you have no intention of mingling with people?”

“No, I’ve been trying in my own way…”

“Trying to see how well you can blend into the walls? Have you decided to become a cicada or some foreign sloth? Other than when you go to fetch another drink, you cling to the walls so diligently that I almost mistook you for wallpaper.”

“I’m sorry…”

I lowered my head and put on a dejected expression, but Mother only looked at me with a frosty gaze.

A chilling sensation ran down my spine, spreading through my body.

Today, Mother had clearly come prepared, metaphorical knives sharpened.

This wasn’t going to be just a passing scolding—I could feel it in my bones.

“William, how old are you this year?”

“Seventeen.”

“Yes, seventeen. At seventeen, others are building connections, finding matches, getting engaged or preparing for marriage. And you? Are you just going to waste time like this? More importantly, are you seeing anyone? Every time I see you rubbing against walls like this, I feel like I’m going to lose my mind.”

“I’ve been trying in my own way…”

“Enough! That tiresome ‘trying’ of yours! William, I hold back because you’re not the eldest son, but are you really trying at all? You don’t want an arranged marriage, you don’t want to fall in love freely, you don’t meet friends—oh, right, you don’t have any friends—and you don’t have any dreams. Whenever there’s a gathering, whether it’s a formal ceremony or a banquet, your first thought is how to avoid it. You rarely go out, and yet this is what you call effort? If you were truly trying, wouldn’t you at least attend the introductions we arrange for you? William, we’ve tolerated your use of the word ‘effort’ far too many times. How long do you plan to keep skating by like this?”

“Well, I, um…”

“You were such a bright child when you were young. Why are you so lethargic now? I can still vividly remember the days when you dreamed of doing so many things.”

“…”

Her words poured out like a waterfall, and my heart was shredded in an instant.

Every word carried the weight of her frustration and intent to tear me apart, piece by piece.

And yet, it wasn’t just aimless criticism. Each word was filled with genuine concern and rooted in facts, making it hurt even more.

It was like being struck with precision by someone who knew you intimately.

“I-I do want to change, Mother…”

“William…”

As I opened my mouth, trying to come up with some excuse, my mother, overcome with emotion, suddenly teared up and gently held my right hand. Seeing her wistful, sorrowful jade-green eyes made my chest ache and my heart throb. I was filled with guilt for being such a useless son, yet I absolutely did not want to associate with those peacocks. No, even if I wanted to approach them, all my motivation evaporated the moment I saw them—what was I supposed to do? It was driving me mad with frustration.

“…”

But no matter how frustrated I felt, I couldn’t just blurt out the truth. I forced an awkward smile and waited for my mother to speak. She, wearing a deeply concerned expression, cautiously opened her mouth.

“Are you… impotent?”

“What?”

I stared at her blankly, my eyes wide with disbelief. Did I just hear something strange?

“William, other boys your age are finding fiancées or even flirting with their maids, but you don’t do any of that. It makes me worry…”

“That’s absolutely not the case.”

“Then… are you afraid of women?”

“…”

My mother, who had been calmly hitting me with facts, suddenly switched to wild speculation and baseless accusations. I was so baffled by her ridiculous leap in logic that I couldn’t even respond. Pressing the cold champagne glass lightly against my head to cool my swirling thoughts, I noticed her grip on my hand tightening.

“Should I ask Caroline for help?”

“What?”

Out of nowhere, she mentioned my aunt’s name. Ever since my uncle passed away a few years ago, she’d been living quietly in a secluded mansion. Why bring her up now?

“?!”

A shiver ran down my spine. I suddenly remembered the kind of role a widow might be expected to play in such a situation. Shaking my head furiously, I widened my eyes and exclaimed. 

“That won’t be necessary! I’m not afraid of women, and there’s nothing wrong with… that.”

“I’m that desperate, William. Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to watch an otherwise perfectly fine son act like an awkward fool who’s uncomfortable around women? Be honest with me.”

“No, I—haah…”

Faced with my mother’s relentless stance, I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a deep sigh.

No matter how desperate she was, suggesting a widow provide ‘sexual education’ was just… wrong.

“It’s really not necessary. Besides, it would be a bother to Aunt as well.”

Hearing my response, my mother narrowed her eyes and leaned in close, whispering in a small voice,

“You’re not… into men, are you?”

“…”

My shoulders trembled slightly.

First, it was ‘Are you impotent?’ and now, ‘Are you really gay?’ This was driving me absolutely insane.

“I’m absolutely not. Mother.”

Despite gritting my teeth and denying the gay suspicion with force in every word, Mother continued her worrying as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

“If it’s neither this nor that, then please, for the love of the family, find yourself a partner. Everyone in the family is losing sleep over your marriage prospects.”

“I’ll give you good news soon.”

“Good… If you really want to give us something worth celebrating, let us know as soon as possible. Our patience isn’t infinite, you know.”

Even though my words were filled with sincerity, Mother’s gaze was far from forgiving.

Her eyes narrowed, sharp and piercing, as she left me with a low-toned warning before turning her back and walking towards the sparkling, lavish center of the hall.

“…”

Watching her retreating figure, I downed the champagne in one gulp.