Chapter 38
"I've been waiting for you, Ladies Crisis. I'm Katrinne Fatalite, head designer at Katrinne's Atelier."
Katrinne stepped forward and bowed at the waist. She looked to be in her thirties, dressed in a perfect blend of current trends and forward-thinking fashion that befitted the capital's top atelier head designer.
"A pleasure to meet you, madam. I'm Aria Crisis."
"Kashmir Crisis."
We bowed in return, and as Katrinne straightened up, her eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity—like a predator eyeing its prey. Her brazen gaze raked over Aria and me, making me feel utterly stripped bare. After an eternity of scrutiny, she pulled her eyes away and flashed a terrifyingly brilliant smile, clapping her hands twice.
People burst out from inside the atelier, surrounding Aria and me.
"Shall we start with your measurements, then?"
After that, it was a nonstop parade of every possible measurement. Just taking our full-body dimensions took thirty minutes. My body, which had held up fine after days of slaying magic beasts, felt utterly drained in that short time. Exhausted alongside me, Aria sank into the plush sofa as we waited, and soon Katrinne approached with catalogs and all sorts of materials in hand.
"You two ladies are such perfect opposites. Lady Aria has a pure, delicate look with low muscle mass and beautiful lines, so a frilly dress with subtle exposure would suit her. Lady Kashmir, with your cool impression, firm muscles, and flawless build, a sleek satin dress would be ideal."
True to her status as head designer, Katrinne had sharp judgment and an eagle eye.
"Tunics are all the rage these days, but who cares about trends? Your figures are a designer's dream! I guarantee you'll be the most stunning sisters at this debutante ball. You'll lead the fashions."
There was even a hint of madness in Katrinne's sparkling eyes. Feeling a touch uneasy, I set down my teacup. The warm lemon tea sweetened with honey filled my mouth with a fresh citrus tang.
"Before we dive into full production, I have two requests."
Aria and I had discussed this thoroughly on the carriage ride over. I spoke gravely, and Katrinne mirrored my serious expression.
"First: Aria's dress must be wearable without a corset."
Corsets were the hottest item in high society right now, so most dresses on the market required one. But I had zero intention of subjecting my precious little sister to that waist-torturing contraption.
I smiled at Katrinne's paling face.
"Second: The outfit for me will be a uniform."
No matter that I'd become a Crisis duke's daughter—my eternal, unyielding identity was that of a swordswoman. After officially joining House Crisis, I'd wrestled endlessly with it. As a duke's daughter now, could I no longer wield a sword? Did I have to ditch my comfortable pants for dresses? Abandon the sword to become a flower?
The night before, sleepless with overflowing anguish, I'd impulsively gone to Kaiser's adjacent room and asked. Now that I was a Crisis duke's daughter, did I have to abandon my old life? Was that what the duke wanted?
After staring at me for a long moment, Kaiser had replied:
'Yes. You're now a Crisis duke's daughter. At the same time, you're the commoner Kashmir raised in the back alleys, and the Sword Master mercenary Mir hailed as the mercenary queen. You don't have to shed all those identities to be just the duke's daughter. Of course, I don't want you risking your life as Mir forever. But if it's what you want, I won't stop you. I have the confidence to embrace every side of you—so do what you desire. That's what I want.'
His swelling words, the cool hand brushing my hair, the tender gaze touching my skin—they all reassured me.
"No compromises."
I am a Crisis duke's daughter, the Kashmir who endured a harsh life, and Mir who battled magic beasts. I had no desire to abandon any of those identities.
Katrinne's face turned ashen.
What held the most powerful, enduring sway in high society? High titles? Of course, they couldn't be ignored. But they were secondary powers; claiming they dominated society was inaccurate.
Beauty? Important, yes. But not paramount—beauty faded all too quickly.
The greatest force in high society was setting trends. Nobles were suckers for luxury and sophistication. They couldn't stand lagging behind or failing to keep up with styles.
'Those who lead trends are untouchable.'
Society's fashions massively influenced the empire's economy. The coin from noble ladies' purses dictated market booms and busts. And since money tied into politics, not even the emperor or pope could dismiss high society.
'And I'll pave the way for Aria to lead those trends.'
It was my resolve since properly joining House Crisis. The biggest proof that social status didn't guarantee sway in society was the original story's Kashmir. Despite being the empire's sole ducal house's daughter, she'd been sidelined.
'If Aria went through that...'
I couldn't even imagine it. I wanted to ensure Aria was never ignored in society. Of course, I knew she could thrive without my help—probably better than me. But as her big sister, I wanted to smooth her start, so I aimed to hand her a definitive edge.
Aria and I were prime targets as illegitimate and adopted daughters. To survive that penalty, we needed clear power in society.
'This debutante ball must establish Aria's foothold in society. And I need to solidify my own position where I'm not dismissed.'
The debutante ball decided future social success—it was that crucial. We couldn't be belittled by our outfits; we had to command respect.
"B-but there's no precedent for a lady in uniform at a debutante ball! You'll be the talk of gossip for ages!"
Katrinne cried out. Amid the shocked stares, I calmly sipped more lemon tea.
She was right, of course. The Solatine Empire still clung to male-dominant traditions. A woman in uniform over a dress at a formal event would spark talk.
That was exactly what I wanted.
'Topics and differentiation.'
You couldn't lead trends through imitation. You needed something to seize eyes and wag tongues.
'Making uniforms trendy would be tough. Few ladies have the guts to shatter the mold overnight.'
Trends had to be accessible. Spreading uniforms among ladies faced too much prejudice on colors and styles. Wearing one was less about trendsetting and more a declaration: I am a knight who wields a sword.
'I can't look like a lady obsessed only with society.'
For my planned path ahead, my debut image needed to firmly establish me as a powerful knight.
'What I'll make trendy is something else.'
"Madam, care to take a look at this?"
I handed Katrinne a sheet of paper amid her fretting worries. It was the item I'd conceived after long deliberation the night before.
"......This is...?"
Katrinne's previously gloomy eyes flashed like lightning. Savoring her reaction, I tilted my teacup once more.
"An item to wear over a shirt. Simple, but it amps up a mysterious vibe just by wearing it. What do you think, with your vast expertise?"
"......Definitely innovative yet simple. The simplicity allows endless variations in styling. It'll catch on first with young dandies who wear shirts often, but tweak the vibe slightly, and it'll trend with ladies too."
"I've already sketched versions for over dresses."
I pulled out another sheet. Katrinne's eyes gleamed with near-maniacal light.
"This will definitely trend."
The cool businesswoman affirmed it. Her upward gaze sparkled so intensely it was burdensome. Only then did I slyly curl one lip.
"Lady! How about partnering with me on this idea?"
'Right on plan.'
I'd dangled the bait, and Katrinne had bitten hard.
"Sis, how'd you even come up with that?"
Finally escaping Katrinne's manic fervor, we rode home in the carriage when Aria asked. Her admiring, sparkling eyes were a bit much.
"Eh, just kinda happened?"
'Memories from my past life, obviously.'
I laughed awkwardly and brushed it off. The item Katrinne had raved about and proposed partnering on was none other than a fashion staple from my previous life—a harness.
"You two meshed so well! The dress version was gorgeous too! It'll sell out fast once it hits— you really gonna business with Madam Katrinne?"
Aria gazed at me with sparkling excitement. I shrugged.
"I got no money, so I'll ask the duke to invest. Not sure if he'll bite."
"As if that guy'd refuse your request."
Aria snorted. Her cynical attitude drew a chuckle from me.
A comfortable silence settled between us.
"......Don't you have questions for me?"
Gazing out at the darkening capital with fewer people, she asked cautiously. Aria's heavy gaze settled on me.
'Everything must feel bewildering for Aria.'
I knew the original story. That's why I understood the whirlwind of events these past days, but Aria didn't.
'Waking from a faint in the Crisis ducal residence. The sister I'd shared my life with is actually the duke's daughter. The rumored blood-mad duke wants to adopt us. No proper explanation before prepping for debutante.'
To Aria, it must all seem absurd, unbelievable. No bridges connecting event to event.
I'd meant to talk seriously with her, but busyness had kept us apart. Feeling sorry for not explaining properly yet grateful she'd followed without complaint, I quietly waited as she pondered deeply.
"......Can I ask just three questions?"
At her tentative request, I nodded. This time, I was confident I'd answer with the full truth.
"I heard from the ducal physician. I'm a fairy hybrid, right?"
I nodded slowly. Aria smiled sadly.
"Did you know before?"