7. That Summer

The carriage came to a stop at the bustling intersection of Citéga. Beyond the window, the three-story stone building of the Paralroma Workshop stood out prominently in the most eye-catching spot at the crossroads, while directly across from it loomed another three-story structure of similar size. With no signboard in sight, a single dress hung on a mannequin in the small showroom window, and the rest of the building was walled off on all sides. A doorman in a crisp uniform stood at the entrance, bowing politely to the rare guests who passed through. The nobles entering and exiting strutted in their lavish attire, trailed by servants who went in empty-handed only to emerge carrying massive boxes stacked as high as their heads, loading them onto carriages. Packaged just like the dress box that Baron Belpharos had brought back from Eliyum last time as a gift for the overseer—this signless dress shop was the Trevere that Olivier adored.

"I don't belong in a place like this. More than that..."

She couldn't bring herself to voice the rest: not to mention, I could never afford the outrageous prices. She'd only stepped out intending to buy a simple cotton dress that would suffice for her suddenly grown body, yet here she was, brought to Trevere's doorstep by Killian. As Emily trailed off with a troubled expression toward Killian, who had been holding her wrist the entire ride in the carriage, he looked down at her face. The transparent gray eyes beneath her long platinum lashes trembled faintly as she gazed up at him. Killian stared at her silently for a moment before wordlessly grasping her wrist and leading her onward.

With complicated emotions swirling inside her, Emily passed through the dress shop's entrance under his guidance and stood before the first-floor desk. On the way in, she'd felt the doorman's gaze scanning her shabby attire as she was led by the hand, and her face flushed crimson.

"Welcome to Trevere. We are honored by your visit and will serve you with utmost sincerity."

A slender clerk bowed deeply in greeting. Killian looked down at her with his characteristic haughty expression and said, "I'm here to order ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a few outfits suited to this young lady—one of which I'd like her to wear right away."

"Ah, yes. Understood. Please follow me to the second floor."

The clerk's eyes sparkled at the sight of this tall, unmistakably high-ranking noble declaring his intent to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠purchase several dresses. As they ascended the stairs to the second floor, another desk identical to the one below awaited, leading to a wide corridor beyond. It was structured much like the Paralroma Workshop from her previous visit. Guided by the second-floor staff, they entered the first room off the corridor under their direction.

The large room was divided into two sections: wardrobes lined every wall on either side, while in the center stood a long, plush sofa facing a stage-like platform shrouded by curtains a step higher. The wall behind the stage was a full mirror. Killian strode confidently into the room as if familiar with it and took his place before the sofa. Looking down at Emily, who had been led inside, he said, "The staff will take care of everything."

One of the following staff members beamed brightly. The clerk regarded Emily with a kind, smiling face full of warmth. "What design are you looking for? At Trevere, we offer a variety of dresses meticulously crafted by designers handpicked from across the eastern continent. Our basic designs include tube tops that flatly wrap the chest, heart necklines that subtly reveal a hint of cleavage, high necks that cover up to the throat, off-shoulder styles that bare the shoulders, one-shoulder with decorative accents, and halter necks that curve smoothly from the bust to the nape. If you'd like something custom, we can deliver within ten days of ordering."

Emily blinked in bewilderment at the clerk's words. She'd thought dresses were just the everyday sort that covered up to the neck, yet there were so many basic variations. The ones Olivier had been wearing lately seemed to blend halter and one-shoulder elements. As Emily shot Killian a perplexed look, he instructed the clerk in a dry tone, "Bring the latest trendy dresses that would suit the young lady's figure. She can pick the ones she likes from those."

"Ah, of course. In that case..."

The clerk appraised Emily from head ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to toe. Her face was that of a striking beauty, but her hair was extremely short, and her body was concealed beneath a gray robe. When the clerk's gaze lingered on the knot at the front of the robe, Emily's brows furrowed slightly. The quick-witted clerk swiftly averted her eyes. At least her height wasn't petite, so tall-women's sizes should work. Bowing politely, the clerk signaled to a trailing colleague and said, "Would you step up onto the platform for fitting?"

Emily glanced at Killian, who released her wrist with a subtle nod. She followed the clerk onto the stage-like platform. Thick curtains promptly drew closed, leaving only the clerk and Emily in the enclosed space.

"I'll be waiting."

Killian's low voice came from beyond the curtain. Knowing he was watching from the same room, separated only by fabric, made her face burn hot. As Emily ducked her head in flustered uncertainty, the clerk reached out and untied the robe's knot. Spotting the worn dress beneath, the clerk paused briefly but soon stripped it off without fuss. Emily stood there in her undergarments. Another clerk arrived from behind the curtain with a simple white dress, which was deftly fitted onto her with practiced hands. The clerk fussed over the dress for a while, scrutinizing Emily from head to toe before issuing various instructions to a waiting colleague.

Moments later, silver leather shoes and an array of accessories were carefully unpacked from a box, and the clerk began adorning Emily with them. "Hmm... With your hair so short, styling is a challenge..." After trying various pieces, the clerk pondered with a furrowed brow and ordered another staffer, "Check the storeroom for a platinum blonde wig. Bring it if we have one."

Soon after, the brought wig was a bright golden blonde—not quite matching Emily's shade, as no closer match was available. Resignedly, the bright golden curls were fitted over her head. The long, wavy tresses cascading to her chest suited Emily surprisingly well. Satisfied, the clerk had her turn around, and in the mirror-wall, Emily beheld a stranger: a girl in a simple white silk dress of straight, elegant lines akin to what Evril favored, its ankle-length skirt falling gracefully. Being a summer dress, it was light and thin aside from the inner petticoat, with thick curls reaching nearly her waist.

"Even without makeup, you look this stunning—after a quick touch-up in the inner styling room, I daresay you'd be Eliyum's greatest beauty. Standing side by side with the gentleman outside, you'd be the picture of a perfect couple. Forgive the impropriety on first meeting, but I'd beg you to model for our catalog on the spot."

At the clerk's words, the sophisticated girl in the mirror curved her lips upward. Emily could hardly believe it was herself. The reflection showed a noble lady with lively golden curls and an elegant dress.

"Well then, shall we show your waiting guest this new look?"

Rubbing her hands in satisfaction, the clerk signaled another staffer. Emily's heart pounded wildly as the concealing curtain slowly parted. Beyond it, Killian lounged against the sofa with eyes closed, asleep. Emily steadied her racing heart and gazed at him. The clerk smiled faintly beside her.

"A bit longer than expected, I'm afraid."

Another clerk approached politely, lightly touching Killian's shoulder. He opened his eyes, blinking to shake off sleep. Seeing him straighten his disheveled posture from his usual prim and arrogant demeanor eased Emily's tension. Fresh from slumber, he looked like an endearing boy rather than the distant figure she knew. Meeting her gaze, he stared up from the sofa with wide-eyed surprise. His deep dark brown eyes fixed on her unmovingly for a moment. The sight drew a soft smile from Emily. As she smiled, he blinked again in a daze.

"What do you think? Does the young lady's dress please you?"

The clerk asked amiably, and Killian slowly nodded without shifting his gaze.

His steady eyes roamed slowly over her form, making Emily's face burn. His gaze deepened. Regaining clarity moments later, he smiled faintly and instructed the clerk, "I'll buy five more in a similar style to what she's wearing now. And I'd like to leave as we are."

"Understood. Shall I show other options now?"

Killian shook his head slowly. "No. How long will it take? For the outfits to be ready."

"Her measurements are near standard except for the waist, which just needs slight adjustment, so no later than tomorrow afternoon."

"Then to the Duval on Poenneu Street..."

Noticing Emily's brows furrow, he paused, glanced at her, and continued, "No—send them to the Loren count's residence on Poenneu Street."

"Very well. We'll adjust this one's waistline now. A moment, please."

At the clerk's signal, the curtain fell again. Killian stared at the shrouded fabric, calming his pounding heart. After some time, Emily reemerged. Same outfit, but from the moment he'd woken, his heart—which had already quickened—now raced even fiercer. Killian rose and approached the shyly downcast girl, offering his arm.

"Shall we go now, my lady?"

Emily placed her trembling fingertips on his arm, but an urgent voice called from behind. "Sir, if I may..."

One of Killian's eyebrows arched slightly. The clerk flashed a bright sales smile. "For Trevere's reputation, you can't leave her like this. The lady must visit the inner styling room for makeup—it won't take long."

Killian glared, but the clerk pressed on with a quivering smile. "...You won't regret it."

Relinquishing his arm, Emily was led by the clerk deeper into the corridor. When she returned, Killian could only stare, transfixed. Cascading golden curls adorned with a cute blue ribbon, subtle makeup enhancing her features: pink blush brightened her shy cheeks vibrantly, lashes lengthened and fuller to deepen her cool gaze, making her clear, glass-bead gray eyes mysteriously alluring. Her slender bare shoulders and subtly revealed cleavage atop the white dress top exuded femininity through her delicate collarbones. Just as he'd admitted that day in the Belpharos garden before the gathered crowd, here stood a beauty far more elegant, graceful, and pure than Evril.

Overcome by that same feeling from then, Killian gazed at Emily dreamily before extending his arm once more, as if awakening. "Will you go with me now, my lady?"

Emily dipped her chin demurely and placed her hand gracefully on his arm.