A Tiny Catalyst
The next day. The First Commercial District, nestled in the northwest of the royal capital.
"Hwaaaah…"
Milia yawned widely as she walked, wiping away the tears that had gathered at the corners of her eyes. Dark circles sat heavily beneath them, proof she had not slept a wink the night before. The incident from yesterday refused to leave her mind, keeping her awake until dawn.
"My Lady… are you truly all right?"
"Yeah… I'm fine…"
She nodded toward Schwarz, who regarded her with open concern. Yet her voice held no strength at all. No matter how one looked at her, she did not seem fine in the slightest…
With that thought, Schwarz let out a low murmur of worry.
Meanwhile, Milia came to a stop before a particular building. When Schwarz turned his head, he saw a structure that stood out sharply from those around it. Unlike the other shops built of pure white stone, this one was fashioned from blue stone, radiating an atmosphere that set it apart at a glance.
"Let's go in."
"Yes, My Lady."
Milia stepped inside, and Schwarz followed close behind. The elegant interior of the shop welcomed them at once.
"Welcome! Are you looking for a particular outfit?"
A nearby clerk approached with a bright, cheerful smile.
"We're looking for a party dress."
"I see. Then would you come this way?"
At Schwarz's words the clerk nodded and led them deeper into the shop. The two followed.
"The dresses are over here. Please call if you need anything."
A short while later they arrived at a display filled with countless dresses and garments. The clerk bowed and withdrew into the shop.
"Hmm…"
Milia let out a soft hum and began examining the displayed clothes with careful attention. Ten minutes… twenty… thirty… Time passed, yet she still could not decide. A dress was meant to make its wearer shine, so of course each one had to be weighed with care.
"Schwarz. What do you think? Is there anything that looks good?"
"Hmm… I'm not sure, My Lady."
Schwarz answered in a troubled tone. The only clothes he ever wore were his usual butler's uniform and the casual attire he changed into after work; he had no eye for fashion whatsoever.
"In that case, wouldn't it be better to ask the clerk rather than me…?"
Surely an employee of a shop that handled such fine garments would possess some measure of taste…
"No. I want you to look."
"Umm…"
But Milia shook her head with a sulky expression. Faced with that look, Schwarz could only wear a helpless face of his own before reluctantly stepping closer and beginning to examine the clothes one by one.
"How about this one?"
"The color's too bright."
"Then this?"
"Too many decorations."
Before they knew it, a full hour had passed since they started looking. Milia no longer bothered to hide her growing fatigue, and Schwarz, watching her, could not conceal his restlessness.
"My Lady, perhaps we should rest for now and come back later?"
"But coming back would be a bother."
She answered without taking her eyes from the display, even as Schwarz spoke with worry.
"But your condition is more—"
"Hmm… what about this one?"
Just as he was about to continue, Milia stopped in front of one of the displays.
"This looks nice."
"Hmm…"
At her question Schwarz hummed low and studied the dress inside the case. Crafted from black fabric, it was sleeveless, with a neckline that revealed a hint of the chest; a ribbon tied just beneath the bust accentuated the figure. The skirt fell a little past the thighs, ending above the knee. The upper half was cut with a touch more ease, drawing the eye from the waist upward so that the torso stood out, while lace trailed from the small of the back down to the knees, keeping the design from feeling plain. The matching tights and shoes bore no extra ornament, lending an overall simple impression.
"Umm… it's hard to tell just looking at it like this."
"May I try this one on?"
Schwarz tilted his head with another low murmur, while Milia raised a hand toward a waiting clerk nearby.
"Of course! Right this way!"
The clerk approached at once and led Milia toward the fitting room.
And a short while later…
"Thank you for waiting~"
With a soft click the fitting-room door opened. At the clerk's voice Schwarz turned his head—and the sight of Milia in the dress drew a quiet gasp from him before he could stop it.
The black dress set off her pale skin and hair, heightening her beauty still further. If the usual Milia gave an impression of quiet elegance and purity, the one standing before him now carried an almost alluring air.
"S-so… h-how is it?"
Seeming conscious of the way Schwarz was staring, dazed, Milia flushed lightly and asked.
"You look beautiful. Truly."
"R-really…?"
Beautiful. What more needed to be said? She did not seem to dislike his reaction; a faint smile touched her lips.
"It suits you wonderfully! You have an excellent eye for clothes!"
"I-I'll take this one…"
When the clerk chimed in to add her own praise, Milia answered in an embarrassed voice and returned to the fitting room.
"Haa…"
Once she had gone inside, Schwarz let out a short sigh.
"My Lady has grown quite a bit…"
No matter how many years passed, to him Milia had always been little more than a younger sister. He had believed that would never change. Yet the figure she had just shown him was more than enough to make him realize she was no longer a child, but a proper young lady.
"What am I thinking? Get a grip."
The next instant Schwarz gave a sharp "Hah!" and shook his head vigorously, driving away the thoughts that had begun to surface. However things stood, regarding the mistress he served as a woman was something that simply could not be allowed. Looking at one's little sister that way… that would make him less than human—a beast.
Ah. Come to think of it, he was a beas—
"That's not it."
Just as he was still trying to banish the wandering thoughts…
"Hm?"
Something caught his eye when he turned his head. Inside an elegant display case sat a pair of bracelets. He could not tell what they were made of, but the simple, unadorned bands, though black, held a soft, understated luster.
"Hmm…"
The color was similar enough; worn with the dress, they would not look bad at all. Nodding to himself, Schwarz approached the case and spoke to a nearby clerk.
"Are those bracelets for sale?"
"Those bracelets? They're made of obsidian. Are you interested?"
The clerk nodded. Obsidian… another name for black volcanic glass. Certainly not a common material.
"Yes. I'd like to buy them. How much?"
"Thirty gold coins."
More expensive than expected, he thought, yet he still drew the gold from his wallet and handed it over. The clerk took the coins, removed the bracelets from the case, and carried them to the counter. A short while later she returned and presented him with a small box wrapped in the same black as the bracelets themselves.
"Thank you!"
The clerk bowed with a lively smile—and at that same moment the fitting-room door opened.
"Haa…"
Milia stepped out with a weary sigh. She had already been tired, and standing for over an hour looking at clothes would have exhausted anyone.
"Sorry. You waited a long time, didn't you?"
"It wasn't that long at all."
Schwarz answered with a faint smile.
"Is there anything else you'd like to buy?"
"Mm… no. Nothing."
After a brief hum she shook her head.
"Then let's head back. You look very tired."
Seeing that the dark circles under her eyes had grown even deeper, Schwarz spoke with open concern.
"Is it that bad?"
"Yes."
He nodded firmly at the sheepish look she gave him. She had stood without rest for at least two hours; of course she would be exhausted. Even if she was still young, that was no reason to neglect her health…
"But what's that?"
Just then Milia tilted her head, noticing the black box in Schwarz's hand.
"Ah. This?"
He hummed softly. Better to give it now, he decided, and held the box out to her.
"Hm? What is it?"
"A gift. Bracelets made of obsidian. I thought they would go well with your dress."
"O-obsidian?"
At the sight of his gentle smile, Milia for a moment looked as though she must have misheard. A few seconds later, realizing she had not, her eyes flew wide and her face flushed so red it nearly hid the dark circles.
"My Lady?"
Schwarz tilted his head at her reaction. It was only a pair of bracelets; surely there was no need for such a response…
"Th-th-th-th-that…"
Unable to form words, Milia stretched out a trembling hand and accepted the box. Then, as carefully as if it were treasure, she slipped it into her pocket.
"Th-thank you…"
"It's nothing much. I hope you like them."
Watching her speak with her head bowed low, Schwarz let out a quiet chuckle.
Silence settled between them. Nearby clerks were making soft "oh my, oh my" sounds as they watched the pair, but neither of the two heard a thing.
A short while later—
"Th-then… shall we go?"
"Yes, My Lady."
Schwarz nodded at Milia's trailing words, and together they began to walk.