Noble Attire
Asherah, slow down a little!
There's no time to waste! If we're going to make an impression at the ball, the Captain and I both need proper attire!
Analysis suggests formal attire may command a considerable price.
Doubtful whether Asherah possesses sufficient funds.
I'll just pay in installments if I have to!
Oh dear. She's caught Lisa's spending habits!
W-Whoa?!
Oww! Didn't I tell you not to run inside Candle Square?!
Consider yourselves fortunate! If Claire had seen that, you'd have been in big trouble!
S-Sorry...
Setting that aside... You seem to be in quite a hurry. Something happen?
Well... I just got carried away because I need to find a dress as soon as possible.
A dress? What do you need that for all of a sudden?
I'll be attending a gala during the upcoming New Year's Festival.
Is that so? So you're looking for a dress suitable for the gala?
Hahaha! You're in luck, humans!
If that's all it is...
I, in my boundless generosity, shall personally help you!
Oh, right!
Reminder. Scarlet is responsible for all clothing repairs in Candle Square.
Heh heh! Well remembered!
Leave everything to me!
Scarlet, you're a lifesaver!
...We thought that would solve everything.
When we arrived at her workshop, Scarlet proudly showed us the outfits she'd designed.
...Every single one showcased a fashion sense so avant-garde that it was completely beyond human comprehension.
...
...Wow... Seriously...? So, Asherah... You're actually willing to wear that?
...Interesting.
...Interesting it is.
Come now! Surely you're speechless after beholding my masterpieces!
Blinded by their magnificence, I see! Consider yourselves honored, humans! Bwahaha!
Oh, and fear not! Your dress shall stand proudly alongside my greatest creations!
W-We were actually hoping for... something a little different...!
Dragon fashion is simply ahead of its time... for humans, at least.
Perhaps she could recommend a boutique that caters to human taste.
...After that much pleading, we eventually talked our way out of Scarlet's workshop.
...Is this the place?
Ooh... Everything looks ridiculously pricey...
Welcome. What brings you in today?
I'd like to order a custom dress.
A friend suggested I visit here.
A friend...?
Oh, and she told me to show this to your designer.
It's... a handkerchief? Very well, I'll pass it along to her and see what she says.
Ah! Right away, ma'am!
Would you mind waiting a moment?
Wow, they seem swamped. The clothes they've got on display are beautiful, though...
Scarlet insisted we check this place out...
This is the place she meant... isn't it?
...A boutique recommended by Scarlet.
Probability that the designer shares Scarlet's sense of fashion... is high.
W-Well, we should at least ask...
Excuse me— Huh? Lady Stranis? Captain?
Epindel? Fancy seeing you here!
...Greetings. I must admit, this is quite unexpected.
I never imagined I'd run into you in a place like this.
A place like this...?
Please don't take that the wrong way.
I meant no offense.
Well... how should I put this...
It's simply that... you were fond of clothes that were anything but aristocratic.
...Such as your current outfit.
What's wrong with what I'm wearing?!
It's practical! Comfortable, tough, and it doesn't need washing every other day—
...
...Excuse me?
Anyway, we've known each other forever. You can drop the formalities when it's just us.
*Sigh*... Lady Stranis, it seems your carefree nature hasn't changed one bit.
We're not children anymore.
Don't you think it's only proper to observe decorum and etiquette, even in private?
But it was your idea to stay on casual terms even after we become adults—
Th-That doesn't count! We were eight! Children say all sorts of foolish things!
I think it's perfectly fine, though...
*Sigh*... I don't know why I even bother.
She said her clothes...
Don't need washing every other day...
In any case, what brings you to a haute couture boutique like this?
Judging by your outfit, your taste for simple attire appears to be the same as ever.
I suppose so... but I thought I should at least have a decent dress for the ball.
Don't tell me... you're talking about the ball held during the Night of Harmony charity gala?
That's right! I'll be attending.
You're attending... yourself?
Mm-hm. I'll be there with my companions right here.
...Unless I'm mistaken, you never cared much for events like that.
I'm not interested in the gala itself.
The only thing I care about is the prize.
...I thought as much.
You're still willing to throw yourself at anything related to the Star Savior without a second thought, my lady.
Don't you think you're a little old to get excited over legends from storybooks?
They're not just legends! The Star Savior was real!
I have no intention of debating that. But...
People in our position should concern themselves not with the past, but with the honor of our families and—
*Sigh...*
Never mind. A few words from me aren't going to change your mind.
Yeah, I get what you're trying to say.
I know you're looking out for me!
...I'm glad you see it that way.
Anyway, are you attending the gala as well?
Fufu. I'll be doing much more than simply attending.
It seems that you weren't aware that House Orlan is this year's main sponsor.
Better yet...
As the future heir, I've been entrusted with full authority over this year's gala.
I'm doing everything I can to deliver a perfect gala worthy of the trust my family has placed in me.
Wow, that's amazing! You're... really grown-up, Epindel!
...Lady Stranis. Shouldn't you feel at least a little sense of rivalry?
Huh? Why would I? You're my friend. Of course I'm happy for you.
I mean, considering our respective positions as heirs—
...Never mind. You have a way of making me feel like I'm overthinking everything.
...?
Speaking of which... the clerk's been gone a while.
It's a busy season. That's only to be expected. Speaking of which, what sort of dress are you having made?
Something elegant? Or perhaps something a little more daring?
Huh...? I haven't picked anything yet.
We literally just walked in.
Oh dear... Surely you're joking.
...You did know what kind of place this is before coming here, didn't you?
What do you mean? It's where people have clothes made.
...This is Maison Delize, the most sought-after haute couture in high society these days.
It's the custom boutique every noble lady in Lavistar hopes to commission at least one dress from.
Wow... I had no idea this place was so famous.
Huh... Scarlet really knew what she was talking about!
Scarlet's judgment in fashion has been revised upward.
Lady Stranis, I don't think you've quite grasped the situation—
Thank you for waiting!
I understand you'd like to commission a dress?
That's right. About how long would it take?
*Sigh*... My lady, there's simply no way it'll be ready before the gala.
In case you weren't aware, new clients typically wait a minimum of one year even after securing a reservation.
Seriously? That long?!
Then what am I supposed to do...? Isn't there any way to get one sooner?
Hmm... If you're truly in that much of a hurry, perhaps I could call upon my family's network.
The quality may not be quite on this level, but we may still be able to have one ready in time.
Of course, I don't intend to offer such a favor without compensation.
You may simply consider it a small favor owed by the future heir of House Orlan—
Pardon me, but if I may interrupt...
The designer says your dress can be ready within a week.
...What?
E-Excuse me? Within a week?
Yes. The designer specifically said...
"For a friend of Lady Scarlet's, I'd gladly set aside my entire schedule and work day and night."
If you'll follow me, we'll begin by taking your measurements.
...Smile. Did the clerk just address Scarlet as Lady Scarlet?
No room for misinterpretation.
Scarlet's capability score has skyrocketed.
Well... I have no idea what just happened, but...
What a relief! We'll have the dress in time after all.
...How is this possible? What exactly did you do to earn special treatment from the notoriously aloof designer of Maison Delize?
I just happened to become friends with someone during my quests.
I have no idea what the connection is, but they must be friends.
Or maybe Scarlet's a legendary tailor and we just never knew...?
The world of fashion sure is beyond me...
The world of aesthetics... difficult to understand.
Oh! Epindel, do you need one quickly as well? I could ask Scarlet to put in another request for you!
Urgh...!
Th-That's quite all right! Even the smallest debt is unacceptable for a member of House Orlan!
But we're friends. You don't have to keep score—
I said that's enough!