The showbiz here really knows how to play dirty.
Chiori looked at the man before her. Handsome face, refined demeanor, but the words that came out of his mouth didn't sound like anything a normal person would say. She had only wanted to help Lynette a little, but instead of helping, she'd dug herself a pit.
Couple's clothing for four people? Only Richard could come up with that.
And yet… Lynette had no objections?
Chiori glanced at Lynette, her eyes saying: 'This man you've set your sights on, is he really alright?'
Lynette avoided her gaze.
'Looks like success is still far off…' Chiori thought.
"Fontaine law clearly stipulates monogamy. And besides, who's ever heard of couple's clothing for four?" Chiori said irritably.
"As long as you don't register for marriage, it doesn't matter. Common-law relationships aren't protected by law."
"So you had this planned all along, huh?"
"Not at all, not at all. It's just, when you've lived long enough, you pick up a little bit of everything." Richard waved his hand modestly.
The few jokes lightened the atmosphere in the boutique. Richard didn't press the issue of "foursome couple's wear" any further, he knew it was too reckless.
But Lynette knew Richard well. He liked to tuck bits of truth inside his jokes. For all she knew, he really did want them all.
If that were the case… Lynette brushed her hand along the fabric, pursed her lips, and decided not to think about it for now.
Just be an ostrich…
"Lynette, come try on this sample." Chiori handed her the garment.
"Alright." Lynette put down her tea and stood. She shot a glance at Richard, only to find him staring at her expectantly, like a puppy waiting to be fed.
So she decisively skipped over him and turned her gaze to Clorinde.
"Clorinde, can you come in and give me a second opinion?"
"Me? Sure." Clorinde nodded without hesitation. But then she noticed Richard staring at her.
…Had she accidentally offended him again?
Clorinde braced herself and stepped into the fitting room. Chiori's boutique wasn't like an ordinary clothing store, this was high-end, custom-tailored. There weren't racks of clothes everywhere, just a few spacious fitting rooms and consultation chambers.
Lynette tried on the sample according to her request. Since it was only a sample, it lacked the polish of a finished piece, but the effect could be seen.
She had commissioned two outfits: one formal evening gown, and one daily outfit.
Now she was trying the gown. Unlike the usual Western-style backless, low-cut gowns, Lynette's was more conservative, carrying an Eastern air.
Conservative, yes, the skin was covered almost entirely. But the effect was striking. The silk fabric, clinging close, gave just the faintest glimpse of the figure beneath. That elusive, half-hidden allure stirred the heart far more than bare skin could.
Clorinde touched the material. The main fabric of the gown was surprisingly sturdy, not as fragile as she had imagined. The lace sleeves were especially beautiful, delicate black patterns tracing out the shape of a mysterious dark cat.
The slit of the skirt wasn't too high, no more than the calf would show when walking. But the fabric was semi-transparent silk, faintly revealing the outline of her thighs without clarity.
Clorinde touched the fabric of the skirt again and realized, it wasn't as strong as the upper body's material. A tug might tear it.
Looking closer, she saw why. The skirt had two layers. Even if the outer layer tore, there would be no risk of exposure.
But just as she was about to test the inner fabric… Lynette coughed lightly.
Clorinde froze. To test the inner fabric meant her hand would have to slip beneath Lynette's skirt. That would look… far too indecent.
"Miss Clorinde, you seem very concerned about the durability of the fabric?" Chiori asked, noticing.
"Yes, due to… personal reasons." Clorinde replied.
Lynette glanced at Clorinde's absurd figure, then at that single button straining at her chest, and nodded with understanding.
"Fair enough."
"It's for work! Not what you're thinking!" Clorinde muttered.
As Fontaine's strongest Duelist Agent, she was often caught in battles. Ordinary clothing tore easily during combat, or even during training. That was why she rarely wore casual clothes, preferring her uniform. Military-grade, durable, reliable.
Where to buy it? Nowhere, it was issued by the Palais Mermonia. Different ranks got different quality. Clorinde, being the strongest, had the best of the best. Money couldn't buy it.
Free, and top quality. What could beat that?
"In that case, I'll need to change the fabric I originally planned for you." Chiori pondered, already thinking of durable alternatives.
"As for evening gowns, it's hard to make them sturdy. But surely no one would fight while wearing one?" she added.
"Since these are custom-tailored, unless you gain weight, it's unlikely the dress would just 'rip' open, " she mimed a bursting chest.
Clorinde flushed bright red.
"Miss Chiori, please don't joke like that!"
"I'm not joking. You have the best figure I've ever seen. Even the young miss of Spina di Rosula can't compare, "
Clorinde gave up resisting. She quickly seized on another point:
"Wait. So Navia also had clothes made here?"
"Call me Chiori. And yes, she's one of my regulars. You've noticed her outfits, haven't you? All mine. She helped me a lot with trouble before, and a prominent girl like her makes good advertising. So I gave her a friendly price."
"What about Lady Furina?"
"If Lady Furina would guarantee to wear my designs publicly, I'd design for free. If she insists on paying, that's fine too."
Given Furina's status and popularity, designers would fight to clothe her, even paying her to wear their designs.
"Speaking of, isn't Lady Furina supposed to come today? Why isn't she here yet?" Chiori asked.
"She doesn't like missing any trials, so she'll be late. But it should be about time…" Clorinde's words had barely fallen when Furina's voice came from outside.
"Richard? Why are you standing here alone? Where's Clorinde and the others?"
"They're inside the fitting room, "
"Uwah, why do you look like that? Like someone stole the dessert you've been craving for ages."
Inside, the three women exchanged glances. Finally, Clorinde said:
"Why don't we just let Richard in? It's not like Lynette's wearing anything indecent. This 'fitting room' is really just a consultation room, there's a smaller cubicle inside for actual changing."
Nested rooms within rooms.
"Mm…" Lynette nodded, about to open the door, only to find Richard already standing there, hand raised to knock.
"I came to ask on Lady Furina's behalf."
"Then let her in too."
"…Fine."
In the end, Richard got his wish and entered the fitting room. But the sight wasn't what he had imagined. No risqué scenes, just Lynette slipping in and out of the inner cubicle, trying on samples.
He felt cheated. This product didn't match the description. He wanted to lodge a formal complaint. Instead, he was nearly thrown out.
"Lady Furina, what kind of clothes would you like? A traditional Fontaine gown, or something exotic?" Chiori offered examples.
But Furina turned her eyes toward Richard, seeking his opinion.
That surprised Chiori. For a girl to consult a man about her clothing, to lean on his opinion, that said a lot.
Lynette had a rival now. And not just anyone, Fontaine's Archon.
Of course, it might not be what she thought… but the way Furina looked at Richard was undeniably different.
"Furina doesn't lack gowns, right?" Richard asked casually.
"True." Furina thought of the countless gowns in her wardrobe, worn once then forgotten. If not for occasional purges, her closet would have burst long ago.
"But considering how often you wear gowns, you might as well call them daily wear," Clorinde said.
If Clorinde's uniform was her daily dress, then Furina's was gowns.
But Furina's gowns were usually more neutral, practical, able to pass as daily clothes despite their splendor. And with her divine presence, no one ever thought them inappropriate.
She was Furina, after all.
"Then let's design her a proper set of casual clothes," Richard suggested. "Haute couture gowns show off a designer's skill, but casual wear shows their cleverness. I believe Chiori's level can produce something stunning."
"Flattery won't earn you a discount," Chiori smiled faintly.
Furina suddenly tugged Richard aside and whispered:
"I heard this place is expensive. Do you have enough money? If not, I have savings, I don't use them much. I could lend you some."
Other girls worried if the clothes were too expensive. Furina worried if he had enough money.
"W-why are you looking at me like that? I said lend, not give! You still have to pay me back. You're the one who offered to buy me clothes, remember? …But, um, if you really can't pay, I didn't say when you had to return it…" she added softly.
No deadline. No interest. Essentially a gift, disguised as a loan, for his pride.
She really… she was killing him with kindness.
"Don't worry, Lady Furina. Money isn't a problem. Even if I have to eat dirt for a month, I'll keep my word!"
Furina immediately pictured Richard digging dirt in the wilderness for food, and quickly said:
"Actually, the clothes don't need to be that expensive. Why don't I cover half of Clorinde's order? She is my secretary, after all, "
At that moment, Chiori returned with a quote.
"Excuse me. Here's the price list, Mr. Richard. A deposit is required. If all's fine, please sign here."
"No problem." Richard skimmed the numbers, signed his name, and tore out a check.
Furina caught sight of the checkbook. A VIP Northern Bank account.
So that's how it was. No way would a man with that account be broke. He'd been teasing her!
She puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him.
"Lady Furina, if you have any requests, tell Chiori. The deposit's paid." Richard smiled.
"Then give me the most expensive one. Make you ache for it, you bad thing!"
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu