Noa looked around curiously as he walked alongside Vionette and the rest of their group.
Veylith, the capital city of the Eryndor Kingdom, was beautiful, clean, and incredibly lively—far grander than Thalaor’s capital. The architecture bore a striking resemblance to modern structures, yet retained an otherworldly touch, as if someone had taken the memories of a distant world and gently stitched them into fantasy stone.
Beneath the glow of the city, a diverse crowd moved through the streets; humans, demons, beastfolk, vampires, elves, and other races all coexisted seamlessly, navigating the bustling avenues as equals.
“This is the place,” Vionette stopped at the heart of the avenue, planting her left hand on her hip before turning back toward the group.
They stood before a magnificent building that anchored the entire avenue. Its pristine white facade gleamed under the daylight, accented by subtle gold trim running along the cornices. Large, arched display windows framed the grand entrance, offering passersby a glimpse of the elegant garments displayed inside. Polished marble steps led up to a pair of double doors made of frosted glass, which were etched with delicate motifs of interwoven threads and needles—a subtle, tasteful nod to the art of high-end tailoring.
Ting-ting-ting.
A clear, musical bell chimed above the door as the group stepped inside the threshold.
“Welcome!” a crisp voice greeted them, closing in. “Oh my, if it isn’t Princess Vionette.”
A dark elf approached them with measured, graceful strides. Her snow-white hair fell smoothly behind her shoulders, and her gold-brown eyes observed the newcomers with composed precision. She was dressed in a fitted black suit jacket, matching black trousers, a crisp white long-sleeved shirt, and a neatly tied black tie.
“Yo, Nymira,” Vionette said, waving casually as if she owned the entire establishment.
Nymira stepped closer, offering a polite smile and tilting her head slightly. “To what do we owe the pleasure today, Princess? What kind of request do you have for us?”
“I want some good outfits for my partner and his family,” Vionette replied, counting off the requirements on her fingers one by one. “Make sure they’re of the highest quality, fully Aether-compatible, and, most importantly, cool.”
Nymira’s gold-brown eyes shifted toward the family of three standing just behind the princess, with a smile playing on her lips.
Noa stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Vionette, while Mara and Lina waited just behind them, flanked protectively by the armor-clad knight and the green-haired medic. Under the dark elf's analytical gaze, they felt momentarily like livestock being scrutinized at an auction.
Laugh at us for being commoners, and you’re done for… Noa thought grimly.
Hidden within the folds of his sleeve, a faint, dangerous purple energy began to gather around his clenched fist.
“Yes, yes, my lady. I know exactly what you mean,” Nymira said, turning her gaze back to Vionette. “You are not ordinary, Princess Vionette. But this partner of yours seems even more anomalous.” Her eyes drifted back to Noa, lingering for a fraction of a second.
“You have a good eye,” Vionette let out a soft laugh, playfully resting a hand on Nymira’s shoulder. “Are you sure you won’t reconsider coming to Crimvane? You could easily become my personal tailor.”
“I have already refused you multiple times, Your Highness. Can you give me a break?” Nymira replied, letting out an exhausted but fond sigh. “Anyway, let’s get started.”
She raised her hand high into the air and delivered a single clap that echoed cleanly through the expansive building, instantly alerting the staff.
“Guys, we have three important customers!” she called out confidently.
Almost instantly, employees flooded the entrance, excitement flashing across their faces like sparks catching dry grass.
“Ohh! Special customers indeed! Look at that adorable little girl!”
“I want to try every matching outfit on her right now!”
“The young man has great structure. If he gets a proper haircut, he’ll be absolutely handsome.”
“I wonder if our newly designed dress will suit the lady.”
Excited murmurs surrounded the group as more staff members hurried forward. They all wore uniform, professional business attire, but they represented almost every race imaginable—elves, humans, beastfolk, and even demons and angels working side-by-side.
…
Led by Nymira, the group was guided up a grand staircase to the spacious second floor. As they walked, employees effortlessly floated garments through the air using magic, the rich fabrics moving like obedient spirits hovering neatly in place along the corridor.
“This place handles everything—custom clothing, professional hairdressing, and full styling,” Vionette explained to Noa dramatically as they walked. “They even collaborate with and borrow fashion ideas from otherworlders who work here.”
“Otherworlders work here? Well, that certainly explains the style of this city,” Noa murmured, looking around at the unique interior decoration. “So, what kind of stuff are we gonna get?”
“Let’s see… a casual everyday outfit, a summer outfit, a winter outfit… oh, and definitely a banquet outfit…” Vionette continued listing off without pausing for breath.
“Do you even have the money for all this?” Noa whispered, leaning in closer. “Isn’t your kingdom technically fallen?”
“Actually, we don’t have much money left. But do not worry. We can spend every last cent as long as we can last for the next two months.” She smirked, her brows arching. “After two months… we are going to get incredibly rich. So just relax and enjoy it while you can.”
The interior of the second floor opened up into a bright, airy sanctuary. High ceilings were studded with brilliant white Aether lights, while massive arched windows allowed natural sunlight to pour across the gleaming white marble floors. Golden accents warmed the sophisticated space, and plush velvet seating invited customers to linger. Everything about the environment whispered refinement.
As they followed the stylists, Mara leaned toward Noa, looking slightly overwhelmed. “Isn’t this a bit too extravagant, Noa?” she asked quietly, having overheard the sheer volume of clothes Vionette was ordering.
“Don’t worry about it, Mom. Just enjoy the experience like Lina is,” he replied gently, glancing ahead at Vionette and Lina, who were already happily chatting about colors and fabrics. “Consider this part of the payment for saving my life and taking care of me.”
Mara’s expression softened at his words. That faint, tender smile of hers always felt like something incredibly fragile yet profoundly precious to him.
Nymira slowed her pace as they reached a grand archway sectioned off from the main floor. She gestured dramatically before extending her hands toward the family.
“This is our premier salon facility. Everyone, they are all yours~” she said with a mischievous smile.
A handsome young man, a gorgeous lady, and an exceptionally cute child. This family is truly blessed with aesthetics, Nymira thought to herself, her eyes shining with professional excitement. I can test out all of our latest designs on them.
…
On the second floor's waiting lounge, Vionette sat elegantly at a private table prepared for her by the attentive staff. She leaned back comfortably against the chair, lazily swirling a white straw between her pink lips as she sipped a chilled milkshake, waiting for her partner and his family to finish their transformations.
“Wow! He looks incredible!”
“That haircut matches his features perfectly!”
Hearing the sudden burst of excited chatter from the changing bays, Vionette peeked, her gaze shifting toward the privacy curtains where the stylists were pointing.
Noa ran a casual hand through his hair as he parted the heavy velvet curtains and stepped out onto the floor. His dark hair had been expertly styled into a sleek middle part, with the black strands falling over his forehead in a calculated, effortlessly messy fashion.
He was dressed in a perfectly tailored, fitted black shirt left deliberately untucked, the premium fabric falling freely past his waist. Over the shirt rested a dark purple coat that extended just slightly past his hips; it was cut close to his frame to emphasize his build without restricting a single ounce of movement. Emblazoned across the left sleeve of the jacket was an intricate purple snake design coiled upward along the fabric like a striking tattoo.
Slim black trousers fit close to his legs, reinforced at the thighs with two strap details on the right side. A pair of polished black combat boots accented with faint purple details completed the look—sturdy enough to withstand intense combat, but sleek enough to pass for high-end streetwear.
Wow, indeed, Vionette thought, her eyes widening slightly as she watched him adjust the collar of the coat. I usually would have complained that an all-black look lacks creative style, but it actually suits him perfectly. Meh. Whatever.
“Stay right there for a second. Mmm… give me another pose,” Vionette teased, framing her fingers into a mock camera lens and peering through it at him.
“What are you doing?” Noa asked, walking over to her table. “It’s not like you actually have a camera to look at a photo later.”
Vionette dropped her hands and picked her milkshake back up with a grin. “I don’t need one. I can remember the frames in my mind clearly.”
Man… he is exactly my type, Vionette admitted internally, keeping her gaze locked on him as she took another sip. Isn’t that right, System?
[…]
You fucker… she glared intensely at the transparent status window hovering in her vision. Well, let’s wait for the other two. I have a feeling Lina is going to take a lot of time. I heard the employees practically fighting to try every single dress on her.
Noa slid into the chair next to her. The attentive employee standing beside Vionette immediately asked for his preference, and he ordered a matching milkshake.
…
To their surprise, the next person to step out from the styling bays wasn't Mara, but Lina.
Her vibrant pink twin-tails fell past her shoulders in soft, elegant waves, neatly tied back with sleek black ribbons. A delicate braid traced near the right side of her hairline, adding a subtle touch of royalty to her look.
She wore a beautifully designed, faux-layered two-piece wrap dress that gave the effortless illusion of meticulous styling. The upper half consisted of a frilled, off-the-shoulder black bodice, held securely by delicate black halter straps looping around her neck. A neat ribbon lace-up ran down the center of the torso, pulling the fit together and perfectly accentuating her youthful frame, while faint pink frills traced the edges of the bust to soften the dark contrast of the black fabric.
Below the bodice, the dress flowed into a high-waisted pink skirt that cinched neatly just beneath her chest. A long sash tied at her left hip formed a prominent bow that bounced lightly with every rhythmic, energetic step she took. Her black calf-high boots, intricately laced with matching pink ribbons, tapped gently against the polished marble floor, adding a sturdy finish to her otherwise airy, magical appearance.
“Young miss, you look absolutely adorable!”
“Yes! Incredible!”
“That dress was made for her~!”
The entire lounge practically melted into collective affection.
While Vionette admired the child's new look, Sara—the employee who had served them their drinks—leaned in toward the princess, looking thoroughly confused. She placed a polite hand beside her mouth and whispered discreetly:
“Uhh… pardon me for asking this, Princess… but is that child yours?”
“Wha—” Vionette froze instantly, her hands slipping as she almost dropped her glass. “W-what are you talking about?!”
Do I really look old enough to have a child that age?! And besides… She snapped her head toward Noa. That bastard is shaking trying to hold in his laughter!
“Oh! My deepest apologies!” Sara bowed quickly in a panic. “It’s only because… she looks just as stunningly beautiful as you do, Your Highness.”
Vionette slowly turned her gaze back to the employee, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
“Really?”
“REALLY!”
Vionette placed her drink down on the table, proudly lifting her chin up with a smug expression. “Well… you could say she’s my sister.”
…
Lina sat happily next to Noa, enthusiastically devouring a complimentary plate of cake without slowing down as they waited for the final reveal.
Then, the curtains parted for the final presentation.
Nymira, who had personally gone into the dressing room to oversee Mara’s transformation, stepped out first. With a dramatic flair, she extended both hands toward the heavy curtains like a grand ringmaster unveiling a masterpiece.
Finally, Noa’s mother—Wait… Vionette caught her own train of thought. What should I even call her? I can’t just keep referring to her as ‘Noa’s mother’ forever.
The moment Mara stepped through the curtains, an absolute, dead silence fell over the entire second floor. There were no loud compliments or excited gasps like before; everyone—including Noa, Lina, and Vionette—simply stared, utterly paralyzed.
Mara stood before them wearing a striking, form-fitting crimson red gown. The fabric wrapped elegantly across her bodice before cascading down into a daring, high-thigh slit on the right side.
The upper portion of the gown featured a sleek, sleeveless design overlaid with a sheer black mesh across her chest, transitioning seamlessly into an intricate, high-collared black lace neckline that framed her throat like an ornate, royal choker.
Her caramel-toned hair was styled with long, face-framing bangs, the rest of it swept entirely over her left shoulder into a thick, loosely woven braid secured near the end with a small red tie. A vibrant red headband held the rest of her hair back smoothly at the crown of her head.
Complementing the elegant ensemble, a single, long dangling earring hung from her visible right ear, adorned with a delicate vertical alignment of small red, white, and dark beads that caught the ambient Aether light.
What the hell…? She looks stunning. Vionette almost choked on her drink, her eyes wide. I could easily call her ‘Mommy’ right now. Those countryside clothes completely hid her true beauty.
Looking at her own reflection in the grand mirrors, Mara fidgeted slightly, a deeply uncertain and self-conscious expression crossing her face. She looked at herself again, before turning toward the others with a nervous bead of sweat on her cheek.
“Um… isn’t this… a bit too much?” she asked softly.
No one answered her. It wasn't because the outfit looked bad, but because the sheer transformation was overwhelming.
Then, slowly, one by one, every single employee in the room, followed by Noa, Lina, and Vionette, silently raised their thumbs in unanimous approval.
Under the sheer shock, it was the only reaction they could manage.
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