New Year Under Starlit Trails · Chapter 3

Noble Attire

Luna

Asherah, slow down a little!

Asherah

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!

Smile

Analysis suggests formal attire may command a considerable price.

Doubtful whether Asherah possesses sufficient funds.

Asherah

I'll just pay in installments if I have to!

Luna

Oh dear. She's caught Lisa's spending habits!

Scarlet

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!

Asherah

S-Sorry...

Scarlet

Setting that aside... You seem to be in quite a hurry. Something happen?

Asherah

Well... I just got carried away because I need to find a dress as soon as possible.

Scarlet

A dress? What do you need that for all of a sudden?

Asherah

I'll be attending a gala during the upcoming New Year's Festival.

Scarlet

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!

Asherah

Oh, right!

Smile

Reminder. Scarlet is responsible for all clothing repairs in Candle Square.

Scarlet

Heh heh! Well remembered!

Leave everything to me!

Asherah

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.

Asherah

...

Luna

...Wow... Seriously...? So, Asherah... You're actually willing to wear that?

Smile

...Interesting.

Asherah

...Interesting it is.

Scarlet

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.

Asherah

...Is this the place?

Luna

Ooh... Everything looks ridiculously pricey...

Employee

Welcome. What brings you in today?

Asherah

I'd like to order a custom dress.

A friend suggested I visit here.

Employee

A friend...?

Asherah

Oh, and she told me to show this to your designer.

Employee

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?

Luna

Wow, they seem swamped. The clothes they've got on display are beautiful, though...

Asherah

Scarlet insisted we check this place out...

This is the place she meant... isn't it?

Smile

...A boutique recommended by Scarlet.

Probability that the designer shares Scarlet's sense of fashion... is high.

Asherah

W-Well, we should at least ask...

Epindel

Excuse me—

Huh? Lady Stranis? Captain?

Asherah

Epindel? Fancy seeing you here!

Epindel

...Greetings. I must admit, this is quite unexpected.

I never imagined I'd run into you in a place like this.

Asherah

A place like this...?

Epindel

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.

Asherah

What's wrong with what I'm wearing?!

It's practical! Comfortable, tough, and it doesn't need washing every other day—

...

...Excuse me?

Asherah

Anyway, we've known each other forever. You can drop the formalities when it's just us.

Epindel

*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?

Asherah

But it was your idea to stay on casual terms even after we become adults—

Epindel

Th-That doesn't count! We were eight! Children say all sorts of foolish things!

Asherah

I think it's perfectly fine, though...

Epindel

*Sigh*... I don't know why I even bother.

She said her clothes...

Don't need washing every other day...

Epindel

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.

Asherah

I suppose so... but I thought I should at least have a decent dress for the ball.

Epindel

Don't tell me... you're talking about the ball held during the Night of Harmony charity gala?

Asherah

That's right! I'll be attending.

Epindel

You're attending... yourself?

Asherah

Mm-hm. I'll be there with my companions right here.

Epindel

...Unless I'm mistaken, you never cared much for events like that.

Asherah

I'm not interested in the gala itself.

The only thing I care about is the prize.

Epindel

...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?

Asherah

They're not just legends! The Star Savior was real!

Epindel

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.

Asherah

Yeah, I get what you're trying to say.

I know you're looking out for me!

Epindel

...I'm glad you see it that way.

Asherah

Anyway, are you attending the gala as well?

Epindel

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.

Asherah

Wow, that's amazing! You're... really grown-up, Epindel!

Epindel

...Lady Stranis. Shouldn't you feel at least a little sense of rivalry?

Asherah

Huh? Why would I? You're my friend. Of course I'm happy for you.

Epindel

I mean, considering our respective positions as heirs—

...Never mind. You have a way of making me feel like I'm overthinking everything.

Asherah

...?

Speaking of which... the clerk's been gone a while.

Epindel

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?

Asherah

Huh...? I haven't picked anything yet.

Luna

We literally just walked in.

Epindel

Oh dear... Surely you're joking.

I'm dead serious.

Is there a problem?

Epindel

...You did know what kind of place this is before coming here, didn't you?

Asherah

What do you mean? It's where people have clothes made.

Epindel

...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.

Asherah

Wow... I had no idea this place was so famous.

Luna

Huh... Scarlet really knew what she was talking about!

Smile

Scarlet's judgment in fashion has been revised upward.

Epindel

Lady Stranis, I don't think you've quite grasped the situation—

Employee

Thank you for waiting!

I understand you'd like to commission a dress?

Asherah

That's right. About how long would it take?

Epindel

*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.

Asherah

Seriously? That long?!

Then what am I supposed to do...? Isn't there any way to get one sooner?

Epindel

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—

Employee

Pardon me, but if I may interrupt...

The designer says your dress can be ready within a week.

Epindel

...What?

E-Excuse me? Within a week?

Employee

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.

Luna

...Smile. Did the clerk just address Scarlet as Lady Scarlet?

Smile

No room for misinterpretation.

Scarlet's capability score has skyrocketed.

Asherah

Well... I have no idea what just happened, but...

What a relief! We'll have the dress in time after all.

Epindel

...How is this possible? What exactly did you do to earn special treatment from the notoriously aloof designer of Maison Delize?

Asherah

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...?

Luna

The world of fashion sure is beyond me...

Smile

The world of aesthetics... difficult to understand.

Asherah

Oh! Epindel, do you need one quickly as well? I could ask Scarlet to put in another request for you!

Epindel

Urgh...!

Th-That's quite all right! Even the smallest debt is unacceptable for a member of House Orlan!

Asherah

But we're friends. You don't have to keep score—

Epindel

I said that's enough!