Chapter 25: Getting a Dress

Through the marketplace is the western part of the capital. It continues to be a very crowded area full of hundreds of people walking on this road alone. But it feels more tolerable than it was yesterday. 

Not just because everyone is avoiding being in the way of a gathering of three keepers and the princess, though that's probably helping more than I want to admit, but also because there are fewer people at this time of day than any other. According to Serci, most people have already started work at this hour. 

But for those who aren't working or have a career that requires them to be out and about, their words of curiosity and admiration could be heard from all around. Some of that curiosity was also aimed at me, curious about my identity as I'm the only person they don't recognize among the group of well-known faces. 

It doesn't help I'm also the tallest person in this group, towering even Lejer by a number of inches. 

Though suffocating to hear many people gossiping about my identity, it wasn't as bad as whatever seizure I was having when being crowded from all directions. 

That's when we eventually arrived at our first destination, a very fancy clothing store in the north-western part of the capital. 

All of us women enter the clothing store while Lejer gives a dry laugh before saying he'll be doing his job of checking the prices and dealings of other nearby stores while we take our time.

'He seemed pretty quick to leave, but at least he won't be a bother for the time being.' 

Looking around the store, this place has many varying forms of cloth, shoes, and accessories in many vibrant colors on display. All ready to highlight the beauty of any female who enters their store. 

The clerk behind the counter recognized that the princess and two keepers entered the store and darted to the back without looking back. A few seconds later, a man I'm guessing is the owner makes his entrance, bowing his head at almost a perfect 90-degree angle as he greets the esteemed guest, at the same time greeting her entourage. 

"The Keeper of Word, Keeper of Hunt, and our princess of Siltria all entering at the same time. Tis a great honor you would choose my store! And to what do I owe this special occasion?" 

Both keepers lightly bow their heads, as do I, but the princess grips the ends of her dress and performs a more formal bow as she answers. "Just showing a friend around the capital and thought it might be a good idea to get her a new dress while we're about, seeing as she doesn't have one of her own." 

The owner locked eyes with me and I felt as though a glint appeared for a moment. "A friend of the princess might as well be royalty herself. Tis nice to meet you fair beauty. My name is Van Morian, owner of the Lily Drop conglomerate. I consider myself the best fashion designer in the kingdom though none have contested that but the third youngest of my family. And your name?" 

"Veda Deidura. Granddaughter of Uldrei Deidura." 

When he heard my grandfather's name, his eyes widened, but only for a moment. Me being a friend of the princess seemed to make that claim more believable. "An old legend's name as the central player for the start of our golden age. Quite the friend of our princess indeed. Feel free to browse for what's to your liking and I will personally prepare that something specially for you. Of course, if you have any questions just ask and I will tell you what I know to the best of my ability." 

Instead of immediately jumping into decisions, my first thought was on how I would pay for it, my gaze steadily turning to the others. Serci, who spent the most time with me, caught on quickly. "Don't worry about the cost, this will be a gift." 

The three all smiled at me, allowing me to look around the store without worrying about the price. But with so many different designs and there seeming to be many different forms of dresses, I don't know where to start. So, after a short glance around I look back to everyone, slightly cock my head to the side as I ask. "Any recommendations?" 

When I asked, to no one in particular, everyone immediately began giving their own thoughts. But the common consensus between the three was the same, something to match my dark hair with the dash of blonde on my bangs. 

Serci recommended getting an elegant dress, one more fit for use during a ball, though I didn't think it looked comfortable.

The Princess thought one of those dresses that held on by one shoulder would look wonderful on me, something I questioned if that wouldn't look a bit too daring.

Finally, Emeri suggests a red sundress with a casual straw hat for me when the climate becomes warm again, a much more innocent answer than I expected from her but also one that feels too lackluster. 

But out of all the options given, Mr. Van Morian's spoke to me the loudest. A red column dress with frills around the waist and a slit from the leg to the thigh allowing for easier movement compared to the restricting bodycon dresses the girls all recommended when mention of Siltria's 'trend' came up between them. 

Mr. Morian seemed to know more about my preferences than even I did as every movement, habit, and hesitation I made when glancing around appeared to have been caught by his attention. 

I haven't said much about what I like about specific fabrics and what designs I prefer. I'm not even sure if I'm right about these thoughts and concerns, yet with each offer he brings, he continued to recommend fabrics and designs that held fewer and fewer flaws till we found the design that fits me the most, regardless of what high society trend was currently present. 

At some point, I realized the three girls were all pouting for one reason or another, seeming to be upset and/or jealous that Mr. Morian had fit my preference over what they wanted to see. 

I could only act like I didn't notice else I stir up something.

"With the fabric and design decided on...," said Mr. Morian. "The last step is getting your measurements. Please stand here and move as I ask." 

I nod, standing where he asks as he begins taking my measurements. Using a strip of what looks like lined plastic with numbers along the lines, what I believe was called a tape measurer by Miri when she took Verei's measurements just earlier, Mr. Morian wraps the measurer around my body and gets everything he could written on a clipboard nearby. 

The princess looked confused before she asked, "Do the clothes not get in the way of the measurements?" 

I was curious about that too but I didn't expect the princess to be the one to ask considering she must be having dresses made for her many times over. 

Mr. Morian didn't even bat an eye as he answered the question, his hands still focused on moving the tape about. "I have been in this line of work for a long time. Enough so I consider myself a professional and I've reached a point where I don't need my client to strip in order to learn the exact measurement. Only a bit of time and a single 3-meter-long tape measurer is what I need to ensure complete accuracy." 

He continues his work in silence afterward, only voicing aloud his thoughts near the end as he gets wrapped up in his work. "6ft4. 33' 25' 36'. A very well portioned body with wonderful skin, soft to the..." 

He practically bit his tongue when the friends around stared at the man speaking aloud the information of a client, not that I mind. I didn't know about my measurements till now. And it feels fitting a man tells my female measurements considering my male counterpart was told his by a female. 

Clearing his throat, Mr Morian takes a step back with clipboard in hand. "With your measurements confirmed, we can begin preparing your dress. I estimate it will be finalized by the end of the day. Should you be on your way back to the castle by sundown, you can pick it up then or come by tomorrow where I can assure its completion." 

While I listened to the estimated completion time for the dress, I thought of something that would be great to ask for considering I'll be traveling more often in the near future. "Do you have a special type of bag for preserving the dress? I will be traveling and would prefer not to wear that extravagant a dress on a daily basis when moving about on a cart or on foot for days on end. Especially if nature were to be cruel." 

He snaps his finger, with an appreciative smile on his face. "Of course! We have different options for the transport of dresses, some better than others but if you'll be bringing it with you on long journeys, I would happily provide you with a bag specifically for protection against the elements! Of course, preparations for that too will be pushing the completion time of everything to mid-day tomorrow, but I can ensure the condition of the dress will be at its best so long as it remains inside." 

'Perfect! If it were another two days, I probably wouldn't be able to accept that seeing as I leave in the morning then.' 

"That works out perfectly! I will come by tomorrow afternoon for the dress." 

When I give him a bow, though still pretty shabby when compared to the keepers, even less when compared to the princess's bow, he gives a deep bow of his own regardless. 

"This is the least I should do for people as great as all of you. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day while you wait for the dress's completion."