Chapter 10: Liv’s dress

Livyat walked behind the other two, feeling absolutely terrified.

Ahead, Julia and Tesvelan seemed to be in high spirits, chatting enthusiastically about what kind of formal dress to buy for Livyat.

Julia had even brought her along after skipping work herself.

This was Navigation Avenue, the most expensive and extravagant area in the entire city.

With Livyat’s salary, she wouldn’t dare to linger here even for a minute.

What could 700 Grosso buy here?

Absolutely nothing.

She thought of how 700 Grosso would be enough to feast like a king every day on Seaside Avenue until she burst, but here, she might not even qualify to pay the consumption tax.

The thought made Livyat’s face cloud with worry.

“I think Liv’s skin would be perfect for moonlight white silk. Hmm, ankle length, no need for fringe or floral trim. A straight skirt would do—the moment Liv puts it on, she’ll become an elegant beauty.”

Tesvelan analyzed excitedly.

“That style was in fashion thirty years ago. Your Highness, you wouldn’t want Liv to stand there and have the noble ladies think her dress was a second-hand piece from their grandmothers, would you?”

“For a girl Liv’s age, it should be Froel’s signature pale pink silk, pleated style, just enough to cover the knees. Pair it with the most popular granulated embroidered flowers among young girls—it’ll suit Liv so much better.”

“Granulated embroidery? Lady Julia, your girlish heart really hasn’t faded at all. And listen, Froel’s pink silk is nothing compared to the elves’ moonlight white, right? How did moonlight white go from a trendy item to yesterday’s news just because you say so? And I heard, there’s a lot of fake pink silk, maybe dyed with poor pigments that’ll fade after one wear.”

“That’s true, Lady Tesvelan. But I can guarantee Livyat will get the finest Froel silk.”

“Lady Julia, I’ll have my mother send over the royal-special moonlight white for me. After all, it’s for Liv’s dress.”

Hey, you both sound like pros, but have you ever asked me?

Livyat, sweating bullets, could only listen as the two up ahead walked into what looked like a high-end tailor shop.

Livyat had no choice but to follow them in.

The air was thick with the scent of fabric and silk, and the ground floor was packed with ready-to-wear and half-finished garments.

“Three ladies! Clarice, come and take care of our guests!”

The greeter at the door announced their arrival as if singing in an opera.

Right after, the sound of platform shoes came from the mezzanine.

A young woman in a black tailor’s dress, wearing a monocle, hurried down in a whirl.

This must be Clarice.

Behind her trailed a petite girl, probably her assistant.

“Ladies, would you like to order custom clothing? Everyday wear or formal gowns? I’ve heard there’s a noble ball this weekend—are you here to prepare new dresses for the occasion?”

Clarice fired off her questions in rapid succession.

Tesvelan pointed at Livyat and said, “It’s for this young lady. She needs a respectable new formal dress for the weekend ball.”

“Of course, of course. Although this young lady’s wardrobe is probably full, surely she’ll want to order a new dress for the weekend as well. The youngest daughter of the Dandolo Family comes to me for a new custom piece before every party—ha, a small achievement of mine.”

“So, young lady, do you have any requests, or shall I design a few options for you to choose from? As for everyday clothes, do you need to prepare a few more sets? Would you like to order some more nightgowns as well? All our nightwear uses the finest elven silk imported this week.”

Hearing this, Tesvelan’s eyebrows lifted slightly and she shot a glance at Julia.

Seeing the ladies not responding, Clarice immediately reined herself in: “Sorry, haha. Young lady, let me take your measurements. Ann, take notes.”

With that, Clarice pulled a measuring tape from her waistband and deftly got to work.

“Shoulder width—one piede, one oncia, three line! Bust—two piede, three oncia, two line! Waist—one piede, nine oncia, three line! Hips—two piede, five oncia, eight line! Neck length—three oncia, seven line!”

“Perfect, absolutely perfect—perfect shoulders, perfect proportions, perfect figure. My goodness, I’ll have to be extra picky about the silk I use; for such fabrics, gracing your body will be an honor!” Clarice said, her tone theatrically exaggerated.

“Use Froel’s pink silk.”

“Use moonlight white.”

Julia and Tesvelan spoke at the same time.

“Oh my. This young lady really is dazzling. How about I make two dresses, as gifts from you both to her?”

Clarice suggested.

Livyat hurriedly waved her hands, saying, “There’s really no need to be so extravagant—one dress is more than enough for me…”

Julia interrupted her at once: “Don’t worry, let’s do two. You’ll wear the moonlight white one for the weekend. Clarice, also make several sets of everyday clothes for her. She’s just come back from studying in the Elven Kingdom and isn’t very familiar with the trends in Landinset. Just go with what you think is best.”

“Oh my, you really care so much for this young lady. Very well, don’t worry, I’ll make her five sets of everyday clothes according to the latest Landinset fashions—maybe even next year’s trends. You can count on me.”

“That’s wonderful. Miss Clarice, I’ll provide the moonlight white silk myself—you just need to handle the tailoring. Later, someone will bring you a bank draft as a deposit for your work.”

Tesvelan added to the conversation.

“That won’t do. I’ll pay for the everyday clothes, Miss Tesvelan.” Julia protested.

“All right, all right, you can pay. In any case, as long as Miss Livyat is satisfied.”

Tesvelan smiled on.

Wait, did I ever say I was satisfied?

Being spoiled like this feels nice, sure, but what’s with this tension between you two?

But Livyat knew that if she tried to run now, the war inside the shop might just get fiercer.

“Thank you. I really like it.”

Livyat answered at last.

A little while later, Clarice received a bank draft sent by the Laguanth Family, authorizing unlimited spending for Miss Livyat at the shop, with a signature that definitely wasn’t from just any accountant on duty.

She also received another draft from the Elven Consulate, and was informed that the moonlight white silk was already on its way by sea, arriving tonight.

She was to go collect it—from the royal cargo box aboard the Elven cargo ship, the Royal Oak.

Clarice, who was used to serving dignitaries, still couldn’t help but gasp.

Just who exactly was this Miss Livyat?

And to think they both insisted she finish the moonlight white dress before the ball.

…

“Though I asked you to get close to Miss Tesvelan, isn’t your relationship a bit too good? I heard, the entire Royal Oak only has a single cargo box, and inside are just a few bolts of moonlight white.”

After the three parted ways, Julia invited Livyat out for dinner at a small restaurant next to the Civil Affairs Hall.

But it was obviously more than just dinner.

“She…she’s just like that. She’s a princess after all, showing off a bit is normal.”

Livyat honestly didn’t know how to explain that she was already set to become queen, so she could only stab a piece of fish with her fork and stuff it in her mouth.

Julia’s meal, on the other hand, was untouched.

She gently tapped her glass with her fork.

“Oh? She doesn’t like to show off. All these days, she’s only worn the simplest moss green robe dress, couldn’t even be bothered to use silver buttons. Of course, I can’t really talk, always wearing my official uniform myself. Anyway, it’s good that she wants to show you friendship—cherish it. By the way, has she mentioned anything about the Elven Kingdom lately?”

Livyat chewed her fish as she tried to recall.

“She mentioned that the Kingdom of Frostweave ordered two river main battleships.”

“Just as I thought. In fact, the Elven Kingdom has also ordered a main battleship. And…” Julia glanced at Livyat, “it’s actually the half-built Ricardo Dandolo. They decided to invest further to complete the construction, and then lease it for their own use—until the lease payments repay their investment.”

Livyat couldn’t help but laugh—what a move.

It looked like Hobrike’s finances really were in trouble.

“How, how did you know that?”

“Well, I might be getting reassigned to the Shipbuilding Department. But not just yet. I suspect Tesvelan came to Landinset to supervise the construction of the Dandolo Governor. She did arrive a few days before the agreement between the two countries. But after all, her mother is the Queen—she’d know earlier than I would.”

Julia replied.

Actually, she probably came to keep an eye on me, Livyat thought to herself.

After swallowing a mouthful of greens, Livyat asked, “So, will the Kingdom of Frostweave know that the Elven Kingdom will soon have a powerful main battleship?”

“Sooner or later. The keel for the Ricardo Dandolo has been laid for ages. The 120 cannons ordered for it weren’t all completed when work stopped. If construction resumes, the foundry will get busy again, and the kingdom’s spies in the city will notice quickly. Who knows what they’ll do, besides send a threatening letter.”

Julia paused in thought, then looked up, only to find a piece of beef nudged toward her mouth—offered by a smiling Livyat.

“Mmm, Julia, don’t frown so much. Have a bite of meat.”

Julia stared at the beef for half a second, then suddenly leaned in and gobbled it up.

The warm juices slid down her throat, and her tightly knit brows finally relaxed.

“Liv, you’re so much more considerate than Loren. No wonder Tesvelan sticks to you every day.”

“No way…”

Livyat recalled that she really had spent all her time working or reading, always overlooking everything else.

“Don’t worry, Liv. Even if I really do go to the Shipbuilding Department, I’ll take you with me as my secretary.”

Julia pushed her food aside, as if she’d lost her appetite.

“At the ball, change into your dress and come with Tesvelan. I’ll be there early to discuss official matters.”