Free Web NovelChapter 31: Chapter 31: Shopping with the Duchess
Chapter 31: Shopping with the Duchess
The carriage continued through the bustling streets of Nightfall City.
Outside the window, merchants called out to passing customers while nobles and commoners alike stepped aside upon recognizing the crest of House Darkmoor displayed on the carriage doors. The capital was alive with movement, yet an invisible path always seemed to open before the ruling family of the duchy.
Evelyne sat across from Andras, observing the city with a calm expression.
After several moments of silence, she turned toward him.
"Andras," she said gently, "is there anywhere in particular you would like to visit?"
Andras leaned back slightly and considered the question.
Fragments of the original Andras’s memories surfaced naturally within his mind.
Among them was a place he had visited several times in his childhood.
A tailor shop.
Not just any tailor shop, but the most prestigious fashion house in the entire Darkmoor Duchy.
The place where most noble families commissioned ceremonial attire.
The place where even members of the imperial family occasionally placed orders.
Andras looked at Evelyne.
"I would like to visit the tailor district."
Evelyne raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"I need formal clothing."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"One outfit for the Imperial Princess’s birthday celebration."
He paused briefly.
"And another for when my fiancée arrives."
For a moment, Evelyne simply looked at him.
Then a small smile spread across her face.
"You’re thinking further ahead than I expected."
Andras merely shrugged.
"Preparation is rarely a mistake."
Evelyne nodded.
"Very well."
She tapped lightly on the carriage wall.
"We’re changing destinations."
The carriage immediately altered course.
---
Several minutes later, they arrived in the wealthiest district of Nightfall City.
The streets here were cleaner.
The buildings taller.
The people better dressed.
The carriage eventually stopped in front of an enormous building constructed from black marble and silver crystal windows.
Above the entrance, written in elegant silver lettering, were the words:
Silvermoon Atelier
The finest tailoring house in the Darkmoor Duchy.
Perhaps even one of the finest in the Empire.
The moment the carriage stopped, servants rushed forward.
The door opened.
Evelyne stepped out first.
Andras followed beside her.
The people standing near the entrance immediately lowered their heads.
"Duchess."
"Young Master."
Neither of them stopped.
They entered the atelier.
The interior was magnificent.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated rows of expensive fabrics imported from across the continent. Silk from eastern kingdoms, enchanted thread from the south, and rare beast leather from northern territories filled the displays.
Several noble customers froze upon seeing Evelyne.
Some immediately bowed.
Others simply stepped aside.
Within moments, a middle-aged man wearing elegant attire hurried toward them.
His expression contained both excitement and nervousness.
"Duchess Darkmoor."
He bowed deeply.
"And Young Master."
"It is an honor to welcome you to Silvermoon Atelier."
He straightened himself carefully.
"How may I be of service?"
Evelyne glanced toward Andras.
"My son wishes to commission two sets of formal attire."
The manager immediately turned toward Andras.
"Of course, Young Master."
He smiled professionally.
"What sort of garments would you prefer?"
Andras considered the question.
"I want one outfit suitable for the Imperial Princess’s birthday celebration."
His gaze drifted across the fabrics.
"It should be elegant."
"But not excessive."
The manager nodded rapidly.
"Understood."
"And the second?"
"For receiving an important guest."
A small smile appeared on Andras’s lips.
"My fiancée."
The manager’s eyes widened slightly.
"Of course."
He immediately began presenting fabrics.
One after another.
Black silk.
Dark violet velvet.
Silver-thread embroidery.
Rare enchanted cloth imported from western kingdoms.
Andras examined each carefully.
Unlike many nobles, he wasn’t selecting clothing merely for appearance.
Clothing was presentation.
Presentation influenced perception.
And perception influenced power.
After nearly twenty minutes, he finally made his choices.
For the Imperial celebration, he selected a black formal coat embroidered with silver runic patterns and trimmed with dark violet accents.
Elegant.
Refined.
Powerful.
For Seraphina’s arrival, he chose something simpler.
A noble outfit of black and white, designed to project authority without appearing overly formal.
The manager looked genuinely impressed.
"Excellent choices, Young Master."
Soon afterward, the measurements began.
A young female tailor stepped forward.
She appeared professional at first.
However, the moment she began measuring Andras’s physique, her composure visibly weakened.
Years of training under Selene had shaped his body far beyond what most noble youths possessed.
Broad shoulders.
Lean muscle.
Perfect posture.
Several times, the young woman avoided meeting his eyes.
Her face had become noticeably red.
Andras simply stood still.
He neither encouraged nor commented on her reaction.
Eventually, the measurements concluded.
The tailor stepped away looking relieved.
The manager, however, looked delighted.
"The garments will be completed before the Imperial celebration."
Hearing this, Andras turned toward the manager.
"My fiancée will be arriving within the next two or three days," he said calmly. "I would like the outfit intended for her arrival to be completed within two days. As for the formal attire for the Imperial Princess’s birthday celebration, you may deliver it before the event."
The manager immediately straightened his posture and bowed respectfully.
"Of course, Young Master," he replied without hesitation. "We will prioritize the first outfit and ensure that it is completed and delivered to the Darkmoor Estate within two days. The second set of attire will be finished and delivered well before the Imperial celebration."
A faint nod escaped Andras.
"Good."
The manager let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Please rest assured, Young Master. Silvermoon Atelier has never failed to fulfill a commission entrusted to us by House Darkmoor."
Then he turned toward Evelyne.
"What about you, Mother?"
Evelyne blinked.
"Me?"
"You should order something as well."
A faint smile touched Andras’s lips.
"We’re already here."
Evelyne laughed softly.
"I own enough clothing to fill several mansions."
"Even so."
He looked at her seriously.
"If you’re buying something, I’ll choose it."
For a brief moment, Evelyne simply stared at him.
Then she smiled.
"Very well."
"I’ll trust your judgment."
The manager quickly ordered dozens of fabrics to be brought forward.
Silk.
Velvet.
Enchanted thread.
Precious embroidery.
Andras examined every option carefully.
Far more carefully than he had selected his own clothing.
After nearly half an hour, he finally chose two designs.
One was a deep sapphire gown embroidered with silver stars.
The other was an elegant black dress accented with white crystal thread.
Both projected exactly what Evelyne represented.
Beauty.
Authority.
Power.
He turned toward her.
"I’ve made my choices."
Evelyne didn’t even look at them.
"I approve."
The manager blinked.
"Duchess?"
She smiled.
"If my son selected them, then they’re already the best."
For the first time that day, even Andras was briefly speechless.
The measurements were taken shortly afterward.
Then their business at the atelier concluded.
As they stepped back into the sunlight, the city continued moving around them.
The carriage waited nearby.
Evelyne looked toward Andras.
"Well."
She smiled.
"The clothing is settled."
Her expression softened.
"Where would you like to go next?"
Andras considered the question.
Then he shook his head.
"Nowhere in particular."
He looked at her calmly.
"You should choose."
After all—
This outing had never really been about the city.
It had been about spending time with her.
