Vivian swept aside the heavy curtains, stepping forward alongside the measurer.
Vivian was tall and willowy, her keen hazel eyes bright with curiosity, and her auburn hair neatly tied in a tidy bun. Her fair skin was flawless, her features soft yet alert, moving with the grace of a dancer.
In contrast, the measurer was shorter and sturdier, her pale skin framed by fine lines from years of smiling. Her deep chestnut-brown hair was pulled back into a loose, messy chignon, with soft waves escaping around her face. Her steady gaze carried the calm assurance of someone who had seen generations come and go through her fitting room.
Their uniforms evoked the elegance of an old portrait come to life—long waistcoats of deep green velvet with lace at the cuffs and brass watch chains glinting at their sides. Their smiles were gentle, practiced, and polite, their voices warm, like the comfort of tea by the hearth on a rainy day.
They approached Luna and Aria, standing a few meters away.
"Here, madam," Vivian said with a kind smile, offering a catalogue. "This is our inventory of dresses. These are exclusive pieces, not yet released to the public." She hesitated, then added, "Or, if you prefer, we can reserve a personal fitting for a custom-made dress?"
Aria took the catalogue from Vivian and handed it to Luna. "Take a look, Luna, and choose the one you like."
Luna nodded, her eyes scanning the pages. Aria turned to Vivian with a gentle smile. "The catalogue will be enough for now, thank you."
Both Vivian and the measurer bowed respectfully. "Of course, madam. We'll be at the back of the store—please call for us whenever you're ready."
Luna flipped through the pages. She lingered on a page featuring a stunning Blue Dress, a flowing gown of midnight-blue silk, embroidered with silver constellations that shimmered as if alive, and sheer sleeves that drifted like mist.
Next, she turned to a Green Dress—a deep emerald number with leaf-like layers cascading down the skirt, accented by golden vine embroidery and a bodice shaped like overlapping petals.
Then came a Red Dress—bold and striking, with a high collar and flame-shaped accents at the hem. The fabric caught the light like molten velvet, exuding quiet power.
Flipping to the next page, she found it—the dress that stole her breath away.
A Pale Rose Chiffon Dress with fluttering off-shoulder sleeves. Its layered skirt was light as air, trimmed with silvery lace, and tiny moonlit pearls were sewn along the waist. The bodice was embroidered with soft lilies in pale thread, echoing the hush of early dawn.
Luna's heart skipped. Her expression softened with quiet certainty. "This… this is the one."
She tugged at Aria's sleeve, her voice bubbling with excitement. "This… this is the one! I want this."
Aria glanced at the page, her eyes widening in shock. She covered her mouth in awe and murmured, "Perfect."
With a smile, Aria stood and walked toward the back of the store to find Vivian.
Luna's thoughts whirred. "Let's gamble on it…" She tugged at her chin, thinking for a moment. "Well, let's hope the change won't be noticed. I'll cover my forehead with bangs, and the dress... Well, it isn't exactly helping, but let's have hope."
As Luna pondered, Aria, Vivian, and the measurer returned to the front. Luna handed Vivian the catalogue.
"This indeed fits you, madam," Vivian said, a soft smile on her lips. "I didn't even know we had this beautiful dress in stock."
"Is that all you need, Miss Luna?"
Aria spoke up, her tone warm and thoughtful. "Is there a set to go with it?"
Vivian hesitated, flipping a few pages. She flinched slightly as her eyes landed on the next page. "Ah, here it is—the shoes."
She showed them the Delicate Slippers—silvery satin heels adorned with a single pale lily at each toe, and a trail of moonlit pearls along the ankle strap.
Both Aria and Luna nodded in quiet approval, affirming their beauty.
Vivian then flipped ahead a few more pages and showed them the Hat—a wide-brimmed straw hat dusted in pale rose, veiled with translucent chiffon and fastened with a pearl-tipped pin. A soft lily nestled at the side, mirroring the embroidery of the dress.
Aria glanced at Luna, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Are you satisfied with the set?"
Luna thought for a moment, then dismissed her worries with a gentle brush of her hand. "Yeah, this is exactly what I had in mind for a while."
Aria's smile deepened as she looked at Vivian. "We'll take the set, then."
Vivian closed the catalogue and placed it down, her voice calm and businesslike. "Alright, Miss Luna. Come with us—Miss Anne, the measurer, will take your measurements for the dress adjustments."
Luna nodded and stood up.
"Please follow me, Miss," Anne said, gesturing for Luna to follow.
Luna walked behind Anne, disappearing behind the curtain into the back of the store.
Aria watched them go, her gaze fixed on the curtain.
Vivian noticed and spoke, her voice calm and reassuring. "They'll be back in just a minute. It won't take long."
Aria exhaled softly, her tension easing. "Okay."
Back in the fitting room...
Anne gestured for Luna to stand. "Here, Miss Luna. Please stand here and spread your legs apart."
Luna did as instructed, standing tall—well, as tall as her 155 centimeters allowed—on a cushioned stool, arms slightly lifted.
Anne crouched and began her work, the measuring tape sliding across Luna's frame like a ribbon of snow.
"Bust, eighty-two. Waist, sixty-two. Hips, eighty-six," she murmured with quiet precision, noting each figure in a small notebook. "Dress length, one-thirty."
She moved around quickly but gently, crouching at Luna's feet.
"Foot length, twenty-four. Width, seven and a half. Ankle, twenty." A parchment was placed beside Luna's foot for tracing, Anne's pencil working fast and sure.
Then she measured Luna's head—circumference, crown height—her pale fingers steady and practiced.
With a soft snap, Anne closed the notebook.
"That will do. Slim, light, and graceful," she said with a small, approving nod. "The moonlight will envy you."
Luna tilted her head slightly, watching the woman work. "Are you from here?" she asked, curiosity dancing in her voice.
Anne paused, glancing up with a soft smile. "Oh, no. I'm new to Lavien. I'm from Aldelbre, actually. Just moved here last month."
"Aldelbre? From the North of the Empire?" Luna asked, her tone light, but with a trace of familiarity.
"Yes, Miss Luna," Anne replied calmly, setting her tools aside. "It's in the north, part of the Duchy of Arcanis."
Luna's eyes brightened. "Really? Do you like it here?"
A wry chuckle escaped Anne's lips, her eyes glinting with quiet amusement. "It's… different. Like stepping into a painting that forgot which century it belongs to. Everything here feels ancient—beautiful, but ancient. The buildings creak as though they're whispering old secrets. It's nothing like the Arcanis duchy. Lavien's old architecture strikes a deep chord, almost like an old village frozen in time, with a haunting kind of charm."
Anne smiled softly as she gestured toward the curtain. "There we go, Miss Luna. All done. Your sister is waiting for you."
Luna quickly hopped off the stool, her excitement bubbling over. She darted toward the curtain with a bright, "Alright!" before slipping through, her footsteps light and eager.