Chapter 378: Dressed to Impress

’What exactly am I looking for today?’

After briefly considering what the tailor had said, Ruvian’s eyes drifted across several formal coats arranged beside them before eventually settling on Calyra.

A slightly mischievous thought surfaced in his mind.

Ruvian was tempted to exploit the situation a little, though doing so might very well invite the wrath of the doll beside him. Even so, he should probably make use of the opportunity regardless. It would be a waste not to.

"I’ll be visiting the Arcanis estate later today, so I need something suitable for the occasion," Ruvian said, giving the young tailor a small, courteous nod.

Then, with a slight glance toward Calyra beside him, he added with a faintly conspiratorial smile,

"Preferably something appropriate for meeting her parents, though nothing too extravagant. I’d rather keep it modest."

Upon hearing Ruvian say that, Calyra’s cold blue eyes immediately shifted toward him like a lioness ready to pounce.

She clearly had not expected him to reveal their connection quite so casually, even if he had technically done so without saying anything outright.

Seeing that she did not appear too irritated, Ruvian could only offer an awkward smile.

’Sorry, Calyra, but I need this man to give me his absolute best.’

The young man’s pleasant smile stiffened for a moment.

’The Arcanis estate?’

His eyes shifted toward Calyra again, this time with considerably more attention. Of course, he knew the name. And judging from the casual manner in which the young man beside her had spoken...

’Wait. Then this young lady is... ah, I’m such a fool.’

The realization came a little late, and the young man inwardly reproached himself for failing to notice it sooner.

"Ah, forgive me, my lady. I failed to recognize you at first, though I suppose that was entirely my own oversight," the tailor said, straightening his posture as he turned properly toward Calyra.

Calyra merely gave him a small sigh, her expression remaining as composed as before.

"There is nothing to apologize for. I did not come here expecting any special treatment."

Despite what Calyra had said, the young man still felt compelled to give his absolute best.

After all, the daughter of House Arcanis herself had come to his shop.

"My lady, there is no need to say such a thing. We pride ourselves on treating every customer who steps through these doors with proper care and attention.

"And when someone of your standing happens to visit us personally, then all the more reason for me to make certain that nothing less than my finest service will do."

The young man smiled, looking far more solicitous.

"Please wait here for just a moment, young sir, my lady. I believe I have several pieces in the back that would suit this occasion far better than anything on display."

With that, he gave them a quick bow before turning on his heel and striding briskly toward the rear of the shop. Ruvian let out a small laugh as he watched the man disappear behind a curtain near the counter.

When he glanced sideways, however, Calyra was already looking at him with a flat, mildly reproachful stare.

"What?"

Ruvian asked, wearing an innocent smile as if he had done nothing wrong.

Calyra held his gaze for another second before letting out a soft sigh.

"Nothing."

Then, she looked away.

’...Shameless.’

*****

After a short while, the young tailor returned with several folded garments piled across his arms.

"These should be the closest to what you described, young sir, so why don’t you give them a try? The changing room is just behind that partition on the left."

Ruvian gave a small nod, took the selected clothes from the young man, and headed into the changing room.

A few minutes later, Ruvian stood before the tall mirror, wearing the first set the tailor had picked out.

The tailor had put him in a dark navy coat fitted closely around the shoulders, with a crisp white shirt and charcoal fitted black vest underneath. Subtle silver stitching lined the cuffs and collar, while a small ornamental chain hung along one side of the black vest.

Ruvian adjusted the front of the coat once, then stared at himself for several seconds, already lampooning the outfit in his head.

’...Um, this is a bit too much.’

The fit was excellent, though. He could hardly complain about that, and the clothes certainly looked expensive.

But the silver stitches and decorative chain pushed it well past what he had asked for.

’Or is it just me?’

Staring at his reflection for another few seconds, Ruvian finally gave up on deciding by himself. So, he pulled the curtain aside just enough to look outside.

"Calyra."

Calyra turned toward him almost immediately, then paused as her blue eyes slowly moved from the coat to the vest before finally returning to his face.

Ruvian raised an eyebrow.

"Well, how do I look?"

Still studying him, Calyra spoke in her usual calm tone. "Hmm... well, I do not think the clothes are the problem."

’Excuse me?’

Ruvian blinked.

Calyra gave him a mildly puzzled look.

"I mean... with a face like yours, I doubt there are many things you could wear that would look truly bad on you."

Slowly, Ruvian exhaled through his nose.

"...You’re not helping."

Without another word, he reached for the curtain and pulled it shut again.

’Huh?’

Calyra slightly frowned, she genuinely could not understand what part of her answer had been... unhelpful.

She remained standing outside, staring blankly at the closed curtain. After a brief pause, she murmured to herself in displeased:

"...Was I wrong? He does have a very... striking countenance. Most clothes would probably suit him anyway."

Then, she sighed helplessly.

Back inside the changing room, Ruvian tried the remaining sets one after another.

Eventually, he picked up another dark blue set. Once he had it on, however, he found himself staring at the mirror a little longer.

This one was simpler than the first, with a plain dark blue coat, a white shirt, and a fitted black vest underneath.There was still a little silver embroidery near the cuffs, but not enough to make him look like he was heading to some noble banquet.

Ruvian looked at himself in the mirror again, then adjusted one sleeve.

’...Yeah, this one is much better.’

The dark blue worked surprisingly well with his hair and eyes. It was formal enough for the Arcanis estate, but at least this one still felt like something he would actually wear.

After another quick look, Ruvian pulled the curtain aside and stepped out.

Calyra turned toward him again, though this time her eyes stayed on him a little longer — briefly settling around his shoulders before returning to his face.

"Well?"

Ruvian asked.

Calyra studied him for another few seconds before giving a small nod.

"Hmm, yeah, this one suits you much better," she said calmly. "The color looks good on you, and I think my father would approve of this one as well."

Ruvian’s eyebrow rose slightly at the mention of her father.

"Oh?"

Ruvian’s lips curled slightly.

"You’re not sugarcoating it this time, are you?"

Calyra met his gaze calmly.

"No, of course, I’m not."

Her answer came so plainly that Ruvian could not even find anything to tease her about. ’Oh well, if she says so...’

"Alright, I’ll trust you."

With that decided, Ruvian turned toward the front of the shop and raised his voice just enough for the tailor to hear him from the other side.

"I’ll take this set."

After finally paying 5 gold coins for the purchase, Ruvian changed into his new clothes before leaving the store with Calyra.

Not long afterward, the two of them boarded a carriage and began making their way toward the Arcanis Estate.

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[Chapter 378: Dressed to Impress]