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The streets were bathed in golden light. For as far as the eye could see, there were food stalls serving all types of Renetian cuisine and lanterns strung up to cast light. The sun was just beginning to set below the horizon, creating a beautiful scene in front of the two new arrivals.
The scent of spices and meat filled Y/N 's senses and she felt her mouth begin to water at all of the food surrounding her. She missed dinner at the palace so Kent and her could make it here before it was completely dark outside. Kent however didn't seem as affected.
"Smells good." Y/N noted.
Kent nodded. "Do you want to get something to eat first?"
"No, I'm not that hungry yet." She lied.
The sound of her stomach rumbling rang out between the two of them and Y/N mentally facepalmed. Kent shot her a questioning look and Y/N quickly began pushing him in the direction of the street that wasn't covered in food stalls.
"I can get food with whatever money I have leftover. First, I need to find a dress that isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg."
"Yes but you should still have at least something in your system." Kent lectured.
"Let's just think of it as me saving my appetite for a large meal." She said matter-of-factly.
The second street they ended up on was less crowded than the first, but there were still tons of people milling around from shop to shop.
This street had all the boutiques, cafés, and clubs.
The latter became evident when women and men would come stumbling out of buildings and filled the streets with their exuberant laughter.
Y/N hadn't been in the presence of such unfiltered joy in such a long time that it made her heart fill with a familiar fondness.
The first shop they entered was a quaint little thing. The wood flooring creaked beneath their feet. It smelled of all different kinds of fabrics and there was an older woman hunched over a sewing machine.
When she heard the bell above the door ring she turned to greet them. "Welcome to The Bodice! Is there anything I can help you find today?"
Y/N stepped forward. "Hi! Yes, I'm looking for a formal gown, preferably (f/c) that comes with a matching mask."
"Is there a specific neckline or any smaller details you're looking for?" The lady asked.
"Not in particular. I'd love to just see what you have!" Y/N answered.
"Right this way." The lady guided her.
Y/N followed her into the second room of the boutique where all the dresses were kept. When she entered the room it felt like an explosion of colour. Pinks, purples, pastels, neons, silk and polyester filled her vision. There were racks and racks of dresses in all different lengths and styles.
Y/N turned to the old lady. "Did you make all of these yourself?"
She beamed with pride. "Handstitched them all myself. This place is my life's work. My mother was a seamstress and taught me how to stitch before I even knew how to walk."
"They're all so beautiful." Y/N said dreamily, running her hands across the various fabrics.
Kent stood awkwardly in the doorframe and the old lady chuckled. "Your lover can sit in the waiting chair while you try stuff on."
Y/N turned around wide-eyed. Noticing the surprised look on Kent's face she quickly went to correct her. "He'snotmylover. JustafriendwhoIwantedtobringalongforasecondopinion, that's all!" She said all too quickly
The old lady looked at the two of them knowingly before shaking her head chuckling. "You don't have to explain yourself to me."
Y/N and Kent broke eye contact, with her turning back to face the dresses, and him taking a seat in the corner.
Walking up and down the rows of dresses, Y/N wanted nothing more than to try all of them on.
She knew she wanted to leave with a dress from here, and the possibilities of which one it could be felt endless.
As she started heading towards the back, the designs started changing.
While the majority of the dresses were in the elegant but simple Farnellian styles, the dresses in the back became more detailed.
There were more two piece sets, Choli's and their matching skirts that reached all the way down to the floor, and scarves that were meant to be worn across the bodice.
And everything was covered in that familiar metallic embroidering.
This was a Lenorian piece. Her home. She couldn't believe there were multiple different kinds of Lenorian formal wear here. The old lady noticed her astonishment and cut in. "Found something you like?"
"You make Lenorian clothing?"
"Yes. I've always found the fashion from there beautiful. Their fashion at formal events is breathtaking. So many vibrant colours and different types of embroidery. I studied a lot of different Renetian designs but this was one of my personal favourites to learn.
It does take quite a bit of time to make each piece though. That's why I'm the only place in Farnell that makes them."
"I didn't expect to see these here. I'm just so surprised." Y/N said.
"Well try something on! You should see yourself in something before you get it. I know he's not getting any younger over there." The lady motioned to Kent.
Kent's eyes widened a fraction. "No, don't mind me. Take your time. Find something you really love. I'm just enjoying the ambience in here."
"Oh nonsense! Here try these on." The lady shoved multiple different Lenorian style gowns in Y/N's hands and pushed her inside the fitting room.
——— ??ˋ ? ?ˊ? ———
After struggling for a couple of minutes to put all of the different parts of the first gown on, she walked out of the fitting room to look at herself in the full-length mirror outside.
She stood with her back straight and adjusted anything that felt slightly out of place.
She pulled the scarf going across her chest a little higher.
She turned to face Kent. "What do you think?"
He smiled at her. "I think the gown is pretty."
Y/N crossed her arms. "Oh, come on. Is that all you have to say."
"Are you asking me for more compliments or critiques." He asked leaning back in his chair.
"Both." She said matter-of-factly.
"Well it's perfect for a formal event like this, but I feel like there are other colours that would suit you more." He replied honestly.
Y/N turned back to the mirror. "Yeah, I think you're right."
The old lady returned and smiled at the sight of Y/N. "Oh don't you look lovely. That piece took me months to create."
"I can tell. The fabric feels so light and smooth." Y/N adjusted herself once more in the mirror before returning to the fitting room.
She went on to try multiple gowns in all different types of colours and fabrics.
All of them made her feel like a princess.
Some gowns were heavier than others, some colours didn't suit her skintone as much and some fabrics felt scratchy.
Y/N worried she wasn't going to find THE gown.
Kent was extremely supportive of all of them, but agreed with her critiques and encouraged her to keep looking for the perfect one.
So she put all of her hope into the final gown, which was a (f/c) two piece, with gold metallic embroidering all across it.
At some point during her fight to get into this one, the old lady served Kent along with herself some tea. So when she stepped out and they both paused with their cups halfway to their faces, she felt her stomach drop.
"What? Is it too much? Does it look bad on me? It does, doesn't it." She began rambling.
The old lady turned to face Kent and exhaled a laugh at his starstruck expression.
The way he gazed at her, unblinking, trying to drink in the sight of her made Y/N cross her arms, trying to shield herself from his view.
His eyes took in her entire figure, the way the top part hugged all her curves perfectly made it look like it was made for her.
The part of her chest and collarbone that were left exposed looked impossibly smooth.
And the way the skirt flowed down to her feet and flared out beneath her made her look so elegant he felt his heart skip a beat.
"Come on, you're freaking me out a little." Y/N quipped.
"Beautiful." He muttered under his breath but Y/N caught the sound.
She felt her face heat under his watchful gaze and quickly turned to face the mirror.
But she could still see his reflection unable to peel his gaze away from her.
She began fussing with the scarf and noticing this, the old lady quickly pulled a safety pin from one of her drawers and helped fasten the scarf to one of her sleeves.
This helped drape the scarf across her chest and behind her back, making it look more elegant and ethereal.
"Just like a princess." The old lady gushed. "But it's still missing something, give me just a second." She began rummaging through one of her drawers before pulling out a matching set of bangles, a necklace, and heavy earrings.
"Turn around please." She asked and Y/N complied.
She tied the necklace around her neck, and helped Y/N put on the bangles that would need help getting past the joint in her thumb.
She then handed Y/N the earrings to put in herself while she adjusted her hair.
Now, completely decked out in jewlery, she turned to face her reflection and smiled. This was it. This was the one.
"All done, what do you think sir?" The seamstress turned Y/N around to face Kent.
Kent stood up from where he was sitting and walked towards Y/N. He smoothed down a strand of hair that was sticking out of place and smiled down at her, eyes just ever so slightly dilated. "I agree, she looks just like a princess."
Y/N's heart leapt in her chest at his proximity and admiration. She suspected her face looked as red as a cherry. Seeming to snap out of some sort of trance, Kent quickly retracted his hand and took two steps back. "S-Sorry. Yeah! This is definitely the one if you ask me."
Y/N took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. "Yeah, I think so too."
The two continued to look at each other, unable to pull their eyes from one another.
The seamstress shook her head from the corner. "They have no idea, do they?" She whispered to herself.