Chapter 142
“Oh, we’re here. This is the place.”
While chatting about trivial things, they had arrived at their destination before they knew it. It was a tailor shop no different from before, aside from the clothes displayed in the showcase having changed.
Come to think of it, before the entrance ceremony, one of the employees gave me a thank-you letter.
Jingle—
“Welcome!”
The employees, who were greeting customers as usual, raised their voices when they noticed the appearance of the newcomers. Though they weren’t wearing school uniforms, the children were draped in robes embroidered with the Perion Academy emblem. Realizing they were academy students, the employees’ eyes lit up.
“Is there something you’re looking for?”
“There’s a masquerade ball at the academy, and we’d like to have dresses made for it. Would that be possible?”
“D-Dresses? From our shop?”
“Yes. Is that… not possible?”
“Of course it’s possible! May I ask who the dresses are for?”
“There are three of us.”
Becky pointed to herself, Mie, and Selina.
“I see. Please have a seat and wait for a moment. I’ll bring the catalog shortly.”
After the employee left, the three girls waited on a sofa in the corner while the others looked around the shop.
Since the store mainly sold women’s clothing, there wasn’t much for the boys to see, but there were still some men’s accessories like cufflinks, neckties, and bow ties.
“When we came last time, they were terrified of you because you’re a witch. But this time, they don’t seem bothered at all.”
“Maybe they don’t recognize her?”
After hearing Mie’s whisper, Becky added her comment. Selina thought for a moment and recalled the merchant-like gleam in the employee’s eyes earlier.
The employee’s eyebrow had twitched slightly when she looked at Selina. She probably knew who Selina really was.
“Or maybe money is more important,” Selina said. “They’re getting three dress orders. They wouldn’t turn down business over something that small.”
“Huh? Then they’re real professionals.”
“Well, it makes sense. I’d probably do the same.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Before long, the employee returned with a catalog.
“These are the dress designs our shop has prepared with great ambition. Unfortunately, we don’t have samples, but if you choose one, we’ll do our best to meet your expectations.”
The employee spoke with burning determination, as if she couldn’t afford to miss this golden opportunity.
“Hmm, this one looks nice.”
“I like this one. Maybe add a ribbon here…”
“Can we choose the fabric ourselves?”
“Of course. I’ll bring fabric samples that match each design.”
While the employee stepped away again, Selina—who still hadn’t chosen anything—went back to the beginning of the catalog.
“Ugh…”
“Don’t you see anything you like?”
“I don’t know what would suit me.”
“If you’re not sure, just pick anything. How about this?”
When Becky pointed at a design, Mie recoiled in shock.
“You have to think about Selina’s height! That kind of design doesn’t suit tall girls like her.”
“Really?”
“What’s going on? You still haven’t decided?”
At that moment, Asta and Sylvia approached from behind. After hearing that Selina couldn’t choose a design, they decided to help.
“I-I think this would look good on Selina.”
“I vote for this one. She’s tall and slim, so this would suit her better.”
Everyone suggested something they liked, but Selina still couldn’t decide.
In the end, unable to stand it anymore, Mie called Theodore over.
“Theodore, come here for a second.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“We’re trying to choose Selina’s dress. You pick one.”
“…Me?”
“Yeah. If you choose it, Selina will probably wear it without complaining.”
Theodore blushed slightly as he looked at Selina. Selina, unfazed, handed him the catalog and asked for his help.
The others crowded around Theodore, each recommending their favorite designs.
After carefully looking through everything, Theodore chose one.
“Selina, how about this?”
When they saw what Theodore had chosen, not only Selina but all the other girls fell silent.
It wasn’t a flashy dress adorned with excessive lace or ribbons. Instead, it had a restrained elegance. Yet its overall silhouette and the delicate details revealed here and there made it stand out beautifully.
“Oh? You’ve got a good eye.”
“The one Theodore chose is the best.”
Selina turned to Theodore.
“Thank you, Theo. I’ll go with this one.”
“Really? Is it okay that I chose it?”
“Yeah. It suits me the best.”
Theodore smiled shyly, clearly embarrassed.
“I’m glad.”
“I’ve brought the fabric samples. Please show me the designs you’ve chosen, and I’ll recommend fabrics that go well with them.”
With the employee’s return, they officially began the dress-ordering process. Selina called Theodore over again and chose the fabric together with him, while the others watched the two with shared interest.
“At first, I thought they’d break up quickly…”
“Looks like it was just a worry. Selina seems to like Theodore too.”
Listening to Zenon and Asta’s conversation, Sylvester watched Theodore and Selina smiling happily together.
For a brief moment, he imagined himself in Theodore’s place—but it was a meaningless fantasy for now. A bitter taste filled his mouth, and Sylvester quickly looked away.
That was when his eyes landed on a pair of amethyst cufflinks.
The deep violet color looked just like Selina’s eyes—mysterious and captivating, as if it could pull you in just by staring at it.
As if possessed, Sylvester picked them up.
“You said the ball is on November 18th, right? We’ll make sure everything is delivered before then. May I take the young lady’s measurements now?”
After finishing the order, Selina headed to the measuring area.
“Emma, take her measurements.”
“Yes, manager.”
One of the employees who had been sewing inside stood up. The moment Selina met her eyes, she froze slightly.
The same went for the other woman. Emma’s eyes widened, then she smiled faintly.
“So it was you, Witch.”
“You’re the one who sent me that letter before, right?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I could only contact you by letter at the time. Things were hectic.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for.”
Selina chuckled lightly and raised her arms. Unlike their first meeting—when Emma had trembled in fear—she now measured Selina with relative ease.
“What happened after that incident? Did they catch the culprit?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I escaped unharmed, and they caught the culprit not long after. Apparently, he was a serial killer they hadn’t been able to catch for a long time.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Thank you again, Witch. You saved my life.”
Emma bowed deeply, so much that the top of her head was visible. Even when Selina waved her hand and said it was fine, Emma remained stubborn.
“So, are you here to buy a dress this time?”
“Yes. I needed a dress for the masquerade ball, and this place came to mind. The clothes I bought here before were very comfortable.”
“Ha-ha, thank you for saying that. Since you’ll be wearing it, I’ll make it with all my heart.”
Emma wrote down all the measurements.
“Ah, Witch—do you have a lover?”
“I do, but…”
“If it’s a masquerade ball, I’m sure your lover will attend with you. Have you prepared anything as a couple?”
Selina blinked, looking clueless, and Emma laughed softly.
“Usually, couples coordinate colors or wear matching items. If it’s alright with you, may I make the mask you’ll wear?”
“I don’t mind, but why?”
“Please think of it as a small gift. I’ll make one for your lover too.”
Selina’s eyes widened.
She’d heard it was better to buy a mask separately—otherwise, you’d have to wear the plain ones provided by the academy.
She had planned to just wear anything to avoid spending extra money, but if Emma was making them for free…
That works for me.
“My partner is that black-haired boy over there.”
“Oh my, he came with you.”
After seeing Theodore, Emma excitedly promised to make him a wonderful mask as well.
After finishing all their orders, Selina and her friends left the tailor shop.
“Sylvester, what’s that?”
“What did you buy?”
The others noticed the box in Sylvester’s hands. He quickly tucked it into his coat.
“It’s nothing.”
“What? Now I’m even more curious.”
“Is it a gift for a girl?”
“It’s not like that! Get away!”
Only after Sylvester snapped did they stop teasing him. Then Zenon made a suggestion.
“Well, since we’ve finished the most important errand, how about we hang out a bit before heading back to the academy?”
“I’m in!”
The excited group began wandering around.
First, they went to a nearby restaurant to fill their hungry stomachs, ordering plenty of delicious food. After that, they went from shop to shop.
When their legs started to ache, Asta looked around nervously and hesitated.
“U-Um, everyone!”
As everyone turned to her, she lowered her head deeply.
“There’s a place I want to visit… would that be okay?”
“Of course. Where is it?”
At the casual reply, Asta’s big eyes sparkled.
“Do you know a place called ‘Secret Moonlight’?”
Selina and Mie flinched.
“N-No… what is it?”
“It’s the most famous fortune-telling shop in the capital—only people in the know talk about it! I’ve wanted to go for ages but never had the chance.”
“Seeing how you’re not stuttering, it must be really famous.”
“You’ve never heard of it?”
The Hailers siblings, who genuinely didn’t know about Secret Moonlight, reacted indifferently.
Chris answered in place of the sweating Selina and Mie.
“It’s a place with a lot of rumors in the capital. Even nobles visit it often.”
“Oh wow, really? It must be super accurate.”
“Yes, but… I think it’s closed right now.”
At Becky’s words, Asta froze as if struck by lightning.
She looked like she was about to cry, so Zenon quickly comforted her.
“Well, let’s go check just in case. It might be open.”
“I suppose…”
When Mie glanced sideways at Selina, Selina subtly turned her gaze away.
In the end, unable to resist Zenon’s persuasion, they headed to Secret Moonlight—but as expected, the door was closed.
Asta couldn’t hide her disappointment, but she still hovered around the shop, clearly happy just to be there.
“I’ll definitely get my fortune told here someday!”
“…I really hope you do.”
Selina awkwardly smiled and went along with it.
The day slowly began to fade. Chatting about how fun the day had been, the children boarded the carriage back to the academy.
Watching her friends climb aboard one by one, Selina thought:
I wish days like this could go on forever.
A small wish—that every day would be fun and joyful.
It was a very small wish
