Thus, crossing the threshold, Katerina finds herself in a space that exhales a silent sophistication, where the aroma of fine fabric and waxed wood replaces any expectation of a hotel lobby. The interior of Fleur de Lys unfolds before her like a fashion sanctuary, illuminated by an imposing wrought-iron chandelier hanging from the ceiling, bathing the room in a cozy and luxurious sepia tone.
At the back of the room, a counter of dark, polished wood serves as a visual anchor, and in front of it, a pair of gray velvet wingback chairs flank a small round table decorated with a discreet floral arrangement, inviting a patient and distinguished wait.
The walls display a gallery of framed fashion sketches, detailed illustrations of dresses that seem to be the ancestors of the garments hanging on the side racks. In turn, on both sides of the central aisle, large floor-to-ceiling wooden wardrobes house meticulously folded and hung garments, while strategically placed mannequins present gala gowns in sky blue, carmine, and ochre, guiding Katerina's view toward the heart of the establishment.
—Lucien! Mon chéri! Finally, you have arrived!–
—Ah. Adèle. My apologies for taking so long to get here–
As Katerina headed to one of the nearby seats to wait to be attended, suddenly from an adjoining room, a woman of about 40 years, with red hair reaching her shoulders, slightly overweight but with an elegant and also attractive bearing, dressed in an expensive white dress that conceals all skin, comes out to greet the newcomers. The most interesting thing about her is the great smile on her face, which is nothing like the fake smiles Katerina had seen for a long time. This one was genuine, full of affection similar to that of a relative.
—Bah. Ce n'est rien mon chéri –The woman makes a gesture with her hand– Tomorrow I have a day off, so it doesn't matter if I stay up very late. After all, it is the end of the year, you know?–
After that, Madame Adèle's gaze shifts toward the person standing beside Lucien. And upon seeing the girl, a mischievous smile forms on her face.
—Oh là, là, tiens tiens –Adèle brings a hand to her mouth, as if she had seen something utterly impossible, defying all logic– Who would have thought that le sieur Lucien, the one everyone thought was aromantic, would finally find a belle dama –She says, in a clearly playful tone– Is it perhaps the end of the world? Mon Dieu! Someone help us!–
—Adèle –Lucien's brow furrows upon hearing the constant teasing–
—There, there, désolé –The woman lets out a light giggle– Anyway! Let's not waste any more time! Belle dama, s'il te plaît, this way! –Madame Adèle immediately gestures for Katerina to follow her–
Katerina, before deciding whether to follow the woman or not, shifts her gaze toward Lucien, waiting for his consent that it is safe. He, noticing her, also looks at her, and after a moment, smiles and nods gently.
—Go ahead. –He tells her–
—And you? –Katerina asks, nervous about having to separate–
—I'll be in the Fitting Room area. There's a resting place for men nearby, so I'll be resting there –Lucien points to the adjoining room a few meters away. The area reserved where husbands normally wait for their wives– I'll wait for you there to return, so you can show me what Madame Adèle chose for you–
Katerina, realizing his words and imagining dressing in front of him, blushes once more. However, she quickly shakes her head from left to right to get rid of those kinds of thoughts, and after that, she lets go of his hand to walk toward where Madame Adèle is pointing.
—We'll be back in a few minutes mon chéri –Adèle tells him, with an amused smile– Don't go falling asleep, eh. Otherwise, ta femme is going to get angry, heh, heh–
—Femme? What is that? –Katerina asks, before being pushed toward another room–
________________ >> 30 minutos >> _________________
—Lucien! On est de retour!–
After half an hour, where Lucien was in a private fitting room, sitting, patiently waiting for the girl he had picked up hours ago to return while reading some fashion magazines, Madame Adèle's voice is heard loudly in the room, resonating with her typical joy.
—Ah, at la-...–
—Wait, Lucien! –With quick steps, Madame Adèle approaches Lucien and, using her hands, covers his eyes– Don't look. She is still wearing her previous dress. Since we both want to surprise you, she will get dressed in this Fitting Room–
—And the not seeing? –Lucien asks with a smile–
—Isn't it obvious? C'est une surprise! –Adèle exclaims with joy. Then, she looks at Katerina, who was carrying the outfit she would wear in a large and convenient box– Come on, Mademoiselle Lumière, hurry up and change. Don't waste too much of ton mari's time, hue, hue–
—Adèle –Lucien furrows his brow with amusement– Tu vas trop loin, là–
—Ush. You are no fun, mon chéri –Adèle rolls her eyes with affectionate frustration–
At the same time, Katerina, seeing that Lucien couldn't see anything, quickly runs toward the Fitting Room located at the back. Afterward, she closes the curtain and begins trying to take off her current heavy princess-cut dress, which contains all sorts of layers and bows.
—See you in a few minutes –Adèle, after making sure Katerina was no longer in the area, removes her hands from his face and walks toward the fitting room– I'm going to help Katerina take off that heavy dress. Accroche-toi, d'accord? –She adds, with a mischievous smile–
And after that, she heads to the place, slightly opens the curtain—just enough to allow Lucien to see a bit of skin from one of Katerina's legs—and then enters quickly, closing the curtain completely, leaving behind a Lucien with his eyes wide open at the previous vision of those long, smooth, white, and young tools of power.
Fortunately, that space was large, enough to fit five people, so there was plenty of room for both women to move without any issues.
________________ >> 20 minutes >> _________________
—Lucien…–
After a few minutes, the curtain opens slowly, as if the person drawing it were nervous and shy. Seconds later, a feminine figure takes a step forward, first placing one leg and then moving the rest of her body.
From the interior, Katerina emerges with a presence that defies the conventions of the era, wearing an outfit that fuses Victorian rigidity with a modern and empowered audacity. Her hourglass figure and her height of five-foot-five are enhanced by an impeccably tailored ensemble in jet black, which contrasts vividly with her porcelain-white skin.
She wears a fitted tailored jacket with defined shoulders that cinches perfectly at her waist, highlighting her natural curves and her D-cup bust in a sophisticated manner. Underneath, the young woman sports a high-necked white shirt whose front is ornamented by delicate lace ruffles, a nod to the romantic elegance of the era that is complemented by the cuffs subtly peeking out from the sleeves.
Breaking with the tradition of heavy crinolines, Katerina opts for high-waisted, slim-cut trousers that stylize her legs, fastened by a black leather belt with a golden buckle that accentuates her small waist. On her feet, black leather lace-up boots with a sturdy heel grant her a firm and decided posture upon the salon's Persian rug.
Her twenty-year-old physical appearance completes the image of an extraordinary woman; her long black hair falls in perfect waves, revealing that natural purple gradient that seems to come to life under the warm light of the chandelier. Her scarlet eyes, intense and charged with a latent shyness, stand out on her face with carmine lips as she waits, almost without breathing, for Lucien's reaction.
—Wow –And finally, after staring at the girl now in front of him, Lucien cannot help but open his mouth and eyes, surprised by how different she looked now. Different, but above all, completely natural–
Adèle also leaves the fitting room slowly, walking to one side so as not to block Lucien's view of Katerina. However, seeing him with his mouth wide open, she couldn't help but tease.
—Close your mouth, Lucien. You'll catch flies –A smile and an amused tone form on her face–
Lucien, realizing his current state, immediately closes his mouth and places his fist over it, in a gesture as if he were clearing his throat. Although, his earlobes, turned red, do not go unnoticed by Adèle, who widens her smile and gives Katerina a light nudge, showing her this with her gaze as well.
—You look very good –Finally, after a few more seconds, Lucien speaks. Though of course, his voice makes it clear that he is trying to control his embarrassment–
Katerina, hearing him and also noticing his red earlobes, does not hide the blush on her cheeks from the shame. However, she also flashes a sweet smile. After all, Lucien's opinion now mattered to her much more than any other, so hearing him and seeing him embarrassed because of her filled her with an energy she was unable to name and a great deal of dopamine.
—Do you like it? –Adèle asks Lucien, even making gestures with her hands– We chose it together thinking about mobility. Katerina's previous dress prevented her from moving well. Running, sitting without help, climbing into carriages, seeing where she steps. All of that was impossible for her to do because of the heavy and wide dress. In contrast, this allows her to do everything. She can run freely since she no longer has needle-point heels, she can climb into a carriage without help because the dress no longer gets stuck, she can look down because it is no longer an expanded dress, and even… –A new mischievous smile forms on her face–...she can undress by herself, quickly, as she only needs to take off the jacket, the blouse, unbuckle the belt, the trousers, and remove them. The same with the black lace pantis and brassière she wears under these clothes. It will help a lot for those moments where you don't have much time to enjoy pleasure, but still feel like a quickie–
—Adèle! –Katerina exclaims, blushing as she hears and understands the implications of the words, and also the reveal of what lies beyond her outer clothing–
Adèle lets out a giggle seeing Katerina's nervous and embarrassed expression. For his part, Lucien simply shakes his head with a smile, as he already knew what Adèle was like, so her jokes didn't really bother him. However, he cannot help but blush as well upon hearing the implications and the type of Katerina's underwear.
—It's perfect –Lucien speaks again after a few seconds. His voice truly genuine– It suits you very well, really. It is also revolutionary for this Empire in particular, and furthermore, it will allow you to be independent. Without a doubt, a magnificent choice–
—I know. We have the eye for that –Adèle responds with pride–
Then, Lucien stands up from the seat where he is sitting, pulls his wallet from his pocket, and approaches Adèle.
—How much is it? –He asks, while opening his wallet– And I don't accept "it's a gift." You've already done that several times and it always makes me feel bad, because I feel like I'm stealing what you design –He adds with seriousness. After all, even he was able to see the quality of the garments. A quality with materials that could only be obtained in specific and difficult-to-access places–
—Ugh –Adèle stops after trying to say it was nothing– Well. 50 thousand Oblecen–
—Wait! –In an instant, Katerina lets out a cry of surprise– It is too expensive!–
—So what? –Lucien then takes out from his wallet 10 bills of 5,000 Oblecen each. The highest denomination of the Oblecen– You are a good person, so you deserve good things, even if they are expensive. Besides, it really isn't expensive. Compared to the clothes Adèle sells in other countries, this is relatively cheap–
—But… –Katerina continues to hesitate–
—Accept it without fear –Adèle, seeing her hesitate, places a hand on her shoulder– This is one of the few times this man spends on someone else, and the first time he spends on a woman. In all the 5 years I've known him, I have never seen him spend money on a woman. Normally he is extremely stingy with everyone, and even with himself–
Katerina's reluctance settles within her for a few seconds. However, hearing that it was the first time Lucien had spent money on a woman, she finally nods her head, accepting the gesture and the expense.
—I promise to pay it back later –She murmurs with embarrassment, rubbing her fingers together–
—It's not necessary –Lucien responds with a smile– But, if you really want to do it, then first rest completely, and when you wake up, we'll talk–
Finally, Lucien hands the bills to Adèle, and she, after verifying the security symbols and checking that they are not counterfeit, accepts them and formalizes the purchase with a handshake.
—By the way, you already have her measurements, right? –Before leaving, Lucien asks a question to the woman in front of him–
—Ouaip. Je les ai –Adèle nods her head–
—I'll buy the Hivern Collection for her. Adjust the collection to her measurements, and then send it to the Hotel Reinel. I will be at that place for one more week–
—Oh! Parfait! –The woman exclaims with joy and surprise on her face– I'll do it. I'll set my people to work, so it will be ready by the time you leave–
To one side, Katerina could only watch with her mouth wide open at what was happening before her eyes. It seemed that for the man, one outfit was not enough, but now she would have several. And at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder, with some nervousness, how she could ever pay him back for all of this.
______________ >> 5 minutes >> _______________
—So, that would be all from me, mes chers –Adèle, already at the exit door, speaks to both people–
—Lucien, however, scratches his chin– Once again, my apologies for making you work at these hours. I know it was very sudden to call you, but it was necessary. I couldn't allow Katerina to continue this way–
—Adèle smiles sweetly– As I said before, it is nothing. It pleases me that you trust me and give me the opportunity to dress someone who will surely become a very important person in the future–
Lucien says nothing more, only returning the answer with one more smile.
—Anyway. We are heading out –He adds, directing his gaze toward the exit– Thank you very much. And, give my regards to your wife. Tell her I will soon go to the Headquarters of the International Chamber of Commerce to update some contracts they have with the Order of the Black Diamond–
—Don't worry. I'll tell her –Immediately Adèle gives Lucien a warm hug– I'm sure Emilia will be very excited to know that you now have someone special. That way she won't be believing you want to steal me away from her, heh, heh–
—Hey, I'm not that kind of person –Lucien responds with an amused tone– I do respect other people's marriages–
After that, Adèle looks at Katerina, like a mother looking at her daughter about to have a new rewarding experience, or like a friend who is glad for the other's happiness.
—It was a pleasure to meet you, Katerina –She, just as she did with Lucien, also approaches and gives her a hug– Don't forget what I mentioned to you while you were getting dressed. I entrust this wild wolf to you so you can tame him and turn him into a pretty little puppy, alright? –She adds after pulling away, winking at her–
Katerina nods, also with affectionate amusement. Then, unable to help herself, she looks at Lucien—with his gentlemanly bearing, his mysterious aura, and clothes similar to hers in color and formality—and blushes again because of it.
—It was a pleasure to meet you as well –Finally, she turns her gaze back to Adèle and gives her a bow of gratitude–