Opening the Door

The wooden door swung wide with a faint creak.

Ophelia stepped slowly out of the fitting room.

The white sleeveless mermaid dress clung tightly to her body like a second skin.

The delicate fabric extended down the elegant lines of her collarbones, cinching perfectly at her slender waist before tracing a breathtaking curve at her hips.

The hem below her knees spread out slightly like a half-bloomed lily.

Due to the design of the hem, every step she took was forced into a very small range.

This gave the Knightess, who was used to walking with large strides, a touch of raw, swaying grace in her gait.

Her left hand, polluted by the sea monster, was still covered by a seamless glove and hung down naturally with a slight stiffness.

Meanwhile, the fingertips of her right hand curled tentatively, lightly brushing against the expensive fabric at the side of her thigh.

Klein sat on the round stool, his gaze moving from bottom to top without any attempt to hide it.

The dress was unexpectedly well-fitted, without any unnecessary wrinkles.

Klein stood up, a flash of undisguised amazement in his eyes.

This dress truly looked beautiful on Ophelia. Or rather, with her exquisite yet heroic face, she would look captivating in anything.

But soon, Klein's gaze lingered on her knees, which were bound by layers of fabric. He raised an eyebrow slightly.

Would she really get used to such restrictive clothing?

Ophelia stopped two steps away from Klein.

She lowered her head slightly, her gaze unsure of where to land, finally settling on the band of dim light shining through the window onto the floor.

"How is it?"

She asked softly, her right fingertips brushing against the hem of the dress again in her unease.

The chest of this dress was far too tight; it was so restrictive that she could not even breathe too deeply, feeling as if every rise and fall would snap the laces in the back.

If she encountered an attack in this state, she could only barely draw her sword with her right hand, and the range of motion for her left leg was not even enough to support a basic standard thrust.

From a professional knight's perspective, giving up on this dress was the most rational choice.

But... she was not a knight right now; she was Klein's wife.

In her heart, she desperately wanted to hear Klein's evaluation.

As long as he said it looked good, this bit of physical discomfort was completely bearable to her.

Klein did not answer immediately but instead walked slowly around Ophelia once.

The tailoring of the fabric was indeed flawless; Lillian's craftsmanship was worthy of that expensive deposit.

But while observing his wife, a brilliant idea suddenly popped into Klein's mind.

Since they were already at the tailor shop and Lillian was so skilled, wouldn't it be a waste to only see Ophelia try on one semi-finished product?

His peripheral vision swept over several other sample dresses on the racks—those with large trains, backless ones, high-necked ones...

If he could see all of these today, then this trip would truly be worth it.

Under the dignified banner of "selecting the most suitable wedding style," he could openly enjoy his wife's fashion show.

This plan was absolutely perfect.

"It is very beautiful."

Klein stopped in front of Ophelia again and gave a definitive evaluation, "Or rather, you look beautiful in everything."

Hearing this, Ophelia looked up sharply, her brilliant golden eyes meeting Klein's. Her shoulders, which had been tense with nerves, relaxed visibly, and a hint of joy rippled in the depths of her eyes.

Lillian poked her head out of the fitting room at the perfect time.

"Master! Madam looks absolutely stunning in this!" She waved her measuring tape, rubbing her fingers in excitement as if looking at a perfect work of art, "I just need to slightly modify the curve of the hem and add some handmade French lace to the edges..."

Klein decisively interrupted Lillian's rambling.

"Lillian." He raised his hand and pointed to the other mannequins in the corner, "Are those also semi-finished products you made?"

Lillian looked where he was pointing and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Master. That one is a large train style, and the other is a high-neck retro style. They are the most popular styles in the imperial capital this year!"

Klein turned to look at Ophelia, his expression instantly switching to the focus and seriousness he only showed when discussing alchemy.

"Ophelia, since we are customizing a wedding dress, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Looking at only one style is clearly not rigorous enough."

He stated his reasons solemnly, his tone full of sincere concern for her, "Why not try the remaining few as well? We can compare them and see which style suits you best before making a final decision."

These words were spoken with such high-sounding dignity that there were no flaws to be found.

Klein crossed his arms, his posture composed as if he were truly conducting a rigorous academic comparison.

Ophelia tilted her head slightly, her golden eyes quietly watching Klein.

This man usually never cared about clothing styles and felt no problem wearing the same few sets of home outfits in rotation. Why had he suddenly become so particular about being "rigorous" today?

She looked down at the large train style dress hanging in the corner. The layers of the hem were so complex they looked like a small cream castle, appearing even heavier and more cumbersome than what she was currently wearing.

But... she also had some secret expectations in her heart.

She was not only looking forward to what she would look like in those magnificent dresses, but even more so to what Klein's expression would be when he saw her.

"Fine."

She nodded gently, her lips curling slightly as she turned to walk back toward the fitting room.

Lillian gave a cheer and immediately ran over like a light butterfly to strip the other semi-finished products off the mannequins.

"Miss Ophelia, you are so cooperative! Heavens, I am the happiest tailor in the entire Empire today!" She rushed inside clutching a large pile of clothes, "I will help you change right away!"

The fitting room door closed again.

Klein sat back down on the round stool, his fingertips lightly tapping his knee. The wait felt a bit long due to his anticipation, but his smile grew deeper.

Inside the fitting room.

Lillian carefully unfastened the laces on Ophelia's back.

That suffocating feeling of restriction finally vanished, and Ophelia's chest expanded sharply as she let out a long breath.

"Young Madam, let's change into this large train style!"

Lillian held up a white dress that was almost exaggeratedly heavy.

The fabric was extremely complex, and the lining even included a hard boned petticoat.

The outer layer had three full layers of lace, each hand-set with tiny pearls using silver thread.

The weight of this garment was supported almost entirely by the waist and shoulders.

Ophelia took a deep breath and obediently raised her arms.

The moment the dress was slipped onto her body, the heavy weight pressed down on her shoulders, making her instinctively straighten her back.

"The focus of this piece is the layering and magnificence of the hem." Lillian explained indistinctly while crawling underneath to adjust the boned petticoat, "The waist does not need to be as tight as the last one, but the frame of the upper body must be fully supported, or it won't be able to hold up this presence."

Ophelia did not understand these things and simply followed Lillian's lead with a nod.

...

The door was pushed open again.

When Ophelia walked out wearing the large train style dress, the entire sewing house seemed to brighten.

The massive hem trailed across the floor, the heavy fabric rubbing against the wooden ground with a rustling sound.

The upper body featured a bold strapless design, leaving her collarbones, shoulders, and long neck completely exposed to the air without any obstruction.

Her fair skin, which rarely saw the sun, shimmered with a delicate glow under the dim lights of the shop, looking like fine mutton-fat jade.

However, the dark glove on her left hand, worn to hide the pollution, appeared somewhat jarring and out of place against the complex and pure white hem of the wedding dress.

Klein stopped tapping his knee, his gaze completely fixed on her.

The style of this dress was entirely different from the previous one.

The first was a sexy look with a sharp edge, while this one was the epitome of aristocratic luxury and magnificence.

The massive hem completely obscured Ophelia's lower body, irresistibly concentrating all visual focus on her shoulders and neck.

"How is... this one?"

Ophelia held up a bit of the heavy hem with her right hand and walked over to Klein.

Because of the strapless design, she felt somewhat uneasy, and even her breathing became cautious.

Klein stood up and walked slowly to her. He did not speak immediately but naturally reached out to gently tuck a strand of golden hair that had fallen over her shoulder behind her ear.

His cool fingers inadvertently brushed against the skin of her collarbone.

Ophelia's body froze uncontrollably for a moment, but she did not pull away, only lowering her eyelashes.

The fingertips of her right hand gripped a fold in the magnificent hem, betraying the turmoil in her heart.

"This one is very magnificent."

Klein withdrew his hand, his voice a few shades deeper than before.

"It suits you well; you look like a true queen."

But he keenly noticed Ophelia's concern about the glove on her left hand.

He turned to look at Lillian.

"Are there any other styles? Something more restrained."

Lillian immediately nodded like a chick pecking at grain, "Yes! There is also a high-neck retro style with long sleeves!"

She jogged back to the corner and brought over the last sample dress, displaying it like a treasure, "Master, Madam, this one does not need a heavy petticoat, and the fabric is the lightest mercerized satin. It will be much more comfortable to wear."

Ophelia's gaze was instantly drawn to the long-sleeved dress.

A long-sleeved design meant her left hand could be completely covered.

If the sleeves were long enough, she might not even need to wear a glove to hide those ugly traces of pollution.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Although Klein had seen the state of her left hand long ago and had proven through his actions that he did not care.

In the sacred setting of a wedding, under the gaze of all the guests, she still had that bit of a woman's pride—she hoped to stand by his side showing her most flawless self.

She wouldn't have to constantly worry about others looking at her polluted skin with strange eyes, nor would she have to worry about embarrassing Klein.

This dress could eliminate all her worries and troubles.

Entering the fitting room for the third time, Ophelia changed significantly faster.

The high-neck retro style was slipped on. The neckline was very conservative, extending all the way to just below her chin, perfectly fitting her long neck.

The long sleeves tightly followed the lines of her arms, with the cuffs just barely covering the back of her hands.

The hem was a simple straight-cut design, and the fabric had an excellent drape. There was no complex lace or exaggerated petticoat, only the most basic tailoring lines that tested a tailor's skill.

Ophelia stood before the full-length mirror in the fitting room, looking at herself.

This dress wrapped her entire body so tightly that not a single extra inch of skin was exposed.

But strangely, the sense of ascetic beauty brought by being completely covered was even stronger than the previous exposed styles, inviting more imagination.

Her left hand was completely hidden within the long sleeve.

She tried to perform a standard thrusting motion.

The lightweight fabric stretched naturally along the lines of her muscles without any obstruction.

This sense of freedom was even more comfortable than her usual everyday clothes.

Even the edges of her glove were hidden perfectly, with no trace of anything unusual visible.

She was satisfied with this dress to the extreme.

"Young Madam, this is simply a miracle made just for you!"

Lillian marveled sincerely from the side, her eyes full of fanaticism, "This kind of minimalist retro style is actually very picky and hard to pull off. If one's temperament is even slightly lacking, it will look old-fashioned. But you... Heavens, you look like a Valkyrie stepped out of an ancient text, noble and inviolable!"

Ophelia pushed open the door.

This time, she walked very quickly, her pace completely regaining its usual crisp and valiant knightly style.

The straight silk hem rippled like water around her ankles with every movement.

Klein looked at Ophelia as she strode out, a bright light flashing in his eyes.

The high-neck design accentuated her superior neck lines, and the long sleeves covered all her skin.

But the absolute confidence and vibrant heroism radiating from within her were far stronger than in any of the previous sets.

This was the true Ophelia.

She did not need complex decorations to adorn her, nor did she need a deliberate cinched waist to please others.

She only needed a garment that allowed her to move freely to showcase her brilliance.

"Let's go with this one."

Ophelia stopped in front of Klein and made her decision directly without any hesitation.

"This one is the most comfortable."

She even rarely showed a bit of a girl's desire to show off, raising her arms to demonstrate the ample room for movement the dress provided, "And..."

She paused and added a sentence, her gaze lowered to her left hand, which was completely covered by the sleeve, "The sleeves are very long."

Klein instantly understood her unspoken words and the bit of sensitivity hidden beneath her strong exterior.

He did not say much, only took a step forward and accurately grasped her left hand through the soft fabric.

Ophelia's fingers curled sharply inside the sleeve, as if wanting to retreat.

But in the next second, feeling the warmth from Klein's palm, she took a deep breath, spread her fingers slowly, and firmly grasped Klein's hand back through the fabric.

"This one is indeed very suitable for you. It is the most beautiful set I have seen today."

Klein did not let go of her hand as he turned to look at Lillian.

"Lillian, no need to look further. We will use this style."

His tone was certain, carrying the unquestionable air of a nobleman, "Use the best fabric in your shop, and you will have full control over the details. Remember, money is not an issue."

Although this was the second time hearing this noble master's wealthy proclamation, Lillian's eyes still lit up with excitement as she nodded repeatedly.

"No problem! Master! Leave it to me!"

With a snap, she pulled out a charcoal pencil and quickly recorded her inspirations and modification ideas in her small notebook. "At the neckline here, I can add a circle of extremely fine silver thread embroidery, low-key yet luxurious... The cuffs will have a hidden snap design to make it easier for the Young Madam to move..."

Ophelia returned to the fitting room and changed back into her knightly everyday clothes.

When she took off that retro style sample dress, a rare hint of reluctance actually surfaced in her heart.

She changed back into her familiar clothes, fastening the buttons one by one, and finally put back on that heavy left-hand glove.

She pushed open the door and walked out.

Lillian had already skillfully put the three sample dresses back onto the mannequins and covered them with dust cloths.

"Young Madam, the measurements and style have been completely finalized." Lillian carefully tucked her notebook into her apron pocket, "It will take about half a month for the handmade production. You may need to come once in the middle to try on the semi-finished product for final adjustments."

Ophelia nodded, her tone gentle, "Thank you for your hard work."

She picked up her sword from the counter and expertly hung it at her waist, producing a crisp metallic clinking sound.

Lillian bowed deeply to the two who were about to leave, "Thank you for your generosity! I wish you both a hundred years of harmony!"

"Let's go home."

Klein pushed open the heavy wooden door of the sewing house.

The brass bell on the door shook violently, sending a crisp metallic clinking sound far into the distance.

The cold evening air of the street instantly rushed into the warm shop.

Ophelia followed closely behind Klein as they stepped out of the shop.

The sky had turned completely dark.

The gas lamps on both sides of the street lit up one after another, their dim yellow light barely dispelling the early winter darkness and casting mottled shadows on the stone road.

The carriage was parked at the end of the street.

Raymond, the steward, stood by the carriage, his posture as straight as a spear, remaining motionless even in the cold wind.

It seemed he had already finished the tasks Klein had assigned and arrived here personally.

The two walked side by side on the damp and cold stone road.

Klein naturally walked on the outside, blocking the occasional passing pedestrians. Ophelia walked on the inside, habitually resting her hand on her sword hilt.

Raymond watched the two approach, noticing the subtle change in Ophelia's gait.

Usually, when this knightess of unfathomable strength walked, her strides were as precise as a ruler, her gaze sharp, always maintaining a state of alert. But today, her strides were slightly larger than usual, appearing more casual, and her shoulders, which were usually tense, were completely relaxed, even leaning slightly toward the Master.

This was a display of dropping one's guard and being filled with a sense of security.

Raymond sighed silently in his heart, yet the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

The Master indeed possessed an incredible, life-altering magic.

He could make a knightess, who was constantly tense and covered in scars, relax completely.

Raymond withdrew his gaze and alertly scanned the surrounding dark alleys, confirming there were no abnormal magic fluctuations before respectfully pulling open the carriage door.

"Master, Madam." He bowed slightly, his movements so standard that no fault could be found, as if he were born for aristocratic decorum.

Klein stepped onto the carriage first. He did not sit down immediately but stood on the step, turning around to reach out to Ophelia.

Ophelia stood before the carriage step, looking up at Klein's outstretched hand.

The dim yellow gas light formed a halo behind him. Without any hesitation, she placed her left hand firmly into Klein's warm palm.

Using the pull from Klein's wrist, she stepped lightly onto the carriage.

The space inside the carriage was not very large, and after the two sat side by side, their knees almost touched. Raymond walked to the front of the carriage and nimbly sat in the driver's seat.

"Hah!"

With a low shout, the whip cracked in the air, and the carriage slowly started. The hard wheels rolled over the uneven stone road, and the carriage began to sway with a rhythmic bump.

The gas lamp in the carriage emitted a faint, warm light, and the air was filled with a light scent of leather and the herbal fragrance unique to Klein from his years of contact with alchemy materials.

"You tried on three sets of clothes in a row today." Klein was the first to break the quiet silence in the carriage, "What did you think?"

He turned his head, his deep gaze watching Ophelia's profile in the half-light.

Ophelia did not turn her head, only quietly watching the light from the gas lamps on the street flicker across the curtains.

"It was exhausting." She spoke truthfully, her tone carrying a hint of a rare, slight pout, "More exhausting than swinging a sword for two hours straight on the training grounds."

Those complex, dizzying laces, the hems so heavy they felt like they could break one's neck, and the chest tightened until one could barely breathe. Every single one of them drained her physical strength immensely.

But... she did not hate this feeling. In fact, when she saw the amazement in his eyes, she felt that all the fatigue had vanished.

Klein couldn't help but let out a low laugh, his chest vibrating with amusement.

"Getting married is indeed a task that consumes a lot of physical strength." He paused, his tone becoming incredibly serious and gentle, "However, you looked very beautiful in all three sets today."

He said this very naturally, as if stating an indisputable truth. There was no deliberate flattery, nor any flowery words.

Ophelia's body froze for a moment.

She turned her head and stared at Klein. The shifting light from the street occasionally hit Klein's face, outlining his deep features.

His openness and sincerity were like a soft brush, instantly turning the hardest part of Ophelia's heart into a pool of spring water.

She discovered that she seemed to really like Klein's praise. Even if this unromantic alchemist had a poor vocabulary and only repeated "very beautiful" over and over, it took away her imagined anxiety and left only a grounded, steady sense of satisfaction.

"The retro style one will look even better once Lillian finishes it and adds the right accessories."

Ophelia withdrew her gaze and, yielding to her body's fatigue, leaned gently against the soft leather back of the seat. After a whole afternoon of fussing, she was indeed a bit tired. She closed her eyes, feeling the rhythmic swaying of the carriage, and her breathing gradually became steady.

Klein sat beside her, seeing her resting with closed eyes, and did not disturb her further. He pulled out a pocket-sized alchemy notebook from his coat, filled with obscure formulas.

The faint rustling of pages turning was very clear in the quiet, narrow carriage, yet it was inexplicably reassuring.

After an unknown amount of time, Ophelia slowly opened her eyes.

She did not move, only quietly watching Klein's profile with her peripheral vision. He was very focused when reading, his expression calm, and his long eyelashes cast a shadow over his eyelids.

The carriage suddenly rolled over a protruding stone, swaying violently.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Ophelia leaned toward Klein.

Their shoulders bumped together gently. Through their clothes, she could feel the continuous warmth radiating from him.

After the touch, she did not pull away immediately as she usually did, but instead leaned against him quietly, as if she had found a harbor where she could dock forever.

Klein's gaze remained on his notebook, appearing as if he hadn't noticed the weight on his shoulder at all. However, he naturally moved his left hand over, his broad palm accurately covering her hand resting on her knee.

Outside the carriage window, the street scenery of Silver Scale Harbor continued to recede into the night.

The carriage turned a street corner. A beam of bright gas light swept through a gap in the window curtains, drawing a bright line across Klein's notebook.

At the moment the light swept past, Ophelia's fingers twitched slightly, then she turned her hand over and firmly grasped Klein's fingers. Their fingers intertwined.

Klein's movement of turning the page finally stopped completely.

He did not turn his head, but the corners of his mouth could not help but curl upward. He closed the notebook—which he hadn't actually managed to read a single page of for a while—with one hand, then applied pressure with his other hand to completely and seamlessly wrap Ophelia's hand within his palm.

The carriage continued forward into the night, heading toward their shared home.