Chương 460: Harvest Festival (34)

"I have indeed, Clair! Has it been busy today, or the opposite? I know you tend to enjoy both immensely..."

The Dogkin covered her lips as she chuckled, those brown eyes of hers shining with a delighted warmth as she replied "Oh, it's been extremely~ busy today. A lot of last minute tailoring and outfit purchasing~! Busy busy busy~! But, we are currently in a lull, which is nice for the others. What brings you here now, Duchess? I thought the visit wasn't scheduled until tomorrow? And might this be the Secretary that Lady Annie told me about~?"

Clair stepped forwards and looked Astra up and down, nodding to herself at the violet haired woman's simple style that was exactly what was expected of a Secretary - especially since it was a position that tended to involve simply being eye candy here in Birchan.

The tight blouse, tight skirt, stocking clad legs and her posture all tied the outfit together, with her veil adding a layer of mystery on top that only made her more seductive than ever; that burning desire to see what lay underneath was something that would fuel anyones lust.

As Clair got closer to Astra though, her nose twitched before she raised her sharp brow, turning to look at me before finally turning to look at Shelur, who was idly leaning on the doorframe and doing her best to not look at the Dogkin woman at all.

"Is there..? Never mind, I believe it'd be best for me to not know... Ahem, anyways, what are you here for? Outfits, I am assuming?"

I coughed and nodded, my cheeks darkening slightly as the Dogkin gave me a mature glance that let me know that not only did she know, but she was in between acting as a Mother figure - something that seemed to come to her naturally - and a close friend, which she was.

There was worry, caution, slight disapproval - not at the woman herself, but at the entire situation - and so much more in those brown eyes of hers as she cast that glance at me, though she didn't pursue the topic at hand.

Not even considering the fact that the strong smell of her former fling clung to us closely, something I had honestly forgotten about since it had happened years ago; there wasn't anything left of that flame, something the two of them made abundantly clear, but it must still be awkward to have directly in your face...

"Yes, outfits. Earlier, the Queen and our Goddess had an audience with Astra here - just a meeting and the like - and the Goddess gifted us a ticket to the Cornucopia, which..."

"You most certainly cannot show up to the Cornucopia looking like this! When is the reservation? Ah, what am I saying; it's the dusk showing, isn't it? We don't have much time then do we?! Come come! Stop dallying around and get in here!"

The instant switch from her collected and neutral self into the 'aggressive' version of her that was adamant about perfection being too little was jarring sometimes, but I had gotten used to it... though obviously, Astra was clearly surprised as the Dogkin simply grabbed her arm and yanked her further into the store, her footsteps almost sounding like hammer strikes on the tile floor.

"You're entirely a woman, correct? Violet hair, veil I'm guessing is a must... pale skin too... hmm... Seductive, mature, elegant or Noble? Pick, pick!"

Watching the Dogkin drag Astra into the middle of the store before clapping her hands was amusing, especially since Astra's posture began to crumble somewhat as she looked around nervously and with confusion, looking back towards Shelur and I only to have Clair grab her chin and turn her back to herself, softly growling "Eyes on me. Pick your style or I pick for you."

The rest of the employees rushed out at the sound of the clap, and after bowing to me they swiftly gathered around Clair, waiting to be of use to the Dogkin woman who managed one of the best boutiques in the city; my hidden 'ace' of a store that didn't earn an astronomical amount or had the greatest location, but instead was well staffed and was used primarily for consulting on your outfits, before Clair suggested additions or tailoring to bring it all together.

Small things, but important things; that was what this store was for, but we had more than enough full outfits for sale, so as Astra hesitantly said "Mature..? I guess..?", Clair just rolled her eyes before saying "Violet, red and black!"

Astra almost answered before watching as the employees rushed off again, scouring the store for dresses of those color and returning with them in their arms, each one working off their own knowledge of the inventory and what Clair would want.

Lifting the first dress up, Clair held a beautiful violet dress in front of Astra, tilting her head and appraising the long, flowing dress and low cut top, which would reveal ample amounts of cleavage whilst still being just barely enough to not be 'seductive' to Clair.

Though, as she handed the dress back and got to the next one without a word, the employee who had procured the violet dress lowered her head and let out a sigh, going back to return the dress begrudgingly.

Watching from afar was always a sight to see, and I leaned against a table and decided to enjoy the show, though I glanced at Shelur and asked "She is rather intense, isn't she? Was she... always intense?"

I knew the answer, of course, since I had... also had a fling with her, but it was rare for the Orc to ever feel semi uncomfortable, and seeing as she just shot me a glare before grunting and nodding, I couldn't help but chuckle as I too recalled the nights I had spent with her.

She was... certainly an intense woman in all aspects of life, that was for sure, but it was that intensity that made her so beautiful sometimes... and that passion that drove that intensity was invaluable in many things.