Faye's voice cracked somewhere between shock and embarrassment. Her whole face went bright red as she froze in front of the shop entrance.
For a second, she didn't move at all.
Through the glass storefront, the lighting inside looked… weirdly gentle. Warm lanterns filled the place with a soft glow, not the usual bright, practical lighting you'd see in a normal shop. It felt like someone had set it up on purpose to make everything look cozy. Inviting.
And what was inside wasn't jewelry.
Not even close...
Faye's eyes slowly moved over the displays behind the glass.
Her expression shifted.
"…This isn't a jewelry shop," she muttered.
"No," I said.
That one word somehow made it worse for her.
Now there was nothing for her to pretend about.
There were displays inside—sure—but not of gems or rings.
Neatly folded silk. Delicate pieces of clothing arranged like they were something to be admired. Straps, ribbons, and layers of fabric that were clearly made to look good, maybe a little too good. Mannequins stood in outfits that were elegant, tasteful—
—and way too private to be called "outerwear."
Everything looked nice.
But it was all… intimate.
Definitely not the kind of thing you wore outside.
Faye took a small step back.
"…Cassian," she said slowly, like she was trying to make sure she wasn't imagining this, "why did you bring me here?"
I didn't answer right away.
Instead, I moved a little closer to the glass and gently guided her with me.
Not enough to trap her—just enough that she had to actually look.
"Look at it properly," I said.
"I am looking at it!" she snapped back, a bit too fast. "That's exactly the problem!"
Okay, now I just need to steer this into safer territory. I can do that. Something this simple? Of course I can.
"You said you didn't want anything, right? So I chose for you."
"T-That makes sense... but... why here, of all places?"
"Well, you didn't really seem interested in clothes or jewelry, so I figured this might actually get a reaction out of you."
"A reaction?" Faye cleared her throat, trying to calm herself as she tried to hide the heat in her cheeks. "Well, you definitely got what you were looking for."
"But I'm being serious, y'know. You don't strike me as the type who wants to show off or impress everyone else, so I picked something that's just for you."
"...Lingerie is kind of pushing it, y'know?" She let out a small, awkward laugh.
Good. She's loosening up. I just have to keep nudging things in my favor.
"Hey, you could pick something out for me too, you know. This place doesn't only cater to one gender."
I let my hand slip from her waist and glanced around, pretending to look at the racks in the distance, even though nothing was really catching my eye.
"Or," I added, "would you rather I pick something for you that I personally like?"
Faye froze for a moment.
'Something he likes…?'
It wasn't a bad idea, actually. We were engaged, after all. Letting me pick out something I actually liked for myself didn't sound so terrible, she thought.
Her gaze slowly traveled over my body, and it was obvious she didn't exactly hate the idea of seeing me in something she liked, too.
"I mean… I'm not against it," she said.
[Faye Amberlyne: Personality heavily shifted due to actions.]
Her answer threw me off. This time, I was the one who froze.
Did… did she seriously just agree? Wait—seriously!?
Okay, this is my chance...
"Should we go inside, then?"
I said, hiding my hesitation.
"O-Okay, fine... but you also need to wear whatever I want you to wear..."
"Sure. Just be ready, alright? I don't want you passing out or anything," I replied.
Was that too cheesy? Too confident? Whatever. I'm excited too. It's not like I'm so shy that I wouldn't flaunt this new body of mine. Seriously, I'd have to be crazy not to want to show off.
I'm not going to pretend I'm above feeling a little prideful after finally getting my dream body.
"I could say the same thing to you..."
Faye said that the moment I stepped through the door, and just like that, my confidence cracked. Because she was right... I'm not the only one here who looks incredible.
She's still a heroine, after all—and her looks match that.
Maybe I'll be the one passing out...
No, I'm not going to think like that anymore, right now... I'm definitely going to make her fully fall for me and finally complete this quest.