On the Brink, the Wraith Seeks Respite
Though I lived in a world where the turn of phrase “pale as death” was too close to reality to be spoken, the wraith’s lack of vigor was that of someone beyond the grave.
“Uh, um, L-Lady Leizniz? Forgive my candor, but are you okay?”
“I’m fiiine, heh. Yes, oh so very fine... I’m immortal, after all—undead! The circumstances would have to be quite extreme to tire me out.”
The dean’s laugh was utterly lacking in vitality. I could have sworn that she wasn’t always this transparent. The outline that denoted where she ended and the rest of the world began was wispier than usual, and the way she swayed with every movement reminded me of a flickering candle. Frankly, her fragility was entirely unfitting for a woman who was both a one-magus army capable of freezing reality itself and the living embodiment of death conquered.
I couldn’t begin to imagine what sort of terrible fate must have befallen her to derail the merry eccentric from her usual monomaniacal zeal in the realm of fashion. Yet while the details remained unclear, it was plain to see that my equally terrifying employer was somehow to blame; I figured an apology was the least I could offer.
“I’m very sorry for all the trouble the madam has caused you.”
“Aww, there’s nothing you need to apologize for, Erich. After all, this is just a part of my duties as the dean of our cadre and as her presiding professor...”
She trailed off, no doubt in order to leave the words “...or else I’d kill that presumptuous brat” unsaid. Judging from her demeanor, Lady Leizniz legitimately seemed close to her breaking point. Here was a wraith who did not tire or hunger; what in the world could that scoundrel have done to drive her into this corner?
“More importantly,” Lady Leizniz said with a clap that slightly, but suddenly, brightened her mood, “let us begin putting together your outfit! Ooh, what shall we have you wear this time?”
To explain how I’d gotten here, I’d found myself in need of a new set of servile formalwear with everything going on around me. The order had come directly from imperial diplomats, who’d supplied me with raw materials and a production stipend to make sure I was dressed in a way that wouldn’t embarrass everyone around me—that is to say, I was meant to wear something really fancy.
Naturally, I couldn’t exactly walk into my local tailor shop to have them make me a high-class suit; I’d swallowed my hesitance and asked the closest expert I knew for help.
Picking my words as charitably as I possibly could, Lady Leizniz was still best described as an utter pervert—placing long, frilly gloves and garter belts on a little girl was not worthy of comment; let’s leave it at that—but I couldn’t deny that she had a sixth sense when it came to couture. Her knowledge of trends in high society was encyclopedic, and the seamstresses in her employ were fit to sew for kings and queens; as far as the capital went, she was unmistakably one of the foremost authorities in the field.
Figuring it was best to leave every man to his trade, I’d been trying to think of a way to ask for her help when I’d received an invitation that preempted me: she’d seen through my need for a wardrobe update upon hearing that I’d be visiting the palace, and I was more than willing to take her up on her offer.
“We’ll need to make sure it’s up to the rigid formality of a traditional design, but it would be such a waste not to include a few modern touch-ups,” she muttered to herself. “Ruffs are in vogue amongst the gentry, but we’ll need to go back a few seasons for a servant’s uniform...”
Being the sort of pompous establishment to turn away general customers, this shop lacked a convenient catalog full of ready-to-order designs, but I had to admit, the sheer quantity of premade display pieces littering the mannequins around the store was nothing short of amazing. Now on the brink of losing herself in more ways than one, the wraith danced through the air every time one of the seamstresses brought out another garment for me to test.
“Lady Leizniz, we must give him a tie! The tie is simply a necessity in this day and age! I know the trend comes from a satellite state, but believe me—it is the peak of style!”
“No, that won’t do—it’s too sleek. Boys like him are best in something more splendiferous, more...fluffy.”
“Then a bow tie! What say you to that, my lady?!”
But, well, if I could just voice one small complaint, it was decidedly odd that the tailors were pushing their own tastes instead of simply waiting for the commissioner to lay out their specifications. I supposed that I ought to expect as much from the wraith’s thralls—okay, they were probably just employed normally, but I thought the term fit better—but I still had the right to grumble.
“Let me think. The crown gave him a wonderful roll of silk, and Erich is best in darker colors, so maybe we can start by dyeing it a glossy black. Then, we can pair it with a white shirt with a tie, a vest, and...”
Although her complexion had not improved, her expression was one of rapture. To be honest, the sight of her floating around mumbling to herself was so disturbing that I would’ve felt more comfortable in the presence of a ghost from a Japanese horror film. At least then I could’ve exorcized her with a magic item or something; that would never work on the dean.
Oh, wait. I forgot about my own request.
“Excuse me, Lady Leizniz. I know this might be a bit of a hassle, but I’m slated to serve as an official bodyguard as well. Do you think you could prepare a belt for me to attach my sword—”
“A sword?!” Her reaction was so over the top that I legitimately jumped back. “Ah, how wonderful! You’ll need a mantle to cover it so you won’t look so intimidating—something courteous to wear in the palace! Ooh, I just love those sorts of capes!”
“My lady! My lady! What do you think about a half mantle?! Just imagine it: an innocent young boy in a clean, striking outfit. The contrast gives me shivers!”
“If we’re going to pair it with a tie, then let’s drape it over one shoulder! He’ll look just like a royal guard from one of the satellite states, and that uniform nearly stopped my heart when I first saw it!”
“I adore that idea—that’s the one! Oh, oh, whatever shall we use for the materials? I think a leather with a glossy finish would look lovely!”
Squealing over the contrast of an outfit for a child—well, a child in physique, at least—was the height of degeneracy, and the atmosphere was toxic to someone as normal as me. Though, judging from how she was spiraling around in a helical pattern with her hands on her cheeks, it seemed the air tasted just fine to Lady Leizniz.
It seemed I was locked into being dressed up in keeping with her fetishes to the extent the law would allow. I’d hoped the need for formality would do anything at all to rein in her proclivities, but alas, my hopes were thoroughly dashed.
[Tips] Current Rhinian style is to take traditional fits and modernize them by slimming them down. There has also been an uptick in influence from the ethnic garb of the desert dwellers to the east, and old-school displays of ostentation like the collar ruff have reemerged as well. But in certain circles, dressing one’s retainers like the guards of the Empire’s satellite states has begun to pick up steam.
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