Arc 3-Initiate-Part 1


    Winter has passed and spring hase to the Harvest Kingdom. For peasants, that means a return to the fields as the spring rains bless thend. For the nobles, theidback winter socializing is over and it’s time to get into the more serious spring socializing. Along with a few unimportant details like managing their territories.


    For me, spring means the next step of my new life as the daughter of the most glorious and glossy elemental in any dimension, Cosmo. Having secured Marquis Guiness’ rmendation to the Grand Hall, my lovely wife, my almost-as-lovely elementals, and myself will soon be on our way to the greatest center of knowledge in the kingdom. The only ce I can think of where I can learn to use my seven affinities.


    We’ve been preparing for the trip for the whole of winter. That included quite a lot. For myself…er, well. Honestly, I didn’t have much to do. I did practice with Geneva and Belolial on my spells but after my long years of cking, what I’ve learned is most of the basics I should havemitted to memory years ago. And the training schedule has been ratherxpared to the torturous pace of my training in the Enchanted Forest.


    Why? That would be because of the absence of my torturer. Kierra has been very busy since we cleaned up the Grimoires, moving about secretly. What’s she’s been up to is anyone’s guess. The woman likes keeping her secrets and when she’s really determined, there’s no prying them out. Since she seems intent on keeping it a surprise, I’ve let her have her way.


    My patience was rewarded as, eventually, she released one of the secrets to me. My new wardrobe. In themotion of Gordon Grimoire Sr.’s arrest, she mentioned that I should have better clothes to reflect my growing status. I agreed but it wasn’t an immediate problem. To be honest, I forgot all about it. She didn’t.


    Working with our new favorite merchant, Maxine Guiness, she secured fabric and tailors. Now we’re standing in the Golden Spider, the tailor shop owned by the Guiness Company, ready to see the fruits of her efforts.


    With its carpeted floor, tasteful decorations, andfy furniture in ce of a front desk, the room resembles a noble’s lounge more than a shop. A noble who really loves entertaining because these couches are seriouslyfortable. So much so that I’m considering asking the price to take them.


    Geneva is sitting beside me and Bell, in her imp form, is in her usual ce on myp. Kierra disappeared with Maxine into the back a while back but Clef, the manager of the store is here to keep uspany.


    “I’ve had a look at some of your wife’s designs,” Clef says as a maid serves the room tea. “She’s got quite an eye. I’d even go so far as to say it’s a waste for her to be a warrior.”


    Whoa there. Them’s fighting words. “Better not let her hear you say that.”


    Clef sighs dramatically. The man does everything dramatically. Despite his silver hair and heavily wrinkled face, he has the re and energy of a man a fraction of his age. Probably why he can handle the most popr tailoring shop for the upper ss by himself. That and appointments. Knowing who ising and when has to help.


    “I’m simply saying you must lend us that dazzling woman. Or get me a ride to the elven continent. If all of them dress that way, then mmph! I am simply in the wrong country.”


    “Wouldn’t know.” Kierra revealed that she had been working on my wardrobe but the designs are a mystery. The way this man gushes about them has me a little worried, to be honest. “The clothes…they don’t look weird or anything, do they?”


    “Weird? No, no! They are bold! Fierce! Just like your wife, hmm?” His eyebrows dance and I can’t help but chuckle. “You must do them proud.”


    …your voice was a little intense there. “That almost sounded like a threat.”


    “There is no greater criminal than someone who does not appreciate good threads. Deserves to be hanged with the thieves and murderers.” He sniffs in derision and takes a sip of his tea.


    Wow. I guess it’s good to be passionate about your work?


    Kierra, wonderful and considerate woman that she is, walks in, saving me from trying to continue the conversation. Maxine is by her side and three of the Golden Spider’s tailors are trailing behind her. She smiles at me and my chest is filled with warmth. Ah, I’m never going to tire of this feeling.


    “Lou, we’re ready for you,” she says, crooking a finger in my direction.


    I stand, cuddling Bell who makes herselffortable in my arms. “I’ll trust my body to you,” I say with a smile.


    “Have I ever treated it wrong?” She pulls me into a quick kiss when I’m close enough but shoves me toward her assistants before I can start to enjoy it. “Geo, you’re helping.”


    “Of course, Master.”


    I’m shuffled into a connecting room. There are six racks full of clothes, three on each side of the room. The wide walkway leads to a small stage surrounded by full length mirrors under six intense enchanted lights. Um…isn’t this a little much for a ce to change clothes? Starting to feel a little nervous.


    “Alright. You three, get me the dark casual. Geo, you get her undressed.”


    “I don’t need help getting undressed,” I say quickly, backing away from the approaching subus.


    “Bell, down.”


    Bell hops out of my arms and into Geneva’s before perching on her shoulder. Geneva gives me a wide-eyed pout. “You wouldn’t make me disobey an order from Master, would you Lou? At least offer me a treat.”


    “Hey! Stop trying to get extra pieces of me.” As a subus, she feeds on the mana of her contractor, namely me. Normally, as mana moves through the blood, that would involve some bloodletting. It’s easier on me to simply change to my elemental form and let her bite off a finger. Physically.


    Mentally, it’s still a little traumatic watching someone eat me. Especially when she throws around the word ‘treat’. I mean, I think I was the one to use the word first but it just sounds…strangeing out of her mouth.


    The tailorse back carrying several garments. Kierra smiles at me and there’s a hint of malice in it. “Strip.”


    Sigh. If she’s giving me that look, then there’s no getting out of this. Beckoning Geneva forward, I surrender myself to her attentions. Her tail waves back and forth as she gets into her work.


    Damn subus. Your fingers don’t need to be in those ces. I’m definitely not being strict enough with her. Constantly testing the boundaries to see how far she can push me. I’m a little sensitive to ordering her around because thest thing I want is to turn into the Grimoires but sometimes, I swear, she’s just asking for it.


    In no time, I’m down to my undergarments. Being seen by the tailors makes me embarrassed. For a moment. Thanks to Kierra, I’ve got a pretty tough skin, in more ways than one. And once I get a good look at their expressions, all awkwardness dies.


    They don’t see me as a nearly naked female. Those cold and appraising eyes merely see me as a convenient tool to disy the styles Kierra designed. They’re so professional I feel myself straightening up, taking on some of their tension.


    The clothes are passed over. I think I’m dressing myself but Geneva’s tail lightly smacks my hands away. Kierra also joins the fun. “Close your eyes.”


    I obediently follow her words, letting the two of them move my body like a doll as they put the clothes on me from head to toe. “Keep them closed,” my wife whispers next to my ear before I hear her move away. She’s back soon and I feel cool metal being sped around my neck. After that, I’m sat down in a chair and my feet are put into something incrediblyfortable.


    Hands move through my hair, followed by ab. “Are you going to braid it?”


    “Nah. That’s basically saying I want the Tome family to acknowledge me. Have to find something new. I don’t know. Cut it maybe?”


    “I can see it.” Theb finishes its job and I am turned around. “Open.”