BXBX NOVEL Chapter 160 The Black Robe And The Blue Dress
As parents, how could they let their only daughter continue to wait for nothing and completely forget her life as a dignified lady of Cross County?
They knew that this was the only thing that was holding back Alicia to happily settle down. So they would like her to get the position as early as possible.
They have had enough of seeing Alicia waste away the prime of her youth for this thing. They genuinely just wanted to see their daughter happy and succeed.
With that in their hearts, Count and Madame Cross went all out in supporting her in completing the Empress's orders.
"Why not go to the treasury and take a few pieces of low grade mana stones that have been freshly mined from one of our properties. I'm sure she will not resist the temptation of free mana stones! All researchers love it because it is an important component for their creations!" Count Cross confidently suggested.
Hearing this, Alicia's eyes brightened up, "Father! You are truly brilliant! With this, I'm sure that I'll leave a good impression on her!"
But after a second of rejoicing, Alicia felt a heartache over her parents' sacrifice.
She felt that giving mana stones are too much for a person she despised, "But I feel like it is too much of a waste for her."
Although their family had a few mines that could actually gather some low grade mana stones, it only yields for less than 10 pieces each year.
This was because mana stones were so rare and the Seirende Empire actually did not have an abundant deposit of such stones. In the whole continent, only the gem land, Rubino Kingdom had the capacity to produce large amounts of mana stones.
If not for the other precious gems they managed to gather along the mining process, the Cross Family would have long abandoned these mines.
Alicia knew that her family would lose a great amount of money if she really gave these stones to Eli for free.
Just thinking about that, Alicia felt a nauseating feeling in her heart.
"What are you thinking, daughter? It is just half a million shinies! What is that compared to seeing you finally reach your dream to become a dean!" Madame stroke Alicia's head, she was deeply touched seeing Alicia's heart worry for them.
"Just treat it as an investment for us to help you reach your dream!" Count Cross was also equally pleased.
Although he knew that his daughter was willful, in his eyes she was still a daughter that loves them the most.
"Mother... Father.." Seeing her parents support her, not even batting an eye upon sacrificing precious mana stones, her eyes couldn't help but tear up.
Embracing her parents, she replied in a determined voice, "Do not worry, Mother, Father. I will surely succeed! I will not disappoint you!"
After the conversation with her parents, Alicia stayed for the night to bond with them.
Her younger brother, who was the heir to the Cross County was not around as he was part of First Prince Kazimir's knights under the Amethyst Warlocks.
With her younger brother not around, she knew that the old couple have been lonely in the past few months. So she guiltily spent time with them before going back to the campus the morning after.
Wearing her black scholarly gown that signifies her status as a faculty member of the prestigious Farauld Magic Institute, she boarded the Cross Family carriage and headed towards the campus.
Alicia's mind was still filled with the thought of how to create a superficial connection with Eli.
While at the carriage, she blankly stared at the window which was exposing the bustling city along the way.
Even though the winter already started, the city was still brimming with so much energy as it was a high season for the aristocratic ladies to buy things for the upcoming new year.
Although her parents knew how devoted she was in her career, Alicia also felt that she wasn't enjoying her life properly and had already wasted her time on teaching and teaching.
As she looked at the lively view outside the carriage, the young noble ladies wearing pretty winter dresses, walking carefreely with happy smiles on their faces, Alicia felt that she hadn't enjoyed shopping in the city for a long time.
Knowing that she only had a class late in the afternoon, she asked her family's coachman to stop for a little shopping before proceeding to enter the school.
The coachman expressed his understanding. In fact, he was really elated to hear that the young miss was in the mood to shop.
The whole estate knows that she had been so engrossed in her teaching career that she had long stopped doing activities like this, which should have been what a normal aristocratic lady would do!
What's more she was already almost thirty, but was not yet betrothed.
She had long passed the most appropriate age to get married, as such, not only her family, but the loyal servants of the Cross county was genuinely worried for her.
The young miss of the Cross family was an extremely talented caster and a highly intelligent lady. She deserved to be doing these things too!
The coachman enthusiastically stopped at the most prestigious clothing shop in the capital. Alicia's escorts also excitedly assisted her getting off the carriage and entering the shop.
Their eyes flashed a look of happiness, surely the Old Master and Madame would be jumping happily when they reported these things later on.
Alicia was oblivious to the jubilant expression of her coachman and escorts. She absentmindedly entered the shop and perfunctorily nodded when she was warmly welcomed by the shop assistants.
"I'd like to see your newest dresses." She said with an elegant tone.
The shop assistant didn't need to check which family's carriage Alicia went off. Just based on Alicia's manner of carrying herself, the assistant knew that she came from an aristocratic family.
Also adding to the fact that she was currently wearing the conspicuous black scholarly gown with the mark of the Farauld Magic Institute, the assistant didn't delay and offered her the highest quality of service.
"Sure, milady! Come follow me to the private lounge. In a while I'll show you the latest creation from this season's series!" The shop assistant respectfully led her to the VIP lounge at the second floor.
It was a luxurious room that was adequately warmed by the brick fireplace. The lounge was painted with golden yellow and brown accent walls while it was brightly lit by the floor to ceiling glass windows.
Alicia gave a satisfied nod and patiently waited for the assistant to bring the dresses up, while another assistant accommodated her with the finest refreshments.
The assistant had long decided to provide her with the highest form of service, that's why the newest collection of winter dresses, which the store was currently most proud of, were immediately lined up in front of Alicia.
Every dress that was carried out in a mannequin was followed by a handler and the seamstress assigned to each masterpiece.
"Milady, these are the selection of winter dresses I have specifically brought for you! Pardon me for impolitely getting ahead of you, as I have pre-selected these dresses based on the aura you are exuding..." The assistant briefly explained.
The assistant then proceeded to masterfully introduce the dresses. She was so professional, as if she knew each dress like the back of her hand.
Unlike the normal shops, this particular clothing store became the most prestigious not only because of the quality and beauty of the dresses they managed to make.
It was also because of this special service.
Every assistant in this store was at least a bonafied junior stylist. One look at a customer and they were already putting them a dress in their minds from their catalog in a hundred ways.
What can you expect from an establishment managed by the Forgeworn clan?! Their stores and merchandise always shout two things - superb craftsmanship and one of a kind service!
Alicia didn't mind as she already knew how the store operates.
In fact, she had long forgotten the feeling of trying a dress for herself. As such, she could only rely on a professional stylist to guide her in choosing a dress.
Seeing the dresses in front of her, she was not disappointed. Every creation was pleasing to the eye and perfectly fitted on Alicia's aesthetic taste.
Especially the light blue winter dress at the center.
It was a beautiful blue velvet dress that had an ample amount of thickness for the winter and was also properly lined with the purest white fur from the North territory.
The dress didn't need Alicia to wear an inconvenient petticoat as the skirt part was delicately assembled with multiple layers of the softest tulle fabric, making it look puff and warm.
Immediately, she gestured to the assistant to help her try the dress.
Entering the ensuite changing room, Alicia was welcomed by a three way mirror and her stern image of a professor, wearing the black scholarly gown.
She looked at the dress she selected beside her and the black gown she was wearing.
A resigned smile appeared on her face, as she looked at the mirror, what reflected in front of her was her self-mocking expression.
She had long forgotten how to dress fashionably because she was so accustomed to wearing this black scholarly gown.
The main reason was because this was the dress that gave her the highest sense of pride and satisfaction. It was a symbol of her abilities, gifts and hardwork.
Another thing was that because it was so convenient.
This gown had an ability to keep the wearer warm in winter and cool in summer.
That's why she was so used to wearing her set of black gowns regardless of the season.
So used to it that apart from the three to six dresses for obligatory tea parties and banquets, these black gowns were the obvious things that occupied her wardrobe.