Elegance in Disguise

The first place that caught my eye was a clothing store between two stone buildings; its storefront had many beautiful pieces on display.

It was much different than the grit and loud noises of the streets.

But what really drew me in was the fur. It just looked so comfortable.

Long coats lined with silvery wolf hide, capes embroidered with fox patterns. Collars puffed with bear fur so dense they looked like clouds.

"Oh, let's go in there," I said, pointing towards the store as I pulled Noah along by the hand.

He didn't resist one bit, just letting himself go along with my flow, amused.

The moment we stepped through the door, the atmosphere shifted. Every head turned in our direction.

It must have been our clothing, but it wasn't just that. The rich silks, gold threading, and perfectly tailored coats made our wealth obvious at a glance. We carried an aura that set us apart, something that couldn't be replicated by anyone in simpler attire.

Noah alone was a beacon of light, the kind that compelled others to show their sincerity. I clung to his arm like a prized possession, my head held high, completely unbothered by the prices or the atmosphere of this store.

Almost immediately the staff came pouring in from all corners like a wild animal trying to surround their prey. The smiles came off as fake, and the greed in their eyes was so familiar from certain individuals of my past.

"Welcome! It's an honor to serve you today, Your Graces!" This was said by more than one person, all trying to get a piece of the pie.

I let go of Noah and stepped forward, boots tapping over polished floors. "Tell me," I said, my voice carrying interest, "what's the most expensive item in this store?"

The head clerk was a man with sharp eyes and slicked-back hair, so drenched in oil it was almost revolting. He bowed so low I half expected his back to snap.

In my past life, I never trusted anyone with slicked-back hair. They were always bad news—usually a corrupt politician or someone with something to hide. So my instincts were already screaming at me.

"Well... that would be our centerpiece winter ensemble. It's hand-stitched from northern moon bear fur, embroidered with golden-threaded runes, and embedded with enchanted stones to repel moisture."

He turned with gusto, gesturing to the mannequin displayed near the rear, cordoned off with a velvet rope.

I squinted.

The cloak looked like it weighed more than Bors. Dark gray and streaks of white, with a collar so large it could double as a pillow.

Internally, I snorted. I'm not sure I'd actually buy it, but I am curious who would wear so much weight without snapping their spine.

Still… I walked towards it slowly, drawing their attention. Noah followed along with a cold gaze, keeping any of the men from approaching me too closely.

I studied the cloak for a moment, then tilted my head and spoke just loud enough for everyone in the store to hear.

 "Noah… Do you think I'd fall over if I tried to put that on?"

There was a stunned silence in the store, and at the same time I saw their faces warp. How dare I speak ill of their most prized possession?

Hehe, cry me a fucking river.

Noah didn't hold back, laughing out loud and surprising everyone in the store. Of course, they knew who he was. How could they not? He was the ruler of the North, and if you failed to recognize him, it risked your life if anything went wrong.

"Probably," he said, still chuckling, a hand rising to cover the grin spreading across his face.

I turned to him deadpan. "That's what I thought."

One poor attendant let out a squeak of nervous agreement. Another stared at the floor like he offended someone just by existing.

I waved it off with a grin before turning back to the slick-haired man. "What about fox fur?" I asked, my tone softer now, touched with genuine curiosity. "I've always liked that animal. It's graceful, clever, and its fur is very appealing."

He nodded quickly, gesturing towards a more refined section of the store. "We have several cloaks made from silver fox pelts and shawls crafted from ember. Both were sourced locally and ranked among the finest in Coldmere."

"Lead the way," I said, encouraging him to move with a wave of a hand. "I don't mind something over the top, as long as I don't look like I'm about to fall over in it."

Noah leaned down slightly, his voice low near my ear. "You'd look good even covered in rags."

I gave him a sly side-eye. "Careful, complimenting me too much in public might result in me dragging you into a fitting room."

He raised an eyebrow at my provocation. "Is that a threat or a promise?"

"Depends on how good the fox fur is and how willing I am to completely disrespect everyone in the store."

The attendant cleared his throat awkwardly, clearly trying not to hear us. "R-Right this way, Your Grace…"

I followed with a swish of my coat, my guards and Livia keeping quiet but close at all times.

Inside the fox fur section, beautiful designs in silver, auburn, and black lined the walls. A few shawls had delicate rune-stitching, while others looked like they belonged to an empress stepping out of a fairy tale.

My hand reached out, fingers gliding over the fox fur with a slow, reverent touch. It was softer than I imagined, smooth and luxurious beneath my fingertips. Cool at first, then gradually warming, it almost felt alive in a way that made my breath catch.

Foxes were always one of my favorite animals in the past; wearing them is kind of sad, but on the other hand, it looks and feels so good.

Now this was a perfect statement for the new Archduchess.

"Noah!" I declared, spinning around dramatically with one arm extended toward the display. "I want all the fox fur."

He followed my finger towards a display.

Between two full-sized cloaks was a tiny coat made of soft silver fox fur, clearly crafted for a child. It had small sleeves, a delicate collar, and little wooden buttons that looked hand-carved to perfection.

I couldn't help but imagine my cute little girl dressed to match me, her tiny face peeking out from that little fur coat. The thought alone made my heart flutter. There was no question; I had to have it.

With one look he already knew everything, giving me a knowing smile. The quiet understanding that passed between us didn't need language.

Noah turned towards the stunned staff after my words, his voice smooth but commanding.

"Well… you heard her. Gather every piece of fox fur that you have in this store and deliver it all to the archduke's castle."

At his commanding tone, every employee in the building jumped as if their shoes had caught fire. Some vanished into the back rooms, others scrambled for ladders, and one man tripped over a rolled-up carpet in his haste.

I couldn't help the smile on my face; power sure had its perks, or should I say money?

As I looked around one last time, taking in the walls of fabric and fur, I noticed something rather odd.

"No boots?" I muttered. "They don't carry any? I was hoping for something warm and sturdy. You'd think a store like this would at least offer boots to match the rest of their clothing."

One of the younger attendants spoke up, barely more than a boy and clearly nervous, "T-There's a shop just down the street, Your Grace. They specialize in travel and winter footwear."

"Perfect." I clapped my hands together. "That's our next stop; let's get out of here."

Noah's outstretched arm settled around my waist as we stepped out of the store, and I leaned into him without a word. Just another quiet moment shared between the soon-to-be most admired couple in Coldmere.

My two guards followed with the same relaxed rhythm, while Livia kept pace.

The moment we stepped back into the snowy street, I tilted my head up at him.

"Noah," I said, "do you want anything new? Maybe some clothes, a cloak, or even a fox fur hood to match mine?" Personally, I'd go with the latter. Matching outfits sound far too appealing, and I fully intend to make it happen eventually. Not that he'd ever say no to me.

He looked down with eyes that said, 'Love me more!' I just spent a lot of money on you.

I couldn't help but kiss him a few times on the lips. "I love you, Noah."

His gaze softened. "I'm fine; I already have everything I want."

I gave him a look. "You just enjoy watching me try on half the store, don't you?"

"Absolutely," he replied without any hesitation. "Taking in your beauty all day long as you try on whatever you want is what I'd call a great day."

I clung to him, my face buried in his chest to hide how red and burning it had become. With a light poke to his chest, I muttered, "You're hopeless."

"Completely devoted," he said as if it was natural.

"You love-brained fool," A term I remember from some stories of my past life, and Noah has it bad!

Of course I wouldn't accept him any other way because this version of him is the one I love the most!

After we flirted a bit too much in the streets and in front of our people, we made our way towards the boot shop.

Hand in hand down the street with light hearts as I swing our hands back and forth, proudly. Yep… this is my man, you jealous, "Hehe."

With my sudden outburst of laughter, Noah looked at me curiously but said nothing after he gave me an amused smile.

We were just about to reach the boot shop when I slowed down, tugging gently on Noah's arm.

"Hey Noah…" I said, saying his name sweetly, a hopeful grin already forming on my lips.

He raised an eyebrow, amused. "Yes?"

"Do you have any kind of magic that can change our outfits temporarily? Like… make us look poor?"

His other brow joined the first. "Why?"

"Well," I said, practically bouncing as I launched into it, "there are these stories I remember from my old world. Fantasy ones where the female lead enters some type of clothing store, and even though they have all the money in the world to purchase anything in that store. They're still chased out just because of the way they dress."

I waved my hands as I talked, animated and full of energy.

"The second she walked in, some bitch who worked there just swooped in and started talking down to her. Like, are you sure you're in the right place, miss?" I mimicked with my nose up in the air.

Noah blinked. "Okay?"

"She had so much money, Noah, but because she didn't look rich, they just assumed she was poor and tried their best to kick her out. It always made me so mad."

He gave me a long look, obviously connecting the puzzle pieces. "You want to see if people like that actually exist?"

"Yes!" I beamed. "Don't you want to know if any of the boot sellers around here are secretly snobs?"

There was a short pause.

 "Soooo," I tilted my head, expectant.

Noah sighed through a smile and shook his head, already digging into his coat for a tiny rune crystal.

"You're such a menace," he muttered fondly.

"I try," I said, standing up straighter with pride.

He held up the crystal between two fingers. "Stand still." A soft flash of light washed over me.

I looked down. My perfectly tailored dress was now a simple wool one, faded and shabby. Even my boots were scuffed and worn, the kind a farm girl might wear in the countryside.

I turned to Noah and laughed.

He looked like a wandering swordsman with a dark tunic, rough travel boots, and a faded brown cloak. His face was still ridiculously handsome, of course, but somehow the illusion made him look more dangerous than regal.

"This," I whispered, "is amazing!"

"I give it five minutes before someone makes a mistake," he said dryly.

This is a society based on rank, and obviously there will be discrimination.

"Let's hope, because otherwise I can't have any fun." I replied, already walking through the door that Noah had opened.

Let the experiment begin.