Madame Judith's Boutique

Without waiting for an answer, Rahel began to walk slowly, clicking her wide, low, dark-gray heel. Her eyes slowly wandered from one side of the street to the other.

(What a nice day. It's pleasant to realize the writing work is done…) — relieved thinking this, a light calm smile blossomed again on her face, after which she opened the door of the boutique familiar to her.

Dzelin.

The melodious sound of a bell hanging over the door rang out, and quiet footsteps of the lady and her maid were heard inside.

— Welcome! — said the woman in a friendly tone, apparently the owner of the boutique.

— Oh… — looking at Rahel with surprise, the woman covered her mouth with her hand, then lowered herself into a slight curtsy.

— No need for formalities, — smiling, the blonde just waved her hand.

— As you wish. Thank you for visiting us. To begin with, you can rest a little, — nodding, the clothing shop owner respectfully glanced at Roxberg and gestured toward the light blue sofa.

— Thank you, I would also be happy to have some tea! — animatedly, Rahel continued speaking, heading toward the sofa.

— Of course, if you wait a little, the best tea and sweets will be served to you.

— Yes, that would be wonderful! — the girl smiled radiantly, shaking her head.

Her mood changed again as if by a snap after the ride, and now she smiled brightly, letting her angelic aura flow.

Rahel wanted to say something more, but she and the owner of the Forton shop — Judith Forton — were distracted by admiring cries coming from the fitting room.

— Oh my God! You look amazing! After so long… we finally found something that suits you!

The exclamations of the maids were full of kind and charming words.

— What? Was someone else here? — Annelise looked displeased toward Madame Judith — the owner of the boutique-atelier, awaiting an answer.

— Oh… I… you arrived earlier than scheduled, so… — awkwardly fiddling with her sleeve, Judith was clearly nervous, glancing at Rahel.

The maid's words did not impress her, but what Rahel would answer clearly worried Judith.

— No, no, it's fine. I think looking through the catalog and having some tea sounds perfect! — the Witch replied sweetly, flopping down on the soft sofa.

Seeing such simplicity from Rahel, Judith had no choice but to sigh with relief and order the assistants to bring refreshments.

Then silence fell over the boutique-atelier.

From time to time, distant voices of admiration and sounds of a catalog being flipped through were heard — one that Rahel had eagerly begun to browse.

— What? — saying this word with a cheeky, uncharacteristic smile, the blonde cast an ironic glance at Annelise.

— … — Annelise remained silent. She had nothing to say, or perhaps she was afraid for herself and, pursing her lips, ignored the mistress, staring at the floor.

— Did you really think I would kill her for that?

— … — again, silence followed, which could be taken as a sign of agreement.

— And you still don't change. You're breaking my heart… ha… — dramatically clutching her chest, a sarcastic grin flashed on the lady's lips.

One would think Annelise should be a regular maid and, like everyone else, have come to work for Rahel for the money or respect for a powerful vampire.

As I already said, all the servants and subordinates were either criminals or vampires — most often both at the same time.

Annelise… let's just say, she was a little different.

The maid never hid her feelings for Rahel, because she knew that her lady was the one who would never turn away from her.

And Rahel knew this. You could say that's why Annelise was the favorite servant. Also, Roxberg loved to tease and mock the poor girl, using any excuse to annoy her.

— Here is your tea, my lady, — one of Forton's assistants handed the blonde tea with cookies.

Both looked appetizing enough to make sweet-toothed Rahel's eyes sparkle and her mouth water mentally.

— Thank you, — without hesitation, gratefully, she took a sip of the tea and began to crunch on the cookies brought to her.

— My lady, you looked wonderful in that dress! — this time the voices from the fitting rooms were quite close, and Rahel turned along with the assistant toward them.

— Hey, stop it! I'm embarrassed… We need to finish quickly. Didn't Madame Judith say her next client would arrive soon? — reprimanding her maids with such a modest phrase, the client grabbed the edges of her dress, trying to suppress her embarrassment.

The girl who timidly made the remark appeared in the doorway of the main hall of the atelier.

Strangely enough, she looked too ordinary for someone visiting one of the finest noble boutiques-atelier.

Her face looked like an NPC from some game, and even her beautiful emerald eyes didn't seem to help the situation.

— Lady Dalia, you really look simply wonderful! — the maid giggled, looking at Dalia.

— Even if that's true, this corset is just killing me! I don't… oh… — the noblewoman called Dalia started to complain, but her voice suddenly trailed off as soon as she saw the other visitor who was so nonchalantly sipping jasmine tea, sitting on the couch.

(Dalia?)

Mentally questioning the name, Rahel leisurely looked at her, and their eyes met.

— Oh, sorry! You've probably been waiting a long time. Sorry it took so long! — awkwardly apologizing, Dalia lowered her gaze.

— It's alright. You're leaving already, aren't you? — Rahel's voice was friendly, but for some reason Dalia heard a note of sarcasm that others didn't catch.

— Ah? Yes… — surprised by the question, she quickly left the atelier together with her servants.

(Did she want to stay longer? Didn't she herself complain that she didn't like it?) — still sipping her tea, the blonde watched the departing visitor with her briefly clouded blue eyes.

Making sure she really left, Rahel put down the cup on the table and clapped her hands.

— I think now no one will bother us. How about I show you my outfits? I need these dresses, and also… — the blonde called Madame Judith to herself, showing dresses and suits from the catalog and starting to discuss the outfits.

And so, after several long hours of fittings and conversations, the morning ended, and the clock hands stood exactly at twelve o'clock.

It took quite a lot of effort to choose the most comfortable and best dresses and suits for traveling.