Once you had changed into a simple dress, you took the neatly folded cloth from Sigewinne back, expressing your gratitude.
Your gaze shifted between the petite nurse and Wriothesley.
"Thank you both for rescuing me. I believe it's time for me to take my leave."
You turned to exit the room, but before you could make your way, Wriothesley took a step forward.
"May I inquire if you have a place to stay?" His words held a touch of concern.
You faced the detective, a subtle smile gracing your lips. "Fontaine is my place."
"I think what Sir Wriothesley means is if you have a place to sleep," Sigewinne interjected, her curiosity evident.
"I understand," you replied, your expression serene. "In that case, I do not have a designated home."
Engaging in extended conversations with humans is a rather unfamiliar occurrence for you.
Typically, their response to your presence would involve bows or kneels, accompanied by downcast gazes and hesitant speech.
The memory of your discussion with Rukkhadevata about this matter resurfaces. She had simply giggled and remarked that they were merely afraid of you.
However, the concept of fear remains somewhat enigmatic to you.
Understanding human emotions continues to be a complex endeavor, and the intricacies of their feelings elude your grasp.
Wriothesley heaves a sigh and holds the door ajar, extending an invitation,
"If you'd like, you're welcome to stay at my place." A warm smile adorns his face as he gestures for you to follow him.
As you exit the room with Wriothesley, Sigewinne can't help but burst into giggles, quickly sensing the potential for a romantic narrative to unfold.
Observing the Detective so smitten is an unexpectedly charming sight.
"I must inform the others about this right away!"
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Walking alongside Wriothesley to his home, you find yourself in awe of the changes that have transformed your nation.
The unfamiliar yet captivating beauty of it all leaves you intrigued.
As you both venture into the Vasari Passage, your attention is drawn to imposing mechanical entities patrolling the area.
"Wriothesley, what are those?" you inquire, your gaze fixed on the peculiar creations.
Wriothesley follows your line of sight, explaining, "Ah, those are Clockwork Mekas. They're a type of automatons developed here in Fontaine, designed to maintain public safety. Some might view them as tools of the state, responsible for upholding order and control."
He responds, guiding you with a gentle hand and turning down another corner. His heart races as he senses the softness of your hand against his own.
He gazes down at you, his senses entranced by your captivating beauty. His eyes trace a path from your mesmerizing eyes to your plump, inviting lips.
The sunlight plays upon your fair skin, bestowing it with a radiant glow. It's a sight that almost leaves him breathless, and in his daze, he nearly forgets to draw in a breath.
His reverie is interrupted by a voice calling out to him.
"My, Wrio! Don't tell me you've been hiding such a beautiful girlfriend!"
The words come from an elegantly dressed elderly woman standing in the doorway of a high-end boutique, specializing in exquisite dresses and other finery.
'Girlfriend? Is this how they refer to friends who are women?' you ponder, slightly bemused.
Wriothesley stands still, caught off-guard, before turning to greet Adeline with a somewhat strained smile.
"Ah, it's nice to see you, Miss Adeline," he manages to say.
Adeline steps out to greet you more warmly, a charming smile gracing her lips.
"I'm Adeline, the proud owner of this fine establishment," she announces, extending her hand for a shake.
You offer a slight smile in return, a tad perplexed by the gesture.
"I'm Y/N, and I'm Wriothesley's girlfriend," you introduce yourself, shaking her hand as she takes it.
The declaration causes Wriothesley's face to turn a vibrant shade of red, his surprise evident.
Though he's certainly not opposed to the idea, he's taken aback by your sudden assertion.
He's never thought of you in that light before, even though he appreciates the sentiment.
Before he can clarify the situation, Adeline interjects.
"Oh, Archons! I can hardly believe it! Why keep this hidden? She's truly a rare gem! And I'm more than ready to help her shine as brightly as a diamond!"
Adeline exclaims, her excitement tangible. With that, she seizes your arm and whisks you into her shop, leaving little room for debate.
"Women..." you hear Wriothesley sigh as he steps into Adeline's shop, following the both of you.
He settles himself onto an expensive-looking leather couch, the surroundings exuding an air of luxury.
Adeline's laughter resonates from the changing room, where she's busily arranging your attire to her liking, treating you almost like a doll.
The passage of an hour only seems to test Wriothesley's patience further.
Just as he contemplates rising from his seat, the door to the changing room opens.
His breath catches in his throat as his silver eyes fall upon you.
The dress you wear is a testament to elegance and refinement.
Crafted from pristine white silk, it drapes gracefully down to ankle length in a gentle A-line silhouette, perfectly accentuating your figure.
Delicate lace and intricate embroidery embellish the neckline, cuffs, and hem, infusing the ensemble with intricate detail.
The bodice of the dress is expertly fitted, boasting a slightly raised waistline.
The sleeves, three-quarter in length, billow softly at the shoulders before tapering down to the cuffs, each adorned with lace and embroidery.
A wide sash, crafted from the same white silk, cinches at your waist, tying into an elegant bow at the back.
It provides a charming accent to the dress, enhancing your slim waistline.
The skirt cascades with an enchanting fluidity, its subtle pleats adding a touch of movement and grace to your every step.
To complete the ensemble, you wear delicate white gloves that extend just above your wrists.
On your feet are simple yet elegant white shoes, their low heels allowing you to move with a sense of both grace and ease.
"How do I look?" you inquire, your voice tinged with a hint of surprise at the transformation.
Nonetheless, you don't voice any objections, recognizing that the change in attire is a practical necessity to blend into the current environment of Fontaine.
Wriothesley stands speechless, captivated by your ethereal appearance.
The smooth cascade of your brushed hair resembles silky waves flowing down your back.
The subtle yet refined makeover only enhances your inherent beauty, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.
"You look... absolutely breathtaking," he confessed, his eyes greedily tracing over your form.
He took your hand and hurriedly led you out of the store, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation with Adeline any longer.
As you both made your way through the Vasari passage, you couldn't help but notice the curious glances from many people in your direction.
It seemed your appearance was causing a stir.
Soon enough, you arrived at his home.
Wriothesley took out his keys and opened the door, gesturing for you to enter first.
"Ah, sorry. It's a bit messy in here. I wasn't prepared for someone to come over," he apologized, following behind you as you stepped into the living room area.
You looked around at the scattered plates and shirts strewn across the couch and floor.
"I don't see a problem with that," you reassured him, a faint smile playing on your lips as you took in the cozy yet slightly disheveled atmosphere.
"Make yourself comfortable, and uhm, yeah." Wriothesley scratched his head, still adjusting to the idea of you living with him temporarily until you find or remember your own home.
You nodded, appreciating his hospitality, and began to explore the surprisingly spacious house.
Your curiosity led you to what the humans referred to as the "bedroom." Your gaze fell upon a wooden closet.
'According to Rukkhadevata, this is where humans store their clothes,' you thought, your eyes drifting to the neatly folded white cloth you still held in your hands.
Deciding to investigate further, you cautiously opened the closet, only to be met with an avalanche of clothes tumbling onto you.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Wriothesley, donning an apron, was in the midst of preparing Blanquette de Veau for dinner.
He hummed to himself, a contented smile on his face as he envisioned you living here.
Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by a loud thud coming from above.
His instincts as a seasoned detective kicked in, and he swiftly donned his fighting gloves before dashing upstairs.
Bursting into the bedroom, he scanned the scene in a defensive stance, his eyes narrowing until they landed on a pile of clothes.
"Y/N?"
The mound of clothes began to shift, and then your head emerged from the heap, peering at Wriothesley with your usual calm expression.
"Yes?" you responded, your voice carrying a hint of amusement as you regarded him from amidst the clothing.
You blinked, puzzled by his sudden burst of laughter, as he clutched his stomach and laughed heartily.
It left you bewildered, unsure why he found this situation so amusing.
After a few moments, he composed himself enough to assist you out from the pile of clothes.
"I apologize," he managed between chuckles, "but you looked quite goofy and adorable in there."
You gave a small smile, appreciating his good-natured response.
"Thank you. Can I use the closet for my clothes?"
"Of course," he replied, still grinning.
But then, his expression shifted as his nose caught a faint burning smell.
"OH SHIT!" he cursed, realizing the creamy stew was likely overcooking.
He dashed downstairs to swiftly turn off the heat.
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You gently blew on the spoonful of hot creamy stew and savored each bite.
The tender meat melted in your mouth, complemented by the rich and velvety texture of the stew.
Wriothesley watched you with anticipation, waiting for your verdict.
"It tastes delicious," you finally pronounced.
A sigh of relief escaped him as he began eating his own plate.
"Are you alright with sharing a bed?" he asked, mentioning the current lack of a proper guest room and the discomfort of the couch for sleeping.
He took a sip of his wine, his gaze fixed on you.
You paused your eating momentarily.
"That's fine," you replied before continuing with your meal.
"By the way, about what you said to Adeline, calling yourself my girlfriend..." Wrio began, curiosity evident in his voice.
"If I'm mistaken, I apologize. I believed that when someone is a friend with a lady, they might refer to them as a girlfriend," you explained, setting your silverware aside and gently wiping your lips.
"No need to apologize," Wrio assured quickly, concerned he might have unintentionally upset you.
With the dishes done, you moved to clean up in the kitchen, Wriothesley following suit to assist.
His eyes couldn't help but steal glances at you, a blush rising to his cheeks as he contemplated how seamlessly you seemed to fit into the role of a perfect partner.
If only you could stay here with him forever in his home...
Wriothesley's gaze shifted to the handcuffs still hanging from his belt.
For a moment, a sinister shadow passed over his eyes as this idea lingered in his mind.
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