Nalsy seemed to be in a much mood herself, partially because of the positive outcome from her doctor's appointment but mainly due to her experience in the library.
She didn't share with Edmund the news yet, but Lauren has kindly suggested that Nalsy can work in the library alongside her once she's better, at least when the rigid braces can come off her.
Even without this suggestion, Nalsy was excited to have been in the library altogether. She managed to grab a few books with a Lumenian script, intent on learning it as soon as she could so that she could be of more help to Lauren.
Edmund was also in a good mood, possibly because he could see Nalsy's radiant smile, which made him feel good in the most unexpected way.
He walked at a pace to match Nalsy, looking at her out of the corner of his eyes, as she was once again mesmerised by everything around.
Nalsy's face suddenly changed, and her smile vanished as she remembered the mention of Edmund's broken nose in the doctor's office.
"Edmund…?" She called out quietly.
"Yes?"
"I haven't apologised yet even though I should have. I am very sorry for breaking your nose and hurting you." Nalsy muttered nervously.
"It's alright." Edmund shrugged his shoulders. He wasn't bothered about it anymore. "Let's have a look here," Edmund pointed at a shop. Nalsy looked up at a display window to find a clothes store with some long dresses on display. Only now she remembered that Edmund mentioned a night before that they were to buy clothes for her.
"Why? I think it is highly unnecessary." Nalsy said in protest.
"Come on." Edmund persevered and grabbed her by the arm to lead her inside. Nalsy tried to drag her heels, but she soon admitted her defeat and followed him in. "Pick anything that you like." Edmund nudged her towards the rails with the clothes on.
"I don't like anything. Let's go." Nalsy turned around, ready to walk out.
"You didn't have a proper look."
"I don't have to. I can clearly see that there's nothing in my style."
"I know the style here is very different, but can you be a bit more lenient and pick something that is the closest to acceptable for you?"
"It looks expensive," Nalsy said, blushing and looking around the shop that had a very boutique feel to it.
"It's not. Come on" Edmund nudged her again, pushing her gently towards the clothes. Nalsy looked a little panicked, but she knew that she wasn't going to win against Edmund, so at last, she started to look around.
Nalsy was quick to realise that the rails were filled with floor-length gowns, some with simple straight cuts, and some with layers of laces and ribbons. Some even had corsets which made Nalsy frown even more.
"How do you like that one?" Edmund pulled out a random dress off the rail. He didn't look at what he was picking, but he wanted to encourage Nalsy to pick the clothes herself. He chose a long green dress with long sleeves and a belt on its waist.
"Ummm... isn't it a bit formal?" Nalsy furrowed her brows in thought.
"I don't think so" Edmund was just as clueless as her as he studied the dress more closely.
"What about these?" Nalsy asked as she picked up a pair of trousers and lifted it for Edmund to see.
"You're in the men's section," Edmund looked at her sideways while still looking at the dresses.
"Ummm... where's the women's section?" Nalsy asked seriously.
"Here", Edmund pointed at the rails with long gowns.
"But they're all dresses!" Nalsy didn't look amused. Edmund looked at the clothes as if he didn't realise that before. "Is there anything more practical?"
"Don't women wear dresses?" Edmund asked naively. Nalsy wasn't sure whether he was serious, but she still scowled at him.
"I'm sure some women do wear things like these, but I rather not go trotting around the town in a floor-length gown. I'm clumsy enough to trip over it and kill myself " Nalsy pointed at a random long dress with dissatisfaction.
"I wouldn't advise you to trot around. You must follow doctor's orders," Edmund scolded her, which was met by Nalsy's death stare.
"Can I help you with anything?" A young girl walked up to them.
"Yes." Edmund sighed with relief. "Can you help this lady find some appropriate clothes?"
"I don't have any fashion sense, to start with, but more importantly, I would like to have some practical everyday clothes," Nalsy said honestly while noticing that the shop assistant looked warily at Edmund.
"This is our finest women collection" the lady pointed at the dresses on the rail that Edmund pointed at earlier. Nalsy subconsciously gave the shop assistant a death stare that graced Edmund a moment earlier.
"I don't think the lady wants anything like this. Do you have anything less 'dressy-uppy'" Edmund turned to face the assistant, hoping to rescue her from Nalsy's wrath. Assistant seemed to shrink in herself as Edmund looked at her.
"I'm sorry you don't like them. I'm afraid this is the latest fashion trend in the Lumen." the assistant blushed.
"Do you think I'd be alright in these?" Nalsy showed the pair of plain black trousers to the lady.
"But these are men's trousers?" the woman looked confused.
"So...?" Nalsy asked with a challenging look on her face. When Edmund saw it, and he tried to fight his laughter. He was glad that it wasn't directed at him, but also he hoped that the shop assistant was smart enough not to push Nalsy further. He did also feel proud of Nalsy for voicing herself.
"Well, true. I guess it'll be alright." Assistant said, charily glancing at Edmund. Edmund felt relieved after her reply. He wondered what would've happened if the shop assistant still pressured Nalsy into wearing any of the dresses.
The shop assistant spoke to Nalsy and helped her pick up a few more pairs of trousers and some blouses.
While Edmund mostly followed them around in silence, holding everything that they'd picked. He continued encouraging Nalsy to select more items which she tried to refuse.
Once Edmund was satisfied with the number of items in his hands, he went to pay.
"I'll pay you back," Nalsy said resolutely.
"Your cooking is a great payback", Edmund answered reassuringly.
The assistant watched them curiously, suspecting that they must be a couple, especially seeing as Edmund was very kind towards the girl.
She was jealous watching them, especially as she studied Nalsy, and she found her to be rather average or even less so. What woman ends up in casts and braces?
The assistant wondered what Edmund saw in Nalsy as she was boisterous and stubborn. How could any man fall for someone like her? She wasn't wearing anything elegant, but instead, she was hidden in the oversized trench coat.
The assistant quickly wrapped up the clothes, and they left unaware of the assistant's thoughts.