As the door fully opened, André reached a hand inside with a bow. "May I have your hand, my sweet." He said, a grin growing on his lips.
Béatrice glared at Ben intensely as her clenched fist relaxed. She let out an irritated breath as a flicker of emotion twinkled in her eyes.
But it wasn't a hateful or cold look as usual, it was more like surprise or amusement.
But only a flicker.
A frown quickly found its way on her lips as she hurriedly took André's hand. "I don't have time for your insolent antics." She muttered, "We're on a schedule."
André simply nodded as his smile grew. "Of course, of course, but you wouldn't have let me hold the door for you any other way."
As André guided Béatrice out of the limousine, Alexander shifted his attention towards Louise, who seemed annoyed. "What just happened?" He asked, his voice still laced with confusion, "what was that?"
Louise gave Alexander a look of contempt. "Well, I suppose an idiot like you would have trouble figuring out what Uncle accomplished."
Alexander blinked.
"My lady, lord Alexander," the pathfinder sitting across from them spoke, his tone low and serious. "I believe it's time we departed." The pathfinder reached for the door close to Louise and opened it.
He was the first to step out, before turning to assist Louise and Alexander.
With every out of the limousine, André turned his attention towards Louise and Alexander. "You two come here," he said before glancing up at the pathfinder, "and you guard the automobile."
The pathfinder saluted with a hand to his chest. "Yes, my lord."
When Alexander and Louise linked up with André, Béatrice turned her attention to them with a raised finger and stern expression.
"Stay close to me and do not wander," she ordered before narrowing her eyes. "…or the will be consequences." Her tone was threatening and left no room for interpretation.
She meant it.
Louise looked to have stiffed up, before glancing at Alexander, her expression unreadable.
Alexander just let out a sigh.
With that, Béatrice then took the lead, her posture rigid and eyes focused.
Alexander trailed behind her.
Louise seemed to hesitate briefly, before being pushed forward by André. "It's okay." He whispered, his tone caring.
Louise quickly glanced over her shoulder at him, before snatching herself away. "I'm not scared." She replied with a frown, before following Alexander.
André nodded as he watched her catch up, before following after her with a contemplative expression.
Walking through the crowded streets of the commercial district, Alexander's eyes darted around his surroundings.
He spotted many things, some he recognized and others new.
The usual sights such as beautifully arranged window storefronts, women with shopping bags, men in fine suits, and children with toys and candy.
Everyone here was almost certainly middle class or higher.
But though he felt a little out of place, Alexander didn't care much for them.
What did draw his attention, however, were the sparsely populated phone booths on the sidewalks.
Huh, they have phones here…
Alexander couldn't believe it, he knew these phones were old and rudimentary but even then this was basically a miracle technology.
He seriously wanted to know when the phone lines were set up, but he couldn't risk lagging around out.
I'll ask André or Céline later…
The group eventually arrived in front of a modest shop tucked neatly between two larger stores.
Its windows front was lined with mannequins dressed in finely woven clothes made of quality material. Above the door and windows was a large sign that read "Finest of Louar."
"Huh, father has great taste," André said as he stood behind Alexander, massaging his chin. Alexander looked up to see André standing over him.
"Really?" He asked curiously, Alexander had never been great with fashion. If given the chance he'd slap on a hoodie and joggers in an instant.
André nodded as he looked down with a smile, "Yeah if heard the owner traveled far and wide to gain the experience he has."
Hm…
Alexander looked towards the door to see Béatrice pull it open. The sound of a small bell rang as she did so.
André gently pushed Alexander towards the door and reached out a hand to grab it.
Surprisingly, Louise held the door open long enough for him to do so.
"Thanks, Lou," André replied with a warm smile.
Louise blushed faintly as she rolled her eyes.
As everyone stepped inside, the smell of fine fabrics and polished wood began wafting in the air, as an electric chandelier shone down a warm light.
The walls of the building were lined with shelves filled with crafting materials, fabrics, leather, leather and wool.
There were also a few chairs, including one occupied by a boy who looked well-groomed.
He wore a dark blue tailcoat and black pants, his hair was a deep red and parted down the middle, and his eyes were a bright, reddish green.
In his hands was a book, with a cover that read, "The Woes of Chess, and How to Play Better."
"Of course Lady Alice, I've ensured the uniforms were of the highest quality." A man, with a refined voice and magnificent mustache spoke. "Would you like to see them?"
"Yes, show them to me." A woman, with long red hair and kind green eyes nodded eagerly.
Both the woman and man spoke near a counter in front of the back wall.
The mustached man smiled, before looking up from the woman to spot Béatrice stepping in. "Oh, another customer." He said, stepping away from the counter. "Uhm, right this way madam."
Béatrice frowned, but walked forward nonetheless, her posture rigid as usual.
As she approached, Alice was guided to the back of the store by a woman in a long skirt and blouse. "I'll take Lady Alice," she voiced with a warm smile.
As Alice and the woman made their way into a room in the back of the shop, the mustache man gave Béatrice his full attention. "Hello Lady Béatrice, interesting seeing you here."
"Is it?" Béatrice replied, "I need uniforms for the François Academy, three male uniforms and three female uniforms."
The tailor nodded, "of course, will these be made to fit one size or do you wish to choose from our stock?"
Béatrice narrowed her eyes, "I want them custom, all in one size." She answered.
The tailor, maintaining a professional demeanor, smiled. "Understood, who will be the first to get their measurements taken?"
"Louise," Béatrice answered.
"Understood." The man said with a subtle bow, "If you and Lady Louise would follow me, we can begin." The tailor gestured to a room behind the counter.
Louise tensed up as a frown crossed her lips, yet her expression remained cold.
Béatrice meanwhile, just nodded. "Fine, lead the way."
As the trio walked into what Alexander assumed was a fitting room, Alexander tilted his head curiously.
"Might wanna take a seat," André said with a chuckle as he took a seat one over from the boy with green eyes. "This could take a minute."
"Okay," Alexander replied as he sat between André and the boy. "But why would it take long?"
André opened his mouth to respond, but another voice filled the air.
"Because a professional like this tailor takes his time." Someone said, followed by the sound of a book softly snapping closed.
Alexander turned to look beside him, surprised to see the red-haired boy speaking up calmly.
"Though, I dislike it, as it feels pretentious." The boy continued, "In fact, I personally feel that high society as a whole is performative."
Alexander blinked, surprised by the strange boy's sudden interjection. "Uhm, I guess so." He awkwardly replied, scratching the side of his head.
André had a curious look in his eyes but remained silent and observant.
"I overheard your conversation, are you attending the academy as well?" The boy asked curiously, his sharp gaze focused solely on him. "Forgive my ignorance, but you do not look of noble status, nor that of someone from high society."
Alexander chuckled nervously, "Uhm, yes, I am attending the academy, I guess." Alexander was unsure of how to properly respond to the boy. "As for my status, I used to be a noble, but after the war, I lost my title."
"Interesting." The boy replied with a raised eyebrow, "Does that mean you're not a native of Ambur?"
Alexander nodded. "Yeah, I was from House Daname, in the Fallen Kingdom."
As the words left Alexander's lips, the boy's green eyes grew wide. "Wait, the same house Daname that the Masked Empress claims she serves?!"