It didn't take long for word of Clementine's new Apollo model to spread. At first, the students of the academy laughed, Clementine made a functioning automaton that bested the latest model, not likely.
They were rudely slapped on the face when the Apollo model was sold out within two weeks. They were a huge hit with hospitals and nobles alike, nobles in particular didn't wish to be in the same space as the lower class so they used personal medical automaton to care for them.
The whispers that followed Clementine changed from hushed mocking to quiet amazement and esteem. Clementine didn't let her new reputation go to her head, she remembered how quickly the public turned to the female lead when her newest invention failed in the market. These people were liable to switch sides on a dime, she had no desire to serve as their entertainment.
There was one benefit that came from her rise in reputation. She was no longer forced to attend many of the classes for ladies which made it much easier for her to avoid the female lead. She was able to hide away in the professor's lab tinkering away and innovating as she pleased.
It was the perfect life for about three months unfortunately the novel came to try and drag her back into the fray.
Clementine was working away on an automaton prototype when Dr. Thornevale interrupted her work. Clementine looked up removing the goggles from her face, letting them hang loosely around her next. The professor chuckled taking a small white handkerchief and whipping some grease off her cheek.
"Clementine you know that the academy's gala is being held in three weeks. Well, the headmaster wants to award you with the Innovator's Luminary Award for your stellar Apollo automaton. I wanted to warn you since I heard that they would be giving Adelaide another award and I know how you have a very rocky relationship with her." Dr. Thornevale declared placing his hands on her shoulder.
He was expecting Clementine to have a large outburst of anger as she had done before but nothing happened.
"Alright, I understand." Clementine mused.
Internally Clementine was quietly grumbling she wanted to stay away from the female lead why was the academy making it harder to do that?
"It looks like you've matured quite a bit. I'm proud of you." The professor chuckled gently patting her head.
....
The day of the gala was slowly approaching and due to the urging of the professor Clementine had left the workshop reluctantly to shop for a dress. Clementine found this a rather large waste of her time, she would much rather be tinkering than window shopping, she was trying to find a way to avoid the ceremony entirely. As she was walking through the strip looking at the many dresses displayed on the boutique's window she spotted a figure and in an instant, Clementine stopped in her tracks.
A little ways ahead of her was a very elegant lady, her every movement exuded an air of grace and nobility. Her facial features were ever so delicate like blooming flowers. Her long raven hair was styled to the side of her face in sweet ringlets. She wore a navy blue bustle dress with small bits of leather and gear charms accenting and accessorizing her dress. She was holding a blue parasol to shield herself from the sun as she walked. In front of Clementine was the female lead Adelaide Attwood. Clementine wasn't quite sure why a little cannon fodder such as herself was described as being able to compete with the female lead's beauty.
Clementine cursed silently she had never expected that she might run into the very person she had been avoiding for three months. Clementine began to panic as Adelaide started to walk in her direction, if Clementine didn't do something soon she would run right into the female lead. Clementine whipped her head around wildly looking for a place to hide or a path that would lead away from the town square, that's when she saw a small boutique that was receiving little foot traffic.
Clementine rushed into the boutique and hid behind a mannequin until the figure of Adelaide disappeared from view. Clementine released a sigh that she had been holding back as she turned around to see the bewildered expression of the lone human worker present.
Automaton had taken over most menial labor tasks in society, they could be seen in almost every single shop in the city, and only a small number of mom-and-pop shops were unable to purchase automatons. Many people looked down on shops that couldn't afford to purchase automaton servants, so it is said that the first step towards success was to buy an automaton.
The boutique that Clementine had hastily thrown herself into was brimming with passion, creativity, and love but they only had human workers. Clementine immediately understood why the shop had no foot traffic, they were being judged by their appearance and unfortunately, they were ruled to be low class.
"Excuse me miss is there a problem? If not would you like to sit down and view our catalog before you purchase anything?" Timidly said the bespectacled woman in front of her.
"No, I'm sorry there is no problem at all. I would love to peruse your catalog." Clementine responded she felt bad using this place as somewhere to hide instead of to shop.
Clementine was guided to a couch where the bespectacled woman handed her catalog. Clementine looked through vowing mentally to purchase at least one outfit as an apology. As she was flipping through the pages she saw a lot of the same styles of dresses, large poofy gowns with tight corsets and bows. Clementine wasn't interested in the Victorian-style ball gowns, she flipped through the pages quickly until she stopped at a certain page.
The page was slightly darker than the rest of the catalog implying that it was hastily added on from what was likely a personal design book. On that page was what looked like a modern-day mermaid dress, using the colors and fabrics most used by ladies of this society. The dress image of the dress showed it with a typical cream-colored high-collar Edwardian blouse, with long sleeves and voluminous wrist ruffles. A brown leather under-bust corset, that laced up in the back. The trumpet skirt was made with black brocade fabric and it flared out to create a large train in the back.
Clementine no longer wished to purchase a pity dress, she wanted to have this mermaid dress. It was in a style that she was more comfortable in and besides that, it was gorgeous.
"Excuse me I would like to try and then purchase 37A," Clementine said looking up at the worker.
"Alright, you would like 37A...37A? 37A!" The woman mumbled before snatching the catalog from Clementine's hands. She deeply bowed multiple times to Clementine.
"I'm sorry miss this dress isn't one of our official products!"
"Regardless I think the dress is beautiful. I would be willing to pay extra to order this dress as a custom order."
"I don't mean to be rude but if you wore this you would likely be made a laughing stock in society for wearing something so vulgar."
"Do you truly believe the design is vulgar or is that your fear of trying to break conventional designs? Besides I don't think showing off my beauty and the beauty of this dress is something crass, beauty is never unrefined."
"It would be an honor to see my design on someone as charming as you."
"Then here's to happy collaboration!"
"I'll take you to get your measurements taken, we will send your dress in three weeks!"
"Perfect!"