The bell above Collet's boutique door chimed as Thalia stepped inside, the soft hum of chatter and the rustle of fabric filling the air. The boutique was as luxurious as ever, with vibrant dresses and tailored suits displayed like art. Thalia couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship that had made the Charis family a dominant force in fashion.
"Thalia!" Collet's lilac hair gleamed as she rushed toward her, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're here! I've been waiting for you to visit. Come, come! I just finished a new collection, and you must try some of it on!"
Before Thalia could protest, Collet grabbed her arm and whisked her deeper into the boutique. Maids and assistants scrambled to prepare as Collet personally selected gowns, their soft fabrics shimmering in the light.
---
The first dress Thalia tried on was a stunning deep emerald gown, its elegant cut highlighting her slender figure. When she stepped out of the dressing room, the room fell silent.
The assistants, maids, and even a few customers stopped in their tracks. Her silver hair, paired with her striking crimson eyes, created an ethereal image that seemed almost otherworldly.
"Who is she?" one bystander whispered, their voice filled with awe.
"She must be from a noble family," another speculated. "But which one? I've never seen her before."
Thalia, unfazed by the attention, kept her gaze on Collet, who clapped her hands together in delight.
"You look absolutely divine!" Collet exclaimed. "I knew this dress would suit you perfectly!"
Thalia offered a small smile but didn't respond to the murmurs around her. She had no intention of engaging with the bystanders, their curiosity nothing more than background noise to her.
---
Once the excitement settled, Collet led Thalia to a private sitting room at the back of the boutique. The noise of the boutique faded away, leaving them in a quiet, comfortable space.
"I actually came here with an idea," Thalia said as she pulled out her notebook, flipping to a sketch she had drawn the night before.
Collet leaned in, her eyes widening as she took in the design. It was a sleek, knee-length dress paired with a matching blazer, both tailored to perfection. The dress had a modest neckline but revealed just enough of the legs to add a modern, daring edge.
"It's a suit dress," Thalia explained. "Formal enough for business, but stylish and feminine. It's practical yet elegant."
Collet tilted her head, her fingers brushing over the sketch. "It's beautiful. But the knee-length design... won't it be considered too bold? Fashion here is much more conservative."
Thalia smiled knowingly. "That's exactly why it will work. It's time to introduce something new, something that speaks to independence and confidence. Trends change, and this could be the next big thing."
Collet hesitated for only a moment before nodding, her face lighting up with excitement. "You're absolutely right. If anyone can pull this off, it's us."
---
As they finalized the details of their collaboration, Thalia couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. The suit dress wasn't entirely her idea—it was a memory from her past life, inspired by modern Korean fashion.
Sorry, Korea, she thought to herself with a small smile. I'm borrowing this one for the greater good.
Collet, oblivious to Thalia's inner musings, was already making plans to bring the design to life.
"This is going to be revolutionary," Collet said, her excitement contagious. "Thalia, you truly have an eye for innovation. I'm so glad we met."
Thalia nodded, feeling a swell of pride and determination. The suit dress was just the beginning. Together with Collet, she was ready to reshape the fashion world, one daring idea at a time.