When Arthur returned to his room, he sat at his desk with a cup of tea, thinking about the ball he was obligated to attend. Although he disliked social events like this, he understood that it was an important opportunity to meet and become acquainted with the influential elites of the country. As he pondered the fashion trends of the time, he recalled the extravagant and colorful garments worn by the nobility—tight-fitting outfits made from vibrant fabrics, often accompanied by powdered wigs. The very thought of such attire struck him as ridiculous, and he found himself amused by the idea.
Realizing that just as he had revolutionized Pendralis's economy, he could also transform its fashion, Arthur decided to design something different. Pulling a sheet of paper from the drawer of his desk, he began sketching a suit. Given his broad shoulders, he opted for an English-style suit, emphasizing structure and elegance. Once he had completed the general design, he focused on the finer details, incorporating golden cufflinks engraved with the Pendragon family crest, a matching golden collar pin for his shirt, and a pocket watch crafted from gold, bearing both his name and the family emblem. To complement the suit, he designed a pair of modern brown leather shoes, replacing the traditional knee-high medieval boots commonly worn by men of his time.
After working late into the night refining his designs, Arthur felt exhaustion creeping in. Satisfied with his sketches, he changed into more comfortable clothing and headed to bed.
The next morning, Arthur woke early and completed his usual exercise routine before leaving the palace. Accompanied by his guards, dressed in plain attire to avoid drawing attention, he made his way into the city. His destination was the most prestigious tailor shop in the capital, the same establishment used by the royal family. The tailor's shop was located in a semi-circular shopping district lined with upscale boutiques, each catering to various luxury goods.
As Arthur arrived at the bustling shopping avenue, he took note of the vibrant crowd. Families strolled together, individuals entered and exited shops, and vendors attended to their customers. Many carried bags filled with newly purchased goods, their faces lit with smiles. Among them, Arthur noticed parents holding their children's hands, the little ones gleefully eating sweets. Observing their happiness, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction—this was the tangible result of the changes he had brought to the nation.
Continuing through the street, he soon arrived at the tailor's shop. The exterior was impressive, with large glass windows displaying elaborate medieval-style garments. A finely crafted sign above the entrance read "Zack's Tailoring", elegantly designed to reflect the luxury of the establishment.
As Arthur stepped inside, the chime of the door caught the attention of the shop's owner, Zack, who looked up from his work. Having crafted numerous garments for the royal family—including several outfits for Arthur himself—Zack immediately recognized him. Quickly making his way over, he bowed respectfully.
"Welcome, Your highness. There was no need for you to come all this way. If you required a new outfit, I would have personally traveled to the palace to take your measurements," Zack said.
Arthur smiled. "I wanted to come into the city as well, so it was no trouble."
"I understand, Your highness," Zack replied. "In that case, shall we take your measurements now?"
"Before that, I'd like you to take a look at these designs," Arthur said, handing over the sketches he had brought with him.
Zack took the papers and examined them closely. He immediately noticed that, in contrast to the highly ornate and heavily embroidered clothing typical of the nobility, Arthur's design was simple and refined. It was worth noting that, in Arthur's original world, suits had initially been considered casual attire before gradually evolving into formal wear over time.
Arthur found medieval noble fashion both uncomfortable and absurdly flamboyant, which was why he preferred to wear a suit. After studying the sketches for a moment, Zack looked up and said, "Your Highness, this design is quite… simplistic."
Arthur chuckled. "That's exactly what I want."
Realizing that there was no point in arguing further, Zack nodded. "Very well, Your Highness. I can have the first suit ready in a few days."
Arthur then handed over additional designs for the accessories that would accompany the suit, including the cufflinks and collar pin. Trusting Zack's expertise in the industry, he instructed him to collaborate with the finest jewelry craftsmen to produce these items. After reviewing the designs, Zack reassured him, "Do not worry, Your highness. I will ensure everything is completed and delivered alongside the suit."
Zack then proceeded to take Arthur's measurements. Once the process was complete, Arthur instructed him to produce an additional ten suits in various colors after the first one was completed.
With his business at the tailor's shop concluded, Arthur left and made his way to the industrial district to meet with William. Upon arriving, he paused for a moment, as he often did, to observe the activity around him—the towering smokestacks releasing plumes of smoke into the sky, the workers hauling raw materials and finished products. The sight of the thriving industry reinforced his belief in the transformation he had set in motion.
As he approached William's office, a guard, having noticed Arthur's arrival from a distance, had already informed William, who now stood waiting at the entrance to greet him.
"Welcome, Your Highness," William said.
"Hello, William," Arthur replied.
William led him inside, and once they reached his office, he offered Arthur a cup of tea before they began their discussion.
"How is the production of the H4 going?" Arthur asked.
"We have successfully entered mass production," William responded. "The first batch has already been supplied to the navy and the army."
Arthur was pleased with this progress. He then placed a new set of schematics on the table—the design for a pocket watch. William examined it carefully and quickly realized that it was not significantly different from the H4.
Arthur leaned forward slightly. "We need to start producing watches for the civilian market as well," he said.
William nodded. "This design is essentially a modified version of the H4. If we establish the necessary manufacturing facilities, we can begin production as soon as possible. However, these watches will be expensive. Do you really think there will be demand for them in the civilian sector?"
Arthur smirked. "Something tells me there will be."
"As you wish, Your highness. I'll have a prototype made from gold and delivered to you within a week," William assured him.
Satisfied, Arthur nodded. William's response met his expectations.
The two then continued discussing ongoing projects and the status of various industries. After their meeting concluded, Arthur left the factory district and made his way back to the palace.
Once inside his room, he took a long shower to wash away the fatigue of the day. He then instructed a servant to bring his dinner to his chambers. As he ate, his mind drifted to the upcoming ball. He wondered whether attending in a modern suit and pocket watch would challenge the prevailing perceptions of fashion in this era.