TMIAP Chapter 16

Monica insisted she should simply take the money and be done with it. Luis insisted that would be unconscionable. Specifically—

"To give money to a lady and send her on her way—unconscionable."

"Why is it unconscionable?"

"My pride would be wounded."

"But Garcia is the one who caused the problem."

"Nevertheless, my pride would be wounded."

From the moment Garcia had started going on about paying for clothes, Monica had already made up her mind. She would not be trailing after that man to have him buy her things to wear.

But the person who'd actually appeared was Luis. She'd thought her resolution wouldn't change even if it was Luis, but the man proved a formidable opponent in an entirely different way from Garcia.

"When I've inconvenienced a lady, I should devote myself body and soul to serving her—it would hardly suffice! To repay her with money? That would be a disgrace to my manhood."

Monica looked up at him suspiciously.

"There's something about that I find troubling."

"About me? Tell me what troubles you and I'll correct it immediately."

"The 'body and soul' part..."

Luis smiled with sunny lewdness. Remarkable, that those two qualities could coexist in one man.

"That part is my most sincere sentiment."

"You rake..."

"Say rather that I'm a man with abundant love."

So saying, Luis escorted Monica with practiced ease. The entire sequence of leading her into the commercial district flowed so naturally that Monica only came to her senses standing before an extravagant door patterned with alternating pink and violet checks.

The dressmaker's building was very large. At least three stories, with walls painted pale pink.

The elegantly crafted double doors opened on both sides, fitted with charming handles. The establishment seemed to be among the better sort on this commercial street.

"Places like this only do bespoke tailoring, don't they?"

"Now, now. Trust me."

While Monica and Luis bickered, a woman wearing a hat adorned with beautiful green feathers glanced at them as she emerged from the shop.

"Welcome!"

Luis opened the door without hesitation and strode in. A clerk with a bright voice came hurrying over. Monica shrank back self-consciously, but Luis smiled gently and whispered.

"Let me escort you, Monie."

"Monie?"

"I can hardly call you 'my love,' can I?"

Monica's mouth worked soundlessly, but Luis patted her shoulder lightly as water flows and turned his attention to the clerk.

"Do you have a reservation?"

"Ah, I'm afraid not. But you'll have something for people like us, won't you?"

The clerk nodded.

"Our proprietress has the fastest hands in La Spezia! Even the captain of that great vessel Mermaid's Favor always brings his wife here!"

Only then did Monica truly register that this was a port city. Sailors who spent more than half the year at sea had no time to shop for bespoke clothing. Luis smiled broadly.

"Show us something for my Monie."

"With pleasure! I'll take you to the second floor."

The clerk hurried up ahead of them. Monica whispered rapidly to Luis.

"This really won't do, Luis. The dress I was wearing was just something I bought at the market."

"This is a market too, when you think about it."

"Luis."

Monica sighed and spoke.

"I wasn't going to mention this because Garcia annoyed me, but—"

"You mean you'll tell only me? What is it? Your love for me?"

"Argh! That dress was secondhand!"

Having said it, Monica stamped her foot in embarrassment. To think she'd been reduced to explaining this. At the orphanage, buying new clothes for an eighteen-year-old girl had never been an option.

It had been a dress she'd selected from a market cart selling used clothing, enduring disapproving looks as she searched and searched for the sturdiest one. So purchasing new clothes at a place like this was out of the question.

After explaining all of that, Monica pressed the back of her hand to her face, trying to cool her flushed cheeks.

But Luis paid no mind.

"Goodness, making a lady reveal her secrets. I really have behaved badly."

"Luis, please. I don't care that the sixty sing was my entire fortune at the time—I have no intention of accepting more than a reasonable sum."

"Mm, Monie."

Luis raised one eyebrow as Monica nearly pleaded with him. At that moment, the corner of his right eye twitched slightly. Before Monica could register what she'd noticed, Luis asked quickly.

"Garcia must have been terribly rude to you. Isn't that so?"

"Well... he wasn't exactly polite."

"When Garcia said he had to meet some lady but called her 'that crazy horsetail-head,' I was certain. Garcia had sinned again."

Despite the serious moment, laughter escaped from the corner of her mouth. Luis had a kind of magic that made even the gravest matters seem trivial. How to put it? A light, fluttering... feather-like distractibility.

"Think of it as my apology on Garcia's behalf, Monie. And I do have that much money."

On his behalf. Now she was truly curious. Monica asked quickly.

"What exactly is your relationship?"

Luis winked.

"I told you. We're inseparable."

"Are you really twin brothers or something?"

"Mm, something like that."

Cousins, perhaps? But could brothers really resemble each other that closely?

'And those eyes...'

Her head was spinning. But there was no time to think further. The situation was too busy—the clerk who'd gone up to the second floor was coming back down the stairs asking, "Aren't you two coming up?"

In the end, Monica sighed deeply and spoke.

"...If you'll promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"If you'll just do something about that nickname 'Monie'..."

Luis outdid himself with a beautiful smile.

"Very well, my love."

"Ah! Really!"

Monica stopped halfway up the stairs and slapped the wall beside her with her palm. Despite the violent gesture, Luis only laughed merrily.

"My love the tomboy—so spirited."

"You rake! Stop calling me that!"

So the two men resembled each other not only in face but in sheer stubbornness.

By the time they finally reached the second floor, Monica had regained her composure. In any case, the deed was done, and at a glance Luis's attire was refined. He looked comfortable enough shopping at a place like this.

Moreover, he was offering to pay, wasn't he? Crucially, Monica intuited that unless she purchased something, she would absolutely never escape Luis today.

"Something easy to move in. Sturdy and reasonably refined."

The clerk nodded at Monica's request. But Luis, standing behind her, quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulders and added a word.

"Something beautiful and uncomfortable. Enough to make my love give up before she can even try to run from me!"

"Luis!"

Luis's words were thoroughly playful, and the clerk giggled.

Presently, several garments the clerk had selected were displayed before them.

"These are what the gentleman requested, and these are what the lady requested."

It was exactly as she said. On the right were comfortable, practical garments sailors' wives might wear. On the left were several dresses with lace so delicate and beautiful they took the breath away at a glance.

But Monica determinedly avoided even looking at the left side and quickly selected one from the right. A gray-dyed linen dress. Luis grumbled openly.

"Really, my love. I've seen quite enough rats on ships."

"Don't keep criticizing. It's my taste."

"Then try on something to my taste."

What Luis selected was a walking dress in white with fine green stripes. The clerk clapped her hands in delight.

"You have an excellent eye! It's made from a machine-woven fabric we just received—it'll hold up beautifully even in midsummer. The lace at the hem is also machine-made, imported, and—"

"It's fine, I'm not buying it."

Monica waved her hand dismissively, trying not to be swayed, but Luis was faster.

"My love? Look at this. It suits you perfectly."

Swish—Luis lifted and spread the dress, then held that green-striped dress up against her body. His arms, far longer and stronger than Monica's, swept her almost bodily before the shop's mirror.

Monica squeezed her eyes shut, but Luis whispered softly near her ear.

"My love, I have hundreds of ways to make you open your eyes."

"Luis, no matter how much you say that, I'm not opening my eyes. Just let me buy that gray dress with my eyes closed and leave. White doesn't suit me."

"I absolutely won't allow that. My love, please just open your eyes once. Please?"

"...Ah."

Luis was right. From the moment he said "absolutely," Luis had been whispering very softly beside Monica's ear, and with each syllable he pronounced, his hot, gentle breath tickled her ear. Monica finally opened her eyes when Luis said "Please?"

'This rake! Has he lost his mind?'

She'd certainly intended to scold him. But the moment Monica opened her eyes, she gaped at the sight before her. The sight of herself in the mirror.

Galling as it was, Luis had been right. Monica couldn't help but acknowledge that the dress he held suited her remarkably well. She'd always thought white didn't suit her. Her skin couldn't be kept pale and refined beneath a parasol—it was lightly tanned by the sun.

But the dress she'd thought was white actually had a pale ivory tone. And that color suited Monica extraordinarily well.

Moreover, the stripes weren't the fresh green of midsummer but the warm grass-color of autumn, giving the dress a modest yet lovely charm.

"What do you think? It goes beautifully with your luxuriant black hair, doesn't it?"

"You rake..."

The single word carried the full implication: You really live up to your reputation. Finding something that suits a woman so perfectly at first glance. But Luis understood all of it and babbled with undisguised excitement.

"Goodness. Not anymore, my love. I'll devote everything I have to you."

"You make such a wonderful pair! Are you married yet?"

The clerk chimed in helpfully. Luis smiled back at her.

"The ship's doctor who used to drift through the world on the wind is now looking for a chance to settle down."

At those words, Monica's eyes went round. You worked as a doctor on a ship? But asking that in front of the clerk would look truly strange, so she rolled her eyes, selecting her words carefully. She'd have to ask when she and Luis were alone.

Her focus on finding the right opportunity, however, meant that when the clerk helped her into the dress and clapped her hands saying it was a perfect fit, Monica found herself clapping along.

Was that all? Monica had to try on five more dresses, swept along by the practiced Luis. The plan to buy only one garment had long since flown far away.