The Fabric of Night

The eve of the Silver Moon Magic-Martial Festival.

The door to the S-class exclusive lounge was once again securely locked. Heavy velvet curtains meticulously obscured any prying eyes from outside.

In the center of the room, three large black gift boxes were arranged.

“Lady Lilliana, these are the battle robes crafted overnight by the Royal Capital’s chief tailor, made according to your designs.”

Beatrix stood beside the gift boxes, her expression solemn. It was as if they contained not mere garments, but weapons of mass destruction.

“Please, take a look.”

Wearing pristine white gloves, she carefully lifted the lid.

I leaned in for a glance.

‘Hmm, not bad.’

The fabric was entirely black, devoid of any superfluous ornamentation. Only the cuffs and hem were embroidered with the Eckhart family’s thorn motif, rendered in dark silver thread.

Most importantly…

This was precisely what I had envisioned…

Woven from top-grade magic silkworm silk, it felt as smooth as water to the touch. When worn, it was even lighter than wearing nothing at all…

A high-end loungewear style!

And that enormous hood, capable of perfectly concealing half my face once donned. It was practically a divine artifact for napping and slacking off.

“This is… Lady Lilliana’s battle robe.”

Ella leaned in close, her emerald eyes shimmering with a mesmerized glow.

“Such a profound black… It’s as if the night itself was cut and draped upon her.”

“And this fabric…”

Beatrix extended a finger, tracing the fabric’s texture in the air without contact.

“Though it appears soft, it actually possesses exceptionally high magical resistance. This design philosophy, where softness overcomes rigidity, truly befits Lady Lilliana.”

‘No, it’s simply because this material doesn’t chafe when worn close to the skin.’

Too lazy to explain, I merely nodded.

“Put it on.”

I spread my arms, habitually awaiting their service.

Having lingered in this world for so long, I had gradually devolved into a helpless individual, accustomed to being waited on hand and foot.

Of course, the more significant reason was…

If I didn’t allow them to assist, they would likely display expressions of utter despair, as if abandoned by the gods themselves.

“Yes, my lady.”

Both of their breaths instantly quickened.

In the air…

That familiar, damp, and sticky aura of ambiguity began to permeate once more.

This time, they didn’t scramble for position as before. Instead, they divided their tasks with an uncanny understanding.

Ella took charge of my upper body.

She unfastened the collar of my uniform, then carefully removed the heavy outer jacket.

The moment the cool air brushed against my skin, she promptly brought over the pre-warmed inner layer of the battle robe.

It was a form-fitting black inner garment, akin to a bodysuit.

“This inner layer… is to prevent your body heat from dissipating.”

Ella’s voice trembled slightly.

Holding the inner garment, she knelt before me.

“Please… raise your arms.”

I obediently lifted my arms.

The black, gossamer-like garment slid down my arms, snugly encasing my upper body.

It fit exquisitely, like a second skin, perfectly accentuating every curve of my physique.

“Gulp…”

Ella’s throat unconsciously bobbed as she gazed at the scene before her.

The black fabric contrasted sharply with my pale skin, creating a striking visual impact.

She reached out, intending to smooth out the folds of the garment.

Yet, her hands seemed to develop a mind of their own, lingering at my waist.

“Lady Lilliana’s waist… it’s so slender…”

She murmured, her fingertips gently pressing the small of my back through the thin fabric.

“Mmgh…!”

That sensation of being controlled made my legs feel weak.

“Ella… hurry.”

I urged.

“Y-yes, my lady!”

Ella flusteredly lowered her head, beginning to tie the ribbons across my chest.

Her cheek was incredibly close to mine, and her warm breath seeped through the fabric, making my heart race.

Meanwhile, my lower body was entrusted to Beatrix.

The knightess seemed to possess an unusual fixation on legs.

She knelt on one knee, gently cradled one of my feet, and helped me into the specially made tall boots with exceptionally soft soles.

The boots were high-cut, extending all the way to mid-thigh.

Beatrix pulled the zipper of the boot shaft, her movements astonishingly slow.

“Zzzt…!”

The sound of the zipper engaging was unnervingly sharp in the silent room.

As the zipper ascended, the boot shaft gradually tightened, snugly encasing my calves and thighs.

That feeling of constraint wasn’t unpleasant; rather…

It offered a strange sense of security.

“It fits perfectly.”

Beatrix looked up, a smoldering fire burning in her golden eyes.

Her palm rested on the edge of the boot shaft, right where the skin of my ‘absolute territory’ began. There, pale skin met dark leather.

Beatrix’s thumb unconsciously stroked that dividing line. Her rough fingertip brushed against my delicate skin.

“These boots… they will be your most steadfast foundation.”

Her voice was hoarse, and her other hand gripped my ankle, applying a slight pressure.

“Once you wear these… you won’t stumble over anything. And… you won’t be able to go anywhere either.”

I looked down at her.

I hadn’t quite caught what she was muttering… Yet, an inexplicable chill traced its way down my spine.

At this moment, Beatrix bore no resemblance to the upright knight she usually was.

Kneeling at my feet, her gaze revealed… a desire to lock these feet of mine, and indeed my entire being, within these very boots…

‘A desire for confinement?’

“…Beatrix.”

I softly called her name.

“Yes, my lady.”

She stiffened, like a criminal awaiting judgment.

“The lacing, it’s too tight.”

I wiggled my toes, my tone even.

“Loosen it a bit. I don’t like feeling restrained.”

Beatrix froze for a moment.

Then, the smoldering fire in her eyes flickered violently, transforming into an even deeper submission.

“…As you command.”

She lowered her head, and with trembling fingers, loosened the strap that had been digging into my flesh by a single notch.

“I apologize… I merely wanted too much… to hold onto you tightly.”

That tone, a blend of guilt and yearning, sent shivers down my spine.

Finally, the complete battle robe was donned.

I walked to the full-length mirror.

The girl in the mirror was clad entirely in black. A loose outer robe draped over the form-fitting inner layer, while the massive hood obscured half my face. Only my pale chin and a touch of vivid red lipstick were visible.

I appeared mysterious and languid, yet exuded an ascetic aura that made one hesitant to meet my gaze directly.

“Perfect…”

The two behind me uttered heartfelt exclamations of admiration.

Ella stepped forward, a deep purple ribbon in her hand.

“Um… Lady Lilliana, your hair… should I tie it up?”

“Mm.” I nodded. “Just tie it up casually.”

Ella stood behind me, her fingers weaving through my black hair.

Her movements were gentle, but as she gathered my hair, she suddenly leaned close to the nape of my neck and took a deep breath.

“…It smells so good.”

She whispered.

“Is it the perfume from the battle robe?” I asked.

“No…”

Ella’s eyes were hazy, her fingers intertwining at the roots of my hair.

“It’s… your scent, Lady Lilliana.”

“This scent… merely inhaling it makes one want to… do naughty things.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than I felt a chill on my neck.

She wasn’t tying my hair. Instead, she was using that ribbon, around my neck…

She wrapped it once, then tied a knot.

Like a…

‘Collar?’

“Ella?” I frowned.

“Ah! R-right, I’m sorry!”

Ella seemed to snap awake, fumbling to untie the ribbon and re-bind it in my hair.

“I-I just thought… this ribbon really complements your skin tone, Lady Lilliana! I absolutely had no intention of tying you up! Really!”

I glanced at the blushing saintess in the mirror, whose eyes still darted evasively. Then I looked at the knight beside her, who stood ramrod straight yet kept a hand pressed over her chest.

That was where my handkerchief rested.

I let out a deep sigh.

‘Tomorrow’s competition… Will it truly be alright?’

‘I have a nagging feeling that the danger posed by my two teammates far exceeds that of any enemy…’

“Alright.”

I pulled up my hood, concealing my somewhat helpless expression.

“Since we’re ready, let’s go back and rest.”

I turned, the black hem of my robe sweeping an elegant arc through the air.

“Tomorrow…”

I recalled the magic circle diagram Alexis had given me, and an almost imperceptible smile touched my lips.

“…a grand feast awaits us.”

Ella and Beatrix exchanged a glance.

They didn’t ask what kind of feast it was. They only perceived the chilling aura of a monarch emanating from her back.

‘In reality, I was simply pleased at the thought of delicious magic.’

“Yes, my lady!”

Both knelt on one knee, offering their utmost loyalty and fervent devotion to the sovereign of the night.

“We shall… present all victories to you.”