Summoned and Unwanted

However, it didn’t take long for Vincent’s cheeks to blush lightly. Similarly, Lilith blushed when she heard Vincent preparing a large stage.

[A lot of pillows for a pillow fight and a custom-made coffin to be buried beneath a pile of women. No wonder you don’t want this shop to close.]

[And here I thought Vincent became a badass. But it turns out.]

-Ahem!-

“We can talk about the price later, but can I ask how Xu Xao Long is doing.” Fabio turned his head toward Lilith and continued, “I hope, young lady... I mean, lady Lilith could inform this servant about my previous employee.”

“You know Maid Xu and Lilith?” Vincent curiously asked.

“Yes. I was momentary surprised when I heard you would marry the Lionheart family. I could decern it was Lilith because of her glasses, blue eyes, golden hair, and hat. Furthermore, the stitching on the hat looked like Xu Xao Long’s when I took a glance. I see she hasn’t lost her touch after being a maid for so long.” Fabio answered.

Lilith raised her head and turned her gaze on Fabio. “... Fab... is... is it you?” Lilith asked.

.....

“Yes, it is I, the one and only Fabio. ” Fabio responded while bowing elegantly.” I feel sad lady Lilith didn’t recognize me immediately. Hehe.” He joked.

“Jokes aside, I am actually delighted to hear lady Lilith remember me. I know we didn’t meet many times, maybe five times at most, before Xu Xao Long stopped working here to become lady Lilith’s maid. Many years passed, but I can not forget her skill in stitching, mending, and attaching ornaments.” Fabio revealed a part of Maid Xu’s past.

It appeared Maid Xu worked for Fabio and had the Lionheart family as clients before Leonis saved her life and later decided to work as a maid. Maid Xu always gave the vibe of a tailor. This information confirmed her previous occupation.

Lilith stood up. She removed her veil and the hat. Then placed them on the chair. “Fab. I am sorry for not recognizing you immediately. I didn’t know this was your shop since you always visited us and it has been so long I... ” A tear trickled down her cheeks as she remembered the man whose shop made her favorite clothes when she was young.

“Your face!” Fabio exclaimed.

“...” Lilith averted her gaze.

“You...” *cough* “Lady Lilith looks as young as when I last saw you. Furthermore, the brilliant sapphire eyes, the pair of cheeks that blush when praised, and a smile which soothes one’s soul are impossible to make me forget.” Fabio said.

Fabio seemed excited and continued saying, “It feels unfair how young lady Lilith remained, but... everyone says my lady is sick.”

Fabio stopped talking when he understood he let his mouth run loose. “I apologize for the inappropriate comment. Please forgive my transgression.” He apologized while respectfully bowing.

“It’s fine Fab... thank you for your praise. ” Lilith spoke warmly, and she didn’t appear as flustered and nervous as before.

“Lady Lilith is magnanimous like an angel. Now I understand why lord Leonis and Teresa Lionheart called you an angel all this time.” Fabio praised. However, as he raised his gaze from the apologetic bow, Lilith looked different in his eyes.

“I can feel it! My muse! For so many years, the inspiration I missed has been here and in front of me! I will make five wedding dresses at no cost! ” Fabio announced in an outburst of joy and inspiration.

“...” Lilith stared at Fabio with a blank gaze. She didn’t know what was happening anymore. Her? A muse? Lilith was in utter disbelief.

“Are you sure about that, Fabio? I feel bothered to ask so much for free.” Vincent was happy about the offer and hearing someone genuinely compliment Lilith, yet Vincent didn’t want to take advantage of Fabio.

Fabio proudly patted his chest and responded, “I will be happy for the new Lionheart family branch to use my shop for any textile needs. I will also offer home visits as you are now my VIP customers.”

“Oh! Where are my manners! Would the soon the be Lionheart couple like to drink a beverage? I have warm tea, cool juice, or water.” Fabio added after remembering he offered nothing.

“I am fine. What about you, Lilith?” Vincent asked.

“There is no need Fab.” Lilith lifted the veil and wore it. Then she lifted the hat and placed it on her head. “I think it is about time we leave. ” She said.

“About the order. ” Vincent asked.

“Thirty silver coins for a dozen pillows, a massive custom mattress with a bed frame, and bedsheets for summer and winter. ” Fabio stated.

“But Fab... the order Vincent placed might amount to one gold coin or more.” Lilith became worried Fabio was going to lose a lot of money. Five free wedding dresses was already too much, she believed.

[Fabio is a sly man, hehe. He wants us to be more than customers. I can see it from a mile away how he wants to use the Lionheart name to deter problems.]

-I had a feeling he was being too generous, but now I understand. Fabio is buying us out. But it is not a bad thing in our situation.-

[Yeah. The more people on our side, the better.]

“Fabio. I can’t help much in terms of funds or businesses offers, but you can use the Lionheart family name as backers of this store. Additionally, we would like to invite you to our wedding. Maybe it can bring you luck.” Vincent showed how he understood Fabio’s intentions and agreed to let the shop speak of the Lionheart’s name when the time required.

“Fabio Fabulous! Hahaha.” Fabio laughed cheerfully at the exchange Vincent was willing to make.

Lilith approached Vincent and asked, “But the family isn’t politically powerful to help Fab.”

“This is like an investment. Only time will tell if we can help Fabio, and he can offer a great service.” Vincent replied.

“...” Lilith nodded and stayed quiet. She understood both Vincent and Fabio’s intentions better now.

“The wedding is for the twenty-fourth of August. So it is going to be soon. You can visit today if you’d like to start soon.” Vincent informed. He turned the leave and continued, “See you later.”

“See you next time Fab. Bye.” Lilith said before she left.

Fabio waved with a smile on his face. His heart fluttered from excitement while the ideas of the five brides waiting to be clothed by his shop rushed to his mind.

‘This might be the best order of my life. A bridal event with a summer bridal collection from my shop to be presented in a real wedding. And a noble one at that. My fabulous store has a chance to grow. I need to promote my bridal clothes as much as possible. One man, five women, all fabulously dressed by the Fabioso Fabric Company. This slogan is fabulous. ‘ Fabio excitedly thought meeting Vincent was a blessing. His shop could enter the top ten list of shops to visit.

Lilith saw Vincent waiting for her outside the shop with his hand extended.

“I felt bad for forgetting about Fab. We didn’t meet much, and it was more of a greeting than a chat. It was Maid Xu who took my sizes and delivered the clothes. Fab was nothing more than an ordinary textile shop owner in my eyes.” Lilith accepted Vincent’s hand and added, “I am glad you helped him.”

“Ahh! Yeah...” Vincent averted his gaze and continued, “but I mostly helped because his employees can use Lupa’s fur to create a set of clothing for her.”

“Is that so? Hehe.” Lilith giggled after speaking in a teasing tone. “I am happy my man doesn’t care of the enemies he makes for his women.”

“I am not clean from all the walking, but if I was.” Lilith pulled Vincent’s hand to turn him facing her. She removed her veil and stole a kiss. “I would reward my knight in shining armor, hehe.”

[...]

[Now that’s new. It appears Lilith isn’t nervous if she is horny... I mean acting romanticly. You want to try acting more romantic in public?]

-You are suggesting the impossible. I don’t want to attract more attention for the day.-

[Vincent, hehe. Are you sure about that? Did you forget about the cart?]

-... No comment.-

Lilith wore her veil. She held his hand tightly after seeing one or two people looking at them. The sudden burst of courage only lasted for a moment, but a part of her true personality was revealed. Lilith might love to tease.

Later, Vincent and Lilith continued their date with dozens of breaks as some streets didn’t even have a single bench to sit on. The middle-class district was well kept, but there was nothing else to look at other than houses and a few lampposts.

Soon, they arrived at the large fountain. Lilith’s eyes sparkled the moment she saw people of all ages gathered in one large area. Some were taking a break and sitting on a bench, some were window shopping the multiple stalls selling different products, and others were passing via the fountain as it is the heart of the south district.

Vincent saw an empty bench and led Lilith to take another rest. He summoned two cups of cold water and a pair of sandwiches.