Ligia's smile grew at the unexpected gleam in her mother's eyes.
"You really liked it, Mom?"
Her cheeks slightly pink, her eyes shining with restrained excitement.
Selene smiled sweetly.
"You're glowing, my flower. How could I not love something that lights you up like this?"
Ligia almost clapped like a child. Inside, a burst of color.
Outside... she tried to maintain some dignity.
"System"
"I want to buy more clothing designs. For everyone. My mother, Clarisse, Dorian... even Dad"
The system, sprawled like a floating belly-up cat in the corner of her consciousness, opened a digital eye with a blinking gear at the center.
"Oh... family shopping?"
It spun in the air like an interdimensional merchant.
"That'll be 160 points. Premium Family Combo. Aesthetic, modular, retro and enchanted designs. There's even intelligent linen. My precious"
In its eyes, literal dollar signs sparkled.
A parade of coins, bills, and small diamonds danced in loops like a fifth-rate magical commercial.
"One sixty?!"
"One sixty," it confirmed, grinning like a proud salesman
"But look at it this way: investment, not expense. The emotional return... priceless"
"How many points do I have now?"
Please let it be enough...
The system beeped, rolling out a screen with golden icons at the edge of her vision.
"You currently have two hundred and nine points"
"Wait, that much?"
The system purred
"You've been turning heads, shining star. The system algorithm evaluates the social and emotional impact you generate around you"
It started counting on its fingers
"Admiration. Curiosity. Respect. Desire. Sibling love. Pride... You've become an emotional roller coaster"
"So it's a magical charisma meter?"
"Something like that. With graphs you never open"
"I don't care. Just buy it. The best fabrics, the most stylish cuts. All of it"
The system narrowed its eyes theatrically
"My, my... and the speech from a few days ago?"
It mimicked her in a dramatic tone
'And what if I need to buy a mass destruction spell?'
"Buy it now, you manipulative mascot"
"Executing, Lady Impulsive Shopper"
A snap of its fingers
Golden receipts floated and vanished like sparks
A light vibration filled the air. The system purred, ecstatic.
"Purchase complete"
"I've already sent it to the most talented maids. Some nearly fainted at the dress cuts"
"Some...?"
"The backless dress caused a scandal. One dropped her rosary and begged forgiveness from the god of modesty"
Ligia let out a quiet laugh, disguised by a toss of her hair.
She was seated on the garden-room carpet, surrounded by sketch sheets like petals of a new spring
[New notification: Silent Heritage set approved for advanced tailoring. Estimated time: 6 hours]
"Silent Heritage?"
"You're naming my designs now?"
"I'm a poetic system. Every one of your pieces now has a name, lore, and... status"
"Status?"
"Yes. The blazer, for example, gives +12 presence, +7 automatic respect, +4 noble charm, and -3 tolerance to other people's incompetence"
Ligia stifled a laugh with her hand
"This is ridiculous"
"And irresistibly effective"
"You'll dominate the court's attention before you even open your mouth"
Selene glanced at her sideways
"You're smiling to yourself again"
Ligia cleared her throat, adjusting a strand of hair
"Just thinking about the new styles"
Selene stood up gracefully
"You're going to cause a stir. Count on it"
"System, show me the preview with the fabrics activated" Ligia murmured
The floating screen appeared with a soft shhh
Translucent models of herself strutted among digital lights:
White with gold
Black with wine
Dress with a side slit and flowing cape
Enchanted boots
Garments with strategic transparency
Selene watched her daughter with one of those silent motherly smiles
She adjusted her skirt with a precise touch
"I need to check if the reception arrangements are in order"
Ligia blinked, coming back from her mental fashion show with a small grin
"Mom... relax. The heiress presentation is going to be perfect. Let Vael handle it. He loves pretending he's busy"
Selene let out a short, almost musical laugh
She leaned toward her daughter
"Oh, my star... that may be true. But no mother feels at ease when her daughter is about to face the world as heiress of House d'Argêntea"
She bent down and placed a light kiss on her daughter's forehead — an ancient gesture, full of silent promises
Selene whispered
"Take care of yourself. And don't accept insults disguised as protocol. You are a d'Argêntea... but before that, you're my daughter"
Ligia nodded in silence
A small, sincere smile
And Selene left with steady steps, carrying her perfume and her power as she disappeared down the northern corridor
---
The garden felt larger
Freer
Ligia sighed, stretching her arms
The dress rippled around her legs as the wind blew from the east
The breeze carried the scent of tall flowers
The sound of fountains whispered through branches
Light from stained glass created constellations on the ground
She walked slowly
Aimless
Simply... present
She stopped in front of a crimson rose bush
The thorns looked beautiful
The petals, damp
Perfect
"If everything goes wrong... at least this place still exists"
She murmured to herself
The system, of course, couldn't resist
"Deep. Reflective. Want me to jot that down for your official biography?"
"Shut up"
She smiled to herself
She continued walking until she reached the reflecting pool in the center of the high gardens
There, her reflection:
A girl from another world
Wearing clothes from her old life
Carrying the blood of a powerful lineage
Staring destiny in the eye
She looked at herself
And whispered, just for her
"I hope you're watching, Mom... because I'll make every drop of this blood worth it"
The reflection smiled
And the wind responded with a warm breath
Sweet as a prophecy