Chapter 83: Out of Money

Iana didn’t notice Lillian’s nervous expression.

Instead, she grabbed her hand and led her into an elegantly decorated clothing store.

The gowns displayed in the window sparkled under the magic crystals’ glow, each garment studded with glittering gems as if tailored for noble heiresses.

The four gilded Silver Feather Garments shone above the entrance.

This was a chain store, with branches in every prosperous city on the continent.

It was also the most upscale clothing store within the Saint Roland Magic Academy.

“Welcome.” The attendant smiled warmly, radiating a comforting aura.

One had to admit, the service quality in high-end stores was usually quite exceptional.

Her gaze quickly scanned Iana and Lillian.

The moment she saw Lillian, her eyes gleamed with golden light.

“So, it’s Her Highness the Saintess herself gracing us with her presence.”

“Your sister, Princess Veronica, is currently inside selecting attire for the birthday banquet. Our humble shop is truly honored.”

Hearing the attendant’s words, Iana’s heart sank.

She couldn’t let Veronica get ahead of them.

Thinking this, she pulled Lillian’s hand and rushed into the store to start picking out dresses.

“Would you like me to show you around?” the attendant asked politely.

“No, thank you. We’ll browse on our own first.”

With that, Iana dashed inside without looking back, dragging Lillian along.

The store’s interior was exceptionally spacious, divided into several sections.

Each section displayed clothes in a different style, but every single one was incredibly lavish.

Wearing such dresses would likely be cumbersome and annoying.

These weren’t outfits one could wear unless it was a truly important occasion.

Of course, Lillian’s birthday banquet warranted such finery—after all, this year’s celebration was somewhat different from previous ones.

“Let’s go to that section on the second floor.” Iana scanned around and aimed for the area that seemed the most magnificent and dazzling among the few shops.

If worn at night, the dresses there might well be mistaken for the sun itself.

“Ah… but… no…” Lillian stammered, not expecting Iana to choose the priciest section in the most expensive store.

She had almost no money left now.

Not to mention the most expensive area, even the clothes elsewhere in this shop were likely beyond her budget.

“Stop hesitating and come with me. We can’t let Veronica get ahead.”

Iana ignored Lillian’s hesitation and firmly pulled her up to the second floor, ready to select the dress for the birthday banquet.

“How about this one?” Iana pointed at a gown as white as jade, with a silky smooth texture.

It shimmered with dazzling white light.

This dress was breathtaking, unlike anything made by ordinary means.

If seen outside, it would surely ignite any noble girl’s deepest desires, intoxicating them utterly.

Lillian was about to explain that she had no money, but Iana interrupted her.

“Come on, try it on first.”

Iana’s tone was firm as she took Lillian’s hand and led her into the dressing room.

Lillian hadn’t expected Iana to accompany her inside.

Her face instantly flushed red.

“Eh, you… you’re coming in too?” Lillian covered her face, feeling as if she were steaming like a character in an anime, with little puffs of white smoke rising from her head.

“What’s the big deal? We even bathed together once,” Iana said shamelessly.

To be honest, she wasn’t particularly interested in Lillian’s loli figure and had always regarded her like a daughter.

“Besides, this dress is so complicated. Can you really put it on by yourself?”

Such elaborate gowns usually required someone’s help to wear.

And now, the only person with Lillian was Iana.

If Iana didn’t come in to help, what else could Lillian do?

“A-alright then.” Lillian’s voice sounded like a kidnapped noble lady reluctantly agreeing to the kidnapper’s unreasonable demands.

“Am I really that scary?”

“Forget it. Let’s just get you into the dress first.” Iana muttered quietly.

Iana’s movements were practiced and deft.

Her slender fingers skillfully adjusted the gown’s ribbons and hidden clasps, layering the magnificent dress onto Lillian.

Lillian kept her head bowed the entire time, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, too shy to look up at Iana.

“All done.” Iana took a satisfied step back, her red eyes scanning Lillian’s new appearance.

The pure white dress seemed born for Lillian’s figure, perfectly fitting her petite frame.

The diamonds decorating the hem shimmered softly in the light, making her look like an ethereal spirit under the moonlight—pure and noble.

“It suits you very well.” Iana smiled and took her hand, guiding her to the full-length mirror.

Lillian lifted her shy, flushed face and stared at the reflection of herself, looking like a celestial being descended to earth.

She was slightly stunned; she had never worn anything so splendid before.

“How do you like it?” Iana asked.

Lillian opened her mouth to answer but suddenly remembered her empty wallet after Iana had spent it all.

She probably couldn’t afford this dress at all.

“Iana, this dress…” She bit her lip, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I might…”

“What’s wrong? Don’t like it?” Iana looked at Lillian in the mirror, feeling this dress was the perfect choice for the birthday banquet.

“I think it looks great on you.”

“No… it’s not that…” Lillian took a deep breath.

She was somewhat timid and didn’t want to trouble Iana, but she had no choice but to explain now.

“I don’t have enough money to pay for it.”

“Not enough money?” Iana was stunned.

She had assumed that, as the Miss of the Saintess Family, Lillian would have plenty of money.

She hadn’t expected Lillian to tell her she was out of funds.

“This dress is really something.” Outside the dressing room, a girl in a maid uniform whispered softly while looking at the same dress on Lillian, “If only we had it in another color—it would definitely suit Princess Veronica.”

“I’ll go get it for Princess Veronica right away. She’ll be so pleased.”

Veronica had been busy to the point of exhaustion preparing for her birthday banquet three days away, obsessing over every detail.

It was hard on the staff below her.

The whole afternoon, Veronica had been leading them around Silver Feather Garments, searching for the perfect dress.

Even by evening, they still hadn’t found one.

Now that a perfect gown was right before their eyes, it was only natural to show it to Princess Veronica.

Hearing the commotion outside, Iana felt like the sky was falling.

She imagined Veronica wearing that dress and realized it would suit her perfectly too.

“How much money do you have left?” Iana asked Lillian.

“Just over ten Gold Coins.”

“That’s enough. Let’s buy some fabric. I’ll make you a dress with my own hands.”