Chapter 1.10: Sigrid Ankertna

Sigrid was walking and twirling the key in her hand when a clothing store caught her eyes. Behind the window of the store hung a gorgeous, fancy women’s dress. Sigrid gulped down her saliva and opened the door, entering the boutique.

“Welcome!”

“Welcome!” 

The clerks shouted cheerfully at the same time. Then, a person who had the name ‘Etwatz’ written on her badge came over to Sigrid and looked up and down at her, and asked with a smile.

“What can I do for you? Do you want to see new dresses? Or—..”

Sigrid glanced at the hanging fabrics and half-made dresses. She actually had no idea what to buy. So Sigrid set aside her pride and decided to speak honestly.

“I only have a uniform and two shirts. I’ve never been concerned about what I wear, so I don’t know what to buy… but I want to fill up my wardrobe this time.”

“Aha!” Etwatz laughed and seated Sigrid at the cozy sofa meant for customers. Her eyes were sparkling. She looked at Sigrid and asked, “I see you are wearing a uniform. So, are you a knight?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, then— I’m sure you’re more comfortable in pants than dresses. But you said what you have is just a regular shirt, right? Where did you buy it?”

“They are basic shirts that I received from the imperial palace.”

“Oh, my—” Etwatz lamented. The knight in front of her did not have the weakness and slenderness of ordinary ladies, but she had the resilience and nimbleness of a deer. Etwatz felt a fire sparkling somewhere in her mind. The knight in front of her was such a pretty gemstone.

“Then, let’s match the shirt first. Well, how much is your budget?”

Sigrid actually didn’t know the price of clothes. All she had in her life was cheap stuff. “I’m not sure about the price range, so could you explain it to me?”

“Yes, of course.” Etwatz brought out several large catalogs. The catalogs were full of fabric samples. 

Etwatz eagerly explained the fabrics and their prices. “generally, the cotton on 150 kerv is already good quality. Please, touch it, the cotton feels great right? If you go up a bit more, look at this side that has a bit of shine… – Yes, yes.. Isn’t it smoother? This is a mixture of about 30 percent of silk. — oh, you have good eyes. That’s 300 kerv. The price is high, but when you wear it on your body, it would feel good on your skin.”

Sigrid swallowed her breath shocking at a price that was beyond her imagination. She didn’t know that clothes were that expensive. In addition, the price also would go up depending on the material of the button. Sigrid’s hands were trembling. Her head rang an alert that she couldn’t buy those clothes. She wanted to run out from there, but she held back desperately. Another part of her loudly reminded her that she had decided to change life and she should not back up from her decision. That was also a challenge. Sigrid’s mind was embroiled in an internal war. All because of the price…

Etwatz who looked at Sigrid’s face quickly took the expensive catalog from Sigrid’s hands and handed a slightly cheaper clothes catalog. “This side is also good.”

All the fabrics were cheaper than before, but they were still expensive for Sigrid. However, she couldn’t go out without buying one. It was the first time she had ever bought products like this. So, with Etwatz’s eloquence, Sigrid, who was on the verge of being bewildered and barely controlled herself from running away, finally ordered two shirts and a pair of pants. 

After measuring several times, looking at the cut, choosing a design from the collar to the button, and the end of sleeves, Sigrid made a payment and left the boutique.

‘I’m dizzy…’

It was something she didn’t want to go through twice. Yet, she had to buy a new cloak, hat, gloves, and boots to match her new clothes. Sigrid took a deep breath. All of the things she did were draining her courage. Maybe she needed a break. Those things could wait. Next time.

So, Sigrid decided not to buy all of those things at once. Instead, she returned to her small, old room. After notifying the landlord that she would be leaving the house soon, she sat down on a shabby wooden chair. 

‘It’s comfortable here’.

Suddenly, Sigrid felt an unexpected regret. The house, the garden, the fancy dressing room felt not right for her. The life of just drinking cheap tea, lying in an old bed with the smell of flea medicine, and having only two worn out clothes were more comfortable. She had a sudden urge to cancel everything, but she had already taken her long vacation and paid for everything.

Sigrid massaged her forehead. Sidgird, who was always used passively following orders, found it very difficult and stressful to do something for herself. 

‘It’s okay. I can do it. You can do it, Sigrid.’

Sigrid cheered for herself. She then changed into pajamas and went to bed feeling tired, thinking that today had been more difficult than training.