Chapter 82: Golden Boots of Trickery
Aglaea hastily picked up a clean bath towel from the side and handed it to you, deliberately avoiding your gaze. "Get up, put this on." Her voice was a little unsteady, and then she hurriedly turned her back. But even with her back to you, her shoulders were still trembling slightly.
You put on the bath towel, feeling the refreshing comfort of your body after the bath. "Thank you."
Aglaea turned around, looking at the clean you, and inexplicable emotions appeared in her eyes. Shyness, tenderness, and a certain indescribable longing. "Here, change into this later." She handed you a set of clean pajamas. "Rest first, and anything else... we can talk about tomorrow." She hurriedly withdrew her hand, turned and left, but her steps seemed a little flustered.
The next morning, you were awakened by a light, quick footsteps. Opening your eyes, you saw Cipher bouncing into the room. "Little cat! You're finally awake!" She leaped up and pounced directly onto the bed, her cat ears joyfully wagging.
Compared to her disheveled appearance a few days ago, Cipher had completely recovered her vitality. Her complexion was rosy, and her injuries had mostly healed. "You slept so soundly last night! I ambushed you several times, and no matter what I did to you... you didn't wake up." She looked at you curiously. "Are you that tired? Where did you go these past few days? What did you do last night?"
Your heart tightened, but your face remained calm. "I didn't go anywhere, just wandered around nearby."
"Oh." Cipher didn't think much of it; she said excitedly: "I feel completely well now! That Tailor Woman's medicine really works!" She rolled over on the bed. "Little cat, are we ready to leave? Although it's quite peaceful here, I still want to go back outside and pull off some big scores."
You couldn't help but smile. It seemed Cipher had been sleeping and recuperating these past few days, unaware that you had gone to Dolos. This was good, it saved her from worrying. "Hmm, I'll consider it."
At dinner, the three of them sat around the dining table. Cipher had a good appetite, eating large mouthfuls of the exquisite food Aglaea had prepared. Aglaea occasionally looked at you. She didn't ask where you had gone or what you had done. You didn't bring it up either. You both understood that some things didn't need to be explicitly stated.
Occasionally, when your eyes met, she would quickly look away, a faint blush appearing on her face. Clearly, the experience of last night left her feeling somewhat flustered.
"Oh, right." Aglaea suddenly spoke, breaking the subtle atmosphere. "Your clothes are ready."
Cipher immediately stopped her spoon, her eyes lighting up. "Really? Where are they? I want to see!"
"After dinner." Aglaea smiled gently.
Cipher then ate even more diligently, as if she wanted to swallow all the food in one go. After dinner, Aglaea led you to her weaving room. Two sets of clothes hung quietly on hangers, gleaming under the light of the dawn machine.
For Cipher, there was a lightweight black outfit, with deep black fabric adorned with faint blue patterns, like stars in the night sky. Most striking was the bold design of the lower half—slim-fit shorts revealed her long legs, and at the back of the hips, a delicate opening was specifically left. "This is..." Cipher touched the special design, her ears twitching.
"It's for your tail," Aglaea explained. "I noticed you always tuck it into your clothes, which must be uncomfortable."
The outfit also came with a dark hood, with two small holes on either side of the hood. "Even the ear placement was considered?!" Cipher delightedly put on the hood; her cat ears perfectly emerged from the pre-made holes.
For you, there was a similarly lightweight dark outfit, with a simple yet exquisite cut. The fabric was soft yet tough, also equipped with a hood, making it convenient for you to conceal your identity when acting in the dark.
"This is just too... too thoughtful, isn't it?" Cipher twirled around her new clothes several times, her cat eyes sparkling.
Aglaea smiled slightly: "Observing details is a basic skill for an excellent tailor."
You put on your new clothes, moving your limbs, and found that while the clothes looked thin, they were surprisingly warm and didn't hinder movement at all. Aglaea walked over to you, straightening your collar: "This fabric is very special; not only is it lightweight and breathable, but it also has a certain protective effect. At least ordinary knives and swords would find it difficult to cut through."
"That amazing?" Cipher excitedly jumped in place, "Wearing this, I feel like I can scale walls and run on rooftops!"
"Oh, right, Cifera." Aglaea seemed to remember something. "I have something else to give you."
"Something else?" Cipher's eyes widened.
Aglaea turned and walked deeper into the weaving room, returning a moment later with an exquisite wooden box. "Look at this." She opened the box. A pair of glittering golden boots lay quietly on a velvet lining, with intricate patterns carved into the boot body, shimmering with a strange luster under the light.
"Wow..." Cipher leaned closer, her eyes almost touching the boots. "What is this? Is it made of gold?"
"This is one of the treasures of 'Golden Weave'." Aglaea took out the boots. "Although its value is not comparable to those top-tier luxurious garments, it possesses a special power."
Her fingertips lightly traced the patterns on the boot body: "It is said that these boots were once blessed by Zagrez—the Titan who presides over trickery. The one who wears them can be as swift as the wind and move without a sound."
Cipher's cat ears perked up excitedly: "Really? Isn't this tailor-made for me?"
"Try them on." Aglaea handed her the boots. "From now on... don't let anyone chase you so miserably again."
Cipher took the boots, a complex expression flashing across her face. She snorted, feigning arrogance: "Hmph, you rich people just love to meddle! But... since you're so sincere in giving them, I'll reluctantly accept them!" She impatiently took off her original shoes, trying to put on the golden boots.
"Huh?" Cipher frowned, trying to push her foot in. "How come..."