"If you walk around the fields like that, it might just start raining," Fulvia said, eyeing Flaminia’s azure dress. "You don't need any adjustments. It's perfect."

Flaminia assessed herself in a copper mirror, checking if she had gained weight. Relieved to find out she hadn't, she twirled a strand of her pink hair behind her shoulder and smiled, turning back to Fulvia.

"Your work is incredible as always," the pink-haired Elf said.

"Glad I can help youngsters like you," Fulvia snorted. "Are you changing back, or do you plan to put it to use immediately?"

The [Seamstress] sat on one of her shop's benches, admiring her latest creation.

Flaminia had requested something stunning, which would allow her to seduce with merely a slight movement of her hips.

In a way, Fulvia envied the young woman before her.

Flaminia Lemonia Amata was the most talented [Baker] in Amorium and one of its crown jewels. She was destined to break through level 40 before turning thirty. That was an undeniable sign of talent.

"Who's the lucky man who'll see you dressed like this? Are you taking a shot at the Human? Not that I wouldn't do the same myself, Flaminia, if I were your age, but be gentle with him."

"What?!" Flaminia turned with a frown. "Joey? Absolutely not!"

Fulvia raised an eyebrow.

"I was just teasing you," the [Seamstress] said, "but am I onto something?"

"No," Flaminia said emphatically. "Joey is a great guy, but he's not my type."

"Oh, still looking at that [Sergeant] with green ears? Well, I'm glad then."

Flaminia, still posing in front of the mirror, suddenly glared at Fulvia.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing," the old woman smiled complacently. "Just that you're quick to dismiss the handsome Human who seems not only extremely talented but also more generous than any Elf I've ever met."

Flaminia's expression softened a little.

"Fulvia, I like Joey as a friend. He's a great guy, but he just doesn't do anything for me. He rarely turns his enchantment off, and after our fight, it's already a miracle that we're still friends. On top of all that, he's seeing a girl—and he seems very intent on learning everything about Elves and her to make sure it works out."

Fulvia, who had started fiddling with a piece of cloth, looked at Flaminia with renewed interest. But she remained silent. She just looked at her.

"So, how about the dress I requested for the Day of Blooming? I'll probably attend the Valerii party. I was on the fence about it, but I reconsidered. Do you have enough time?" Flaminia changed the topic.

"Sure, dear. Come back tomorrow, and I'll have several fabrics for you to choose from," Fulvia nodded.

"Great. See you tomorrow, Fulvia."

…

Flaminia had one more stop before putting her dress to use. She was currently in the part of Amorium called Merchant's Dwelling. It was the city's wealthiest district, closest to the Watch, which meant patrols were out around the clock. The safety had attracted investments from many rich people in Amorium—those wealthy enough to live in a nice place but not rich enough to afford their own security detail.

Flaminia knocked on a familiar door and soon found her boss in front of her.

"Clodia," Flaminia smiled at the woman and entered her house.

"Nice dress," were Clodia's first words. "Meeting a new idiot or the same as always?"

Flaminia clicked her tongue and simply entered the house.

Everything was spotless and, surprising for those who might not have known Clodia well, very girly.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Clodia loved the color pink and frills, and the house's decor reflected her taste.

"It's strange not finding you at the bakery," Flaminia said. "You've been working day and night there; I thought you had moved in."

Clodia sat down on her couch with a sigh.

"Joey has given me many problems—opportunities. I had just sorted out the variety of grain for the Altamura Bread when Joey came up with that thing. Now, we need to think about more ovens and even more grain. The variety he wants isn't common among the [Farmers]. If we run out, that's it. We'd have to wait for the next harvest. I had to talk to my mother for advice. She said she's already looking into it."

"Joey has made us all very busy," Flaminia forced a smile. "Is that what you wanted to talk about? Or am I here because you want me to make cakes for the Valerii again? I told you I'd rather wait and work on what Joey's shown us."

Clodia reclined her head back on the couch, a relaxed gesture she wouldn't have done anywhere outside her own house. Then, she leaned forward, resting her muscular arms on her thighs.

"I need you to make more samples of what Joey did, Flaminia. I want you to make that... I can't pronounce the name. The thousand leaves cake. I want to send samples across Amorium and not just to the Valerii. We'll start selling to richer individuals who want to impress their guests. I'm thinking about opening a storefront for Happy Bakery, but I need you to master that cake."

"Oh," Flaminia frowned. "I thought you were going to ask Joey to do that."

"I want to, but he needs rest," Clodia exhaled. "He was assaulted again. I was thinking of sending him outside the walls for a couple of weeks."

"Who's going to operate that contraption he made?" Flaminia asked, confused.

"It doesn't matter," Clodia shook her head. "He attacked two [Soldiers]. There will be repercussions. He humiliated them, Flaminia."

"Ok... that's reasonable."

"There's something else," Clodia looked meaningfully at her employee, "can you ask your [Sergeant] friend about Joey? Maybe he's heard something or can do something to prevent further harm."

Flaminia widened her eyes.

"What?"

"You are seeing that [Sergeant], right? Rotten roots, are you going there right now? If so, just ask. It would help me not to stress over this. My mother said she would look into that as well, but I want all the help we can get."

"Have you talked to Joey about this? I don't remember any of this being mentioned this morning."

"When I brought up getting more guards for him, he refused. He thinks he can take care of it. However, Quintus is right. Soldiers won't tolerate this. You are involved with a sergeant; maybe we can use that."

"Clodia," Flaminia scrunched up her face, "I'd rather not. Plinius hates Humans. What do you want me to tell him? That our Human knocked down two soldiers, and we are looking for protection?"

"Would that be bad? Aren't you worried about Joey?"

"I am, I am," Flaminia raised her hands. "But he has guards and can clearly protect himself. I don't feel comfortable bringing him up to Plinius. It wouldn't do any good, trust me. I'll take care of the cakes. I'll be at the bakery early to practice the technique he showed us, but I won't mention him around the military people. Is that all?"

Clodia looked like she wanted to say more, but she nodded and gestured at the door.

"I'll see you tonight at work," Flaminia said.

…

Plinius walked to the front of the barracks, finding a small circle of privates and a few corporals chatting with Flaminia.

"Miss, you look gorgeous," one of the corporals said, "that lucky guy gets to hang out with you."

Flaminia did a small curtsy while laughing.

"I'm just visiting," she said. "Oh, look, Plinius!"

Plinius looked sternly at the crowd, who had clearly abandoned their duties the moment a beautiful woman dropped by.

"All of you, get back to work."

"Oh, don't be like that; they were just being guys," Flaminia smiled at the tall sergeant.

"You look…" Plinius swallowed, looking at the generous cleavage Flaminia showed in her tight-fitting dress. "You look great," he said.

"Well, I thought I would come and visit. Do you have time for a walk?" Flaminia stepped forward and placed a hand on Plinius's chest, making him blush.

"Sure, I am off duty. I was just brushing up on some maps. Do you want to eat something?"

Flaminia shook her head.

"No, I need to watch my waist if I want to fit in this dress."

"You look amazing," Plinius said, now recovering from the initial shock, but his face darkened. "Let's go; I have something to talk about as well."

They started walking away from the barracks, with Flaminia casually sliding her arm around Plinius's.

"How is your promotion coming along? Are you going to be a captain soon?"

"Hopefully," Plinius swallowed. "That worm infesting Amorium has created some problems, but everything looks good now."

Flaminia bit her lips but didn't say anything.

They walked and chatted about trivial things for a good ten minutes. Plinius, who was usually talkative and very upfront, was strangely silent today. Flaminia took it as a good sign—the dress had the effect she had been hoping for.

After all that had happened in her life, she had reconsidered Plinius's invitation to the party. Sure, he was a bit of a knucklehead, but he was also handsome and clearly on the rise. Perhaps, with some work, she would be able to get him on a better path when it came to Humans.

In a sense, she owed it to Joey.

But most importantly, seeing the Human so concerned with a girl and living so easily, she started thinking about her own relationships.

Flaminia came to the conclusion that finding a stable partner wasn't that bad. In fact, considering how Joey always ranted about 'finding a wife,' she started thinking about 'finding a husband.'

And while Plinius wasn't up to her standards yet, he could definitely bridge that gap with some effort.

“Listen, I was thinking about your offer of going to the Valerii party together. I’ve reconsidered. I’m going to allow you to walk in there with me,” she said in a coquettish tone.

“Flaminia,” Plinius suddenly cleared his voice and stepped away from her, disentangling their arms. “I have to tell you something.”