A Conversation on Fashion with Lady Aliulus
Today, we’re expecting a guest at the mansion.
Our visitor is Lady Flegra, head of House Aliulus—one of the Seven Grand Ducal Houses of Darshe.
Back at the party, I’d mentioned giving him one of my textbooks on clothing design, but things kept getting delayed.
So when the opportunity came up during dinner the other night, I went ahead and invited him.
That promised day has finally arrived.
“I see... So in Lady Lily’s homeland, colors are categorized this finely—and each one is given a name, an origin, and even a meaning?”
“There are even more detailed systems, but that’s roughly how it’s organized where I come from.
That said, only a few—such as members of the Fairy-Blossom Tribe—can actually distinguish that many hues.”
“I thought as much. We have color charts of our own, but ours are... quite crude.
It’s not a problem when we make clothes for our own kind, but with other races, it’s hard to get them to understand the nuances of color. It’s quite the challenge.”
So even in Darshe, it seems people no longer have the keen color sense that once existed.
Still, there’s value in dividing colors more precisely, even if few can tell them apart.
“Lady Aliulus, I do believe there’s meaning in refining color classification.
A sense for color is something that’s cultivated through daily life.
And since clothing is one of the most familiar items to people, I feel it’s the most efficient medium to learn from.”
“Ah... I’ve never thought of it that way. We, being a long-lived race, had grown weary of making color charts that no one seemed to appreciate.
But I see your point. From now on, we’ll work to create new charts—so that others might gradually come to recognize those differences.”
“Yes, I believe that would be best.”
That wrapped up our talk about color samples.
When I offered to gift him one of the color reference books I made, Lady Aliulus initially refused, saying, “I can’t possibly accept such a fine work for free.”
In the end, he agreed to exchange it for one of their own color charts instead.
He seemed a little self-conscious, though—saying that his charts were rougher and lacked any symbolic meaning, and thus inferior to mine.
But that’s not really what matters here.
“Lady Aliulus, please don’t doubt yourself. Cultures like these are built over time.
Even the color chart I use wasn’t something I created—it’s the product of generations of wisdom and refinement. There’s no ‘better’ or ‘worse’ between them.”
“... You’re right. For a ruler to belittle their own land’s traditions would be unthinkable.
Thank you for reminding me of that.”
And with that, the color sample exchange was complete.
Next came the subject of dresses—and in this area, Darshe is far ahead of MacFarlane.
In fact, in some ways, they might even surpass me.
Lady Aliulus’s insights were fascinating to hear.
“In my domain, we craft dresses in this fashion.
Since Darshe has no custom of social dancing like your country, dresses that restrict movement are actually quite common.”
“I see. Does that mean there’s no dancing in Darshe at all?”
“There are performances that involve dancing—operas, for instance—but nobles only learn a few steps for refinement’s sake. To dance in a social setting, however, would be utterly improper.”
Customs truly differ from place to place.
I’d taken it for granted that “nobles must be able to dance,” but that was just the norm of this country and its neighbors.
On the continent where Darshe lies, the concept of “social dance” never even existed.
Dance there belongs solely to opera performers and professional dancers.
The more I learn, the more curious I become.
If I ever find the time, I’d love to visit Darshe myself someday—though that’s probably not going to happen anytime soon.
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