A month had passed since the adventurers' failed incursion. The dungeon had returned to its peculiar normality, if such a thing existed in a place like that. Aurora spent her days learning to read with Sebastián, exploring the corners of her domain, and occasionally training with Kaili, although this last activity still struck her as somewhat tedious, despite her enjoyment of her improved skills.
Sebastián, for his part, had dedicated himself heart and soul to caring for the garden. But in recent weeks, an idea had begun to germinate in his mind, a hunch, an impulse he couldn't rationally explain: the strange need to give Kaili, Aurora's loyal and lethal herald, a gift.
It wasn't a simple whim. There was something in Kaili's gaze, a spark of longing he sometimes thought he saw in her dark eyes, that drove him to act. Besides, there was the undeniable aesthetic factor. Kaili was a creature of singular beauty, a beauty that, in Sebastián's opinion, was overshadowed by her constant nakedness and the absence of adornments other than her own runes and, of course, her imposing armor (which she rarely wore within the safety of the dungeon).
So, with the determination that only a botanist on a mission can have, Sebastián set to work. His guide was the Codex Florae Arcanum, the very book that Kaili had given him, ironically, and which he now used to create something unthinkable: a dress for the Plague Precursor Throne.
For days, he experimented with different plants. He tested the resistance of the vines, the flexibility of the stems, the softness of the petals. He discovered iridescent fibers that shimmered in the light of the magical flowers, and petals that changed color depending on the temperature. He even found a type of moss that, when dried, acquired a texture similar to silk. Aurora herself, though she found Sebastián's project peculiar, helped from time to time, using her magic to accelerate the growth of plants or subtly modify their properties.
Finally, after many failed attempts and with Aurora's invaluable help, the dress was ready. It was a garment worthy of a queen, albeit a queen of a realm like no other. The base was made of intertwined vines, creating a corset that fit perfectly to the body, enhancing Kaili's natural curves. From the waist fell a long, flowing skirt, made of layers of treated moss, interspersed with iridescent petals that shimmered with every movement. The neckline was deep, in a "V" shape, designed to frame Kaili's face and reveal her collarbones and part of her chest, an area where he knew, from observation, that she had no runes.
The main color was a dark purple, similar to Kaili's skin tone, but with touches of emerald green and deep blue, mimicking the colors of the dungeon. Some flowers, carefully selected for their durability, were sewn onto the dress, creating a cascading effect of colors that matched the warrior's runes.
Sebastián contemplated his work with a mixture of pride and nervousness. Had he been crazy? How would Kaili react?
With the dress carefully folded in a box made of bark, Sebastián went looking for Kaili. He found her, as usual, in the training room, honing her sword skills.
"Kaili," Sebastián called to her, his tone trying to sound casual but betraying his anxiety.
Kaili stopped and looked at him, her dark eyes full of cold curiosity. "What do you want, human?"
Sebastián swallowed and offered her the box. "I have something for you."
Kaili raised an eyebrow, but took the box cautiously. She opened it and, upon seeing the dress, her expression shifted from indifference to surprise, and then to something Sebastián couldn't decipher.
"What… what is this?" she asked, in an unusually soft tone.
"It's a dress," Sebastián replied, blushing slightly. "I made it for you. With plants from the dungeon."
Kaili took the dress out of the box and examined it closely. She touched it with her fingertips, as if afraid to damage it. "Why?" she asked finally, without taking her eyes off the garment.
"Well…," Sebastián began, searching for the right words. "I thought… maybe you'd like to have something… different. And," he added, with a shy smile, "I think you'd look very beautiful in it."
Kaili stared at him, her dark eyes unfathomable. For a long moment, silence reigned in the training room. Sebastián felt his heart pounding in his chest. Had he made a mistake? Had he offended the fearsome warrior with his gift?
Finally, Kaili spoke. "It's… unusual," she said, in a tone that betrayed no emotion. "I'm not used to wearing such things."
"I know," Sebastián replied. "But I thought maybe you'd like to try something new. If you don't like it, I understand."
Kaili was silent for another moment, weighing her options. Then, with a sigh, she said, "I'll try it. But not here."
And without another word, she headed to her chamber, the dress in her hands. Sebastián was left alone, his heart pounding and a mix of expectation and fear in his stomach.
A few minutes later, Kaili returned. And Sebastián was left breathless.
The dress fit her perfectly. It clung to her body like a second skin, enhancing her slender and powerful figure. The vibrant colors contrasted with her purple skin and runes, creating a hypnotic effect. The deep neckline revealed the smooth, flawless skin of her chest, and the long, flowing skirt moved gracefully around her.
Kaili looked at herself in a mirror that Aurora had conjured, an indecipherable expression on her face. She said nothing, but Sebastián could see a hint of… vanity? Insecurity? It was hard to tell.
"You look… incredible," Sebastián said, sincerely.
Kaili turned to him, and for the first time, Sebastián saw a faint smile on her lips. "Maybe… maybe it's not so bad," she admitted.
At that moment, Aurora entered the room, drawn by the unusual energy emanating from Kaili. Upon seeing her in the dress, she was speechless.
"Kaili! You look beautiful!" she exclaimed, with genuine admiration.
Kaili blushed slightly, a gesture that surprised Sebastián. "It's… acceptable," she said, trying to maintain her usual tone of indifference.
"It's more than acceptable," Aurora insisted. "It's perfect. Sebastián, you have a great talent."
Sebastián blushed even more. "I only used what the dungeon provides," he said, humbly.
Aurora approached Kaili and took her hand. "Thank you for accepting this gift, Kaili," she said seriously. "I know it's not your style, but… I'm glad you like it."
Kaili looked Aurora in the eyes, and for an instant, her mask of ruthless warrior cracked. "Thank you, my Queen," she said, in a strangely soft voice. "I appreciate it."
At that moment, Sebastián felt that something had changed between them. The dress had been more than a simple gift. It had been a bridge, a way to connect with that enigmatic and powerful being that was Kaili.
Without thinking, Sebastián stepped forward and, in an impulsive gesture, wrapped his arms around Kaili in a hug. Kaili tensed at first, surprised by the contact, but then, slowly, she relaxed. She didn't return the hug, but she didn't reject it either.
"Thank you, Kaili," Sebastián whispered in her ear. "For everything."
After a few seconds, Sebastián pulled away, feeling a little embarrassed by his impulsiveness. But Kaili didn't seem upset. In fact, there was a strange softness in her gaze.
"You're welcome, human," she said, in a tone that, though still distant, was less cold than usual.