Chapter 6.4

The day came to see the wedding dress.

Ellie had chosen the design herself, but it was her first time seeing the finished product, so she was very excited.

“Ellie, are you nervous?”

“Of course! It’s my first time seeing it in person.”

Her voice was overly bright.

Realizing she was being too enthusiastic, she cleared her throat and calmed herself.

“You can be more excited. It’s cute and nice to see.”

“That’s enough.”

Hearing that made her even more embarrassed, so she waved her hand.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the boutique.

As they got out of the carriage, the door opened and Tiahren rushed out.

“Ellie!”

“Tia!”

Tiahren hugged her tightly.

Surprised by Tiahren’s increased friendliness, Ellie hesitated, then raised her arms and hugged her back.

“It’s been a while, Tia.”

“How have you been?”

“I’ve been well. How about you, Tia?”

“I’ve been really happy!”

Tiahren beamed.

“There have been a lot more dress orders!”

“Really?”

“Yes! And all the ladies who came said they were referred by you, Ellie, so that made me even happier.”

Apparently, the ladies Ellie met at the piano concert really did go to Tiahren.

Her skills were excellent, so orders must have kept coming in afterward.

“But I never neglected your wedding dress, Ellie.”

“Really? Can I look forward to it?”

“Uh, um… Maybe?”

Tiahren laughed and then, noticing Feroza, jumped in surprise.

Then, flustered, she bowed deeply.

“Ah, um, it’s an honor to meet you, Grand Duke Calliet. I’m Madame Tiahren.”

Feroza nodded briefly, and Tiahren straightened up.

She looked visibly relieved, and Ellie couldn’t help but smile.

“We’ve been talking outside for too long. Please, come in.”

Tiahren led them into the boutique.

Meanwhile, the boutique had changed a lot.

The old furniture was gone, replaced by a cozy, luxurious atmosphere.

“Welcome!”

Most surprising of all, Tiahren now had an assistant.

Looking at Tiahren, Ellie saw her blush as she spoke.

“There’s just too much work to do alone…”

“You made the right decision, Tia.”

After Ellie’s wedding, Tiahren would probably move the boutique to the center of the shopping district.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to handle the influx of customers and orders.

“The wedding dress is this way.”

Tiahren led Ellie and Feroza to the back.

She opened the door to reveal a room clearly meant for changing clothes.

And in the very center stood a mannequin.

A cloth was draped over it, hiding whatever dress was on it, but it was obviously Ellie’s wedding dress.

“I’ll show you the wedding dress.”

Tiahren carefully lifted the cloth.

Seeing the wedding dress revealed, Ellie’s face went blank with awe.

“How is it, Ellie?”

“…It’s so, so beautiful.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration—it was genuinely stunning.

The waist was neatly cinched, and the skirt spread wide to the sides, sparkling as it caught the light.

It was an off-shoulder dress, with elaborate embroidery decorating the shoulder area.

“Tia, is this not the finished version?”

“No! The fitting is just about done. Try it on. I’ll help you.”

Tiahren showed Feroza where to sit and wait, then wheeled the mannequin into the fitting room.

“If anything feels tight or uncomfortable, let me know.”

“Okay.”

Tiahren helped Ellie put on the dress with practiced ease.

Thanks to her, Ellie was able to wear it perfectly without fumbling.

“Alright, I’ll open the curtain, Ellie!”

“Okay.”

Holding the small bouquet Tiahren had given her, Ellie really felt like her wedding was just around the corner.

Tiahren slowly opened the curtain, and Ellie lifted her bowed head.

Immediately, she locked eyes with Feroza, who had apparently been watching her the whole time.

Feeling awkward, Ellie smiled shyly.

She expected Feroza to say something, but he just kept looking at her.

Eventually, embarrassed, Ellie spoke first.

“Um… How is it?”

She tried to sound casual, but her voice trembled slightly.

Even after she spoke, Feroza stared at her for several seconds before finally speaking.

“…You look so beautiful.”

His voice was very subdued.

“There’s so much I want to say, but if I actually say it, it’ll all sound like empty words… I can’t bring myself to say anything.”

Feroza got up and walked closer to Ellie.

She laughed softly.

“It really is pretty, right?”

“Of course, Ellie. No one in the world is more beautiful than you.”

“That’s all I need.”

He reached out and gently touched her bare shoulder.

Then he turned to Tiahren and spoke.

“Could you drape something like a thin cape over her shoulders?”

“Ah, yes! That’s possible.”

“Nothing too thick… Just something that shows the silhouette.”

Ellie tilted her head.

“Why a cape?”

“Your shoulders are too exposed. We can’t change the design now, so it’d be good to cover them with something.”

“Is that so…?”

Would that even look good?

Ellie was making a puzzled face when Tiahren spoke.

“There’s something similar. Would you like to try it?”

“Oh, that would be great.”

“Just a moment, please!”

Tiahren hurried out of the room.

As soon as she left, Feroza leaned in and kissed Ellie.

He briefly slipped his tongue in before pulling away and speaking.

“I thought I was going to die wanting to kiss you.”

“You didn’t bring up the cape just because you wanted to kiss me, did you?”

“It’s true that I want you to wear a cape. Showing your shoulders is nice, but… honestly, if I see your bare skin, Ellie, I don’t think I’ll be able to control myself.”

Ellie paused, thinking about what he meant, then soon realized and glared at Feroza.

“Feroza!”

“I can’t just pounce on you at the wedding, can I? So please cover your shoulders a bit.”

“Oh, really…!”

Her face grew hot.

Feroza tilted his head as if to kiss her again, leaning in closer.

Ellie also closed her eyes naturally, but suddenly the door burst open.

Startled, she opened her eyes wide and pushed Feroza’s shoulder back.

“Sorry for the wait—oh my!”

Turning her head quickly, Ellie saw Tiahren holding a thin white cape, covering her mouth with her hand.

“Uh, um, well…”

Tiahren rolled her eyes, flustered, then pointed outside with her finger and spoke.

“Should I leave for a bit? Maybe ten minutes…?”

“No!”

“That’s a good idea.”

Ellie refused, but Feroza agreed.

When Ellie glared at him, Feroza just shrugged and grinned slyly.

Looking at the confused Tiahren, Ellie spoke.

“You don’t have to go.”

“Oh, okay…”

Tiahren trailed off and shuffled over.

She handed the cape to Feroza, who draped it over Ellie’s shoulders.

He roughly fixed it with a pin, then stepped back a few steps and nodded in satisfaction.

“That’s much better.”

“Is it alright?”

“Yes. This looks beautiful too.”

Then, Tiahren cautiously raised her hand.

“Um… may I make a suggestion?”

“Of course, Tiah.”

“Ellie, you’re going to wear a veil at the wedding, right?”

“That’s right.”

Since she received the tiara from her mother, a veil was essential.

“In that case, the veil will naturally cover your shoulders, so you might not need a cape. If you wear both, it could look a bit stuffy.”

At those words, Feroza fiddled with the cape draped over Ellie’s shoulders.

“What would you like to do, Ellie?”

“I think… I won’t need the cape.”

“Then let’s do that.”

Feroza nodded, removed the cape, and handed it back to Tiahren.

“Shall we continue working without the cape?”

“Yes, please do, Tiah.”

“Yes! Is there anywhere else that feels uncomfortable?”

“I don’t think so right now…”

Tiahren, who was adjusting the dress here and there, spoke up.

“Then try walking around. It feels different when you move.”

Feroza held out his hand, and Ellie took it, walking slowly.

It was a very short distance, but walking in her wedding dress made her feel as if she were walking down the aisle.

“How does it feel, Ellie?”

“Ah, um, it feels a little tight on my back when I walk.”

“Really?”

Tiahren approached and adjusted the dress again.

After walking back and forth a few more times, Ellie was finally able to take off the dress.

“Take your time and rest before coming out! Only I can enter this room.”

“Thank you, Tia.”

Changing clothes had been tiring, so Ellie was glad for the break.

After Tiahren left, Ellie carefully sat on the sofa.

“Whew…”

“Ellie, are you very tired?”

When Ellie let out a shallow sigh, Feroza looked at her with concern.

“I’ll be fine after a little rest.”

“Then lean on me and rest.”

“On your shoulder?”

“No.”

He smiled softly, then suddenly lifted Ellie up by the waist and sat her on his thigh.

“Isn’t it more comfortable to rest against my chest than on my shoulder?”

“You really are unpredictable.”

Ellie chuckled and leaned her face against Feroza’s chest.

Just as he said, his chest was broad and firm, making it comfortable.

“Isn’t it comfortable?”

“Yes.”

Ellie nodded as she closed her eyes.

Feroza’s hand gently stroked her hair.

Her body relaxed, growing languid, but then his hand, which had been resting on her waist, slowly moved upward.

Ellie’s eyes flew open and she quickly grabbed Feroza’s hand.

“Feroza.”

“Yes?”

“Where do you think your hand is going?”

“Oh, um… I didn’t even realize.”

His shameless face made Ellie let out a hollow laugh.

“What do you mean, ‘didn’t realize’! You did it on purpose.”

“Ellie, it’s just a natural reaction, like a bee drawn to a fragrant flower.”

“What do you mean ‘natural reaction’.”

Ellie glared at Feroza and interlocked her fingers with his so he couldn’t move his hand.

She heard a faint sigh of regret near her ear, but she pretended not to notice and enjoyed her rest a little longer.