Page 39 of Royal Beast
The next morning, I wake to find Kellan’s side of the bed still empty, the sheets cold in his spot. I stare at the empty space, feeling the weight of his absence and the lingering guilt that settled in the pit of my stomach last night. But there’s little time to dwell as the buzzer rings from the foyer. I get up, wrap a robe around myself, and slip out of the bedroom, waving to Rosewho is eating breakfast under the supervision of the new nanny, Doreen.
I open the door to find Clary, a warm smile on her face. “Good morning, Darcy,” she greets me. “Mr. Kellan asked me to take you shopping for the gala tonight. Sorry for the early arrival, but I thought it best that we get started right away.”
I nod, welcoming her inside. “Let me get dressed,” I say, watching as Rose waves brightly to Clary, who waves back.
Once I’m dressed in something comfortable, I grab my purse, kiss and hug Rose goodbye, then Clary and I head downstairs and climb into the waiting town car.
“So, are you excited about tonight?” she asks.
“Excited might be a bit of a stretch,” I reply, smirking. “I think nervous covers it better. I’ve never been to anything this formal.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” she says with a wave of her hand. “I’ll help you find the perfect dress. You’ll fit right in.”
It’s hard to imagine myself dazzling anyone tonight, but her confidence is infectious, and I’ve relaxed a bit by the time we arrive at the boutique. Inside, rows of elegant gowns line the walls, and Clary wastes no time, immediately pulling a sleek, deep purple dress from one of the racks.
“This would look amazing on you,” she says, passing it over. “Trust me.”
I hold it up to my frame, admiring the silky fabric. “You seem to have a knack for this,” I say with a smile. “Is this what you always wanted to do?”
Clary chuckles, shaking her head. “Not exactly. I sort of stumbled into it, actually. Working for Mr. Brannagan is only a stepping stone.” She hesitates, glancing down as she smooths out a wrinkle on the gown. “I’ve been saving up to leave home. Let’s just say it’s a bit of a rough situation, and this job is helping me get away.”
I pause, taken aback. I’d never imagined Clary dealing with something like that. There’s a vulnerability there, and I admire the courage she must have to deal with someone so cold just to get away from something worse.
“Wow, I had no idea,” I say. “That’s pretty brave.”
She shrugs it off with a modest smile. “Just something I have to do, you know? I’m lucky I found this job.”
I give her a smile and a shoulder squeeze before heading to the fitting room with the gown she’d chosen. As the dressing room door clicks shut behind me, I get undressed then slip the gown over my head. I take a moment to look at myself in the full-length mirror. The dress is a beautiful, deep plum purple. It hugs my body just right, the fabric cascading down around my legs in a waterfall. I give myself a critical once-over, my fingers lightly tracing the smooth material.
Clary asks, “What do you think?”
Opening the door, I show off the dress and twirl. She lights up at the sight. “It looks so good on you!”
I turn to face her, offering a small smile. “You think so?”
Clary looks me up and down and then tilts her head. “It’s not just good, it’s perfect. You’re going to crush it tonight in that.”
I smile. “All thanks to you. I feel so confident in this dress. You have impeccable taste, girl.”
Clary’s smile fades for just a moment, and I can see her hesitation, as though she’s considering something. “I’m really happy we’re getting along. You’re not like most people I’ve worked for, Darcy. You’ve been very kind to me.”
I raise an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden shift. “What makes you say that?”
Clary shifts her weight and looks away for a moment, then back at me. “I guess… I don’t know. I’m not in the best situation. Working for Rory’s been a way out. I’ve been saving up, trying to get away from my family. Things aren’t exactly great at home.”
I pause, my heart going out to her. “I’m sorry, Clary. That sounds tough.”
She shrugs it off with a small smile. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I’m working on it. I’m gonna make it out of there. I have dreams and plans. I’m going to open my own dress shop one day, maybe even design for someone like you,” she teases.
I laugh, shaking my head. “When you do, I’ll be your first customer.”
She winks. “You’ve got a deal. But enough about me. What about you, Darcy? You’ve got your own dreams, right?”
I pause for a moment then nod, the words spilling out before I can stop them. “I’ve always wanted to publish children’s books. I’ve written a few, but I never had the courage to go through with it. I don’t know if anyone would even read them. It’s silly, right?”
Clary’s eyes soften. “That’s not silly at all. I think people love that kind of thing. Kids need stories that make them believe they can do anything. I bet you’d be amazing at it. Don’t let fear stop you from chasing it.”
I swallow, trying to push down the lump in my throat. “Thanks. That means a lot to me, coming from you.”
