Page 63 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
“Now, it’s just you,” Alana says to me, while she looks through everything once more.
“A dress for a real princess,” Amber muses, her eyes wandering over me in awe. She flushes a little bit. “I didn’t mean to imply that you, Princess Kilah or Princess Eibhlin or Princess Alana aren’t princesses or real… it’s just…”
“We get it,” Eibhlin giggles. “Azadeh looks like the textbook example of a princess.”
“She does, doesn’t she?” Kilah blurts out. “I hate being tall, but on Aza… her height looks so good.”
“Yes, she is regal,” Ita smiles.
“With a body to dream for,” Simin adds.
“And the aura!” Alana says.
I stare at them, not sure if I should feel bewildered or embarrassed. I don’t even understand why they are getting so hyped up. I know I’m not ugly, but they make it sound like I was blessed by their goddess.
“I have something,” Amber roams through the dresses, before bringing forward a beautiful red dress. The color is strong and radiant, gold embroidery is all over the upper piece. When I put it on, I’m in awe. The fabric feels so soft on my skin, and the dress flows beautifully. It shows more cleavage than I’d like, and the shoulders are free despite having sleeves. “I’m feeling somewhat naked,” I admit when I show it to the others.
“It’s perfect,” Kilah says. “But, if you feel naked, how about adding a cape?”
“I have just the one,” Amber beams, carefully adding a cape to the dress. It’s fixed around my neck and has the same golden embroidery.
“You look expensive,” Alana teases, making us all laugh.
“I bet you will have so many gentlemen asking for a dance,” Kilah whispers.
Ita laughs at her words. “I don’t think so.”
“Why’s that?” Kilah frowns.
“Because I doubt anyone will dare to cross a prince,” she says with a smirk.
“He would slaughter them,” Eibhlin giggles.
They exchange a few gazes. “What do you mean?” I ask. Alana and Kilah seem to be equally confused and gaze at the other two curiously.
“Goddess, you are all completely oblivious,” Ita smirks. “But make sure to take the dress, Princess Azadeh. It’s like it was made for you.”
Alana tosses her another curious gaze before getting up and having Amber retrieve our masks. They are beautifully handcrafted in different colors. Amber promises to add a few details and embroidery to them so that they will fit our dresses. Some of our dresses need alterations too.
“You can pick the dresses and masks up a day before the masquerade,” she says.
Alana nods. “Maybe you can contact Kilah if you have more questions. That is, if it is alright with you, Kilah?”
“Of course,” Kilah blurts out, obviously excited that Alana lets her handle this.
Ita and Alana link their arms, while the rest of us follow them out of the store. “And now?” Ita asks.
“Let’s go and have dinner,” Alana offers. “Somewhere out. What do you think?”
“I would like that,” Kilah nods.
Eibhlin beams. “I want to have steak. Bloody.”
“You wolves and your meat,” Simin groans.
“I know a place where they have steak and vegetable dishes,” Alana offers with a gentle smile. She has had a soft spot for Simin from the first day on and is kind of doting on her.
Simin smiles happily. “Thank you, Alana.”
