Chapter 7: Dress Picking

Three weeks later...

Holding a tray of food and drinks, I went to serve the customers. With my more or less three weeks of staying here, I grew accustomed with the things Thiara taught me. She was glad of my coping up. I was, too. To see people everyday is like a breathe of fresh air. To finally witness how the outside world goes is a pure bliss to me. I wish I couldn't ask for more.

"I am kind of worried, actually. I cannot pick which dress is best for the occasion," I overheard the girls in the near table.

"Oh, that is exactly my problem as well!"

"Fortunately I had already picked a dress. It was made in Eravia and with a bit of sorcery, making it more special." There was pride on the other girl's voice.

Occasion? What occasion it must be? Haven't heard anything about it.

It must be the queen's birthday. Most of the people are talking about it today. According to what I've heard, a celebration will be held outside the palace and the three princes will be around and every girl will have a chance to dance with them. That is what they are excited about, Raja answered my curiosity.

Really? As in, any girl? You mean, even a girl with no rank?

I don't intend to join and bet on my chances, but I'm just shocked that there's a kingdom practicing that kind of thing. In Eravia, royalties do not even get a meter close to any commoner. They consider it as unethical, which I think is not really fair. I mean, does the people with no rank have to be treated like we have some sort of disease? That's why I'm amazed how different things are here in Solterra. I cannot wait to discover more than what I already knew.

You can actually attend the celebration. Who knows you would be chosen by one of the princes to be his dance partner and then he'd fell for you later on, ask you to come to the palace, and voila! Happy ever after!

After putting the customers' order, I went back to the kitchen.

How imaginative you are, Raja. My life is no fairytale. Stick to reality and stop your nonsense, please.

How exactly is that a nonsense? If it is not clear to you, I am giving you a suggestion. Wouldn't it be easier to find your father if your source is someone with a high rank? This is a chance for you to grab.

I grimaced. Indeed, Raja. Very good suggestion. How come you stopped me from selling myself in a whorehouse—as how you say it—but now you're suggesting that I should flirt with a prince?

Why not? It's not a bad idea. After all, a prince is a royalty. It's a whole different thing from selling yourself to anyone in a cheap whorehouse.

You mean it's fine since he's a prince and it would be a privilege to be his toy, is that it?

Toy? His tone was disapproving. Why would you be a toy? You think I'd let anyone do that?

For a moment, I didn't come up with a retort. How could he easily turn the table just like that? A very manipulative dragon.

Do not play around with me, Raja.

Who's playing around with whom, my lady?

I groaned inwardly and stopped with the mind conversation when I saw Thiara approaching.

"Good morning, Ophelia."

"A pleasant morning, indeed. The tavern is full packed today."

"Must be because the tavern is near the dress shops and every girl in the kingdom is getting ready for tomorrow night's big event."

"I can see that. The queen's birthday, must be?"

"Yes. How about you? What are your plans?"

My forehead creased. "Plans? What exactly are the plans you are talking about?"

"Your dress? That should already be ready later this night."

I chuckled. "No, no. I am not attending the event, Thiara. I could just, um, look over the things here so you could enjoy the night?"

Thiara's lips were apart as she shook her head defiantly.

"That's definitely not what I planned for the both of us. Look Ophelia, I know you have very, very important goals as to why you ended up being here. But that event is just one night. Why won't you give yourself time to loosen up and unwind even just for a while? It is nothing harmful," she encouraged.

"I don't think I would fit considering that I'm not really from Solterra."

"So you think you would be unwelcome? In the past three weeks of staying here, have you ever felt that?"

I quickly shook my head. I don't want to leave her a bad impression.

"There you go, my dear. If that is the case, then why won't you join us? Trust me, it would be a wonderful night. As for the dress, you have nothing to worry about it."

I knew she would offer that. See? You have no problems at all, Raja's tone was obviously encouraging me to follow what he just suggested.

Stop intervening, will you?

As you wish, my lady, Raja with his polite words but sarcastic tone again.

If I could really just...

Just what, my lady?

I sighed.

"Later this afternoon, we will close the tavern early and will go buy a dress for you. You're beautiful so I think anything would fit, but I want it extra special since it would be the first time that you'd be attending a grand occasion here in Solterra."

"No need for that actually. A simple one will do," I bargained humbly although it's obvious that Thiara had already set her mind. I just don't want to take too much advantage on her kindness.

"Nah. I am practically your boss, so my rules should be followed."

"Is it part of the rule to not say no to you?"

"Uh-huh. But only applicable for certain instances, for example on this case."

"So I have no bargaining power, then?"

"Absolutely no."

I nodded. Who would argue with the boss anyway?

"Very well."

So like what Thiara planned, later that day, we went to the boutique—and when I say boutique, not just the simple and cheap dress shop but an exclusive one.

"Try these," Thiara gave me a pile of pretty dresses, which is not new to me actually because every time I perform in Eravia back then, my dresses are all the best of its kind. But this time, it just feels different. Probably because I won't be attending an event as a paid performer for the first time in the history. Although it's pretty strange, it feels good to finally experience such things I had never thought I'd experience before.

"You look good," Thiara commented as I tried the first one. "Gorgeous."

"You think so?"

"Indeed. But try it all first so I can judge what is the best. Only the best for a very beautiful lady."

"Thank you," I said shyly.

So I ended up trying five to ten dresses but at the end, Thiara couldn't decide what is the best.

"I have more here. Would you want to try these as well?" the seller suggested.

Oh no. I'm already dizzy trying all those stuffs. I can't take more of it.

"Haven't you decided yet?" I asked Thiara, hoping to receive an affirmative answer.

"Let me think first."

I understand why it's hard for her to decide. You look more than adequate in all the dresses, my lady. I suppose even you dress in rags, you'd still look magnificent, Raja said.

Heat washed over my cheeks. I could feel it flaming. This dragon is making me blush. Hope he won't notice it and tease me.

I can't give you anything in exchange to your compliments, Raja. My apologies.

To make your heart flutter is enough.

This brute...

Brute? Who's the brute, my lady? Now he's acting all innocent.

You know what, Raja? If you were only an ordinary man, I think acting career is something you can pursue considering the level of your skills.

Thank you very much for the compliment, he answered with a low growl.

"Ah! Now I've decided. The sea-green dress suits you best. And it matches your eye color. Suits you perfectly."

I second the motion, Raja agreed.

"All right. Your choice," I told Thiara and that made her smile widely.