A maid was sent inside and helped her change into the dress. They did her hair and sent her back out to look in the mirrors. The same man who had brought her into the dressing room area said to her "You look stunning in that dress. It is of my own design, what do you think of it?" Sarah looked into the mirror and replied.
"The dress is very pretty sir. I love the embroidery of it. I also love how the dress isn't volumess like most on the rack were. Although I do think that the vail is unnecessary and that the dress would be even more beautiful with some rhinestones on the embroidered part along with some silk gloves."
The man stared at her open mouthed. All of the other people who had worn his designs would always say that they looked beautiful, no matter what. He could have put them in a trash bag and if it had his name on it as a designer, it would have become the latest fashion statement. But this girl, this girl had shown him ways to improve the dress. Nobody had done that in the last 7 years of his life. "You, you don't like it?" He asked.
"I never said that." Sarah replied, "I was just telling you how you could make it better."
"So your saying that you could have done a better job?" Said the man. After never receiving a bit of criticism from even the king himself, he was offended that a little girl would say she could have done a better job then him.
"No! I didn't say that either! Why are you getting so angry over a bit of advice anyways? Who are you? As a designer, you should always be prepared for a bit of criticism to make things better. If you can't handle some advice from a 15 year old, you're not gonna make it very far." Sarah said angrily.
"Who am I? I am one of the greatest fashion designers ever! I am John Terra! I designed the queen's coronation gown! Let me see you best that!" Said the man, now practically yelling.
"John Terra? So what? If I had the right supplies then I could alter this dress myself, making it even better than your original design! But this wasn't my point, my point was that you need to be able to handle some criticism." Sarah said back, her voice raising to match his in volume.
Completely ignoring the point Sarah was trying to get across, John Terra yelled "Well good thing that I brought the supplies with me! I dare you to alter that dress and make the design better then what I could do!"
"Fine! Because you think you're so special and amazing! I'll show you that there will always be somebody better then you will ever be. There will always be somebody who can replace you! You're not the only talented designer!" Sarah accepted.
There was a sigh from the other side of the room and Sarah turned around to see a group of people standing behind them. Sarah hadn't even seen them approach because she was so wrapped up in her argument with John Terra.
"Sarah, what had you gotten yourself into this time?" Said Max with a shake of his head.
"What do you mean Max? This guy was taking offence to something that was merely a bit of advice! Now he dares to challenge me! I'm not gonna just let him off after he doubts me just for my age and because I thought of a way to make the design better!" An aggravated Sarah said back.
Max sighed and said "Well, don't get me involved in this. This is your problem Sarah. You shouldn't have let him get to you. I know that when you're angry that you won't let it go but I still advise you to step down." Then to himself he mumbled "Not like you'll listen to me anyways…"
"What was that?" Sarah said
"Nothing! Just said good luck!" Max replied quickly
"That's what I thought!" Sarah said as she turned around and walked into the changing room to take the dress off. When Sarah exited the changing room with the dress there were people lugging designing equipment into the living room and taking the furniture out. The boys were following a set of maids who were taking away the TV, meaning that they couldn't play video games anymore.
Emily saw Sarah and ran up to her saying "Sarah! What were you thinking when you challenged John Terra! Do you not know who he is?!"
"Yes I do know who he is. I actually admire him quite a bit. He was one of my inspirations as a designer!"
"Was? Do you not admire his work anymore?"
"I admire his work, just not him. He is too ignorant and self-centered. He won't accept any criticism at all. He is snarky and foolish as well. His designs however, are stunning. Absolutely gorgeous but the person who makes them should be ashamed of himself."
Another person walked up to them and said "Who are you talking trash about now? Also what's with the sudden change in the room? What's all this stuff?"
Without having to even turn around Sarah recognized Alex's voice. "First, I am trash talking John Terra. Second, John Terra challenged me to make his design better so they are rearranging the room to make a space for the competition. Third, this is all that I will be using to alter the dress." Sarah replied back.
Confused, Alex said "John Terra? Who's that?"
Emily gasped, "You don't know who John Terra is? He's only the most famous fashion designer! He even designed the queen's coronation dress! Usually they have multiple designers to make the dress but they had John Terra do it all by himself!"
"Ummm… Cool? I guess?" Alex replied to Emily's starstruck attitude. Turning to Sarah he said "Why do you challenge him then?"
Sarah casually replied "I challenge him because he is far too confident in his own abilities and the only way to get it through that thick skull of his that both he and his designs are not always perfect, is to challenge him and show him proof of his flaws and strengths."
Before anybody could answer Sarah there was sudden commotion from the door. "Long live your highness!" "Your Majesty, to what do we owe the honor of your presence?" "Your highness, can I service you in any way?"
Sarah, Emily and Alex turned around to see what the competition was and they saw a woman standing by the door. She was wearing an extravagant blue gown and a white sash. She had on silk gloves and a golden crown sat on her head. The woman approached them and Emily began to curtsey so Alex bowed and Sarah followed Emily's lead. "Your majesty, what can we do for you?" Emily asked.
The noble woman bowed her head respectfully to acknowledge their bows and said "I heard somebody has challenged John Terra, I have come to see the individual who possesses so much courage.
"That would be I, your highness." Sarah said with another curtsey.
"You?" The lady said with a start "You are what? 16 years old?"
"15 years your highness." Sarah corrected respectfully.
"Only 15? And you dare to challenge John Terra? This will be a very entertaining event. Would you mind if I arranged for this to be an open event? For others to watch such as the guests?" She asked politely, respect for this daring little girl showing a bit.
"It would be my honor, your majesty." Sarah replied.
"Well then little girl, I shall take my leave. I hope to meet you again soon." The woman said as she left, leaving Emily and Sarah who were still in a curtsey and Alex stuck in a deep bow. Emily excitedly turned to Sarah and said "Wow! I've only seen her from afar! You actually got to talk to her! You're so lucky Sarah! Even being the daughter of a duke I have never spoken to the queen."
"That was the queen?!" Sarah said incredulously.