Avione gazed outside the window, sipping on the cup of tea Rowena brewed, as she patiently waited for the attendant to come back. She wanted to take a quick look at the dresses she would be buying however, knowing that Marquis Clement was there at the palace made her want to head home later.
'That creep. He should be the one beheaded, not me.' Avione thought before an idea pops into her mind, 'I could use that!'
In the past, he was accused of smuggling dangerous and illegal drugs into the Empire, however he was pardoned immediately as the Saintess Margaret deemed him innocent through a fake prophecy she made up. Maybe she can bring down the House Clement if she made sure her sister didn't become the Saintess this time.
As the princess was quite indulged in her own thoughts, Rowena, who had been busy looking at the dresses which were already displayed inside the room, quickly turned her head hearing a loud voice just outside the room with a very distinct accent.
"I don't have time for your jokes and games, clearly the princess is n—" Catherine Montoire, the youngest fashion designer in the whole empire, who owned the established business of fabrics and dresses well-known across the kingdoms outside of Helione, had her enraged train of words cut off at the sight of a young woman gracefully having her tea inside the room. "—is here." she swallowed a lump in her throat and dusted her dress before presenting herself in front of Avione.
Knees touching the ground and hand above her heart, the owner of Beau de Montoire greeted, "Greetings the star of the Empire, I pay my respects for her highness, Princess Avione."
Acknowledging her presence, Avione gently put down the tea cup she held in her hands. "I hope today is a good day to come by, miss Montoire." she says, smiling politely towards Catherine.
Princess Avione Silvaine Aurron. Catherine had heard about her from many rumors involving her and her bad luck. Many people had been describing her as someone who didn't have the face to go outside because of the face she was cursed with. Others also said that she was a monster inside the palace walls who loved to torment those who have been serving her.
Catherine believed those nasty rumors herself, and even thought badly of the princess, however she was betrayed by the sight of the so-called monster they have been talking about. Long shiny locks in the deep color of emerald, eyes the color of the sun and smile, the gentlest one she has ever been offered. Was this really the princess whom she had been thinking bad of this whole time?
The designer's cheeks fumed in the color of red, embarrassed of her own judgement and unsure of what to feel about the current situation, Catherine stood up and quickly replied, "Yes of course your highness! I will do my best to personally assist you today! Would you like to start now?" she stuttered quite a few times but managed to get through her words.
"Yes, can I have a look of your most recent creations?" Avione replied, standing up from the table and walked towards the pink colored couch, placed just the opposite of where she drank tea. "Also, I would like it a lot if you would kindly show me the most popular accessories you have in store, miss Montoire."
Still stunned by the contrast of how she is in the rumors and now, Catherine nodded furiously, "Yes your highness! And please, do address me as Catherine! I need a full rack of our most recent designs and be sure to arrange the most popular dresses we have in the past years! Hurry up, we must not let her highness wait any longer!" the attendants who were awaiting her orders headed out the door at her command and in no more than 10 minutes, three large racks of beautiful dresses are displayed in front of Avione.
Surprised at how fast they are, and how beautiful the designs of the dresses were presented before her, Avione wasn't able to hide her expression that easily. Seeing her princess' eyes widening in both shock and curiosity, Rowena chuckled and began to examine the dresses from the rack one by one. "Princess, would you like to try this?"
"Rowena, I would like to see that one first." Avione said, her eyes glued onto a dress in the middle, slightly covered by the flowing fabrics from the others.
Acknowledging her request, Rowena nodded. In Rowena's hand was a dress in the elegant shade of purple, light rims of pastel embroidered near the waistline, and the stones carefully sewn together to form patterns of swirls. However, what Avione loved the most about this dress was the shiny fabric in the shape of a corset but somehow smaller and was emphasizing the bust even more. Gold. It reminded her of the sun and was mesmerized with it. Her servant, Rowena, chuckled knowing what the princess will be wearing at the Amethyst Viewing.
After an hour or so, Avione bought all of the dresses the attendants had brought out. She also settled with 15 boxes of matching jewelleries, all in different colours and different types of stones.
"The total of your Highness' purchase would be 2000 gold." Catherine announced, extremely pleased with how many of her designs the princess loved and bought.
The princess looked at Rowena, signaling her to give her payment, "Give her double the price." she said, which halted everyone in the room.
"Y-YOUR HIGHNESS?! A-Are you being serious?" says Catherine who was flabbergasted at what she just heard.
Avione nodded, "I am impressed by the dresses, Catherine. I will certainly be back to purchase more from you. You deserve that." she replied, fixing the hat on her head slightly, "and I also want your exclusive services, perhaps we can talk about that in the palace?"
"I would be very honoured with your Highness! Thank you so much for your kindness!"
"Good, Rowena will send you an invitation. You can present that to the palace guards on the day of your visit." Avione spun her heel, ready to leave while Rowena headed towards the door and opened it for her. "I shall be taking my leave, I expect the deliveries to be made within this day."
Eyes followed Avione as she walked towards the store's main door, clearly interested of who she is and why is the ever so busy owner of the Boutique personally assisted her. Standing behind the princess and her servant, Catherine hummed a happy tune from what just happened before someone called out for her.
"Are we heading home, milady?" Rowena asked, waiting beside the princess for their carriage.
A bit exhausted, Avione sighed, "Yes—" only to get cut off by a familiar voice resounding from outside the carriage.
"Miss Catherine!"
Shining silver hair, icy blue eyes and voice ever so sweet to the ears. Avione could never forget whom those features belonged to. There was only one person in the whole empire who looked and sounded like that. Head turning towards the voice, Avione's eyes widened along with her heart clenching with hatred.
'Margaret!'
"Miss Margaret, I didn't think you'd come by at all today!" Catherine greeted.
A chuckle resounded from the silver haired female standing a few steps from Avione, "I wanted to suggest a design for your next creation, of course, my services comes with a price."
"Oh yes, but before that allow me to introduce her royal Highness, Princess Avione Silvaine Aurron.
"I-I apologize. Greetings to the star of the Empire, I, Margaret pay respects to her royal Highness, Princess Avione Silvaine Aurron."
Surprised by the introduction, Avione tried to maintain her composure, facing that person.The who one who caused her death. Her soon-to-be sister in the next two years.
"I...." overwhelmed by her rampaging emotions, Avione couldn't think of a word to say. All she wanted was to get her hands on the throat of this person and strangle the living daylights out of her.
Always quick to notice, Rowena cleared her throat and announced the arrival of their carriage, "We must be on our way, milady is already tired. Until then." she says and quickly escorted her princess inside.
It didn't take long before the carriage started driving away, but Avione was still shaking. Her hatred for Margaret growing by the second. How she wanted to kill her at this instant.
'The princess, has a scary look on her face.' thought Rowena who stayed quiet the whole ride, unable to utter a single word to the enraged princess.
Left standing in front of the Beau de Montoire, Margaret lifted her head up, and faced Catherine. She chuckled uncomfortably, remembering the look on the princess' eyes a while ago.
"She's so beautiful." Margaret paused, "But I don't think the princess likes me."
Still in bliss from the wonderful visit from their princess, Catherine shook her head, "Her highness is just in a hurry, we should even be grateful we got to see her."
Regretting not being able to introduce herself properly, the silver haired heaved a sigh, "It's still a shame that I came a bit later. The princess is really different from the rumors surrounding her in the capital. Even her being bald and ugly turned out to be another baseless rumor." Margaret spoke as the two headed inside the boutique, walking towards the middle of the room where women are seated while they pick an item.
"I still have to deal with Princess Avione's order personally so you can stay with them." says Catherine and went ahead.
Upon seeing the beautiful Margaret, every lady smiled and offered greetings to her. "Lady Margaret, you still look as pretty as ever!" Lady Christine Moretti, the 2nd daughter of Viscount Moretti, was the first one to greet. Smiling as widely as she can towards the girl.
Margaret returned the favor and along with a curtsy, "Good day Lady Christine, thank you for the compliment. You look good too with the new hairstyle."
Lady Erica Miller, the daughter of a Baron was the next one to greet her "Lady Margaret it's so nice to see you. You should've been here to see that beautiful guest of Catherine's." Erica giggled. "She was a real beauty herself you know."
"Lady Erica, you're still as fashionable as ever." replied Margaret, putting emphasis on the efforts of the lady. "Don't you worry, I had the chance to meet her outside. Indeed she was very pretty. It'd be my dream to attend her crowning ceremony. However, someone of my status wouldn't be allowed to even step foot in the Imperial grounds." a rather sad smile of Margaret tugged the hearts of the lady in the room.
Margaret Rose De Luca, the daughter of a maid serving the Ducal family of the Silvestre. Being born with shiny silver hair that is the signature feature of the Silvestres, many have been mislead that she is another child in the family.
"But I have heard that your adoption will be taking place on the same day of the Princess' coronation?"