Mikael felt out of place, standing in the middle of his sister's room while Beth, the tailor, and the designer were bustling around him.
They were all super gentle as they took the wedding gown out of its leather case. The fabric made this soft, shuffling sound as it spread out, revealing this stunning piece.
The designer lovingly unfurled the gown with tender fingers, unveiling a white gown that seemed to hold its magic.
She started showing it to him, and Mikael's mind wandered, imagining how it would flow gracefully over his twin sister.
'Whoa,' he thought. His brain took a moment to process it all.
Pearl beads were stitched into the fabric, sparkling as these little bits of moonlight drizzled down the length of the dress.
Mikael's eyes then shifted to the skirt, which gracefully touched the floor with a sweeping elegance.
'Oh, if she could only see this gown,' Mikael thought to himself.
Deep down, Mikael had this little worry that maybe the gown would be too daring, showing off too much skin with a see-through top or some bold design like a V-neck or strapless thing.
However, as the gown unfurled its beauty right in front of him, he let out a quiet sigh of relief. It was almost as if the dress itself conveyed comforting messages to him.
The gown resonated with the classic taste that Mikayla would be into. It had these long sleeves and a neckline that closed the elegant look.
But even though he felt better, Mikael felt that the cost of this gown meant more than just a splurge. He pictured the hefty sum Marquess Wolfram had shelled out for it.
Absorbed in his scrutiny of the gown, Mikael didn't realize that the designer was sneaking up, getting ready to help him change out of his current outfit and into the wedding gown.
His heart jumped from his chest as he sensed the deft touch of fingers working to undo his dress. Despite the rush of panic, he maintained his silence, not to blow up his cover with his voice.
Just as Mikael's distress was intensifying, Beth jumped in. "I, um, got it! I'll help the Lo- I mean the Lady!" she blurted, stepping forward to create a barrier between Mikael and the designer.
The designer seemed a bit taken aback, stepping back a bit as Beth's protective stance, looking like a determined mama bear, stopped her in her tracks.
Quickly, Mikael retreated behind a dressing screen, a wooden partition that offered a semblance of privacy.
He started to undress, grappling with fastenings as he navigated the complexities of women's clothing.
Beth followed Mikael behind the screen, moving quickly to help him out. Mikael kind of stepped back, letting Beth take the lead.
"That was close, my l, lady," she whispered.
With her deft hands, Beth worked with precision, guiding Mikael through putting on the gown.
A faint smile tinged with nerves appeared on his face, his fingers displaying a slight quiver before he surrendered to her proficiency.
"Thank you, Beth," he murmured, to which Beth responded with a nod.
His heart pounded a bit faster than usual. As the gown gracefully settled onto his body, Mikael couldn't help but observe that it hugged a little tighter in certain places.
The fabric hugged his shoulders, and he got a little nervous, thinking he might accidentally rip it.
However, a feeling of ease flooded him when he recognized that his body bore certain resemblances to his twin sister's, such as their waist and chest proportions. So it went without any major damage.
He took a deep breath to calm himself, then stepped out from behind the divider. The gown had this weight that he wasn't used to, making him move awkwardly.
Each step was calculated as if he was learning to walk for the first time.
After a few hesitant strides, he stood before the designer, whose eyes shone approvingly. The designer's smile broadened as she appreciated how the gown cascaded over Mikael's physique.
"Goodness, gracious! You look stunning, Lady Mikayla! Beyond my expectations!" With a gentle gesture, she guided Mikael toward the standing mirror.
As Mikael caught his own reflection, his breath hitched. The image draped in the wedding gown that greeted him was breathtaking.
The gown seemed to have been created for him as much as it would for his twin sister. It fit him surprisingly well, hugging his figure in all the right places.
His shoulders, slightly broader than his sister's, were embraced by the gown's long sleeves, the fabric gentle against his skin. He marveled at how the skirt flowed around him.
Breaking the silence, the designer's voice reached him as he stood there, lost in thought. She regarded his reflection with a warm smile, her eyes shimmering with sincerity. "You are so beautiful, my lady," she commented.
Mikael met her gaze in the mirror, feeling gratitude for her artistry. Words failed to capture her mastery in crafting the perfect wedding gown.
She added, "Soon, she will be the happiest lady in the kingdom," referring to him in the reflection.
In that instance, a blend of emotions churned inside Mikael. He willingly took on this role, embracing his sister's persona as the devoted brother.
It was a choice made out of love and the desire to see his sister happy. But now, as the designer's words echoed in the air, the reality of what was coming dawned on him.
A trace of apprehension stirred within him, the anticipation of what lay ahead making his heart race.
While the tailor made final adjustments to the gown, Mikael looked at himself in the mirror. With all its grace, the gown held secrets.
Mikael took a deep breath, finding a resolve to play his part.
'Yeah, she would be the happiest,' he convinced, replaying the designer's words.
He knew his twin was now happy with her true love.
...
After the guests had finally departed, Mikael collapsed onto the couch, exhaustion tugging at every inch of his body.
He tried to undo the knots of the intricate dress he was wearing, but his fingers fumbled ineffectually. The more he tried, the more stubborn the knots seemed to become.
Thankfully, Talon was there to help him, his fingers deftly working on the stubborn knots.
Mikael's cheeks flushed slightly as he realized how helpless he must have appeared, stumbling over his sister's clothes.
Earlier, it had taken him a moment to truly register that Talon had been there throughout, silently watching.
Mikael focused solely on the wedding gown as the designer and the tailor entered. Talon momentarily slipped his mind and forgot to dismiss him from the room.
"I must have looked silly to you. With my sister's wedding gown and all," Mikael said, attempting to inject humor into the situation.
"No, you looked beautiful," he said with no hesitation in his voice.
Mikael spluttered for a moment, his surprise clear. "W, What's gotten into you?" he managed to ask.
Talon's mischievous grin. "Well, you know, Mikael, it's not every day we see you rock the bridal look. Maybe you've missed your true calling?" he teased, earning himself a playful smack on the shoulder from Mikael.