Mrs Harlot came to stand in front of Alora with her tape in hand, and started taking her measurements.
"Is there any particular style of clothing you have in mind." Beth asked as she stood by the clothes, caressing and feeling the soft fabric.
"Not really, I am fine with whatever you choose." Alora said in a hushed voice, and Beth nodded in response, although Alora could not see her, as she was standing as still as a rock, with only faint sounds of her breathing being heard.
Unbeknownst to all the people in that store, a very subtle presence watched Alora's small figure from the glass windows of the store.
"Hmm..." With a small smile lingering on her lips and an intrigued expression on her face, the subtle presence vanished from that place as though it was not there in the first place.
"You know Alora I believe it is time for you to stop acting this way," Beth said with a slight frown on her face.
By now it was completely night time, and both Ladies could be seen walking out of the
vampiress's store.
Alora slightly furrowed her brows "I am afraid I don't understand your words your majesty," she turned to look at the princess walking beside her.
"You dont think I won't notice you fidgeting at every slight touch of the vampiress on your body" obvious disappointment was laced in her voice.
Alora lowered her head feeling a little guilty because what the princess was saying was beginning to make complete sense to her.
Upon seeing her reaction, Beth took in a deep breath before reaching out to hold her hand, she pulled her and they both stood by the roadside.
Beth looked at the face of the beautiful lady in front of her whose eyes alone were able to make men fall before her feet, and she couldn't resist a sigh.
With a small smile on her face Beth reached out and arranged the strands of hair that had escaped the tight bun Alora's hair was pulled into.
"Alora do you know that I am very envious of your beauty," Alora who had her head lowered to avoid meeting the princess gaze, raised her head, but before she could say a word Beth placed a finger to her lips.
"No Alora" she said slowly shaking her head "Don't even say that I am prettier than you are because I am not,"
She sighed and then continued "And it pains me to see that you are trying to hide just how beautiful you are, and that is one of the main reasons I want you to accompany us to the ball, because I want you to stop hiding yourself and meet new people and learn to stop feeling so inferior around everybody you consider greater than you, because I can guarantee you that they are not, and that you also have your own strengths something that makes you much greater than them."
By the time Beth finished talking Alora had tears streaming down her face, as she stood there shocked speechless.
All these years that she had been friends with the princess, she knew the princess loved her just as much as she loved the princess, but this was the first time she had heard such words from the princess and she didn't expect the princess to hold her in such high regard.
"Hmm...." Beth said with a smile and pulled Alora into a hug, "I am not saying all of these for your tears all I want is for you to stop hiding and at least try to come out of your shell, for me" Beth pulled Alora from herself and held her shoulders while trying to make a cute pouting expression.
Alora stifled a chuckle and responded "Mmmm", and immediately Beth heard her, a smile blossomed on her face as she held Alora's hands and they both resumed walking.
They both arrived at Alora's house shortly after their little emotional episode, and not as surprising as it would seen the palace guards were still waiting outside for the princess.
The sight slightly amused Alora who tried to stifle a chuckle but nonetheless her efforts were in vain as Beth turned to glare at her.
"Who asked you guys to wait here?" " Your highness we were asked not to return to the castle unless you are present with us" One of the bulky half vampires standing guard at Alora's house stepped forward and answered
Hearing this Beth couldn't help but sigh she turned and said to Alora who was standing slightly behind her "Alora I will have to get going, I was hoping to stay for a while but...", she gestured at the guards behind her.
"Its alright, it is already quite late and your parents must be worried about you, I am grateful for you taking time out to see me princess" Alora said with a small graceful smile on her lips.
Beth smiled in return, before turning to look at the Delphine couple who had come out of the house few moments after Alora and her got there.
"Thank you for having me Mr and Mrs Delphine, and I deeply apologize for any inconvenience my guards may have caused you" Beth said with her head bowed, to have Lilian hurriedly say "No your highness it is a pleasure that you visited our humble abode there is no need for you to apologize."
Her husband concurred saying "Indeed your majesty it is our pleasure and please send our greetings to your parents".
"Of course I will." Beth answered with a small bow.
The Delphine couple went back inside their home and Beth turned towards Alora who was standing there lost in thought, she approached her and help her shoulders speaking in a softer tone.
"I will ask someone to send your clothes and accessories in a day before the ball, and also a carriage to pick you up on the evening of the ball."
"I.... I am very thankful for this opportunity Beth and I know I don't have the ability to pay you back, but if there is anyway I can help you, with anything at all I will put my all into it."