As Arella freshened up, she realized that she had forgotten to speak with Adrian regarding the dress! That peacock man is already in love with the dress and it is the first dress that Adrian had gifted her.
If she said no to the dress, would she appear too obnoxious, picky, or difficult? Also, now she wasn't only Arella. She was now the wife of the Major General. If she wore something simple, Adrian's reputation would be affected too, right? Huff, let it be! It was just a dress! What's there to think? She will just wear it!
As she bathed, the stylist prepared everything. When she came out, he gestured for her to relax and sit in front of the mirror. Then, he started working his hands like magic on her hair and face.
Peacocks are known for their beauty, elegance, and royal nature. Hence, every peacock clan member had an affinity towards beauty. People in lower strata would invite lower ranked peacocks while higher ranked peacocks were reserved for famous personalities.
Arella wondered about the rank of this stylist. His silky hands glided swiftly on her face. When he fixed her eyebrows, she felt no ounce of pain. This was certainly a high ranked peacock. Those in higher ranks are known for their superior attitude and arrogance, but this man was handling her politely and gentlemanly.
But why wasn't he speaking? Oh, right! He accidentally consumed venom. But that is a little suspicious. Beasts are instinctive, they can sense danger from miles away. Then, why would he consume venom? And where did he find such low potent venom? Most venoms were stored and circulated for their higher potency. Such low potent venom wasn't common.
While wondering, she offered a sweetened drink to him. The man was engrossed in his work but noticing that Madam was offering him something, he dared not reject her! Adrian's cold eyes were still vivid in his mind! He took a few sips just to show his humility.
But as the sweetness touched his numb tongue, he felt a comforting feeling. The venom was bitter. And a pungent taste lingered even after consuming buckets of water. Amidst the threatening aura and huge pressure, he had forgotten about it. Thus, this sweetened drink was like rain to him! He wanted to do a happy dance! He quickly drank it to the end and genuinely thanked Arella.
Then, with enthusiasm and excitement, he began working again. He gestured her to close her eyes, so he could start applying the enhancers. She did the same.
After an hour, Arella heard a shrill voice. She hurriedly opened her eyes. It was the stylist praising her in his broken pitched voice. Umm, the peacocks might look good, but their voice glands were a sheer disaster! Especially, a peacock who couldn't utter words! His broken, shrill voice was akin to screams for her. Listening to his voice, she knew that the rumor must have been true!
Had she heard his voice for the entire session, her ears would have started bleeding too! Thank Goodness, his tongue was numb because of the venom! May the Beast God bless the snake who bit him!
Arella then looked into the mirror. A beautiful girl stared back at her. Her eyes were sharper, her pale skin looked healthier and her red hair was curled beautifully. For a moment, she couldn't believe that she was looking at herself!
She thanked the stylist for his hard work. And then went to change into her dress.
When she came out of the dressing room, her eyes witnessed a sight worth memorizing. Adrian stood in front of her, in all his glory. He wore a royal blue colored, traditional, and formal three piece suit. The color was in stark contrast with his light blue eyes. It created a mesmerizing effect.
She knew that he was handsome, but this! This was too much for her faint girly heart to take! She felt flustered.
Meanwhile, Adrian too, was in awe of the fairy that had appeared in front of him. She looked absolutely stunning! He was about to be dazzled by her! He thanked his stars for bestowing him with this beauty.
The red gown perfectly accentuated her figure. The gorgeous beauty wasn't even aware of her own thunder! She looked devilishly beautiful, but on her face, there was no shred of arrogance. Her face which was full of ignorance and innocence could drive any man insane!
"You look good!" Arella recovered first and praised him wholeheartedly.
"You too." Adrian reined in his raging emotions. He was at the edge of becoming a devout follower of this beautiful deity. Fortunately, he had a natural poker face! Otherwise, he would have drooled by now!
"But one thing is missing." Adrian continued. "You aren't wearing a neck piece."
Arella unconsciously touched her neck, it was bare. She looked around but found no shadow of the stylist. There was nothing on the dressing table.
Looking at the confused girl, Adrian walked forward. He stood behind her, touched her lightly, and made her face the mirror.
"Maybe this will do." While stating this, he took a neck piece from who knows where and put it on her.
Arella felt a cold sensation on her exposed neck. But her ears felt unnaturally warm. Adrian's deep, husky voice entered her auricle. And her already flustered core started shuddering at the proximity.
Arella only recovered once he took a step aside. And then, when she looked at her reflection, she went into another daze.
On her neck, was her mother's ruby.
It was now, not just a lone ruby, but a part of a neck piece. Adrian had got it made into a pendant! The golden chain created an admirable contrast with the blazing red. It looked as if, the lost piece had found its match. It looked better this way.
"The ruby is removable and wasn't altered in any way," Adrian spoke lightly. He wanted to tell her that he hadn't harmed the ruby in any way.
"Thank you, Adrian. It looks incredible!" Arella couldn't thank him enough for it. Now, she can always carry it. She won't be afraid of losing it. Adrian has found a way to make this precious ruby a part of her life. And she felt touched.
"No problem." Adrian felt relieved. The nervousness that gripped him like a snake, relaxed its hold.
When he started reading the book gifted by Andrew, 'Just for Fun', he came across the concept of giving anniversary gifts. He had never given a gift to anybody before. An urgency filled him. He wanted to give something to Arella. Not because it was written in a book. But because he genuinely wanted to.
He was in a fix because anything that he could think of, he had already given her: this house and his salary card. He wanted to give something special to her. When he thought, the image of the dazed lady with a ruby in her hand crossed his mind.
Maybe, he should give her an identical jewel? Adrian did not feel very convinced by this idea. That ruby was special, he could feel it. Not because it was from her mother, but because there was something about that ruby that could stir anybody's soul. At last, he decided to transform it. It was too huge as a ring, hence, he thought of a necklace.
He went into his private lair which was filled with gold, chose a suitable golden artifact, and forged it himself. Parting with the gold made him a little uncomfortable at first. But when he thought of her wearing it, around her neck, every day, he happily forged it into a necklace.
All this trouble was worth it! Her smile was a reward too dear.
A knock sounded outside, it was the cook announcing the arrival of the pilot.
It was time to go to the Marriage Registration Ceremony.