Amelia stepped into the grand store, her nerves on edge. She had no idea how to behave in such a lavish place. The store was bustling with well-dressed patrons, and she felt like a fish out of water.
Before she could panic, a salesperson approached with a polite bow. "Your Graces, please follow me," he said, leading them to a private area.
They walked through the crowded store, but when they entered a private room, it was completely empty. The contrast was jarring.
"Why is there no one here?" Amelia wondered aloud, glancing around the opulent room.
She was interrupted by the arrival of a maid with a tray of tea and refreshments. "Please, enjoy," the maid said, setting down a delicate porcelain teapot and an array of pastries. A catalogue followed, placed gently on the table.
Amelia looked up at Alistair, unsure of what to do. His eyes met hers, calm and steady.
"Choose whatever catches your eye," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
Amelia nodded, feeling a bit more confident. They started with outfits for Ethan. The young boy seemed excited, his shyness fading as he saw the colorful array of clothes.
Amelia browsed through the outfits, picking out several she thought would look adorable on Ethan. Each outfit was more charming than the last, and Ethan eagerly tried them on, twirling and posing for her.
One outfit was a tiny suit, as dark and sleek as midnight, making Ethan look like a miniature version of Alistair. Another was a vibrant green ensemble, complete with a matching hat that made him look like a storybook character.
"This is like being in heaven! A heaven of cuteness!" Amelia exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight.
Alistair watched with a small smile, enjoying her enthusiasm.
"How many should we take?" Amelia asked, looking up at him.
"All of them," Alistair replied, his tone decisive.
The attendant bowed. Amelia was about to protest when Ethan and Alistair spoke in unison.
"Now it's time for your outfits!"
"Outfits?" Amelia repeated, her eyes widening. "As in plural? Don't I have enough?"
"Isn't that too much? We already bought—"
"Too much?" Alistair cut her off, his tone displeased. "Don't you think this was anything? After all, this store belongs to me."
Amelia was stunned into silence. She opened her mouth to argue but then closed it again. There was no point in fighting. She sighed and nodded, giving in.
The salesperson clapped their hands, and a parade of dresses began. Amelia's head spun as dress after dress was presented to her, each one more extravagant than the last.
One dress was so puffy it looked like a cloud of whipped cream. Another was a cascade of golden silk, shimmering like sunlight on water. A third was adorned with so many jewels it seemed to glow.
Amelia tried on each dress, feeling what a princess in a fairy tale must feel - tired and out-of-breath. The fabrics were luxurious, the craftsmanship impeccable. She couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement.
Alistair watched her with an intense gaze, his eyes never leaving her. Amelia felt self-conscious, knowing he was scrutinizing her every move.
"You're beautiful," he said quietly as she twirled in a particularly stunning blue gown.
Amelia blushed, feeling her heart race. She wasn't used to such compliments, especially not from someone like Alistair.
"Thank you," she murmured, feeling a flutter of nerves.
Alistair nodded, his expression unreadable. "Let's move on to accessories," he said, gesturing for the attendants to bring out the next round of items.
Amelia was bombarded with jewelry, shoes, and other accessories. Each piece was more extravagant than the last, and she struggled to keep up.
"Aunt amelia! You look like a star!" Ethan excalimed, jumping into the air,like the cute little rabbit he is. It showed his excitement.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the shopping spree came to an end. Amelia was exhausted but pleased with the results.
"Is there anything else?" she asked, hoping the answer was no.
"No," Alistair replied, his tone firm. "We have everything we need." It almost sounded a tad sad, Amelia thought.
Still, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally. My stamina wasn't made for this! It's worse than a marathon!"
As they left the store, Amelia couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. She had survived her first shopping trip as a duchess, and she had done it with style.
But as she glanced at Alistair and Ethan, she knew this was only the beginning.