NOVGO.NET Chapter 14: A Dress I Was Never Meant to Wear
Chapter 14: A Dress I Was Never Meant to Wear
Elara:
"Thank you."
I offered Sreya a small nod as I stepped out of the black car.
The female Star Warrior inclined her head respectfully. "I’ll remain here, Princess. Take your time."
Princess. Even after being called that for so many times since last night, the title still felt strange. Unnatural. As though she was speaking to someone standing behind me instead of me.
I closed the car door before looking up at the building standing before me. It was enormous. Three floors of elegant glass windows framed with white stone overlooked the busiest street I’d seen since arriving in Starfall. Gold lettering stretched across the entrance, announcing the boutique’s name in graceful cursive. Even from outside, I could see expensive dresses displayed beneath crystal lights, and people dressed far better than I’d ever been walking in and out with neatly wrapped shopping bags.
Two days ago, I wouldn’t even have dared step through those doors. I’d have admired the displays from outside before convincing myself that nothing inside could possibly fit my budget.
Now, I carried a bank card that, according to Ms. Noctis, contained enough money that I probably wouldn’t be able to spend it all even if I tried.
Life truly could change overnight. Whether that change was for the better, I still hadn’t decided.
After buying a new phone at a shop on our way here - because Moonveil Academy required every student to remain connected to the academy network - I had also purchased a laptop, toiletries, notebooks, and several other things Professor Fenrith had recommended. The boutique was my final stop.
Clothes.
Apparently, becoming a princess also meant dressing like one.
With a quiet sigh, I pushed open the glass doors and stepped inside. Warm air immediately wrapped around me. The boutique smelled faintly of fresh flowers and expensive perfume. Soft instrumental music drifted through the spacious showroom while elegantly dressed employees moved gracefully between customers.
One of them noticed me almost immediately.
A young woman wearing a cream-colored suit approached with a practiced smile. "Welcome, Miss." She stopped politely before me. "How may I help you today?"
Her smile remained flawless. Her eyes, however, they moved quickly. From my shoes to my trousers, then to my blouse - assessing, judging, and making sure I belonged inside this place.
I’d seen that look before. Working at the diner had taught me how differently wealthy people looked at others. Some judged without speaking, while others smiled while doing it. This woman happened to belong to the second category.
"I need two sets of Moonveil Academy uniforms."
The smile on her face faltered. "...Academy uniforms?" She blinked. "For Moonveil Academy?"
I nodded.
Confusion settled over her features. "Forgive me, Miss, but the academic term began over a month ago. May I see your student identification?"
Fortunately, Professor Fenrith had already warned me this might happen. I reached into my pocket and removed the newly issued student ID.
She accepted it with both hands. At first, she merely scanned it professionally. Then, her eyes stopped moving. I watched as she read the name once. Then again. Her expression slowly froze.
"...Argentis?" She whispered it almost to herself. A second later, her head snapped upward and het eyes widened dramatically. She looked from the card to me, then back again.
"...Princess."
The single word escaped in little more than a breath.
I said nothing. Apparently, that silence answered everything.
The woman hurriedly bowed. "My deepest apologies, Your Highness. It is an honor to welcome you."
The difference in her attitude was almost frightening. Gone was the polite professionalism. Now every movement carried unmistakable respect. Within minutes she personally led me upstairs where measurements were taken for my academy uniforms. The fitting itself didn’t take long.
When she finished writing everything down, she smiled warmly. "Both uniforms will be delivered to Moonveil Academy at precisely five this afternoon."
"Thank you."
"My pleasure, Your Highness."
The title still made me uncomfortable. But correcting everyone every five minutes was becoming exhausting. After the uniforms were settled, the woman disappeared briefly before returning with an entire clothing rack. "I selected a few pieces I believe might suit your preferences."
I looked through them one by one. And to my surprise, she had excellent taste. Most of the clothes resembled things I actually would have picked myself if money had never been an issue. Elegant without being flashy. Comfortable without looking careless.
I ended up choosing three simple ankle-length dresses in different colors after trying them on. Then came several pairs of loose trousers with cute tops for everyday wear around campus.
Since I’d also need something more formal, I picked four pairs of tailored trousers together with matching blouses and two elegant suit jackets that could easily be paired with all of them.
The woman also recommended several soft cashmere shawls. "October evenings become rather chilly in Starfall."
I remembered the cool breeze from last night. She wasn’t wrong. So I selected several neutral-colored ones. By the time I finished, I’d almost forgotten why I’d originally come.
The woman helped organize everything before leaving me alone with a final section of evening dresses. "I’ll allow you to browse at your leisure, Princess."
Once she disappeared, I wandered absentmindedly between the racks. Most of the gowns looked like something celebrities wore on red carpets. They were beautiful, elegant, and completely impractical.
Then... one dress caught my eye. It was black and simple at first glance, yet somehow impossible to ignore.
I reached out almost without thinking. The fabric slipped smoothly between my fingers. I had absolutely nowhere to wear something like this. Still... curiosity won.
A few minutes later, I stood before the full-length mirror inside the changing room... and forgot how to breathe. The dress looked nothing like anything I’d ever owned.
My entire back remained uncovered, the smooth black fabric held together by only two delicate rhinestone straps resting over my shoulders. The neckline draped elegantly enough to remain tasteful while revealing the faintest glimpse of my collarbones and the upper curve of my breasts. The fitted waist flowed into a long skirt that hugged my hips before a daring slit rose along my left thigh, exposing far more leg than I had ever been comfortable showing.
I stared at my reflection.
Was that... really me?
The girl in the mirror looked older somehow. More confident. More... beautiful. I quickly shook my head and laughed softly to myself. "No. This definitely isn’t for me."
Even if I somehow managed to gather enough courage to wear it...
Where exactly would I go dressed like this?
Right then, a male voice spoke from behind me. "I disagree. It looks absolutely beautiful on you."
I spun around so quickly that the dress swirled around my legs. Standing casually against the changing room doorway was a young man with ash-black hair and calm gray eyes. His arms were folded across his chest as though he’d been standing there for quite some time.
Recognition came almost instantly.
I’d seen him last night. He had been standing with Reign Valemont. Another one of those impossibly handsome men.
And somehow... he had found me.