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Margaret moves through the racks before pulling a dress out. I twist, looking over my shoulder at Marie and Celeste, who look just as shocked as I am.
“The sweetheart neckline will accent your breasts very well, and the overall body of the dress will give your hips a nice flare, showing off your figure.”
“Do you want me to strip right here?” I ask.
Chuckling, she nods. “Yes, don’t be shy, sweetheart. You don’t have anything that I haven’t seen before.”
I guess she’s right. Peeling off my clothes, I strip down to my bra and panties and let her help me into the dress. It fits like a glove, and I stare at myself in the mirror for a long second with tears in my eyes. The neckline draws attention to my breasts, but the dress in itself shows off my body well.
“Oh, my goodness, Elena, it’s beautiful,” Marie fawns.
“It really is. I don’t think you even have to try on another one. This one right here is gold.” Celeste clasps her hands together.
I run a hand down the front of the gown, the top of the dress is beaded, and the bottom is a little fluffier made with tulle and some other material.
“They aren’t lying, it really does look fabulous on you.” Margaret meets my gaze in the mirror, and as much as I like the dress, I decide to try on another.
We go through the grueling process of trying on another mermaid dress, which I like a little less than the first before moving to an A-line, which I think looks hideous.
“I really think the first one was it.”
“Okay then, now we just have to pick out the rest.”
“The rest? What else is there?”
“Ha.” She tips her head back and laughs. “Don’t be silly. There are the undergarments, the shoes, the veil, jewelry, the flowers, and maybe a purse or a light fur coat if you get chilly.”
“I thought you were just a seamstress?”
“I have many talents, my dear.” She winks.After hours of trying on things and making decisions, I am exhausted, yet I enjoyed every minute of it. After being so isolated for so long, these last few hours have been more than great. Hanging out with girls my age is unusual for me, but it’s something I have yearned for my whole life. I wonder if Julian would ever let me have a girls’ night. Obviously, he wouldn’t let me leave, but maybe a movie and pizza night?
I snuff the thought out as fast I think it. I doubt he would ever let me do something like that, but I can always dream, right?
Margaret packs up all of her stuff and promises me the dress will be done by tomorrow. I thank her profusely, and when she leaves, I stay behind in the sitting room with Marie and Celeste by my side. Silence blankets the room, and I turn to Marie, who looks as if she wants to say something but is afraid.
“Is everything okay?” I ask with real concern.
“Yes, I was just so worried. I heard the rumors about you trying to escape, and I wasn’t aware that you wanted to leave so badly,” Marie admits, frowning at me. “I didn’t know what to do or how to help you. I hadn’t seen you in days and wasn’t allowed to bring the food up. Julian scares me, and I thought the worst, that he would hurt you–”
“You don’t have to worry about me. Julian wouldn’t hurt me, and I honestly didn’t even plan on running away. I thought Julian was with another woman that night. I was angry and mad and thinking irrationally. I just wanted to call my father, and then I overheard the guards talking, and I panicked. I promise I’m fine.”
“There is no reason to be concerned about Elena’s wellbeing,” Julian’s deep voice fills the room, startling all three of us.
Marie’s eyes drop to the floor, and her tiny frame rattles beside me. Celeste also looks to the floor, but she seems less frightened, probably since she wasn’t the one caught talking. Placing my hand against Marie’s shoulder, I give her a gentle squeeze. I don’t think Julian would ever internationally hurt her, but he’s led me to believe he might a few times.
“I... I’m sorry, sir.”
“Do not question what I do with my wife behind closed doors. You’re a maid in my home, and it would be best for you to remember that.”
The stern way he talks to Marie angers me. I bite my tongue, knowing that if I act out, nothing good will come from it. I don’t want to disappoint him, especially after all he’s done for me today. I won’t let this go, though. I’m going to talk to him about the way he acted just now.
“Of course, sir. I apologize.” Marie’s lips tremble as she talks.
