Page 20 of Dragon King’s Duty Bride

Stella giggled.

“But,” Sia went on, “it’s also full of surprises. And sometimes you find something you didn’t even know you were hoping for.”

Celeste studied her. “Our mother never took us shopping.”

The air shifted.

“I know,” she said softly. “I’m not trying to replace anything. I just thought that maybe we could make something new.” She pointed at Celeste. “And just a little fyi, your mother loved shopping when she was a kid. Our mother always took us out in the crazy, wild retail world.”

Lucas shrugged. “Sounds like a good idea to me.”

Celeste finally nodded. “Fine.”

Sia didn’t miss the little glint in the girl’s eyes that maybe, quite possibly, she was a bit curious.

Crystafalls biggest clothing store was everything Sia had promised. Bright awnings, open doors, and huge plate-glass windows. Stella spun in circles the moment they stepped inside the entrance.

Luna ran her hands over every rack like she was greeting old friends. Celeste stood still and took it all in without a word.

Sia moved to her side. “Do you hate it?”

“I don’t hate it,” Celeste replied. “It is… chaotic.” There was interest in her demeanor though.

“Yes,” Sia agreed. “It is.”

A saleswoman approached with a bright smile as she would any customer, unfazed by titles or posture. “Looking for something special?”

Sia suspected the woman didn’t even know who they were. The girls weren’t always in the public’s eyes, and it was unusual for royalty to just be out shopping.

“We need dresses for our uncle’s wedding,” Luna announced.

“How romantic! Well, you ladies have come to the right place.” She pointed to a section of the store. “You will probably want to start over there. That’s where our smaller sizes are.”

Celeste blinked at the informality. Sia wanted to giggle at the lack of bows and curtsies that the girls were used to. She breathed a sigh of relief when Celeste started to take interest in the racks of brightly colored dresses.

Luna disappeared first behind a curtain with an armful of pastel silk garments. Stella called off any assistance and used the fitting room next. She emerged in something entirely too large and declared herself “a sea princess” because of the blues and greens that made the dress look like a mermaid.

Sia didn’t correct Stella’s overdramatic posing. Instead, she clapped and laughed. It was all about having fun.

When it was finally her turn, Celeste chose something practical. She stepped out in a pale blue dress that was plain and predictable.

“Is this appropriate?” she asked.

Sia tilted her head. “It is,” she agreed.

Celeste’s shoulders stiffened slightly. “But?”

Sia shrugged. “But, it looks like something you would wear to school.”

Stella gasped. “That’s not a wedding dress!”

“It’s not my wedding,” Celeste said sharply.

Sia met her eyes calmly. “You’re allowed to enjoy things, Celeste.”

“I do enjoy things.”

“Name one,” Luna challenged.