Chapter 85: Chapter 85

~ NYSSA

Jean Luc returned a few minutes later with some dresses on a rack.

My mouth dropped open at the sheer number of dresses being wheeled in. I’d expected maybe one or two but there had to be at least twenty on that rack alone.

“There are some more if we don’t find anything,” he announced, shutting the door behind him. “I know we didn’t discuss much for style, but if you trust me, I think I know exactly what you might like.”

He pulled out three different outfits from the rack: one black dress, one silver and another outfit in red.

He held out the black one to me. “This will be perfect for your date.”

I stepped out of my dress and stood in front of the mirror as he helped me into the black dress. He was very respectful, looking away while I slipped into the skin tight fabric and keeping his hands to himself even as he helped me make adjustments.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, wondering if I was seeing someone else. I even rubbed at my eyes, wondering if the image would change but it didn’t.

The dress was stretchy and stuck to me like second skin, outlining every curve of my hips. The V-neckline showed ample cleavage and dipped right between the valley of my breasts but the real winner was the plunging back. The back of the dress stopped right above my ass, giving an ample view of my spine.

Aria whistled. “I hate thinking about my brother like this, but he is going to go into cardiac arrest when he sees you.”

I couldn’t help but smile to myself at her words.

Sure, my intention was to make him jealous but I actually felt good. It had become less about him now and more about how confident I felt in the outfit.

Jean Luc pulled part of my hair up and out of my face, leaving a few curls to dangle in the front. “Style your hair like this and you will look like every bit of the goddess that you are.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, locking eyes with him through the mirror. “I didn’t think I’d find something so quickly.”

“Jean is the best in the business,” Aria said. “He always knows what you need before you go.”

“Okay, enough praise,” he drawled although I could still see the hint of a smile on his face. “We have two more dresses I need you to try.”

My brows knitted in confusion. “We already found me a dress.”

“Darling, half the fun of going shopping is trying on dresses. We aren’t going to stop at one.”

We tried on the other two.

The red dress had a sweetheart neckline and a long slit that reached all the way up to my inner thigh while the silver dress was jaw dropping. It was nearly sheer and also had a plunging back. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever gather enough courage to wear it out.

At the end of the day, Aria grabbed all three despite my protests. She wouldn’t even let me look at the prices as she swiped her card, whistling to herself about what a fun time she was having.

We said bye to Jean Luc and he encouraged me to come back again, but not before making a very sly comment that had me turning as red as a fucking tomato.

“You didn’t have to get me all three,” I said to Aria as she drove back to the palace.

It felt wrong to have someone spend that much money on me, especially when it wasn’t money I could afford to spend for myself.

“If it makes you feel better, it wasn’t my money.”

“But—”

“It’s Rowan’s.”

My mouth dropped open in shock. “That doesn’t make it better.”

She shrugged. “It should. Consider it part of your revenge. Besides, I don’t think he’d notice or care. We spent less than he makes in a day. I think he’ll be just fine.”

I wasn’t sure how I felt about it but it was far too late to complain, not when we’d already arrived at the palace.

Eric was waiting at the front door, pacing and murmuring words under his breath as we stepped out of the car. As soon as his eyes landed on us, he cursed, stomping over to us with his lips pressed together tightly.

“Do you know how much trouble I’m in?” he whispered harshly. “My job is to watch you and you just disappeared.”

Aria cut in before I could respond. “We just went out for a drive. We needed to get something.”

“Tell that to the King. He asked me where she was and I couldn’t say shit. He’s fucking terrifying.”

I couldn’t help the small laugh that burst out of me.

It was amusing to see someone as strong as Eric being scared of someone else. Eric was the kind of man that appeared in werewolf nightmares and here he was cowering at the thought of Rowan.

“It won’t happen again,” I assured him. “You can take the rest of the day off.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? I’m not leaving your sight.”

He crossed his arms over his chest as if to prove a point.

“You can but I’m going to get ready for a date later tonight so unless your plan is to help me curl my hair or—”

A look of sheepishness washed over him. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as he shuffled away awkwardly. “Bye Eric.”

He didn’t even wave before disappearing into the sea of people.

Once he was gone, I turned my attention onto Aria. She had the shopping bags in her arms.

“Would you be able to help with—”

“You don’t even have to ask,” she cut me off. “I know just the girl who can help.”

I groaned lightly. “Please tell me it’s not another crazy expensive person.”

A ghost of a smile tugged at her lips. “No, you’re in luck this time. She’s closer to home.”

“Who is it?”

“Leah.”

My brows knitted. “Leah? The maid?”

She nodded. “She’s a beast at hair and makeup. By the time she is done with you, you will be fucking unrecognizable. Trust me.”

I exhaled deeply. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?”

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