They walked out of the palace together beneath the pale morning sun, the towering gates opening slowly as guards stepped aside in practiced synchrony. The air outside felt lighter than the heavy stillness within the palace walls.
The carriage was already prepared, dark wood gleaming, its doors open in silent invitation.
Arthur stood nearby, adjusting his jacket as he watched Serena approach. His expression softened when his eyes t hers.
"Lady Serena," he said warmly, inclining his head. "Forgive . I haven’t had the ti to properly speak with you. I hope you’re feeling better."
Serena returned his smile, genuine and calm. "It’s nothing to apologize for," she replied. "If anything, I should be grateful to you. You journeyed out in the night to find Faith. Thank you."
Arthur’s lips curved slightly. "You’re welco."
Nearby, Faith exhaled loudly, tugging at the fabric around her waist. The palace dress clung to her too tightly, squeezing her ribs and making breathing feel like a chore. She glared down at it in irritation.
"I’m suffocating," she muttered.
Without waiting for permission or further conversation, she excused herself with a dismissive wave and climbed into the carriage. She dropped into the seat, folding her arms tightly across her chest, her expression thunderous.
Athyst stepped closer to Serena and gently took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Have fun, alright? And buy a lot of dresses," she said playfully. "Don’t worry—the king is heavily loaded."
Serena almost laughed. "Aren’t you coming with us?" she asked.
Athyst shook her head. "No. I have sothing important to attend to today. And besides," she added with a small shrug, "I already have an entire room filled with clothes. I don’t need new ones for now."
Serena nodded, understanding.
Alexander approached then, his presence commanding even in silence. He extended a hand toward Serena, helping her into the carriage with a firmness that was careful, controlled. Once she was seated, he climbed in after her. Derick followed, settling into the opposite seat with his usual composed deanor.
As the carriage doors closed and began to move, Athyst and Arthur watched it disappear down the palace path.
Athyst turned, bumping her shoulder lightly against Arthur’s. "Looks like I’m spending my whole day with you," she said casually.
Arthur sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Seems like it."
---
The journey to the shop was short. Barely twenty minutes passed before the carriage slowed to a stop. Serena leaned forward slightly, curiosity sparkling in her eyes as she peered through the window.
When the door opened and they stepped out, Serena’s breath caught.
The boutique before them was large and elegant, its glass windows frad with gold detailing. Soft fabrics and flowing dresses were displayed inside, shimring under warm light. It was nothing like anything she had ever seen before.
"It’s beautiful," she murmured.
"Hm. Not bad," Faith said with a shrug, unimpressed as always.
Derick stepped forward and opened the large double doors. As they entered, the scent of fresh fabric and subtle perfu filled the air.
A middle-aged woman stood near the counter, holding a book she had clearly been reading. She looked up, her eyes traveling lazily—until recognition struck.
Her eyes widened.
"Your Majesty," she gasped, quickly closing the book. "I am deeply honored to have you grace my boutique. And you as well, Sir Derick."
She gestured toward a long, cushioned couch. "Please, sit."
Alexander nodded once and took a seat. Derick followed. Serena and Faith sat stiffly beside them, both unfamiliar with such an environnt.
"I need clothes for the ladies," Alexander said, his tone calm but authoritative. "Your best."
The woman adjusted her glasses, finally turning her full attention to Serena and Faith. "Oh my, I didn’t notice you at first. Forgive ."
She studied them carefully, her eyes sharp and professional. "Let’s try what we already have and see what adjustnts are needed."
She clapped her hands. A younger girl appeared instantly.
"Take the other lady," the woman instructed. "I’ll handle her."
Before Serena could react, the woman took her hand firmly and pulled her toward the dressing room. The younger girl did the sa with Faith, who looked utterly baffled.
"Hey—wait—" Faith began, but the door shut behind her.
---
Minutes later, a server approached the n with a tray. Two cups of coffee and two plates of freshly baked biscuits rested neatly upon it.
"Your Highness, Sir Derick," she said with a smile. "Madam Celene asked to bring you fresh coffee and biscuits."
Derick shook his head politely. "Thank you, but we’re fine."
The server placed the tray down anyway and straightened. "That’s unfortunate. What do you want, we also have sweets and—"
"It’s alright," Derick said calmly. "We’re fine, Miss—"
"Dana Sally," she interrupted with a giggle. "That’s my full na."
Derick nearly frowned but stopped himself, nodding instead.
"Miss Dana Sally," he said, voice asured, "a pleasure."
"You too," she replied brightly, stepping closer. "So, Sir Derick, what do you like to do in your free ti?"
Alexander glanced up briefly, an amused glint flashing in his eyes.
"Excuse ?" Derick asked. "You’re quite direct, don’t you think?"
"No, of course not," she said quickly.
---
Inside the dressing room, Serena stood awkwardly, resisting the urge to cover herself. Though she wore undergarnts, the feeling of being examined made her deeply uncomfortable.
Madam Celene circled her thoughtfully. "You have a rare shape," she said. "Full chest, slim waist. Very elegant."
Serena swallowed. "Th-thank you."
"Green or peach?" the woman asked abruptly.
"Green," Serena replied.
"No," the woman snapped her fingers. "Too dull. Both of them."
Serena blinked. She wondered why the woman asked for her opinion when she wasn’t going to use it.
"We’re done here. You can put your clothes back on," Madam Celene said, turning to write sothing in her book. She tired to think about what she could possibly write in that book.
---
Faith’s fitting was no better.
"These dresses are trying to kill ," Faith complained as tight fabric pressed against her ribs. "I want sothing free, one I can run and walk with and also I don’t like long dresses." She explained and the woman listened carefully.
Madam Celene nodded absentmindedly, scribbling notes. "Practical. Understood."
When both won erged, Serena sighed in relief.
"How was it?" she asked.
Faith groaned. "The worst. She nearly flattened my ribs."
Serena laughed softly.
They returned to the main area where Alexander and Derick waited. Derick looked visibly relieved when they returned, he looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him as the girl beside him wouldn’t stop talking about different that he didn’t care about.
"We’re done, Your Majesty," Madam Celene announced. "A few adjustnts, and the clothes will be sent to the palace."
Alexander stood. "I trust your judgnt. We’re heading to a cordwainer next."
"Try Rose Fittings," Madam Celene suggested. "Her new collection is exquisite."
Alexander nodded. "Send the invoice."
Derick added, "You’ll be paid."
"That’s why you’re my favorite custor," Madam Celene replied.
As they left, Dana Sally waved enthusiastically. "Goodbye, Sir Derick! Have a lovely day!"
Derick ignored her completely.
---
Outside, Alexander paused. "You can continue with Derick," he said. "I have sothing to attend to."
"Where do you think he’s going?" Serena asked once he left.
"I’m certain it’s not a woman," Derick replied.
"No—I didn’t an—" Serena defended herself quickly.
Faith smirked. "Speak for yourself, you looked like you’d fainted inside as the worker was talking to you."
Derick glared. "I wasn’t interested."
"Why? She’s pretty and nice." Serena asked, just like Alexander, she hasn’t seen him get entertainnt from won, they were either alone or working.
Derick folded his arms. "I am not interested in those kinds of relationship with a woman." He said and Faith eyes widen.
"You like n!" Faith exclaid. Derick was a handso man, it would be weird if he likes n.
Derick stepped back, stunned. "What?"
Faith shrugged. "You said you don’t like won do that ans you like n."
"Stop saying that," he snapped clearly uncomfortable with her words. This was the first ti soone was saying such to him and he didn’t like it.
She laughed. "Your reaction says everything.", Faith wanted to tease him with this because she loved the look on his face when he was angry and uncomfortable, he didn’t like the fact that she was a witch staying in the palace so she would make it a rule to always get on his bad side.
Derick opened the carriage door sharply, he already knew her motive and he wouldn’t let her have it. "Get in. We’re late."
Faith frowned but complied. Serena followed quietly, tension lingering between them like an unspoken truth.
As the carriage rolled forward, Serena couldn’t stop staring at the two of them, she wondered what king of relationship they had, Derick was always calm and mostly working but this new side of him he only showed when she was here made her curious.
Faith looked like a handful, she would definitely bring him out of his shell.
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