When Blindfolds Fall

22: The Fitting

"M-Madam CATHERINE!" Josiah gasped sharply and strained his words thanks to the lack of air in his lungs. "Is a corset r-really NECESSARY f-for my FITTING?! Oh Luna, that's tight!"

"I advice you quit your yapping already, Mr. Soon-to-be Doctor." The woman tightening Josiah's corset scolded as she made the last knot of the strings. "Dommates do not appreciate such a vocal submate in marriage."

"I'm not g-gonna be a doctor, madam. I'll be a d-doctor's HUSBAND! OW! Okay okay, I'm sorry, carry on!"

"I bet Bloodfern really likes Josiah to be vocal though." The eldest princess of Lamia snickered to her sister and aunt.

"Fae, that's really none of our business." Amaris Crow interjected.

"Look me in the eye and tell me I'm wrong though."

Evidently, Amaris did agree with Fae's statement because she could not look her in the eye and tell her otherwise.

"Do you think they ever play doctor? Like roleplay?" Magnolia whispered as she leaned closer to them.

"Oh they so do." Fae laughed. "Josiah is way too submissive to say no Bloodfern's kinks."

"Fae, that's my uncle you're talking about! Shut up!" Jenessa Anthurium slapped her girlfriend's shoulder.

"You hit like a princess, princess."

"Oof, okay I'm back, what did I miss?" Artemis finally made it back from the restroom for the fifth time in two hours.

"Oh nothing, just another twenty minutes of Josiah suffering through Madam Catherine's ruthless corset fittings." Fae updated, although, spoke out of experience. "She's the reason I gave up on dresses."

"That's why I go to Dad's handmaid." Amaris giggled.

"Is a corset really necessary for him though?" Artemis asked. "He's getting fitted for a tuxedo, not a dress."

"Josiah specifically asked for a waist defining jacket, I'm afraid." Josiah's sister and Jenessa's mother, Beth Anthurium, replied. "I do feel he did not think it through sadly."

"Perks of being pregnant, I'm forbidden from wearing corsets. I do miss my waist though."

Luckily for the ambassador, the seamstress was done adjusting his corset and gave him an indirect break as she went to search for her tape measurer and some model jackets for him.

"Dear god, I look like I have breasts." Josiah thought as he admired his reflection in the mirror wearing a tight corset. "I can't breathe, how does Beth move in these?!"

"Here we are, Mr. Soon-to-be Doctor." Madam Catherine returned. "What color will you be wearing?"

"Uh, white please." Josiah inhaled. "C-Could I get some water please? And air? I feel like I'm about to pass out."

"Ah, you get cold feet already. No worries, I'm sure you'll be divorced in one year. No need to get excited this soon."

"B-But I don't want t-to divorce him. Luna, oh no--Beth!"

Beth got up from her seat and rushed to her older brother. She didn't need him to tell her why he called her, his sweating face and labored breathing told her all she needed to know.

"Madam Catherine, I'll discuss the jacket options with my brother." Beth smiled at the seamstress. "I think I heard one of the other brides call you."

The seamstress seemed to fall for it, so she left Beth in charge of Josiah and disappeared to crush another customer's ribs. Meanwhile, Beth went around Josiah and undid the knot of the corset to loosen it up.