Blood Royals Bonus Book: Prince Adryan & the Throne

Chapter 24: Prince Adryan & Lady Selina

Selina's POV
There's a dress shop Castle Road, Daa Haan known as Fair Little Lady. Castle Road is my way home. The Rose Palace is only ten minutes walk from the shop. I remember going to Fair Little Lady with my mother. She would pick fabrics for her personal wardrobe. Mother was fond of parties. She always had a new dress for each party she attended. She left me all her dresses with a letter attached to an emerald gown. The letter is in my belongings. I have never opened it. It's been sixteen years since she died. Reading the later will be finite. I don't wanted it to be finite.

The green dress on the bed looks like the emerald one my mother left me. It could be the very same one if I'm not mistaken. The handsewn sequins sparkle in the afternoon light. They sparkle just like they did when they were in mother's wardrobe.

I'm almost afraid to touch it. Where did it come from? Is it silly of me to think that my mother is the only one who owned this dress? Does Fair Little Lady really keep their inventory one of a kind?

I moved away from the bathroom door. I approached the dress cautiously. It is the same dress. I know it because it's missing a sequin. When I pulled mother's letter from it, I was upset. It ripped out a sequin.

"No way!" I whispered.

"Ah! Lovely you found it!" The Queen exclaimed.

"Where... how... this was my mother's!"

"Yes it was." She fanned herself. "You are getting back that beautiful tan Daa Haan subjects have. Wonderful! Try it on!"

"Are we not going to discuss how you got your hands on my mother's dress?"

"I don't believe it's pertinent to our conversation." She closed her hand held fan. "Is it?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "How did you get this?"

"I have people everywhere."

"Who? My father? Did you speak to my father?" I questioned her.

"No. I doubt you want to cross paths with him. Why would I willingly tell him where to find you? I have absolutely nothing to gain from it."

"Then who?"

"One of your mother's lady in waiting. Frances? Yes. Frances. She got it for me and personally delivered it to me."

Mother was fond of Frances. She left her a chest of expensive jewelry.

"Why is it here?" I asked.

"Because tonight you are going out. Tonight you'll be th beautiful woman on a handsome man's arm."

"Adryan?" My voice nearly squeaked.

"Yes. Adryan."

I would love that! I wish the circumstances were different then this would have made a memorable night.

"Has he agreed?"

"Of course he has!" She beamed at me. "Well dear, let's get you dressed!"

She's staring at me.

"What?"

"Without all those layers of clothes you're quite... petite. Have you lost weight or do you always look like this?"

Her remarks forced me to look at a mirror. I have lost weight over time. It's not that I was ever plump but I used to look different. I turned sideways with a queue sigh.

"I suppose living on the edge got to me." I shrugged. "I'm not going to a party hosted by the Duke of Ebrium. What if I run into someone who knows me?"

"It's a masquerade." She revealed a black feathered mask. "See? Can you recognize me?"