Within their dreams (Reverse Harem)

Chapter 18

Ivy's POV

A hundred dresses is an understatement. Scarlette forced me to try on at least three hundred, bringing rails and rails of elaborate gowns to the palace for me to choose from. She finally let me have a break at lunchtime, but only to talk about shoes and accessories.

"Scarlette, I really appreciate you helping me with this, but if you make me put on one more dress I'll scream."

Scarlette laughs, tossing a tulle monstrosity onto the dress pile next to her.

"Isabella will probably drag me out by the hair soon if we don't finish up anyway." She waves her hand to the piles of dresses scattered across the room. "So which one do you like most?"

"I was thinking the gold one? I really liked the way it fit."

"I loved that one! Now, where did we put it.." She starts digging into the piles, throwing dresses all over the place. She shrieks in victory, holding up the bunched fabric. Some maids come in, bowing quickly before beginning to tidy up the place.

"I'm so sorry," I say, helping them pick up one of the many dresses we discarded.

"It's okay miss" A young girl gently takes the garment from my hand, shooing me away.

I slump on the sofa next to Scarlette, watching her zip the gown into a protective bag laid across her lap. Her head snaps up, a faraway look in her eyes.

"Everything okay?"

Scarlette groans, falling back onto the sofa. "Isabella is on her way over. She's pissed."

"Why?"

The door slams open, and a scowling Isabella walks in, scanning the room until she finds Scarlette. A sheepish grin falls on Scarlette's face and Isabella walks over, hand on her hips.

"You're still here?"

"No, I went home ages ago. You're hallucinating."

"Funny." Isabella casts a glance over at me. "Did you find a dress for next week?"

I nod. "Yeah, two-hundredth was the charm."

I spot Isabella's lips twitch and internally smile at the small victory.

"She really made you try on that many?"

"Hey! She needs to look fabulous if she wants to make a good impression. Plus," she throws another dress bag at Isabella, who catches it with ease. "I found us something to wear too."

"Because we don't have enough dresses already?" Scarlette just rolls her eyes and grins, pulling her down onto the sofa next to her.

"So, what now?"

"Um," I glance at the grandfather clock in the corner. "I actually need to go and meet Willow."

"Sounds fun! What are we doing?"

I sputter, wringing my hands. "Well, Willow and I were planning on hanging out just the two of us."

"Can't we join?" I avoid their eyes, looking down at my lap.

"It was actually supposed to be more of a private thing and Willow might feel awkward." A bad lie, but I'm hoping they don't notice.

"Oh." Well, shit. Now I feel bad. One of my first friends here and I upset her days after meeting. Nice going, Ivy.

"I'm really sor-"

"Don't worry about it." Scarlette waves her hand. "We'll hang out another time. I'm sure Isabella would prefer not to share me for any longer anyway." Isabella doesn't say anything but kisses Scarlette gently, ignoring my presence.