Come Winter's End: Fairy Fire Book #1

~𝑪𝒉. 4: 𝑻𝒆𝒂, 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏 & 𝑴𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚~

Place: Lady Cornelia's Dress Shoppe,
Emberfrost Courtyard,
Timberest
Date : Nollaig 3, 1617 11 am

"See this isn't so bad" Lady Elda smiled at Miri holding an armful of dresses and accessories.

Miri sighed, not so bad she thought Ha! The only nice thing she found about this shopping trip was the scenery.

The shop looked lovely, Lady Cornelia the shop owner and Parlan her assistant had it decorated from ceiling to floor for the holidays. Wreaths, snowflakes, garlands, and bows were hung everywhere all twinkling and sparkly. Every detailed decoration seemingly danced under the glow of the brightly colored Yule lights.

Even the mannequins we in on the celebration dressed in their finest holiday attire. In the middle of the shop was a huge Yule tree decorated with lights, beads, ribbons, and bows of every color and size.

At the fireplace they had beautiful stockings hung for the king and queens children as well as the shop workers. The fireplace was warm and crackling. It's copper kettle held a pot of Cinnamon Peppermint Cocoa staying warm in it and its delightful aroma filled the shop.

"Yes I don't know why you put up such a fuss, now go try this one on," Aunt Nan said shoving a frock at Miri, snapping her back to reality. "I'm sure this one will be perfect" she clapped.

She had said the same thing about the last 10 dresses. This monstrosity of lace beads and some sort of shiny material looked even gaudier than the one before.

"Aunt Nan this isn't my style exactly, how about something simpler like that." Miri pointed to the other side of the shop at a simple red plaid dress with just a little lace trim.

Aunt Nan turned her nose up like she had just smelled bad fish. "Let's try that one later dear now go try this." She gently pushed Miri towards the changing rooms.

Shoving herself in the dress she immediately disliked it. "I look like a pastry," she thought. "The things Aunt Nan picks" the girl shook her head. Stepping out of the changing area she saw her Aunt Nan, Lady Elda, and Queen Merewyn sipping tea as Lady Cornelia showed her highness a rack full of dresses.

"Aunt Nan this doesn't really fit probably its way too short," she said showing the lacking length of the ball gown by turning her leg.

She heard a giggle and looking to her left she saw Karina MacKley her friend and castle riding, specialist

Karina ran the King's stable. A small, stout woman who could work magic with horses. (Literally, that was her magic talent.) "You look like a daft cupcake in that frock lass" she continued giggling.

Hearing this Aunt Nan gasp with a shocked looked to her face and Lady Elda chuckled into her tea.

"Dear heavens child what Have you got on," Queen Merewyn said with a smile as she looked up over her teacup and shook her head.

"Karina is right you look like puff pastry in that thing. I don't think that style suits you at all. "Here try this one." Her friend pointed over to the red dress on the mannequin in the window beside then. It was beautiful. A rich holly red, with a round neckline that draped lightly off the shoulders. In the back was intricate lacing and a ruffled bussel.

"Oh that is lovely Miri and it suits you go try it let me see." The queen motioned her towards the changing rooms.

"Yes, your majesty." Miri smiled and mouthed thank you to Karina and the queen as hurried to try it on and get out of that shop.