Page 49 of A Heart Disguised 1

“Now then,” Meredith said, her eyes twinkling. “Let’s see how this masterpiece fits, shall we?”

With ease, Meredith helped me slip into the gown. Her hands fluttered around me with the precision of a hummingbird, adjusting and smoothing as she went. She was all but vibrating with excitement as she fastened the back.

“Oh, Lady Robin,” she cooed as she made a few final adjustments. “You look like an angel descended from the heavens.”

I turned to face the full-length mirror, and for a moment, I didn’t recognize the person staring back at me. The gown fit remarkably well. It hugged my torso before flaring out dramatically, creating the illusion of a feminine silhouette.

“I can’t believe I’m actually wearing a wedding gown,” I murmured, more to myself than to Meredith. The dress was a work of art, transforming me into the very picture of a blushing bride. If only the reality wasn’t so much more complicated.

She patted my shoulder, her eyes misty. “And what a bride you make! The duke won’t know what hit him.”

If only she knew the half of it, I thought wryly. The gown was exquisite—the sort of attire that belonged in paintings rather than real life. But beneath the layers of silk and lace, I couldn’t help but feel like an impostor.

“Well,” I said, trying to inject some lightness into my voice, “shall we go show the others? I’m sure Madame Elodie is eager to see if any adjustments are needed.”

Stepping back into the parlor felt like walking onto a stage. All eyes turned to me—Madame Elodie’s critical, Tessa’s and Tilly’s awestruck, Caelum’s amused—and I fought down the urge to flee back into my room.

“It’s a perfect fit!” Madame Elodie declared, nodding in approval as her assistants clapped their hands with delight.

Caelum regarded me thoughtfully before offering a single nod of agreement—a silent accolade from the lord perched upon his makeshift throne of cushions. “Well, well,” he drawled, “it seems you clean up rather nicely, Lady Robin.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his backhanded compliment. “Your approval means the world to me, Lord Caelum,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

He grinned, clearly enjoying our verbal sparring. “Always happy to boost a lady’s confidence.”

Before I could retort, Tilly and Tessa wheeled in more boxes, their contents threatening to spill out like a fabric avalanche. “There’s more?” I asked, my voice rising an octave.

“But of course!” Madame Elodie exclaimed. “The duke was most insistent on providing a full wardrobe befitting his bride. We have riding habits, evening gowns, day dresses…”

As she rattled off the list, I felt my head spin. The duke had mentioned ordering clothes for me, but I hadn’t expected… this. It was like being caught in a whirlwind of lace and silk.

Tilly and Tessa began unpacking the boxes, cooing over each garment. There were riding habits in rich, jewel-toned velvets, complete with matching hats. Day dresses in light, airy fabrics perfect for summer strolls. Evening gowns that sparkled with intricate beadwork, each one more stunning than the last.

“Oh, Lady Robin, look at this!” Tessa exclaimed, holding up a deep-blue gown with silver embroidery. “It matches the duke’s colors perfectly!”

I nodded weakly, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of clothing. Then, from the depths of one box, I pulled out something that made my heart stop.

“What in Aethoria is this supposed to cover?” I asked, holding up a flimsy piece of fabric that seemed more suited for dusting than wearing.

Madame Elodie’s eyes widened, a blush creeping up her neck. “I… well, that is… The duke provided sketches, you see. We merely followed them.”

Caelum erupted into laughter, drawing everyone’s attention. “Oh, this is priceless,” he said, wiping tears from his eyes. “Those, my dear Robin, are for your honeymoon. That white one goes under your wedding dress.”

The room fell silent, all eyes darting between the garment in my hands and my rapidly reddening face. Meredith, Madame Elodie, and her assistants circled around the delicate pieces like they were relics from some exotic land.

“How fascinating,” Meredith breathed, her fingers brushing over lace and silk. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”

“It’s tradition among demons,” Caelum continued, still grinning as he watched their fascination grow. “We call it ‘lingerie.’ The bride wears these to… enhance the wedding night experience.”

“Lingerie?” I echoed, the foreign word feeling strange on my tongue. “What exactly does that mean?”

Caelum’s grin widened, a mischievous glint in his eye. “It’s intimate apparel, designed to be worn beneath one’s clothes or… alone. It’s meant to entice and allure one’s partner.”

A collective gasp echoed through the room. Tilly and Tessa’s eyes widened, their cheeks flushing a deep red. Madame Elodielooked both scandalized and intrigued, while Meredith’s mouth formed a perfect ‘O’ of surprise.

“You mean… these are meant to be seen?” Meredith asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh yes,” Caelum nodded, clearly enjoying the reactions. “They’re designed to reveal as much as they conceal. The lace, the silk, the strategically placed… openings. All meant to ignite passion.”

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