Page 34 of Powerful Prince
I shook hands with the four women in the room. They measured me thoroughly, and then Emily guided me to a table full of books. We went through multiple design sketches of dresses and I pointed to a few I especially liked. One of the women then put a sticker on the page as a marker.
Another woman disappeared with the notes and then returned with a rack of dresses.
My heart thumped.
Was I picking a wedding dress? I held one up and the bottom reminded me of the scene fromBeauty and the Beastwhere the bookworm teaches the Beast to dance, only in a white satin. I sighed and said, “This one is gorgeous.” My breast vibrated suddenly, and I said, “My phone is ringing.”
I walked away from Emily and the others and took refuge on a small balcony area.
The air was fresh and clean and I answered as I gazed at the bay in the distance, “Olivia, hi.”
My sister, the teacher in Pittsburgh, said, “I’m so excited to fly out! I can’t wait to meet you and Stephanie there.”
Good. I laughed. Family was my rock and I needed them. Part of me wished my father were here to meet Ryder, but I kept that to myself. I said, “I’m glad you can take the day off.”
Olivia said, “Georgie, Indigo and Ridley are hard to reach these days.”
The three of them hadn’t answered the text, voicemail or email I’d sent. I’d tried to invite them to the wedding, but Georgie was married to a baseball player and I’d need the team schedule to find out her availability; Indigo had married a billionaire who could be anywhere; and Ridley was married to a cowboy billionaire who never left his ranch much. With them not answering, I wasn’t sure what to do. I sighed and said, “I’ve invited them. If they can’t make it, I understand.”
Olivia laughed and, if she’d been here with me, I know she’d look up at me like I was her hero, just as she had when I’d stopped that boy in elementary school from picking on her by tossing him against the wall. Then she said, “You’ve always been super forgiving. It’s one of the many reasons you’ll be a perfect princess.”
I wish she was here so I could calm down. She’d pick a wonderful dress for me. “Aww, Olivia, one day you’ll find the perfect guy for you.”
She sighed loudly. “Well, my sisters probably took all the good ones, but thank you.”
If Olivia was here, I’d remind her that she’s the sweetest of us all, but for now I said, “I have to go.”
“Talk to you soon,” she said, and I knew her being here for the wedding was going to be amazing.
I returned to Emily and the selection of dresses. Her eyes were wide and I realized my hair was blown out of place. I tucked it behind my ears and she asked me, “Who was that?”
I picked up the dresses and said, “My sister, Olivia. She’s the youngest. She’s a teacher, and excited to get out of the classroom.”
Emily nodded at the three choices I had grabbed and said, “I have always wondered what it would be like to just work at a regular job, and not have the stress of palace life where people notice if I gain an ounce.”
I took the three dresses into the bathroom and decided to try the fairy tale one first. I quickly put it on and called out, “I’d hate being judged like you.”
I came out in the dress and she shook her head. Unfortunately, I agreed. The style would look better with brighter colors.
I slipped on the second dress and everyone gasped as I came out. It had long bell sleeves and was made of satin, with layers of chiffon and tulle that created a full ballroom skirt to complement the slimming top with a sweetheart neckline.
I agreed. I looked amazing. I tried on the third one, but the second one was my final choice. I handed it to the tailors.
As we finished, Emily directed me back to the balcony I’d been on. She said, “So, let’s take a selfie together for your social media.”
“Perfect.” I laughed and snapped a few photos. A minute later, I showed her the selection and we picked one we both liked.
I typed out“Fashion advice from Princess Fashionista.” She was giving me a thumbs up in the photo. Then I posted it.
We had tons of immediate likes.
One day I’d not have to do this, but for now, I checked my stats. My blog was registering record highs. I turned it off quickly without processing all the details.
I put my phone away as Emily and I left the royal tailors’ atelier. But then Emily said, “I am so happy that your blogging and writing get father’s royal exception.”
My eyes narrowed. “Why?”
She shrugged and walked with me to the main part of the castle. “Gives me hope that one day I can break free of my royal duties. Though Harry needs to marry first, so his wife can take over all the princess duties.”
