Chapter 182: A Dress Chosen by Shadows
Chapter 182: A Dress Chosen by Shadows
Elyn’s POV
Vaelory’s fingers worked carefully at the ties of my current gown, her touch gentle but efficient. Rin moved around us like an overexcited general preparing for war, adjusting lantern light, clearing space on the platform, muttering about timing.
I stepped out of my dress and into the sea-foam gown.
The fabric slid over my skin like cool water. Vaelory fastened the halter at the back of my neck while Rin smoothed the skirt down my hips. The chiffon layers settled softly around my legs, whispering against one another when I shifted my weight.
I stepped onto the platform.
The mirrors caught me from every angle.
The gown clung lightly at the bodice before flowing down in fluid lines, the silver embroidery at the neckline catching the amber lantern glow. The halter framed my shoulders elegantly. The skirt moved like a tide, graceful and controlled.
The sleeves were long—sheer and fitted—and extended past my wrists in delicate tapering points. There were small openings at the ends so I could slip my fingers through, the fabric draping over the backs of my hands like soft fins.
It was beautiful.
There was no denying that.
I turned slowly, watching the sea-foam fabric shimmer between green and blue as the light shifted.
Versha tilted her head.
Vaelory studied my reflection.
Rin folded her arms.
I knew before they said anything.
Versha was the first to shake her head. "It’s not the dress."
Vaelory nodded immediately. "It isn’t."
Rin exhaled softly. "It’s beautiful, my lady. But it’s not suitable."
I met my own gaze in the mirror and gave a small nod.
"It’s elegant," I said. "But it doesn’t feel like... this."
The introductory ball wasn’t just a celebration. It was a statement.
This gown felt like I was attending someone else’s event.
Versha was already moving, her multiple eyes scanning the racks with sharp calculation. She reached for another piece and held it up.
This one was deep velvet.
"This one," she said.
Rin’s eyes gleamed. "Oh."
Vaelory hesitated, then nodded. "Try it."
I stepped down and let them help me change.
The velvet was heavier than the sea-foam silk, warmer against my skin. It slid down my torso in a smooth, luxurious line. The neckline was modest at first glance, curving gently across my collarbones—but the back—
The back was daring.
It dipped low.
All the way down until the cut stopped just at the top of my ass, the velvet hugging my hips before flowing into a narrow, structured skirt that widened slightly at the hem.
The sleeves were short—barely brushing my upper arms—but dramatic in construction. Layers of silk and velvet were rolled and structured into sculpted bands that crossed over the tops of my hands in intricate crisscross patterns. Thin straps extended from the sleeves, wrapping around my wrists and anchoring the design elegantly, as though my hands were adorned in living velvet ribbons.
It was bold.
It was demonic.
It was... stunning.
I turned slowly, watching how the velvet caught the light in darker and lighter ripples. The exposed back felt cool under the lantern glow.
"I like the back," I admitted.
Rin smirked. "Of course you do."
Vaelory stepped closer, studying the silhouette critically. "It is beautiful, Your Highness..."
But it still wasn’t the dress.
"It doesn’t feel like the ball," I said slowly.
The other three nodded.
"It’s a huge competition for the after party, but for the ball itself, it’s not the dress," Versha said.
"It’s powerful," Rin said thoughtfully. "But not... inaugural."
I exhaled.
I stepped down again, letting them undo the dress.
The three of them began rifling through the pile on the bed once more—fabric rustling, murmured debates starting up again. Versha dragged down something in obsidian lace. Rin dismissed a bronze number immediately. Vaelory was quietly assessing structure and silhouette like a seasoned strategist.
And that was when I saw it.
At first, I thought I had imagined it. But then I looked again and noticed Zorathys’ shadows near a fabric hidden behind most racks.
The shadow nudged the dress forward. It took it from the rack and held it out to me.
I just stared at it and let out a soft laugh before I could stop myself. I took the dress from it. I wasn’t even surprised that Zorathys would do something like this.
The fabric alone told me everything. It was silk.
The front was structured high—almost severe—with a sleek neckline that rose to the base of my throat.
The back dipped low in a clean, refined curve, exposing my spine down to the small of my back before tapering into the fitted waist.
The colors shouldn’t have worked together.
Black formed the base—deep and absolute. Gold embroidery threaded through it in intricate patterns that climbed from the hem upward like flame catching wind. And woven subtly within the design were threads of red... ruby red like his eyes.
Black like his shadows.
"Your Highness?" Vaelory called gently.
"I’ll try this one," I said quietly.
Rin blinked. "Where did that come from?"
I smiled faintly. "It was here."
Technically true.
They helped me change again.
The silk slid over my skin like a whisper. The bodice fit perfectly—structured without being restrictive. The high neckline elongated my frame, regal and composed. The sleeveless cut left my shoulders bare, clean lines emphasizing posture rather than skin.
The embroidery was exquisite up close. Black-on-black detailing created depth beneath the gold and red threading. The patterns were reminiscent of traditional qipao-inspired motifs—elegant florals and sweeping curves—refined and restrained, reminiscent of the Republican-era Chinese cheongsam silhouettes from my previous life.
At least that’s how it was to me.
There was an attached embroidered stole—a long, flowing silk shawl that draped from the back of the shoulders, detachable but clearly designed as part of the ensemble. The same black, gold, and red embroidery lined its edges. When I slipped my arms through it and let it hang loosely behind me,
I stepped onto the platform and was met with silence.
Rin stopped mid-sentence.
Versha’s multiple eyes widened.
Vaelory froze.
I turned slowly.
The silk moved flawlessly with me. The low back caught the lantern glow, the gold embroidery gleaming against the dark fabric. The stole flowed behind me with restrained drama—not loud, but commanding.
Versha nodded first.
"That’s the dress."
Her voice held no hesitation.
"It’s classy," she continued. "And it suits you."
Rin walked closer, studying every detail. Her expression shifted from surprise to satisfaction.
"It complements the King too," she said softly. "The colors. The embroidery. It even matches what he would wear."
I felt warmth rise in my chest but kept my face composed.
They had no idea.
No idea that Zorathys had chosen the dress for me.
Vaelory’s eyes shimmered slightly as she stepped back to take in the full view.
"Oh," she breathed. "Your Highness... this is it."
She clasped her hands together.
"A sleek bun," she continued excitedly. "Low and elegant. No loose strands. It will highlight your neckline perfectly."
Rin nodded. "Minimalist makeup."
"Yes," Vaelory agreed. "Soft emphasis on the eyes. Nothing heavy. It will be perfect that way."
Versha circled me slowly. "The silhouette is commanding without being provocative. The embroidery gives presence. It says queen."
Vaelory smiled proudly. "It says untouchable."
Rin’s voice softened. "It says she belongs here."
Vaelory turned to Rin, face scrunched up. "No, she doesn’t," she said to Rin.
I sighed because I knew another argument was about to ensue between them.