Chapter 132: Enemy meet at the narrow path

We sat in the carriage to go to the town but my mind was still stuck to the words I exchanged with Ian a while ago. I hope i had taken the right decision, but the anxiety was still clawing my heart out,

"Are you okay, Mari?" asked Roselia and I nodded finally coming back to my senses.

"It's been a while since we all went to town together," I added and she smiled.

"Yes, i did not know aunt and Dami are also joining us, otherwise i would have taken a leave and had joined them." she said with a sigh and I chuckled.

"You are still going with us, you know.'' I added and she glared at me.

"I am going as your knight, i won't be able to sit with you and choose the clothes and i would not even be able to try clothes and buy them" she said puffing her cheeks and i shook my head.

"Mother, brother Damien are also joining us?" Killian asked, surprised and I nodded.

"Since it's sunday, everyone is free, so they all decided to have a meal together and spend some good time" I said patting his shoulders and he nodded.

"Mother, father would be free too." he said after a minute of silence and I looked back at him.

"No, he must be busy training Philip, he has a lot of other work except handing his office." I replied and he contemplated but nodded.

"Killian, I want you to enjoy it there, we could have ice cream or any dessert you want, and can buy anything you like. I bought you here, so that you can enjoy, alright." i said and he nodded, though i was sure it would still take time to him to adjust among us freely.

"Your highness, we are here" the guard announced and Norma and Kate opened  the door for us.

Soon we reached the town, and walked to the designated shop that was decided last night.

"Like always you are late, and you are looking like a man." said Damien and I chuckled, while Roselia just glared and ignored him, from her expresion it was clear that she used to hear his teasing all the time.

"Look at the watch, it's 10, I am on time, like always you are early Dami '' I added and others laughed.

"Both of you come and sit here?" my mother chided.

"You are still the duchess, do remember that." she added but her voice was warm, 

"But this is my father's store." i said looking around, i knew almost all of them since childhood.

She shook her head, "behave Mari, we will talk when we go to the taverns, or tea house,

"Killian, child, come here, and tell me which suit do you like?" she asked and only then did i noticed, there are more than 10 suits were there on the mannequin dolls.

"Have you bought yours?" i asked Dami and he coughed,

"I already had one ready." he said and my eyes narrowed, why was he behaving strangely.

"I bought one from the nearby town when I went yesterday," he added, but before I could ask anything I heard Roselia.

"I think that coffee shade is better," said Rosellia.

"No, that black one looks better," said Dami.

"Of course, as a lawyer, you would only like black color." said Rosellia and we all smiled.

"Killian, go and chose yourself dear, choose one according to your liking and occasion, you will wear it on the anniversary," i said and he nodded, i wanted him to chose himself because mostly his dresses were the small copy of Cassius wardrobe, he never get the chance to select something personally.

"Mother, how about this one?" he asked, pointing at the blue suit which had diamonds embedded as buttons and had a black streamline. It was looking noble yet a bit trendy.

"It's a good choice, son," I smiled proudly and his ears turned red.

My mother patted my shoulders as I patted Killian's.

"So, shall we go to choose your gown next?" asked my mother and I shook my head.

"I will wear my wedding gown." i stated and all of them turned to look at me as if i had said i would wear rags, that was one of a kind dress, embedded with all the rare jewels, i was sure if i pluck every jewel form the dress, i can even build my own palace by selling each of them.

"Is there any special reason behind your choice, Mari?" my mother asked me in concern and I shook my head.

"That's the most beautiful dress in the whole empire." I added and all of them looked at each other.

"But, we can still go and choose a gown for each of you." i said and my mother smiled, but her smile was looking forced.

We walked towards the biggest shop of gowns, their every gown was unique and built with rarest sik and gems, there would be no designer that could compare with their gold thread embroidery or the work of crushed diamonds.

We all settled in the counter when I heard voices.

"Since you did not know the difference between golden and bright yellow color you should not work here anymore."

"My lady, I beg you… this is the dress which was ordered by you. I had designed the dress and even asked for your acceptance before sewing it. If it won't be sold now, I will lose my job" the girl was already on the verge of crying.

"Who cares about that! But if i do not get my golden dress ready in an hour, i will make sure that this place won't stay in business anymore." came the haughty remark of Isabella, did she think she was the empress, even i could not claim that i would be able to close the boutique that was the best in the whole empire, wasn't she afraid that all noble ladies would haunt her.

"I beg you, my lady. At least give me a day, i promise, i will make a much better dress for you.'' A poor girl was begging.. But when did Isabella have mercy.