Lily blinked. She couldn't really decide. Every single wedding dress was a work of art in itself. Having her pick and choose wasn't exactly making the decision any easier. She didn't know much about fashion, especially bridal wear, and didn't know what suited her. But just by looking at the small translucent gemstones on white fabric, Lily could tell how exclusive the dresses were. "These... they're all absolutely amazing. I can't decide..."
"Pick one. Later you can try another one. You can try on as many as you want." Lady de Valoise encouraged her. "And if you do not like something, we can have it changed."
Alexandre let his gaze wander over the rows of white dresses, then got up and went over to Lily. "Try that one first." He said, pulling out one of the dresses.
"Looks like brother has a good eye." Loulou announced as she entered the room, watching the whole scene from the door in amusement.
Alexandre grunted at the sight of his little sister. Today was not the day yet. She could continue to weigh herself safe. But in the background, he would already prepare his attack. Just you wait dearest sister, he hadn't forgotten her.
Alexandre sat back in his chair and watched Lily disappear with the designer in the changing room.
Madame Ploutiette lifted up the hem of the wedding dress and helped Lily out of the fitting room. All who sat on the settee could not help but stare at the bride-to-be. Panting and sighing hung in the air as the designer reached out her hand to help Lily climb up the pedestal to look at herself in front of the mirror. The assistants tiptoed around the girl, spreading the long train of finest French lace onto the floor.
But the moment she turned herself in front of the mirror, his face fell. What the hell was that! His face turned pale and a tough feeling spread around his heart. Her back! He wanted to scream. Her shining back was more than visible.
Heaven! What had he done! Why hadn't he took a closer look, before sending her in the fitting room. He didn't know that he would be stabbing himself in the back like this!
Alexandre ground his teeth. The dress had to be changed!
Lily stared dumbfounded at her reflection. Countless small diamonds sparkled on the ivory-coloured skirt. Alexandre had a really pompous taste. Lily did not even want to know how many zeros were waiting on the price tag. The bell-shaped skirt seemed to consist of countless meters of silk tulle, while her arms and most of her back was only covered by tattoo lace.
The wedding dress itself was quite gorgeous, but the style was gentle. Even though the back was exposed, it couldn't be seen from the front so it didn't appear risque.
Grand-mère clapped her hands. "This must be the dress for church! My darling, you look ravishing." With trembling fingers her grandmother rubbed round tears from her rosy cheeks with a white handkerchief.
"Do they even let her enter the church like this?" Nelli asked with a smirk around her lips, Alexandre's pale face did not escape her attention. After all, she still had a score to settle with him!
"Non, non. There is no problem, ma chérie. " Such a beautiful back cannot tempt the bishop to reach for the smelling salts." Madame Ploutiette eyed her masterpiece critically and valued her creation from top to bottom. Then she turned away and fetched the fitting veil to give her the final touch. "Voilà! So gorgeous."
Alexandre mumbled. Perhaps he had missed the transparent fabric, so he wasn't thrilled at all. The almost naked back view of his wife caused him great distress. His hair stood on end at the thought that other men were able to see her back during the whole ceremony. A sour feeling rose up his throat. "The back is very revealing." He voiced his concerns in a husky voice.
"Non, non, non. Monsieur. This is à la mode now, and yet one of the more modest models. "Look how the fine lace runs around your back. A true work of art in allusion and fascination."
Heck! Alexandre's eyes narrowed. His eyes were dulled with despair. With a frozen expression, like that of an expressionless doll, he thought of a way out. He just needed more cloth! Alexandre swallowed hard.