Lilliana held up a silk gown, its fabric an emerald green. "Viviana, look at this one! It would be perfect for the spring gala."
Viviana, however, wasn't concentrating. Her eyes were fixed on the window, scanning the bustling street below. She was waiting, her senses sharp, for a signal, anything. But nothing came. The world outside remained ordinary, oblivious to the silent tension humming within her.
"I guess there's nothing for me to do then", she thought, a faint sigh escaping her lips.
"Vi?" Lilliana's voice pulled her back. "Are you even listening?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes, Lily. It's lovely," Viviana said, forcing a smile. She gestured lightly at the dress. "Very… green."
Lilliana pouted. "You're no fun today. Come on, we need to find something for you too! Madame Dubois said she has new shipments from Parisine."
Madame Dubois fluttered over. Her French accent was thick, like warm honey. "Ah, mes chéries! Such exquisite taste you have, ma petite Lilliana! And for our Mademoiselle Viviana, I have just the thing." She pulled out a dress of deep, midnight blue, simple yet elegant, with long sleeves and a high neckline. "It will bring out the color of your eyes, non?"
Viviana actually looked at it. The dress was practical, not too flashy. "It's fine," she said, a rare note of approval in her voice.
They spent another hour in the shop. Lilliana, in her usual excited fashion, picked out several more dresses: a vibrant yellow day dress, a delicate pink one adorned with lace, and a sparkling silver gown for formal events. Viviana ended up with two more, both dark, tailored, and easy to move in—a rich burgundy and a charcoal gray.
Finally, their shopping spree concluded. Captain Albert waited outside with their carriage. He began loading their numerous boxes. "Quite the haul today, young ladies!" he chuckled.
As Viviana and Lilliana stepped out of the store, a man, seemingly in a rush, bumped into Viviana. She lost her footing, stumbling backward, and nearly fell. "Oh!" she gasped, catching herself.
"I'm so sorry, miss!" the man exclaimed, his voice filled with feigned distress. As he reached out to steady her, his hand brushed against her palm, and a small, folded piece of paper slipped into her hand. "Truly, my deepest apologies." He bowed quickly, then disappeared into the crowd.
Lilliana rushed to Viviana's side. "Vi, are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Viviana, already dusting off her clothes, replied, "I'm fine, Lily. Just a clumsy oaf."
Her fingers curled around the note, concealing it from view. Her mind, however, was already racing. A deliberate bump. A note. This was no accident.
Just then, Captain Albert leaned out from the carriage. "Your highness! I've just received word from the palace. Your father needs your presence immediately."
Viviana saw her chance. While Lilliana turned to Captain Albert, her brow furrowed with concern, Viviana subtly unfolded the small paper. On it, a single word was scrawled in hurried, precise script: "Abyss."
Viviana's heart gave a strange lurch. She already knew what it meant. Her presence was needed. The guild. Now.
Lilliana turned back to her, her face a mix of confusion and mild panic. "Vi, father wants to see me. Right now."
Viviana offered her a reassuring smile, a practiced mask. "Go on, Lili. I still have some shopping left to do. A few things I forgot." She paused, then added, "I'll be with you by dusk, though. Can't miss brushing your hair, can I?"
Lilliana's face brightened. "Oh, you're the best, Vi!" She gave Viviana a quick hug, then climbed into the carriage. Captain Albert closed the door, and with a crack of the whip, the carriage rumbled away, leaving Viviana standing alone on the busy street.
The carriage sped through the city streets, carrying Lilliana towards the palace. Her mind raced with questions. Why would her father need her so suddenly?
Upon her arrival, she was ushered directly into the King's study. King Roland stood by the grand fireplace, his back to her. He turned as she entered, his face unreadable.
"Father," Lilliana said, curtsying deeply. "Captain Albert said you needed to see me."
King Roland took a deep breath. "Yes, my dear. I have important news." He walked to his desk, picked up a rolled parchment, and turned to face her fully. "You are going to Eldoria in three days."
Lilliana's eyes widened. Eldoria? The kingdom across the treacherous mountain range? Her heart pounded. "Whatever for, father?" she asked, a knot forming in her stomach.
The King's gaze was firm, unwavering. "For your marriage, Lilliana."
The words hit Lilliana like a physical blow. Her jaw dropped. Her carefully composed facade shattered. "Wait, What?!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the quiet study. Her face drained of all color, her mind reeling. Marriage? To whom? And why Eldoria?