Rosalia looked as if sleep had become a distant memory, her eyes shadowed by exhaustion. A pang of guilt twisted in my chest. Dressmaking was her passion, her whole world, but watching her push herself so far for the sake of a single obsession made my heart ache. I tried to help in my own quiet way, letting my hand brush against her arm, hoping to ease some of the fatigue she carried with a small dose of healing magic.
Rosalia wanted to save my dress for last, so I decided to just kick back and have a long-overdue chat with Rika while Rosalia took the final measurements and made the adjustments. No one could make this many dresses in a day, especially not complicated ball gowns. The dresses were long-finished today; it would just be the first fitting.
“And what do you think about Amor?” asked Rika curiously.
“Well, it isn't as bad as Janus described it. Some parts are even really beautiful, especially the Eclipse Cathedral. I have never seen such fantastical stonework.”
"Really?" You liked it? I mean, don't get me wrong, it is beautiful, I just thought you would think differently about it.
“Ah. No need to worry, the church and I had our talks, and it seems I'm off the hook. There is even a high chance I could get to work with them, but because of the little prince, any further talks got pushed back until after the welcoming party.”
“What were you even on the hook for? If I may ask.”
“That is a bit of a secret, but it was mostly because I'm a talented healer that isn't part of the church.”
Rika raised her eyebrow, making it obvious she didn't believe my story, but she didn't dig any deeper.
The rest of the conversation covered all kinds of topics like the Yuwen estate, what Janus and I had been up to, the visiting grandparents, how the twins are doing, and how the rest of the family got along.
“And how was it for you and your family?”
“Sigh…, not much, just the usual. While we were away, the servants who were supposed to look after our residence slacked off a bit, and father had to rein them back in.”
A cold shiver crept down my spine as I imagined what 'reining them back in' might actually mean. Some things were better left unspoken, I thought.
“One would think no one would even dare to upset your father.”
"Huh?" Oh, because he is so big?”
I nodded bewildered
“Hahaha, my father is a total sweetheart; it's my mother they should be scared of.”
It was hard to picture her mother—so small and always so kind—harboring a temper fierce enough to make anyone tremble.
Just as I opened my mouth to ask another question, Rosalia's voice cut through the room, bright and insistent.
“Rika, you are next!”
Rika leaped up, leaving my question hanging in the air, and I tucked it away for later, hoping the moment would come back around. With nothing else to do, I let my gaze wander over the others, all caught up in Rosalia's artistry. They spun and twirled, letting the delicate lace and embroidery catch the light, each dress a different color except for Martha and Emilia, who wore matching navy blue. Their designs seemed to come alive only when they stood side by side, as if the fabric itself longed for their closeness. Emilia looked a little uncertain, but when Martha noticed their matching dresses and grabbed her sister's hands, even she couldn't hide a shy smile. Martha pulled her through the room, laughter bubbling up like a child at play, while Emilia tried to keep up. Maggie, not wanting to be left out by her mother and aunt, grabbed Fiona's hands and tried to mimic their dance, her joy infectious.
I was so lost in watching the little spectacle unfold that I barely noticed Rika slip back to my side, already transformed in her stunning green ball gown. It wasn't until Rosalia called my name that I realized she was there at all.
“Ruby, it's your turn. "Ruby!"
When I finally saw my dress, I could only stare, breathless. Words felt useless in the face of what Rosalia had created. The gown was strapless, a cascade of scarlet reds that seemed to flicker and burn with every movement. It was as if someone had captured a living inferno and coaxed it into silk and thread. Flames curled around my chest, embroidered in twisting patterns, while rubies, topaz, and clear amber glimmered like embers caught in the blaze. I almost believed the fire was real, alive, and hungry.
I hesitated to even touch it, afraid I might get burned, but Rosalia was quicker, slipping the dress over me before I could protest. Standing before the wall of mirrors, I watched the fire wrap itself around me, so vivid and wild that I could almost feel the heat prickling my skin.
When I finally managed to tear my gaze from the mirror and look at the others, I saw the same astonishment reflected in their faces. For a moment, it felt like we were all caught in the same impossible dream.
“Ruby, you…”
"By the gods.”
“Rosalia, how did you…”
“You are glowing!”
“Huh?”
The other comments made sense—I felt the same awe—but glowing? I glanced down, and sure enough, the dress shimmered with a soft flickering, living light, golden and red, as if the flames had found a way to breathe.
How could it be glowing? I wasn't a light mage, nor a fire mage, and no one else here was either. So how in the world was this possible?
“Ehm, Rosalia, is this because of some magical tool you have?”
Rosalia didn't seem to hear me at all; she just stared, wide-eyed, as if she was seeing something sacred. It took Rika gently shaking her shoulder to bring her back. Even then, she could only shake her head, just as lost as I was. We tried the dress on Rika, but the glow vanished, only to return the moment I slipped it back on. Rosalia didn't know the reason, but she seemed to have someone in mind who might.
“Maybe my grandfather might know,” murmured Rosalia.
“Your grandfather? Could I meet him?”
“Ehm, why even though it's glowing, it doesn't seem to be dangerous?”
She was clearly dodging my question, but a small idea began to form in my mind.
“Well, it might look harmless now, but since we can't be sure, maybe I should just wear something else instead.”
“What!”
Of course, after that little threat, Rosalia INSISTED that I had to meet him.