Chapter 0325

"Seriously, Daph, good job," I say, giving her a thumbs up and wandering over to my wardrobe to sort through the dresses with Juniper. "Now come help me pick out something for me to wear - I have to look at least half as good as you tonight."

"You don't even know what you're going to wear!?" Daphne squeaks, horrified, as she scurries over to my side. "Oh my god, Ariel, I don't know how you live such a chaotic life"

"What are you talking about?" I burst out, laughing. "What's chaotic about -"

"Ariel, I have had this outfit picked out for a month," she says, staring at me like I'm completely insane. "And you're picking out what you're going to wear to the media event of the year - at which you will be center stage, miss mated to the boxer -" here she pokes me in the center of the chest with a finger, making me laugh again, "and you haven't even decided what to wear?"

"It's because she's spoiled," mom says, making me spin in protest as she comes to stand with the three of us at the wardrobe. Mark sprawls over the bed, watching, grinning, enjoying the drama. "I always pick out her clothes - all of my children's, honestly. They've never had to worry about it a day in their lives."

"I pick out my outfits all the time!" I protest.

"Because mom basically turns your room into a department store," Juniper mutters, smirking.

"Oh, look who's talking," I snap playfully, giving my sister a playful shove. But Juniper ignores me, her face going serious with awe as she gasps and reaches for something in the back of the wardrobe. When she pulls out a shimmering silver gown, my eyes go wide. "Ohhh....this is pretty," she murmurs, her hand running over it.

I gasp a little too, because it is a gorgeous dress, the fabric shimmering like liquid. But not in a metallic way - almost like...well, like it's actually water, reflecting starlight, or something equally mythical and fantastic.

"Wow," Daphne says, reaching out to touch it.

"Um," my mom says, and we all turn towards her, surprised by the hesitance in her voice. She reaches for the dress, and Juniper hands it over to her. To my surprise, mom holds it up to me. "Actually," she whispers, "I kind of did buy this with Ariel in mind. Since it's such a special night for her."

I look at my mom in surprise, and then gratitude, because it is an incredible dress - and it was so nice of her to realize that tonight was going to be important for me, with Luca boxing for our nation's pride.

But when I see the way June's eyes cast down to the floor, not at all protesting, but...disappointed...

I know that the choice is simple.

"No, let's let Junie wear it!" I say, beaming at my mom and taking the dress from her hands, holding it out to Juniper's body to see how it looks. Juniper snaps her head up, a little agape.

"But it won't fit me," Juniper murmurs, pushing it away, wanting me to take it since mom got it for me. "It's too long - mom will have had it tailored for you -"

"Well, I can help with that," Daphne says, taking my side and nodding eagerly to June. "I can fix a hem in a cinch. Why don't you try it? I think it's going to look great."

The smile on Juniper's face - it makes the sacrifice of such a stunning dress completely worth it. My taciturn little sister even laughs a little as she takes the dress from my hands and hurries away to the bathroom.

"You are so sweet," mom murmurs, stepping close to me and pressing a kiss to my temple after Juniper closes the door. "But.... you're also going to be naked at this fight. Because I didn't get a backup for you to wear."noveldrama

I grimace a little, turning back to my wardrobe and sorting through the dresses, realizing that mom is right. Because even though there are dozens here, none of them at all match the one that Juniper just took.

I bite my lip, wondering what the hell I should do. I mean, it is an important night - I should look good. There are going to be lots of eyes on me as the returned Princess and the champion's declared mate- I want to show everyone that I'm proud of both.

"Hmm," Daphne says, tapping her lip with her finger and staring into the wardrobe. "I might have an...idea. Do you mind?" She raises her eyebrow at me and mom, and I know that we both give her the same grin.