Page 35 of A Lie so Pretty and Poisonous

“The human!” Ros’ eyes went round, and she took my hand to lead me further into the shop. “Yes, I would be honored to dress you, my lady. Do you have a preference for fabrics, colors, or necklines?”

I sighed. “Please, call me Rory. I don’t think I can take much more of the formalities. Especially outside of the castle.”

Ros turned to Darragh, who awkwardly lingered by the door, eyeing the abundance of rhinestones and lace around him, and looking rather out of place. Colorful silk bows and shimmering formal gloves painted a comical contrast against his all-black attire, adorned with various weapons. A solid mass of muscle and steel amongst dainty refinement.

Rosalyn smiled widely. “Oh, I like her, Darragh. She’s not uppity like the rest of the nobles.”

He arched his eyebrow with a one-shoulder shrug. I still had a hard time reading him.

“And stop skulking in the doorway! You’ll drive away my customers,” she scolded.

Darragh glared at her but sat down in a lavender velvet chair in the far corner of the store. She took my arm in hers and walked me to an elevated platform in the center of the shop, like she hadn’t just chastised the most dangerous seraph in the kingdom. I was both bewildered and impressed.

Ros pulled a measuring tape from her neck and encircled it around various parts of my body. “Now, back to my previous question. Fabrics, colors, and necklines.”

“The only color I don’t like is pink. Everything else is fine, but I gravitate toward woodland or jeweled tones.”

“Of course, Rory. I have a few lovely dresses in those shades that would look stunning on you. You have a figure to die for, and I am excited to dress it.” Ros grabbed my waist from behind and peered over my shoulder into a mirror.

I had never thought my body was anything but fine. Wider hips and fuller bust could make for awkward fits in dresses meant for ladies who were expected to remain as waif-like as possible. Small and dainty was the expectation. After having Cora, my stomach lost some tone, creating a softer silhouette that was lined with stretch marks. Not ideal in socialite circles. I wanted to say I had never been self-conscious about my body, but when I could never meet societal expectations, the voices telling me that I wasn’t good enough or attractive enough started to wear on me.

The seraph women, however, did not fit human expectations. I had seen all sizes and shapes, from athletic to thin to curvy and everything in between. That was one of the best things I had come to see in this place. Variety.

I blushed at her mention of my body. “Well, thank you. I grew it myself.”

You’re so awkward! Stop.

Ros laughed as she took my measurements and nonchalantly handed me dresses. Blues, greens, browns, and even a deep purple dress were placed in my arms. “You’re funny too. Ugh, you’re too good for those nobles to keep cooped up in that castle! You should come and have a pint with me sometime. I can show you the real joys of this city.” She smiled with a wink.

Darragh’s baritone voice cut in, “Absolutely not. Ros, you forget yourself.”

She threw him a scathing look. “Oh, quiet over there. I am talking with my new friend.”

Darragh grumbled under his breath, “Can’t imagine why I don’t visit more often.”

Sarcasm now?

I tried so hard to conceal my smile, but the way she acted reminded me so much of Greta. No nonsense, witty, kind, and thoroughly entertaining. “If I can, I would love that,” I whispered to her.

By the end of an hour, I had ten new dresses, three tunics and riding pants, a pair of riding boots, evening gloves, and four pairs of slippers. I never enjoyed buying these types of clothes before, but Rosalyn was kind, patient, attentive, and gave me exactly what I wanted instead of being told what I had to have. Ros would make the necessary adjustments to the clothes based on my measurements and then send them all to the castle in a day or two.

“Thank you again. You do beautiful work, and I can’t wait to wear them.” I gushed.

She waved off the compliment. “Oh, please. The pleasure is mine, Rory.”

“I would like to bring Cora here if you dress younglings as well.”

“I don’t have any samples for younglings to try on, as noble younglings are far and few between,” she said easily. “But I can certainly whip up a few dresses for your little one. Bring her by.”

Right. The lack of aristocratic younglings. The realization made me cringe.

“I hope to soon.”

Darragh moved like lightning to the door while trying to dodge anything frilly or laced. Before we could step out, Rosalyn cornered Darragh and silently handed him a slip of paper. They made eye contact, let it linger for a moment, and then stepped away from each other.

Rosalyn put her hands on her waist. “Always a pleasure seeing you, you grumpy goat. Next time you come back, bring Rory. She makes your visits more tolerable.”

Darragh let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. “See you, Ros.”