Chapter 25

MILA:

“The entire royal family?” I asked Felix. I could feel my heart thudding in my chest at the thought.

Meeting the parents was scary enough in any relationship–meeting the parents who just so happened to be the King and Queen of a foreign country was an entirely different situation.

Felix clearly sensed my terror, because he pulled me close to him.

“It’s okay,” he murmured into my hair. “They’ll love you. They’re all really nice, promise.”

I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to say no to him, but I also knew that I was way out of my comfort zone on this.

“I don’t have any sort of outfit that’s proper for meeting royalty,” I said tentatively. It was a lame argument, I knew, but it was the only thing I could think of that would get me out of this awkward introduction.

“You were wearing jeans when you met me,” Felix pointed out.

“I didn’t know you were royalty!” I protested.

“Well, then you were wearing much, much less,” Felix added, laughter in his eyes. I playfully shoved his arm and blushed.

“Yeah, that’s not how I’m hoping the introduction to your parents will go,” I said.

“If you’re really concerned about something to wear, let’s go shopping tomorrow!”

My heart sank at Felix’s suggestion. I knew that I did not have enough money for a new outfit, let alone anything remotely appropriate for such an occasion.

He looked at me, understanding flooding his eyes.

“Hey, hey,” Felix said. “This is a shopping trip entirely on me.”

“I can’t let you do that,” I said.

“It’s my family and my suggestion for you to meet them,” he said simply. “Therefore, I will cover the expense of dressing for that moment. Please, Mila. I know you don’t want any expensive or lavish gifts, but let me do something for you. You’re not alone anymore. You’ve got me.”

His words rang in my head: You’re not alone anymore.

I supposed I wasn’t.

“All right,” I conceded. “We can go shopping tomorrow and you can buy me one–” I held up a finger for emphasis– “outfit, and then I will meet your parents and try not to hopelessly embarrass myself.”

Felix picked me up and twirled me around. My fears and embarrassment melted away as soon as he took me into his arms. It was like magic.

“I’m excited,” he said, setting me back down on the ground. “This will be fun!”

Sure enough, there he was, bright and early the next morning, a giant grin on his face, greeting me with a kiss hello and another vanilla latte in his hand. Behind him was a small, yet expensive, car.

“No driver today?” I asked, climbing into the passenger seat.

“Just you and me,” Felix said. My heart warmed at those words.

I had not yet been to the shopping district of Fresia, and when we pulled onto the first street, I could see why. The streets were immaculately manicured, lined with palm trees and ornate boutiques. Beautiful fountains sat in squares in the center of each intersection, and everything–from the cars to the dogs being walked by professional walkers–was way out of my price range. I swear even the trash cans were plated in gold.

The designers who had stores in this area were so high-class and upscale, I hadn’t even heard of them.

I tried to hide my ogling as we made our way to the first store. There was no way they’d even let someone like me through the door, let alone try anything on.

“Your Highness!” The sales clerk rushed over to Felix, dropping into a quick curtsy and then turning to me. “Who is this delightful creature you’ve brought today?”

I blushed. Felix smiled at me proudly. “This is Mila Benson. We need to find her an outfit for dinner with my parents tonight.”

The clerk extended a hand to me. “I’m Marie. I’ve been friends with Felix for years. Come on to the back! Tell me your size and we’ll start pulling options for you.”

My stomach twisted a little at that. I knew Felix’s reputation as a womanizer. I knew what friends usually was a euphemism for.

“Friends?” I whispered questioningly to Felix as we made our way back to the private dressing area.

“Just friends, never anything more,” he promised back in a hushed tone. I felt a slight sense of relief, but still felt on edge.

Marie had already pulled racks of clothing out by the time we made it to the back. A true professional, she had been able to guess my size correctly just by looking at me.

“Try this first,” she said, pushing a blue silk dress into my hands. I caught a glimpse of the price tag and gulped.

Felix saw my face. He held up his wallet at me and grinned.

I sighed and went into the small changing room.

The dress was stunning–an ocean blue of silk that hugged my body without revealing too much, with billowing sleeves and a flared skirt that swished when I walked. I’d never felt prettier in a dress, ever.

I walked out of the room. Marie and Felix oohed and ahhed, telling me how beautiful I looked. I twirled at their compliments.

I tried on a sea of dresses and two-piece sets. It was like my own makeover show. Marie knew exactly which colors looked best on me, and paid attention to what styles I was drawn to.

I felt overwhelmed by my options when she handed me one last hanger.

“This is the final one,” she said, in an almost reverent tone. “I think it may just be the one.”

I carried it into the changing area and slipped it on.

Oh. Wow.

The dress was a pale yellow, with a corset-style top and full skirt. The bodice laced up in the back, making my waist look tiny and emphasizing curves I didn’t even know I had. The skirt had layers of petticoats underneath, giving it a gown-like appearance without being overly formal. The neckline swept just below my collarbone, and the color set off the warmth in my skin.

It was, in a word, perfect.

I emerged from the changing area and looked at Marie and Felix. Marie started clapping in joy, but Felix merely sat there in silence, his jaw hanging slightly open.

Maria looked at him and laughed.

“If he’s speechless, you know it’s a good dress,” she bragged. I blushed again.

“It’s not the dress,” Felix finally breathed. “It’s her.”

Needless to say, we went with the yellow one. Marie even helped me pick out a small pair of earrings and a low-heeled shoe to go with it. I felt like a princess.

As we went up to the register, Felix turned to Marie.

“Thank you for your help,” he said. “She’s going to look amazing.”

Marie winked at me. “She doesn’t need my help for that.”

She wrapped the yellow dress in paper before sliding it into a glossy bag and handing it to me. I eagerly took it and was ready to head out when Felix said something even more shocking.

“We’ll take it all,” he said. “Everything she just tried on.”

I couldn’t even hide my shock.

“Everything?” I squeaked.