"It's my ball, Thea," she protests. "I thought at least you would support me."

"Wyn, I would support you in anything but this. Not when it's your reputation at stake."

The bell to the shop rings. Glancing at the door, I note three women coming inside, all dressed in expensive dresses, their features stained by arrogance as they barely spare a glance at the staff.

The middle one, a dark-haired woman around my age, scans the shop until her gaze lands on Thea and Wyn, her dark blue eyes gleaming insidiously.

Her lips twitch as she gives a signal to the other two girls to follow her.

"Mrs. Bali, I specifically requested this time for my appointment," she starts in a haughty tone, her eyes narrowed at the seamstress currently helping Wyn with her dress.

"Your Highness, I am sorry. I already told you I was booked for this hour. Lady Sigmore will not take much longer. Why don't you come back in an hour? I will be able to attend you then."

"No," she replies resolutely. "I want to have my fitting now."

"Your Highness, as you can see, I am busy with a client..."

"Her?" The woman cuts her off as she assesses Wyn's gown, the corners of her mouth curling in disgust. "You might as well cut your appointment short. There's nothing anyone can do that is going to spare her the embarrassment with that gown."

"Elora..." Wyn seethes, her hands balled into fists. "You're going too far."

"Am I?" Elora smirks. "I'm not the one commissioning a gown with a blue dragon for my debut." She laughs. "As if General Aethon would ever look at someone like you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Thea intervenes, taking a step forward.

"Stay out of this, Thea." Wyn shakes her head at Thea. "This is between me and Elora."

"And the entire Aperion that will laugh at you." Elora rolls her eyes.

"You're just jealous my brother happens to be Aethon's best friend, and he's going to come to my ball. I doubt he'll come to yours," Wyn says as she pushes her chin up.

"You—"

"What was it in that letter that you sent him? Dear General Aethon, it would please me immensely to invite you to my debut ball. It is going to be the grandest ball Arche has ever seen..."

Elora's eyes widen. "How did you⁠—"

"This?" Wyn raises an eyebrow as she opens her palm, materializing a stack of letters. "Sorry to say they got lost in the mail." She smiles.

"Damnation! Wyn's going to be in so much trouble," Thea mutters under her breath.

"I think she rather reminds me of someone I know," I add jokingly.

Elora moves to grab the letters, but Wyn takes a step back, holding her hand higher as the letters turn to dust.