"Oh! By the way! Layla! We'll go to an exquisite boutique to check up on Sophia's elegant wedding dress," Amelia told Layla.

"Ah, perfect timing! We'll be leaving the house, too. We'll buy this kid an outfit for the wedding, too," Layla replied.

"Splendid!" Amelia smiled.

     Oliver and the Fuers left the household and turned towards their left, while Sophia and her parents headed to their right. The two families parted ways and walked in opposite directions. Though not far from one another, they ventured towards their destinations in the bustling downtown.

     Oliver and the Fuers reach a clothing store between humongous buildings in the streets. Inside the establishment, luxurious dresses drape over mannequins, and folded clothes lie on display behind windows. Gold trimmings give depth to the white walls, and plants with vibrant, colourful flowers bring contrasting colours to the place.

Upon entering, a polite salesman in his 30s greeted Oliver and the Fuers. "Ah, welcome! What can I do for you?"

"Give us your cheapest but the nicest outfit reserved for a groom," Layla ordered.

The salesman had a huge grin. "Yes, I'll bring it out right now!" he said while rubbing his palms.

     Oliver began to wander around the store. His smile and eyes widened when he stumbled upon the women's aisle and saw lavish dresses. Suddenly, Oliver heard Layla call for him, so he returned immediately.

"Kid!" Layla called, her voice bouncing on the walls.

"Coming!" Oliver hurried and stood between his adoptive parents.

The salesman brought folded clothes to Oliver and the Fuers. "We are in the midst of the traditional fashion revival trend! So, here you go!" he exclaimed. "A red plaid waistcoat for you. Red symbolizes love and passion, and it will give the couple a healthy relationship," the salesman explained as he unfolded the clothing. "...And since it's spring, green is a great colour to incorporate into your outfits!"

"How much is this?" Layla inquired.

"Thirty gold coins, Ma'am," the salesman answered politely.

Oliver gazed at the outfit in amazement. "Wow, this is fancy." He then asked the salesman, "...Do you think we'll have new trends in the next few years that will change our fashion?"

"Very likely, sir. Fashion has altered drastically over the past decades!" the salesman replied. "Who knows what Asbrannian grooms will look like in the next five years?"

Oliver then grabbed the clothes. "Can I try them on now?" he asked.

"Right. Try them if it suits you," Layla said.

"Head this way, gentleman, to the fitting room!" the salesman kindly escorted Oliver.

Oliver followed the salesman and entered the fitting room. Then, he unravelled the red curtain.

     Meanwhile, Sophia and her parents reached the boutique. The store hung elaborate dresses outside for display, and many young ladies flocked over to see the posh designs. Inside, white damask with floral patterns made up the wall, complementing the pots of blooming plants. Golden chandeliers with glass pearls swayed in the ceiling as their candles illuminated the interior in a soft, golden glow.

As Sophia and her parents opened the door, a bell chimed, alerting the owner, Aria. "Ah! Is it my beautiful princess?" Aria approached Sophia.

     A bright grin covers Aria's face, giving her slanted brown eyes a soft glow. Aria walks forward, and the sunlight beaming through the windows accentuates the paleness of her skin. Then, the sun's golden rays reach her dark hair, giving her updo a brownish tone.

     Aria wears a blue high-waisted dress made of lightweight cotton. Her full skirt meets with the floor as her hemline covers her black loafers. Finishing her outfit, Aria equips a sash around her waist and twists it into a ribbon.

"Good morning," Sophia greeted with a kind smile.

Amelia then stepped forward and asked, "So, Aria, how's the dress?" She smiled.

"Almost finished, darling! My tailors are now giving its final touches by decorating it with silk and satin trimmings!" Aria stated. "It took me two years to design it, by the way. When is the wedding anyway?"

"Next week!" Amelia answered, raising her chin with her eyes half-closed.

"Huh! Well, perfect! Just in time, as I knew it! Haha!" Aria replied.

 "And!" Amelia raised her brows and smirked as she pointed at Aria. "You're invited to the wedding,"

"Oh, thank good heavens!" Aria grinned in excitement.

"You'll be a bridesmaid," Amelia said.

"How wonderful!" Aria bounced on the floor.

"Indeed," Amelia smirked. She then kindly asked, "May we check out the dress?"

"Well, in less than an hour, you may claim it and take it home!" Aria stated.

"Oh! Ahh! Amazing!" Amelia clapped.

     After an hour of waiting, Sophia tried on her elegant wedding outfit. The dress slipped through her body perfectly, drooping over in a proper proportion. Sophia's grin widened as she stared at her reflection in a mirror.

"This is the best thing I've ever worn," Sophia said, peering at her reflection.

Aria stood behind Sophia and noticed her wedding ring with a giant diamond. "Wow! That is such a huge stone, dear!" she complimented her.

"Oh, thank you!" Sophia replied, still astonished by her dress as she stared at herself in the mirror.

"She, indeed, cannot wait for her lavish wedding. Right, honey?" Amelia chuckled, tapping Sophia's elbow.

Sophia lost her smile as a frown creased on her face, and her jaw began quivering. She then turned around and faced Amelia. "Mother, may we talk somewhere private?" Sophia asked.

"Oh, yes, yes! We may talk once we're back in the Fuers' household," Amelia said.

Meanwhile, Evan marched towards Aria and grabbed his wallet from his pocket. "So, Aria, how much is it?"

     Later, Sophia found herself with her parents outside the Fuers' household. They stood on the porch, waiting for Oliver and the Fuers to return. They leaned on the railings and gazed at the surrounding trees as the breeze swayed them.

Sophia glanced at her mother and poked her shoulder. "Mother?"

"Oh, right! So, what do you want to tell me, honey?" Amelia smiled as she turned towards her daughter.

Sophia glanced to her left and right as the breeze brushed through her hair. "...I'm so sorry to disappoint you, Mother," she said timidly. "But... I have to confess something..."

"You don't like the dress...?" Amelia guessed.

"No, I—" Sophia confessed. "What I want to admit is... I... I don't have any romantic feelings towards Oliver. I am not keen on marrying him."

"What?" Amelia raised a brow.

"I still don't like him... no matter what we do, I only view him as a nice friend," Sophia explained.

"Is Oliver not enough? He is strikingly handsome and has a magical ability to protect a family. Oliver has a power... which your children would inherit. Don't you want your children and descendants to have that gift? Don't you want to be part of... the Podeshire lineage?" Amelia tried convincing Sophia as she stepped closer to her daughter and placed her hand under her cheek.

"Mother, it's not like that... please, let me explain," Sophia shook her head, closing her eyes as her brows furrowed.

"No, missy. I don't want to hear it," Amelia said as her face turned sour. She then ventured, "I am not looking forward to hearing you deny your marriage. We've talked about this when you were a child, remember?"

"Mother, please! Don't force me to love someone. Love is supposed to be genuine, not an act!" Sophia pleaded to Amelia.

     Amelia scowled, her brows furrowed deeper into her nose, and her face wrinkled in frustration. She then pointed a finger at Sophia's mouth. Terrified, Sophia gasped and didn't reply. She stepped down from the porch and hastened away from her parents, trying to hold back her tears. As Sophia walked away, Amelia glared at her daughter furiously.