Briar Rose

The first thing that took their breath away was the colour.

It was dusty pink, gentle like a breeze on a summer day.

The corset bodice was embroidered with delicate lace in floral patters like roses.

As the shop assistant held the dress up outside the box, one could see the true grandeur of this creation.

The skirt had a large volume, as suited for a ball gown, with layers and layers of crepe and tissue that was delicate like soft paper.

The assistant's eyes softened as she held the dress and smoothed it out.

"Madam, this one is named 'Briar Rose'."

Lina's eyes sparkled as she stared at the craftsmanship of this marvellous gown. Her delicate hands caressed its form, like it was love at first sight.

Shen looked on jealously from the side, his expression grudging. Why didn't she touch him so gently everywhere like she did with the dress!?

As if Lina could tell what he was thinking from the look on his face, she shook her head in amusement. This man was jealous of an inanimate object?!

He sighed, and gave up on his wishes...for now.

"Angel, go on and try the dress."

Lina and the attendant nodded as the woman went in with Lina to help her fasten the strings of the corset on the back.

She slipped into the dress like it was a glove made specifically for her.

As the shop assistant tied the strings on the back tightly, Lina could feel the air being knocked out of her chest.

"Oof!" she exclaimed.

"Sorry madam! Sometimes we must compromise on comfort for the sake of beauty!"

The shop assistant apologised repeatedly every time she strangled Lina, but she knew it would be worth it to see the finished look.

As she watched this little shop assistant help her with the dress, she noticed something odd.

Her hands moved quickly, and efficiently. Her eyes were bright and filled with interest. No shop assistant looked this invested in a dress. It was more than just loving her job...there was some attachment to this piece.

Lina smiled. Her instincts had been consistently getting better and she believed she knew exactly what was going on.

As the assistant tied the last string behind her back, she looked at Lina with tears in her eyes and quietly sighed.

"Yes...you are perfect."

Lina turned to glance at herself in the mirror.

For a second, she felt dizzy because she sucked her breath in too fast. It was not just the corset being so tight, but her own astonishment that caused it.

She truly looked like royalty.

She smiled softly at herself. Shen would love this.

"Madam, shall we go outside and show young master?"

The shop assistant was sure that the rich, tycoon sitting outside would buy this dress once he saw how beautiful she looked in it.

After all, he shut capital city's most famous mall down just for her to shop in it without disturbance. He could definitely afford this piece.

Lina was about to step out but an idea came to her.

"No, wait! I don't want to show him now. I'll buy this now and let him get a glimpse when we are at the event."

The shop assistant looked confused. No matter how rich the man outside was, wouldn't he want to see the dress before he spent 11.3 million dollars on it?

"Um, madam, are you sure?"

"Yes! Now is there a cape or a coat that goes with this? I want to do this right!"

The assistant smiled awkwardly. There indeed was a 3 million dollar cape lined with minx fur and dusty pink satin heels to go with them for 12,400 dollars.

"Yes there is, I will bring it to you now. There are beautiful pink satin slippers too."

As Lina's entire ensemble was put together, she was pleased with what she saw.

She walked out of the dressing room to see Shen's expectant, eager eyes look up.

"I've decided, hubby, I want this dress, with the cape and the slippers!" she beamed at him.

"Won't you take off the cape and let me see, though?"

"No! It's a surprise for when we get there!"

Shen looked happily at his wife's mischievous smile. He really couldn't wait till they reached the ball. He usually hated these events and only went for a few when it was required, but today was different.

He would have his wife by his side.

Shen went up to the front counter to pay. The shop assistant looked down as she printed the bill.

She cleared her throat and awkwardly reported the final amount to Shen.

"That will be 11.7 million, inclusive of taxes, young master."

Shen didn't blink and eye as he simply handed her a nondescript black credit card.

As she saw the name written on it, her eyes widened. So this was the one and only Shen Moshi, the devil king!

The woman he brought along must be very special to him.

She sighed at how romantic it all was.

"What a perfect way to give my 'Briar Rose' away..." she said quietly.

Lina's mouth lifted up into a smile.

So she really was June herself!

This little assistant was the great, elusive designer herself.

She knew there was a deep level of attachment this woman had to the pieces she had been showing Lina, especially Briar Rose.

"Miss June, I believe?"

June jumped at the revelation Lina had come to! She quickly covered her mouth, realising she had betrayed herself.

Then she laughed sheepishly.

"I do love this gown! Madam...it suits you beautifully, there could be no better owner. You are gentle like the sleeping beauty* herself."

(* Briar Rose is the name given to sleeping beauty in the story by her 3 fairy godmothers)

Shen looked on at his radiant wife. She really was the sleeping beauty, lying still as if in a peaceful slumber for 3 months as his heart pined for her.