Chapter 26

The invitation arrived wrapped in delicate, gold-trimmed paper, the kind that practically screamed royalty. Ella held it in her hands for a moment, savoring the weight of it before gently unfolding it. Her eyes scanned the elegant script, written in Seraphina's unmistakable handwriting.

"Seraphina," Ella whispered to herself, smiling. Seraphina, the sister of the story's heroine and now engaged to the Crowned Prince, was asking her—her—to create her wedding dress. Ella's pulse quickened as she read the rest of the note.

Seraphina's words were direct yet gracious: she believed Ella's modern, innovative designs would make her wedding dress truly stand out in the royal court. And with the wedding just two months away, there wasn't a moment to lose.

Ella stood there, a mix of excitement and pressure bubbling in her chest. The wedding of the year, she thought, biting her lip. Flattering, yes, but the weight of the task hit her at once. Designing a dress for the future queen was no small thing, and the gown would be seen by royalty, nobles, and every important figure in the kingdom.

Later that evening, after closing the shop, Ella sat down at her desk with the invitation still open in front of her, fingers absently tracing the edges. She could feel the challenge looming ahead, but there was a spark of determination in her eyes.

"This has to be perfect," she muttered, her mind already spinning with ideas.

For the next week, Seraphina made Ella's shop her second home, arriving every day with the same regal grace, but a growing sense of familiarity. Each time, the two women would sit together, pouring over sketches and fabric samples, their heads bent in deep discussion.

Seraphina, though kind, was particular about her vision for the dress. "It has to be perfect," she would say, her eyes gleaming with both excitement and the weight of expectation. "Not too traditional, but not too modern either. Something... unique."

Ella nodded, unfazed by the challenge. "We'll find the right balance," she reassured her, rolling out yet another sketch, this one featuring a sleek, fitted silhouette.

Seraphina tilted her head, considering it carefully before shaking her head with a small smile. "No, too tight. I want something grand. A gown that commands attention."

Ella set the sketch aside, flipping through her designs. "How about this?" she suggested, revealing a silk gown with subtle patterns woven into the fabric.

Seraphina's eyes lit up. "Now that... that's something," she said, her voice warm with approval.

The two women had developed a rhythm, and with each visit, the atmosphere in the shop became more relaxed. Between discussions of fabric textures and embroidery patterns, they'd occasionally share a laugh. One afternoon, as they debated the merits of lace versus satin, Seraphina teased, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to steal the spotlight at my wedding."

Ella laughed, shaking her head. "You're marrying the Crowned Prince. I think the spotlight will be firmly on you, no matter what I make."

As the days passed, their banter grew easier, the formality between them fading into genuine camaraderie. Yet despite the light-hearted moments, Ella remained intensely focused, determined to meet Seraphina's expectations. Each sketch, each fabric choice felt like another step closer to crafting the perfect dress, and as the week drew to a close, they both felt that they were nearing the finish line.

After a week of back-and-forth, Seraphina finally made her choice. Ella held her breath as she watched the noblewoman's eyes linger on a particular sketch, one that featured an elegant, off-the-shoulder gown with sparkling details woven into the fabric. The silhouette was flowy yet modern, a fusion of contemporary elements and timeless grace. It was bold for the time period, something that would undoubtedly cause a stir in the royal court.

Seraphina smiled, running her fingers lightly over the design. "This is it," she said softly, her voice filled with excitement. "It's exactly what I had in mind—something that stands out but still feels... regal."

Ella couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. "I'm glad you like it," she replied, her smile growing as she imagined the gown coming to life. "It's going to be breathtaking on you."

Seraphina's eyes sparkled as she envisioned herself walking down the aisle in the dress, all eyes on her. "This is going to be the talk of the court for years to come."

With the design finalized, Ella wasted no time diving into the work. The next few scenes blurred together with the sound of scissors slicing through delicate fabric and the steady hum of needle and thread moving rhythmically through the gown's intricate details. Each stitch was precise, every sparkle carefully placed to catch the light just right. Ella's focus was unwavering, her hands moving with a combination of skill and creativity as she brought the gown to life.

Days passed in a flurry of work, Ella losing herself in the process. This dress wasn't just for a royal wedding—it was a symbol of her craft and the future of her business. High society and royalty would see her work, and she knew the weight of that opportunity.

As she worked, she could almost picture Seraphina in the finished gown, walking down the grand aisle toward the Crowned Prince, the dress glistening under the chandeliers. This gown wasn't just fabric and thread—it was a statement, a testament to Ella's skill and creativity, and it would mark the beginning of something far greater for her business.

As Ella carefully stitched the final touches onto Seraphina's gown, Talia sat nearby, flipping through a stack of business reports. "We're running low on linen again," Talia said, her voice steady as she read off the list. "And the grain grinder orders are piling up—there's more demand than we anticipated. We'll need to allocate some funds toward expanding production soon."

Ella nodded, only half-listening as she threaded a fine silver bead onto the gown. "Mm-hmm," she murmured, her eyes focused intently on the fabric in front of her. The dress was nearing completion, and every small detail mattered. She trusted Talia to manage the logistics. After months of working together, their interactions had become seamless. Talia spoke, Ella listened—there was a rhythm to their teamwork now, a quiet trust that didn't need constant validation.

"Also," Talia continued, scanning the next report, "the vendors in the mall are settling in nicely, but we'll need to check on their feedback about the rental space soon. I've already set up meetings for next week—"

Ella turned her head slightly, adjusting the angle to work on a particularly intricate section of the gown's neckline. In that moment, Talia's eyes caught something—just beneath Ella's ear, partly hidden by her hair, was a birthmark.

Talia froze mid-sentence. The birthmark—a distinctive, small mark—sent a wave of shock through her. She had seen it before. Her mind raced as questions started swirling in her head. Could it be? Was there something more to Ella's past that she didn't know?

She blinked, trying to regain her composure. The shock on her face was fleeting, but internally, Talia was rattled. She wanted to ask, wanted to say something, but she held her tongue. This wasn't the time. Ella's concentration was laser-focused on the dress, her hands moving with delicate precision, and the last thing Talia wanted to do was disrupt her.

So, she swallowed her questions, forcing herself to stay calm. She returned her gaze to the papers in front of her, though the words were now a blur. Her mind buzzed with possibilities, but she knew better than to speak up now.

"...And I'll handle the budget for the next few projects," Talia said, her voice steady, though her thoughts were far from it. Ella didn't notice the shift, still focused on her work.

In the back of her mind, Talia made a silent promise to find out more. But for now, the wedding dress took precedence. There would be time to explore this mystery later.

As Talia wrapped up the last of the report, her voice trailed off, her mind still preoccupied with the birthmark she had just seen on Ella. She glanced over at her friend, who was bent over the gown, lost in her meticulous stitching. The usual calm, business-focused look on Talia's face was now tinged with something else—curiosity, mixed with a bit of uncertainty. Was there something more to Ella than she had let on?

For a moment, Talia considered asking. It wouldn't be the first time they'd had personal conversations while working late into the night, sharing small pieces of themselves as they built their business. But this felt different—like it wasn't the right moment to pry.

Instead, Talia pressed her lips together, letting the unspoken question hang between them. "Everything seems in order," she finally said, her voice more subdued than usual.

Ella didn't seem to notice the shift in tone. "Good," she murmured, not looking up from her work. The sparkle of the gown reflected the light, and Ella's focus remained unshaken, her hands steady as they guided the needle through the fabric.

Talia leaned back in her chair, her gaze lingering on Ella for a second longer. There was no point in jumping to conclusions. Maybe it was nothing, just a coincidence. But the nagging curiosity gnawed at the back of her mind.

With a quiet sigh, she resolved to keep the observation to herself—at least for now. There would be time to ask questions later, once the wedding dress was done and things weren't so chaotic. But as she watched Ella, so focused and driven, Talia couldn't help but wonder: how much did she really know about her friend and business partner?

The thought stayed with her, leaving a door open for future revelations.