AZALEA

The crisp and clean air touched my skin as we strolled on the grand hallways of the palace. We were here to deliver the orders along with the completed gowns and suits they specifically requested for. Some spare suits, tunics and dresses were also prepared if they suddenly changed their minds with the original design. I must be prepared because the royal family was sometimes hard to please.

The grand chamberlain assisted and led us to where Queen Adriana Harrison was resting. When we entered the queen's grandiose privy, the Queen was enjoying her tea on a silver tea cup while sitting on a majestic red couch with an overflowing dress. We curtsied to express our immense respect to her glorious presence. The Queen was forty-five but she was still youth-looking.

"Lady Azalea of House Shercon greets the moon that lights the kingdom, Your Majesty, Queen Adrianna," I greeted as I curtsied. "The dresses for the upcoming banquet are already prepared and ready for fitting." I slowly stood straight after the greetings.

Queen Adriana was the popular Ice Queen of this Glass Kingdom. She didn't crumble even though the King took a concubine and her invulnerability annoyed her enemies. Despite our kingdom being shut down from the outside world, she had several enemies inside–mostly nobles and aristocrats with political grievances who joined the opposite faction which supported the concubine to be queen.

Well, fighting for power and connection seemed to be the only sane thing to do in this kingdom where we couldn't even love without dying.

Unfortunately, that concubine died out of heartbreak. She couldn't handle the pressure and silent wars in the palace. And she was also greedy for the King's attention which caused her heart to crumble.

Queen Adrianna waved her free hand in the air and gently put the tea cup on the silver saucer. Her cold blue eyes gazed at the ballgowns which was still kept in their boxes. She lightly brushed the stray locks of her silky, brunette hair which was elegantly tied in a huge braided bun.

She slightly nodded at me. "Lady Hazel, please assist them to my dressing room," she casually said, dismissing our presence in the room.

The grand chamberlain she called for quickly followed her orders and led us. We passed through her bed chamber. Most furniture, even her bed, were painted by gold, purple and silver. There was also an elegant gold chandelier hanging in the middle of the room.

We entered an enormous dressing room with multiple racks of dresses and a huge collection of jewelries, shoes and bags displayed in the glass cabinets. We were so fascinated with gaping jaws but we tried to immediately organize the dresses and ballgowns and clothe them on the mannequins.

When Queen Adrianna arrived, her cold blue eyes scanned the ballgowns displayed on the mannequin as her long and slim fingers traced the gold and silver fabrics and laces, meticulously checking the quality. She just nodded a little after a while which indicated that she was quite satisfied.

I could only secretly sigh in relief as my heartglass wildly beat in my chest. The queen's presence was so suffocating and intimidating that I could only secretly fidget on my hands while I tried my best to maintain my confident posture.

She asked her ladies-in-waiting to accompany her in an exclusive room to fit the ballgowns. I waited in bated breath as we anticipated her return.

When Queen Adriana walked out the room, she displayed an aura of a queen in her gold and silver ballgown with intricate embroideries decorated with beads and small gemstones that complimented her silky, pale skin.

"Please excuse me, Your Majesty," I said.

I approached her to check if she was uncomfortable with the current measurements of the ballgown. My gaze scanned her exposed shoulder and the sleeves. I touched the hem of her ribboned back. I skimmed the ballgown's curvy waist and hips down to the ballgown's edges that touched the marbled floor. She didn't gain weight. And the gown was a perfect fit.

"You look beautiful, Your Majesty. The ballgown perfectly hugs your body and compliments your skin tone and gorgeous appearance," I complimented before I stepped back. She checked herself in the huge mirror and turned around to check every corner and every edge of the dress.

"I like it. The fabric has a nice touch on it. Definitely high quality. I will also fit the other dresses I requested. You're good at this business. I'm sure Marquis Frederick is proud of her daughter," Queen Adriana casually commented as she stared at me through the mirror's reflection.

Well, I was certain, it was just her way to express kind words because we both know, even the parents must not have such deep affection to their children. Still, I nodded to humbly accept her compliment.

I smiled. "You're too kind. Thank you, Your Majesty."

She nodded with a straight face without a little hint of smile. I had never seen her smile, even once. I guessed no one else did. She was the epitome of real strength and power in a world where hearts were made of glass.

She continued fitting the dresses and gowns. She had some changes on the designs and the cuts so I had to take note of all of them through my assistant's help. After fitting, we packed up the gowns and dresses. We would send the dresses and ballgowns to the palace after the final touch.

We headed to the King's chamber while the Queen and her ladies-in-waiting accompanied us. We curtsied to the King and I explained that his ball dress suit was already available for fitting. The Queen and the ladies-in-waiting helped him change.

King Arthur Harrison was already in his mid-fifties but he still looked young as if he was still in his glorious days. He had ash brown hair which was slowly turning into gray. His gray eyes complimented the silver linings on his gold-silver ball dress suit and tunic.

The Queen helped him choose some new suits for his daily activities and there was nothing wrong with the previous measurements. He didn't seem to gain weight or height. He was maintaining his body perfectly. I wondered if he also maintained his heart at its perfect condition. I both admired the King and Queen for not crumbling from the pressure and even managed to win over love.

"Thank you for your help, Lady Azalea." King Arthur kindly smiled on us unlike the Queen who was maintaining her poker face. I wondered if the King really meant that smile or if that was his trained business smile.

"The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty," I answered. I even slightly bowed my head to accept his gratitude.

We also visited the princesses–Princess Avi and Princess Ivanna. After their gown fitting, we went to Prince Grey and Prince Trayvon. The task was exhausting but it was fulfilling for me who genuinely adored this kind of work. It made me happy that someone was wearing my designs and flaunting the dresses I made.

Before we took a turn to another hallway, towards the Crown Prince's chamber, we heard two chatting female voices.

"I heard he broke another heart. So be careful. Don't believe his sweet words. He just wants to play with our hearts," a female voice sternly warned.

We turned to the right corridor. The hallway had many high-arched ceilings and were sculpted and carved with intricate designs ornamented by chandeliers symmetrically lining up and hanging above.

"Well... he seems serious sometimes. I can't just avoid him. I'm also attending to his needs as his servant. I can't just ignore him," someone hesitantly answered.

When I scanned that girl, she had silky black hair with a small face which was very attractive. Most of the palace's close servants, maids and lady-in-waiting were from noble families. It was a chance for them to gain connection and even meet good prospective husbands. Many nobles were serving the royal family for power and connection.

Princess Avi also offered me a position as her lady-in-waiting but I respectfully declined because I wanted to manage my own business–a dress shop–and to become a designer and a seamstress. Gladly, she understood that I had my own dreams to achieve. Or maybe she didn't care at all regardless of my decision. She still had many options after all.

The lady brushed her silky black stray locks to the back of her ears. It was the opposite of my red curly hair. I wondered who they were talking about. Was it about Prince Dion?

They stopped talking when they noticed we were approaching. We stopped in front the chamber's double door.

"Good morning. We're here to deliver the ball suit of the Crown Prince," I informed them.

The ladies nodded and went inside after knocking to announce our arrival. After a short discussion inside, one lady informed us that Prince Dion just woke up and had to wash up and change his clothes. He just woke up? It was already late but I remained unconcern as much as possible.

The ladies guided us to a waiting room.

I heard a lot about him and kind of knew him. He had the worst reputation among the princes and princesses. People branded him as the "The Heartbreaker' or even 'Heart Destroyer'.

Several ladies fell into his trap. These ladies fell in love with him but it was an unrequited love. The flirty prince was literally every lady's demise and end.

And I was aware I must avoid to catch his attention at all costs.

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