Aquila watched Lady Solemn crumble.
The woman had entered the boutique draped in arrogance, her chin high and voice sharp, wielding her status like a weapon. Yet now, standing before two princesses, that same confidence shattered piece by piece before Aquila's eyes.
Pathetic.
Aquila felt neither satisfaction nor pity. Only indifference.
The noblewoman's trembling hands, the way her eyes darted between herself and Zuleika, the visible panic threatening to consume her—it all felt inevitable. Actions carried consequences. People simply disliked facing them.
When their eyes met, Aquila did not need to speak.
A single glance was enough.
Leave.
The message passed between them effortlessly. Lady Solemn immediately lowered her head.
As the woman stumbled out of the boutique, Aquila remained silent, her posture perfectly composed. The rustle of expensive skirts, hurried footsteps, and muffled embarrassment faded behind her.
Only then did she allow herself to close her eyes. Peace, at last. A trembling servant approached with tea.
Aquila accepted the porcelain cup carefully. The china was thin and expensive, painted with delicate silver patterns along the rim. It reminded her vaguely of home—of diplomatic gatherings and endless meetings where every smile concealed a knife.
Before she could take a sip, Zuleika spoke.
"Is power and authority truly held in such weight here in Feltogora?"
Aquila lifted the cup to her lips. Of course that would be her question. She could practically hear the judgment hidden beneath the words.
"That is how order is kept intact."
The answer came easily. It was something she had believed for years. The weak respected kindness only when strength stood behind it. Without authority, principles meant nothing. Without power, ideals were simply invitations to be trampled.
"Without it, you will be pushed around like any common stone on the road."
The tea was warm. Slightly too sweet. Aquila resisted the urge to frown.
Across from her, Zuleika muttered, "Crazy."
Aquila ignored it.
There was little point arguing with someone who viewed the world through entirely different eyes.
The shopkeeper approached next. The man's face had gone ghostly pale.
Moments ago, he had allowed discrimination to flourish within his establishment. Now he bowed so low Aquila wondered if his forehead might touch the floor.
Predictable. People rarely changed. They simply adjusted their behavior according to who held power. Aquila watched him apologize.
Zuleika's expression suggested she was thinking something similar.
Interesting.
For all their disagreements, there were moments when their observations aligned surprisingly well.
"The dresses. Show me."
The command left her lips calmly. Immediately, chaos erupted. Servants scrambled. Fabric appeared from every corner of the boutique.
Aquila's silver gaze traveled across the growing collection.
Blue silk.
Ivory velvet.
Deep emerald satin.
Soft lavender chiffon.
Each dress represented countless hours of labor. Intricate embroidery shimmered beneath the chandeliers. Pearls caught the light like droplets of frozen moonlight.
Beautiful.
Excessive.
Impractical.
But beautiful.
She examined them the same way she reviewed military reports or political documents.
Details mattered. Craftsmanship mattered. A poor choice reflected poorly on the Crown. Across from her, a laugh escaped Zuleika.
Aquila's brows immediately furrowed.
"What is so amusing?"
The woman was staring at her again. As usual. "Why are you always so serious?"
Because someone has to be. The thought surfaced instantly.
Instead, she answered, "Because I do not have the time to play around like you."
Her attention returned to the gowns. Objectively speaking, most of them were acceptable. Some were exceptional. None were offensive enough to reject outright. So she reached the most efficient conclusion.
"I'll take all of them." Silence.
The shopkeeper nearly choked.
Aquila blinked.
Why was everyone acting surprised? The dresses would be useful eventually. If not for her, then for official events, gifts, attendants, or future occasions. There was no disadvantage.
Then came Zuleika's voice. "You haven't even tried them."
Aquila turned toward her. The woman looked scandalized.
The answer seemed obvious. Apparently not. The next accusation arrived immediately.
Impulsive buying. Aquila nearly rolled her eyes. Nearly. Instead she maintained her dignity.
"I do not."
"You do."
"I said I do not."
The argument continued with all the maturity of two children fighting over a toy. Aquila could already feel the beginning of a headache.
Then inspiration struck. A rare occurrence.
"If you only wish to see me in these dresses standing in front of you, Zuleika, just say so."
The words left her mouth before she could reconsider them. Immediately, she noticed the flicker of surprise.
Victory. For approximately two seconds.
Then Zuleika smiled.
"Hmm... that would be a nice idea."
Aquila froze.
What?
That was not supposed to be the answer. The response had been intended to end the conversation. Not encourage it.
For the briefest moment, Aquila found herself at a complete loss.
Unbelievable.
She immediately looked away before the woman could notice. Or worse. Enjoy it.
"Why not try this one, Your Highness?"
Aquila immediately regretted allowing herself to be dragged into this.
Her silver eyes shifted toward the maid holding out the pale blue gown. The woman wore a perfectly respectful smile, but Aquila was not blind. There was amusement hidden beneath it.
Then she looked at Zuleika. The princess looked entirely too pleased with herself.
Aquila's jaw tightened. They were enjoying this. Both of them.
"Yes, Aquila," Zuleika chimed. "Do try it on. Surely the great Ice Princess won't melt from a little silk?"
Aquila closed her eyes. One. Two. Three. Restraint was a virtue. A necessary virtue. Especially when dealing with certain people.
"Fine."
Her voice came out colder than intended.
"But only to silence the two of you."
The delighted look that immediately appeared on Zuleika's face made Aquila question whether this had been a mistake. Almost certainly.
Ignoring the soft applause behind her, she took the gown and entered the dressing room. The curtain fell shut behind her.
Silence. Blessed silence. At least for a moment. Aquila glanced down at the dress. Objectively, it was beautiful.
The pale blue fabric reminded her of winter skies before snowfall. Silver embroidery traced elegant patterns across the material. The craftsmanship was exceptional.
Not that she intended to admit that aloud. Carefully, she began changing. Unfortunately, she quickly discovered the obvious problem. The back.
Specifically, the endless laces designed by some sadistic tailor who clearly despised women.
Aquila stared at her reflection. Then at the laces. Then back at her reflection.
"...Ridiculous."
She attempted to tie them herself.
Failed. Tried again. Failed again.
The dress was lovely. The design was idiotic.
By the time she heard movement outside the curtain, her patience was hanging by a thread.
Then came Zuleika's voice.
"Princess, you're taking your sweet time so long. If you were on a date with a man, he'd have dumped you for changing way too long."
Aquila felt irritation immediately rise. Of course it was her.
The curtain shifted. Aquila turned. Their eyes met. Silence followed.
The expression on Zuleika's face was almost worth the annoyance.
"...Oh."
Aquila raised an eyebrow.
"Well?"
The woman simply stood there. Staring.
Honestly, did she intend to remain frozen forever?
"Are you just going to stand there gawking?"
That finally seemed to restart her brain.
"Oh, do you... need help?"
Aquila glanced toward the stubborn laces. The answer was obvious.
"Yes."
The immediate surprise on Zuleika's face nearly made her laugh. Instead, she remained perfectly serious. A few moments later, Zuleika stepped fully inside. The curtain closed. Aquila faced the mirror while Zuleika moved behind her. Then she felt fingers reach for the laces. Careful. Surprisingly gentle.
"Hm... tighter? Or would Your Highness prefer to breathe while walking?"
"Tighter."
"Of course."
Aquila rolled her eyes. The woman truly never stopped talking. Not even for a minute.
"Do you always chatter while assisting someone?"
"Yes. Silence makes things awkward."
Aquila looked at their reflections.
"...This is already awkward."
"Not for me."
Of course it wasn't.
Nothing ever seemed awkward for Zuleika. Nothing seemed capable of embarrassing her. The realization was mildly infuriating.
Aquila watched her reflection instead. The furrow between her brows. The concentration on her face. The way she focused entirely on defeating a piece of ribbon as though it were a personal enemy.
Strange. She had never noticed how expressive Zuleika was. Most nobles carefully controlled every expression. Zuleika did not.
Everything she felt appeared openly across her face. Amusement. Curiosity. Frustration. Mischief. Aquila found herself watching longer than necessary.
"Oh, you have a mole here."
Aquila blinked.
"A mole?"
"At your nape."
"Hm."
Her gaze drifted toward the mirror again. Toward Zuleika.
Not herself. Zuleika. The woman remained completely occupied with the dress. Oblivious.
Aquila studied her quietly. Then, unfortunately, another memory surfaced. The Duke's estate. That absurd incident. That ridiculous woman. Even now, the memory remained vivid.
Aquila frowned. How annoying.
It had not been her first kiss. Years ago, she had entertained noble suitors. Enough to know she found most of them unremarkable. Forgettable conversations. Forgettable smiles. Forgettable kisses.
Nothing worth remembering. Nothing worth revisiting.Yet somehow— That one reckless moment with Zuleika had lingered. Persisted. Refused to disappear.
Aquila disliked that fact immensely. Or perhaps not as much as she should have.
"Is it still not done?" she asked.
Partly because she wanted the dress finished. Partly because she wanted to stop thinking.
"Almost."
Zuleika frowned at the ribbon.
Aquila's eyes remained fixed on the mirror. Still watching. Still thinking.
What exactly made her different?
The question had irritated her for weeks. No answer seemed sufficient.
"There."
Zuleika finally smiled.
"It's all done."
Aquila looked at her reflection. Then at Zuleika's. The smile she received in return was entirely genuine. No schemes. No teasing. No hidden agenda. Just a smile.
For some reason, that made something in Aquila's chest tighten unexpectedly. Strange. Very strange.
"What?" Zuleika asked.
Aquila remained silent. The answer would sound ridiculous spoken aloud. Instead, she simply looked at her. Really looked.
At the woman who constantly tested her patience. Who ignored boundaries. Who spoke without thinking. Who somehow continued occupying her thoughts regardless. Annoying.
Entirely annoying.
And yet— Aquila felt the corner of her lips curve upward. A small smile. A private realization.
Perhaps the difference had never been the kiss itself. Perhaps the difference was Zuleika. That realization was both irritating and amusing.
Very well.
If she wished to confirm her theory, then she would. For once, she would stop overthinking. For once, she would simply act.
So she stepped forward.
And when she pulled away moments later, the expression on Zuleika's face nearly made the entire experiment worthwhile.
Complete shock. Utter confusion. Aquila had never seen her speechless before. That alone felt like a victory.
"...Hmm."
Interesting. The answer was clearer now. Different indeed.
Aquila smiled to herself.
Then, before Zuleika could recover enough to demand explanations, she turned and walked out of the dressing room.
Leaving the other princess completely stunned behind her.
For once, Aquila decided, Zuleika could be the one struggling to keep up.