CHAPTER 208: MURDER BY SPARKLE & DRAGONFIRE

[Lavinia’s POV—Lily Boutique—Capital City of Elarion Empire]

As I stepped into the boutique, it smelled like flowers, silk, and the tears of bankrupt noblewomen. Everywhere I looked, gowns shimmered, fabrics glistened, and jeweled accessories twinkled—like they were all trying to seduce me at once.

I hummed, twirling slowly. "It’s... like walking into a showroom that screams, ’give me your wallet or perish.’"

Before I could take another step, a woman spotted me. Her eyes went comically wide, and then—

"Y-Your Highness! The Crown Princess!"

The attendants peeked out from behind racks, pillars, and shelves like startled squirrels, gasping in perfect chorus. Within moments, someone bolted off—probably to fetch the owner.

The rest bowed in unison, heads nearly scraping the floor. "Welcome, Your Highness Crown Princess!"

I smiled softly. "Please, raise."

I walked further, glancing over dresses. One in particular caught my eye—an off-shoulder piece with more ruffles than sense. I wrinkled my nose. "If I wear this, I’ll look like a wedding cake."

Just then, a woman in her fifties strutted forward. She had a face carved with pride, chin raised so high she might catch clouds. She bowed—barely, like her spine was allergic to humility—and cooed, "Welcome to my boutique, Your Highness. It is an honor to serve you today."

I glanced at her once, scanned her up and down... and walked straight past, plopping down on a cushioned couch. "Show me your best dresses," and I glanced at her, saying, "...something that doesn’t disappoint me."

Her lips curled into a smug smile. "Of course, Your Highness. It will be a pleasure to serve you and I guarantee you after witnessing the grace of our gowns, I am certain... you will feel truly blessed."

Blessed? My eyebrow twitched. That woman really said blessed.

I smirked under my breath. "She’s far too proud of herself."

"I agree," came Osric’s low voice from behind.

I whipped around, glaring daggers. "You’re not allowed to talk to me until you explain how you know so much

about ladies’ boutiques, Osric."

"What?! But Lavi—"

I turned my head away dramatically, sulking. He let out a long, suffering sigh. "I... I looked for it."

I peeked at him from the corner of my eye. "...What do you mean, you looked for it?"

His face turned a shade pinker than rose quartz. He rubbed the back of his neck, muttering, "I wanted you to... to shine at your first tea party. So I searched for the best boutique in the capital. And this... was it."

For a second, my heart fluttered annoyingly loud in my chest.

I tilted my head, smirking. "Hehhh... how come my man is this cute?"

He froze. And then, to my absolute delight, Osric—my man, my grand duke, my supposedly stoic protector—blushed all the way to the tips of his ears.

Hehe... so... cute. Should I tease him and kiss him right now to tease him more?

Before my brain goes wild—

ROLLLLLLLLLL!

Dresses were paraded out in front of me, and TA-DA!!!

The gowns SPARKLED. No—they assaulted my eyes. Diamonds, sequins, glittering threads—each one brighter than the sun. I swear, one dress nearly reflected my face back at me.

I squinted dramatically, shielding my eyes with my hand. "By the heavens—!! Who... who... WHO in this world BUYS these dresses?! Is this fashion or a murder weapon?!"

The shopkeeper sashayed forward, dripping smugness. "Your Highness... these dresses are the most exclusive pieces. Each one is stitched with the highest-quality fabric and adorned with precious stones. I assure you, the moment you walk in wearing these, every other lady’s jaw will simply drop to the floor."

Osric blinked at the blinding display, dumbfounded. "They will. Since you’ll look like... their personal sun ray."

I slapped my forehead and muttered to osric.

"Osric. No. I am not walking into my first tea party looking like a walking chandelier. What if someone trips? I’ll be charged with attempted murder by sparkle."

I leaned forward, pointing a finger at the glittering battlefield. "Can we... maybe... have something simpler? You know, a gown that doesn’t scream: ’BLIND YOUR ENEMIES WITH DIAMONDS.’ These things are stabbing my eyeballs—"

And just as I was mid-complaint—

"Ohhh... Your Highness?"

I turned my head slowly. Of course. OF COURSE. Lady Sirella Talvan and—because the gods enjoy torturing me—Eleania.

I groaned and muttered. "Why? WHY do we always bump into her whenever I dare leave the palace? Is she cursed to haunt my free time?!"

Osric nodded with the grim seriousness of a knight swearing an eternal oath. "I agree. It’s... bothersome. Almost suspicious, even. Coincidences don’t happen this often."

I sighed dramatically, flicking my wrist. "Exactly."

Lady Sirella walked forward and bowed with polite grace. "Greetings, Your Highness. It is always a pleasure to meet you."

I gave her a sweet smile. "The pleasure is mine too, Lady Sirella."

Then—like a stage manager pushing a forgotten actor on stage—Sirella nudged Eleania forward. Then Eleania stumbled like she recalled my position and then plastered on her fake-sweet smile. "Greeting to her—"

But I choose to ignore her.

Before she could finish, I cut her off without even looking at her. "Osric, why don’t you choose a dress for me today?"

Silence. A perfect silence.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Eleania’s expression shatter because of humiliation. Her eyes widened, her jaw tightened, and her teeth ground so hard I half-expected sparks to fly. Ohhh... she was livid.

I smirked, basking in her annoyed, angry face. Hmmm... should I... should I live my full villainess moment here?

Just as I was plotting, Osric leaned down slightly, his voice low and teasing. "Do you truly want me to choose a dress for the Crown Princess?"

I blinked at him.

"...Heh?"

He wasn’t smiling sweetly. No. He was smirking. The exact same mischievous curve I had in mind. His eyes glimmered with silent understanding, as if he were whispering: ’Let’s play the villain game together, Lavi.’

My lips curved into a slow grin. "Ah... yes. Choose for me, Osric. Today, I’ll trust only your taste."

And oh, the satisfaction. Eleania’s face twitched like she’d bitten into a lemon dipped in vinegar, her pride shriveling in real time.

Then Lady Sirella, ever the diplomat, chimed in with a polite smile. "Then... should we leave Your Highness to choose her dress freely?"

I tilted my head, my smile soft and sugary sweet. "What are you talking about, Lady Sirella? Please, choose your dress freely. I am here to shop just like you."

Her eyes brightened, relief blooming across her face. "Thank you, Your Highness. You are too kind."

I gestured gracefully toward the seat opposite me. "Take a seat, Lady Sirella. Let’s choose a dress together, shall we?"

She nodded, delighted, and sank onto the couch across from me.

Of course, Eleania moved to follow her so-called step-sister, skirts rustling as she prepared to sit. But—

"Stop."

The word cut through the air like a blade.

Osric’s voice.

Eleania froze mid-seat, blinking in confusion.

Osric’s tone turned cold, laced with an edge that could slice steel. Standing tall behind me, he looked every inch the dragon in human skin. "Her Highness never said you could sit, Lady Eleania."

. . .

"...Excuse me?" Eleania’s voice cracked, her cheeks paling.

Osric didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink. His eyes glowed with quiet threat. "I said—Her Highness. Never. Gave. You. Permission. To sit."

The silence that followed was suffocating. The attendants who had been peeking around the shelves quickly ducked their heads back, pretending they hadn’t heard a thing.

And me?

I smiled, resting my chin on my hand, watching the little scene unfold like I was at the theater. Sweet as honey, sharp as glass.

What a sight. What a fun sight.

I had come here expecting fabrics and frills—maybe a gown or two to ease my nerves. But this? This was so much better. Who knew shopping could taste like victory, like champagne bubbles on the tongue?

Eleania’s face was priceless—caught between outrage and humiliation, her pride writhing like a worm under salt. Did she really think... she could simply trail behind Lady Sirella, plop herself down across from me, and act as though she were my equal?

A noble’s daughter, yes. But in the end—just another simpering shadow in my empire.

And yet, she dares. Dares to move freely before the Crown Princess.

I could almost laugh.

She must have been spreading some ridiculous rumors, whispering with her sharp little tongue behind painted lips, thinking she could chip away at me. Ah, how refreshing to see Osric cut her down with one single sentence. To remind her—to remind everyone—that until I say so, she has no right. No position. Not even the permission to sit before me.

I leaned back, crossing my legs with deliberate grace, my smile curving wider.

Yes. This... this was entertainment worth every ounce of gold and silk in this boutique.

And as Eleania stood there trembling, unable to hide the fury in her eyes, I felt a spark of delight dance in my chest.

I never knew shopping would be this fun.